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

Karma-Abhirup Dhar

Book: Karma
Author: Abhirup Dhar
Publisher: Om Books International

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

Do you believe in the existence of alternative realities?

In the misty hills of Darjeeling, a six-year-old Ricky feels a malevolent presence lurking in the shadows of his new home. From the night he wakes up from a bad dream nothing is ever the same again. As his family is faced with an onslaught of supernatural disturbances, they turn to a psychic for answers, only to unearth secrets that defy all rules of reality. Decades later, in the same house, Karma and Sakshi find themselves trapped in a nightmare of paranormal terror. As their secluded home becomes a battleground for sinister forces, a relentless storm seals them in, cutting off any hope of escape. As they confront the chilling truth that lies hidden within the walls of their home, they are forced to question everything they once knew. What powers move in the house? What is its history? Are Ricky and Karma connected? What truths are Karma and Sakshi evading? In a house where every corner holds a secret and an old antique mirror hides the answers, everyone must confront their deepest fears before it’s too late. In Karma, Abhirup Dhar spins a web of twisted realities, where the boundaries between the past and the present are blurred to foreground the truly haunting aspect of life—death.

Karma is a wonderfully written story of how our sense of reality can sometimes be an illusion. Based in the hills of Darjeeling, Abhirup explores a story of how the idea of time and reality can be warped and what we are experiencing, might just be a false sense of comfort. The book is a short read, however within 118 pages, Abhirup manages to weave a story that keeps you turning the pages. The highlight of the book is the way the book is written. The core idea of the book is hidden in plain sight, however the journey to the reveal is quite interesting and as a reader, it is almost as if you are reading those 2-in-1 books which flipped in the middle (no spoilers here!!!). The spook factor is still there, however the fear in this book is not the one that makes you jump but something that sends chills throughout your body. The idea of death is something that he explores quite nicely. My favourite part of the book is the basement scene, especially the second time over, when the realization hits you as to what really happened and then you have that moment of awareness of the story that the author wanted to tell.

If I talk about characters, Karma was my favourite. The way his story has been structured is an excellent piece of storytelling in itself. The way his life unfolds, and he gets what he wants, only to lose it all in that one moment of weakness was a wonderful way of crafting this character. Kirtiman as a Paranormal Investigator has been nicely crafted as well, and there is a certain respect and dignity that he brings to the character.

Overall, Karma is a recommendation if you love reading a well-written paranormal tale. The book scores a 4.8/5 for me. 

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

The Devil’s Autopsy-Vignesh Sivasankar

Book: The Devil’s Autopsy
Author: Vignesh Sivasankar
Publisher: Readomania

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

What if the reality as you know it didn’t exist?

The Devil is dead. It’s time for its autopsy. What happens when crime investigators spot a deluge of paranormal forces in their examinations? A normal autopsy isn’t sufficient. What they need is a different autopsy—the devil’s autopsy. Five unsolved murder mysteries handpicked from the villages of Assam to the sophisticated skyscrapers of Mumbai that have a torrent of supernatural suspense hidden under the sheets. From the bestselling author of The Ten Commandments of Evil comes five standalone horror novellas where each tale promises to grip, terrify, and linger long after the pages turn. You'll go deeper into a vortex of suspense that challenges the very fabric of reality. The Devil's Autopsy is a riveting journey into the heart of darkness. Prepare to be spellbound—one story at a time.

The book is a collection of 5 novellas that explore the supernatural and each one of them is spine chilling in itself. Right from the first story when an experiment goes horribly wrong to a coffin experience to a puppet show that changes the lives of the people who were a part of it, the author keeps you hooked to the book. The storytelling is powerful and even in the novella format, Vignesh keeps the thrill and horror quotient of the stories at its peak. As a reader, you are spooked but there is a sense of curiosity that makes you keep turning the pages to find out what really happens. Another aspect of the book I really liked was that the climax in each story is unexpected and you are surprised at each turn of the event. If I had to pick, I would say that “Twelve Branches of a Banyan Tree” and “A Disturbing Death” would be my favourite of the lot, purely because the goosebumps were quite real and frequent. “Confessions of a Psycho Killer” stood out for me purely because of the way it was written and the manner in which the evil affects people, and the open-ended climax that Vignesh leaves out that can terrify anyone!

Overall, if you like reading stories about horror and the paranormal, then this book is a definite recommendation because of some amazing writing and the ability of the author to instill that sense of fear right into your bones! The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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

The Rainbow Runners-Dhrubajyoti Borah

Book: The Rainbow Runners
Author & Translator: Dhrubajyoti Borah
Publisher: Thornbird (An imprint of Niyogi Books)

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

Do you think that we can move away from our past deeds?

Sriman is a young man living in insurgency-hit Assam whose life turns upside down when he happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The raw terror which fills Sriman after witnessing the incident leaves him paranoid. Existing as a terrified zombie, unable to share his secret with anyone, Sriman drifts through the murky world of journalism into the world of the dadas—the erstwhile underground leaders who surrendered to the state and then started working for it. And it is at such a time that he again faces a terrifying encounter that unhinges him. In the Himalayas, Sriman learns to look at the world and himself in a new way, discovers the teachings of Tathagata Buddha and gains an insight into the tragedy of the Tibetan refugees and their improbable dream of restoration of their homeland someