The Grand Samara-Trisha Das

Book: The Grand Samara
Author: Trisha Das
Publisher: Bloomsbury India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What would be your definition of Home?

Home has always been a temporary arrangement for Samara Mansingh, a wayfaring wedding photographer and the daughter of a diplomat. When her father is uprooted once again, Samara needs a place to stay in Delhi. Next stop: the Khanna family. Samara’s memories of the Khannas are vague at best, but she doesn’t remember their home feeling so much like a war zone. And the last thing their surly eldest son, Sharav, wants is a houseguest eavesdropping on the chaos. Sharav has a melodramatic sister pushing back on an arranged marriage, a withdrawn leadsinger brother who won’t sing, and a widowed mother hiding her grief in the garden. Sweeping into the household like a tornado, irrepressible Samara is a practically perfect distraction. She has a mind to help a girl find true love, push a young man to find his voice, and bring a lonely and loving widow out of mourning. Maybe Samara can even get on Sharav’s ruggedly handsome good side. The only sure thing is that the Khanna family will never be the same again. Neither will Samara, who may finally find what she’s been missing her entire life: a home.

The book is a wonderful story of how the idea of home is something we are all looking for, sometimes in a place, sometimes in a person, but the pursuit of that home is what makes our life. The writing of the book is quite engaging and keeps you hooked. What worked for me in the book was the linear storytelling and the manner in which the situations develop in the book. I loved how a “pre-Samara” dinner at Sharav’s house is shown, and the change that happens when Samara comes to live with them. Samara’s interactions with each family member have been planned and written quite nicely. Trisha takes each family member and their interaction with Samara to bring out various aspects of the plot. Another aspect of the book that I loved was the Sharav-Samara interaction. Right from the first moment to the last page, Trisha writes a roller-coaster ride of emotions. The whole scene about Sharav’s arranged marriage was just so perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humor in the book is on point and you’ll definitely laugh like a crazy person whenever you come across a humorous part of the book. The climax is the highlight of the book and the comedy of errors is quite a fun part to read and at the same time, heartwarming in the manner it is written.

The characters in the book have been written in detail. Trisha has given due thought to the characters and each of them has been crafted to fit into the story perfectly. I liked the manner in which Samara’s character has been written. She has her own flaws, but I loved how she makes the lives of those around her better. The way she helps Sharav’s sister find love, his brother his voice and herself a place she could call home. Sharav’s character as the “in-charge” of the Khanna household who likes to take charge and keep things in control was also something that was fun to read. Nonita and her family deserve a mention just for the fun they brought into the plot.

Overall, this is a book that is equal parts funny and heartwarming. The book is highly recommended to anyone who loves reading a well-written story. The book scores a 4.81/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Revenge of the Dark Spirits-Namratha Raj

Book: Revenge of the Dark Spirits
Author: Namratha Raj
Publisher: Readomania

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like reading books with black magic as a plot point?

What happens when humans foolishly meddle with the dark world of black magic? What happens when the dark spirits are denied what they are promised? A child goes missing at a quaint resort situated inside a coffee estate, bordering a jungle. The holiday turns into a nightmare for his family and the other guests, along with the Manager and staff members of the resort when they get to know that a tiger is on the prowl in the vicinity. While everyone at the resort is frantically trying to locate the child, there are powers beyond their control pulling the strings. There is a tussle between the good and the sinister in deciding the plight of the child. Will the child be found? Or rather, will the child be found dead or alive? Revenge of the Dark Spirits is a gripping mystery that will keep you on your toes.

Namratha’s book was interesting to read because of two reasons. Firstly, the book balances the trio of mystery, thrill and paranormal quite nicely. Secondly, the attention to detail while plotting the book is excellent and that keeps you hooked. The primary plot of the book revolves around the idea of black magic and what can happen if it goes wrong. Set in a quaint coffee estate, the detailed description of the location is enough to give you the creeps even without bringing black magic into the fray. The writing is crisp and keeps you engaged with the plot, right from the setting of the plot when the author is describing the cottages and the guests and the pets on the premises, right to the climax where the entire plot unfolds. Another good part of the book was the interconnectedness of events. There are sub-plots in the book which might seem frivolous in the beginning, but all of it starts making sense once the climax is revealed. I also liked the fact that the author spread crumbs across the book but each character in the story was a suspect at one point or the other, and you have to keep your guard up if you wish to play the detective in this book. The climax did stand out for me in the context of poetic justice. I did feel that with all the buildup, the climax could have been a bit more dramatic and it ended quite fast.

Coming to the characters, I loved the manner in which Namratha penned each character in the book. There are layers to most of the characters and as a reader, you start connecting with them as you explore them in the book. Abhayankar’s character was fleshed out in detail and I loved how the author has explored his past to establish the reasons for his actions. Shruthi’s character was quite a surprise and the crumbs the author has left in the story were quite fun to explore once you finish the book. The characters of Karan Nair as well as Ranjan deserve a mention for the wonderful descriptions as well as the critical role they play in the plot.

Overall, this is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who loves reading a thriller with a serving of paranormal on the side. The book scores a 4.81/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

Party to a Crime-Rohithari Rajan

Book: Party to a Crime
Author: Rohithari Rajan
Publisher: Rupa Publications

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

How do you separate truth from the lies when everyone is lying to you?

Founder of a highly valued start-up, Karan Chopra is young, famous and unpredictable. He is also missing, last seen at his birthday party seven days ago. Investigators try to make sense of testimonies from four people close to Karan. Karan’s wife Maya is in a loveless marriage that she portrays as anything but. Is that all she’s hiding? Karan’s deputy Abhinav is madly in love—just not with his own wife. Who is he scared of? Mohit recently joined Karan’s company. Why did Karan fire him? Venkatesh is one of Karan’s oldest friends. Why did he leave so early? Everyone was at the party, and everyone is lying. What are they guilty of?

The book is a crime thriller where the investigators are presented with versions of one night when the crime occurs. The author paints a picture of the events through the 4 primary suspects and as the book progresses, the stories develop, slowly peeling off layers of the true sequence of events that had occurred. The writing of the book is engaging and keeps you hooked till the last page as you uncover the truth. Another aspect of the book that stood out for me was how the author uses multiple rounds of interrogation to unravel the layers of the truth, and after each interrogation, you try and figure out the truth. It is almost as if the investigators were playing two truth and lie with the investigation. However, while the book has its positives, there are a few things that dampened the reading experience a little bit. First and foremost was the typesetting and the book quality. There are a few locations where the font size and style are inconsistent, especially on the first page, and that is a dampener. Secondly, the book becomes repetitive in the events because of the interviews, and the tone becomes a bit drab towards the end. The climax was nicely written and I liked how it was written. The way the means, motive and mastermind were revealed was quite fun.

Coming to the characters, the book is driven through the character development. I loved the manner in which the characters have been introduced and detailed out. The manner in which their motives are revealed one-by-one was impressive. Another aspect of character development that was good was that of Menon and Shukla. As investigators, I liked that they have been given their individuality as well as quirks that are an integral part of the story, especially the part about Menon’s coffee. The two characters that definitely stood out for me were that of Venky and Maya and the brilliance stands out especially when the big reveal happens.

Overall, the book is a good crime thriller and a definite recommendation. The book scores a 4.38/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest book store or on Amazon India.

Delhi Heritage Top 10 Forts-Vikramjit Singh Rooprai

Book: Delhi Heritage Top 10 Forts
Author: Vikramjit Singh Rooprai
Publisher: Niyogi Books

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever been to the forts in Delhi and wondered about their history and the stories around them?

The second book in the Delhi Heritage series dusts off the patina of time in this evocative catalogue of forts of Delhi. From the intricate detailing of the stately Red Fort and Feroz Shah Kotla to bemoaning the forgotten history of Qila-E-Rai Pithora and Nai Ka Kot, this is a handbook and more-a ready reference of the stories of its opulent patrons, a compass for wandering enthusiasts, a barometer of the rise and fall of all the cities we know as Delhi.

The book is a very well researched guide about the forts that are in Delhi. Vikramjit explores the various stories that surround these places, and what I loved about the book was that he has taken the popular stories, and then researched to establish what part of the stories actually hold true. The deep research stands out as you read through the pages and unknown facts come to light which was a wonderful experience. As a Delhi resident, I have passed by many of these forts without knowing the stories and while some of them are common knowledge, a lot of it was fun to explore. The photos that accompany the text are a wonderful addition which help you relate to the stories and the places by visualizing them. Each chapter of the book ends with a sketch of the fort highlighting the plan and important features, along with a small table with key facts about the fort.

The book is a perfect accompaniment to anyone who lives in Delhi, or is planning to visit Delhi because after reading the stories, exploring these forts would be a completely different experience, specially the nook and crannies. The book scores a 5/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India.

Dakini-K. Hari Kumar

Book: Dakini
Author: K. Hari Kumar
Publisher: Harper Collins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you think our past can impact our present?

While investigating a spate of unexplained deaths in a remote village, Mumbai-based journalist Mamta learns of the dakini: a bloodthirsty entity that haunts the surrounding forests, leaving mutilated corpses in her wake. As the villagers' terror grows, so does their dangerous suspicion of women. With lives on the line, including her own, Mamta is dragged into a race against time-all whilst trying to escape her traumatic past, which threatens to turn her own mind against her. By bestselling horror writer K. Hari Kumar, Dakini is a thrilling depiction of human courage in the face of terrifying adversity, and of superstition dwarfed by the power of the supernatural. It is a tale that is not easily forgotten.

Through this story, Hari brings to light some of the most crucial social issues that still exist, and we have continued with them in the name of customs or traditions. Set in the fictional village of Birpoor, Hari explores the myth of Kalibann ki Dakini, a blood thirsty entity that haunts the nearby forests. The book opens in the past with an exorcism in process, and while the result of that exorcism is not known, the book moves into the present and we meet all our characters. What makes the story stand apart is its storytelling and the ease with which Hari draws his readers into the book and makes them comfortable in the surroundings, only to spring a surprise. The visual descriptions make you live those moments and be it Kallu’s shop with frying samosas or the school with its classrooms, you are able to feel the situations and that makes the reading even more engaging. Another aspect that Hari maintains from his previous works is the element of horror in the storytelling, and there are no sudden movements or loud noises to induce fear. The fear just builds up, line by line, and when the reveal happens, the chill that goes down your spine is real. The visuals of the book are derived from mythology, and at times you’ll think that you’ve seen them somewhere and then the parallels and the derivations from the mythology comes into focus. The social messaging of the story is on point, and Hari has painstakingly built in references to the social and physical oppression of the weak by the oppressed, and how power has corrupted people to no end, and how that infuses a god-complex in them, leading them to heinous crimes.

However, the book must be read not just for its paranormal story or for its commentary on the social aspects of our society, but for some brilliant storytelling that shows the mastery of the craft that Hari has. The manner in which the entire plot has been woven, specially when you read the climax. While I can’t say anything about it to avoid any spoilers, I can promise the readers that you are in for a surprise as you finish the story and read the last page of the story.

Dakini’s story stands on the strength of the characters and the manner in which they have been described. Mamta’s character and her journey has been described in detail, and the layers are peeled off slowly so as to highlight her tumultuous past and how that impacts her present. Through her character, Hari also shows the social discrimination that single mothers face. Another aspect that Hari highlights through her is the impact of medical termination of pregnancy and how it impacts the mother-both physically and mentally. Another character who left their mark on me was that of Kuhu and how her situation was contrasted with the one highlighted in the opening scene of the book. Inspector Pande was another character that was created perfectly for the story and his arc was something that was truly heroic. There was one more character that I liked, and I would really not name them here, again for purposes of a spoiler-free review.

In a nutshell, Dakini is a story that will captivate you and keep you hooked till the very last page, because just when you think you have figured out the story, there is something lurking in the next page, just to surprise you. The book comes highly recommended for readers of horror, epic-horror, and even mythology. The book scores a 5/5 for me, for the storytelling, the social messaging, and for a climax that will take your breath away.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore.

A Murder is Fixed-Madhav Nayak

Book: A Murder is Fixed
Author: Madhav Nayak
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you heard of the phrase “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes”?

Late on a Sunday night, Shreya Ved, an investigator of a commission probing match-fixing in the Mega Cricket League, is found murdered in her office. Even as Inspector Vichare and Constable Lobo of Dhobi Talao Police Station begin their investigation, Russi Batliwala, the one-eyed, indefatigably curious Parsi cricket umpire (now retired), manages to wriggle his way onto the team. As clues tumble out, the trio discovers a rather long list of people who had the motive and the opportunity to kill Shreya that night, including India's beloved cricket star - Rishi Girhotra. But with their prime suspects dying mysteriously around them and a deadly cat-and-mouse game afoot, can Russi employ his keen eye for detail and unravel the bewildering puzzle before all their leads are stumped out? A Murder Is Fixed is a rollicking murder mystery that takes readers on a ride through the posh cricket clubs, vada-pav stalls and chawls of Mumbai into the murky depths of a nefarious scandal.

A mark of a good crime thriller is a plethora of red herrings and the reason to suspect everyone, but at the same time keep the reader guessing as to who could be behind it all. A Murder is Fixed performs extremely well on this test of mine. Madhav’s debut book explores the murky world of the glitz and glamour of a cricketing league, along with a side serving of the match fixing scandal, and how that leads to the murder of an investigator. What works in the book is the constant state of tension that prevails between the characters as they run across Mumbai to explore various aspects of the investigation. Not for a moment you feel that there is a dull moment. Another thing that makes the book such a good thriller is the fact that he has used the city like a character and there are aspects of the city that blend into the storytelling effortlessly, be it the missal pav and the vada pav to the chawls of the city or the high-profile club. The investigation has been explored nicely, and the local flavor is not lost that is inherent to our systems. The cricketing jargon is very well placed and keeps you amused as well because of the quips turning up just at the right moment. The writing is crisp and very well edited. There are no loose ends, and no thread in the story seems unexplored. The research of the book is on point, and I must say the modus operandi of how the same thing works in multiple ways. The climax of the book was surprising, and intriguing, and I must say that this shows some excellent writing from Madhav.

Coming to the characters, Russi Batliwala as an ex-umpire, current investigator is a wonderfully penned character that keeps you hooked to the pages. His powers of deduction and observation have been very well explored and that is one reason why the book keeps you hooked. I would really like to see more cases being investigated by him, if this turns out to be a series. Another character I loved was that of Constable Lobo, and how he complements the investigation team, and has some really great ideas. Apart from these, the other characters such as Gopal, Vichare, Kajal and Brajesh were equally well written and they manage to keep you interested in their actions as well.

This is a definite recommendation for fans of crime thrillers and if you like to read a well written and crisp crime thriller, then pick up a copy. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest Bookstore or on Amazon India.

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Cauldron, Sword and Victory: The Rise of Sikhs-Sarbpreet Singh

Book: Cauldron, Sword and Victory: The Rise of Sikhs (The Story of the Sikhs II)
Author: Sarbpreet Singh
Publisher: Penguin India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you read the history of the Sikhs?

In Cauldron, Sword and Victory, author Sarbpreet Singh takes the reader on a journey through the fiery crucible in which the character of the Sikhs was forged. Seers and mystics, conquerors and kings rub shoulders in this heady tale of history and politics, embarking on never-ending quests for land, power and glory. Singh’s first volume on Sikh history told the story of the venerated Sikh Gurus. Starting with the rebellion of Banda Singh Bahadur, he now turns his attention to Nawab Kapur Singh and his cohort of doughty Sikh chiefs who became the masters of Punjab as the weakened Mughals of Delhi clashed with the powerful Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan. Bringing these swashbuckling characters to life in a manner most vivid and compelling, Singh transports us to the eighteenth-century Indian subcontinent as the Sikh chiefs engage with the British, the Marathas, the Jats and the Rohillas, sometimes as allies and sometimes as adversaries. Based on a unique mix of eyewitness accounts, secondary sources as well as translations from Braj and Punjabi poetry, Singh’s narrative is both erudite and engaging―a true saga of resilience, faith and power.

The book is very well researched and well written. The author has explored the various aspects of the history of the Sikhs. In this volume, the narrative takes off a few years before the passing of Guru Gobind Singh, and then explores how the people stood up against the atrocities by the rulers of those times, and how the quest for land, power and glory shaped the characters of the people. The book highlights the struggles that the Sikhs had to face, and also the various feats of bravery that form the bedrock of the community as well. The book is not just a recollection through prose, but the author has also included relevant sections and translations of Braj and Punjabi poetry which helps the reader understand the importance and the impact of the various events through the people who witnessed them and lived them. While the book is a bit long and can become tedious to grasp at times due to a plethora of people, names and places, that is also the USP of this book. The writing is detailed oriented and when you read the book, you are transported to the time when it happened and you can actually visualize the situations described. Another thing that stood out for me in the book is that it not just talks about the period in the context of the Sikhs, but also of the overall political atmosphere and how the alliances across the sub-continent were being made and unmade, and ultimately their impact on the Sikhs.

The book is a definite recommendation for people who like to read historical accounts, especially ones that are from a multiple POV and supported not just by artifacts, but also through other mediums such as poetry. Sarbpreet’s inclusion of the transliterated and translated poetry was one of the most amazing things in the book. There is a certain eloquence that poetry brings to history and that helped me quite a lot in contextualizing events and people.

The book scores a 4.5/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India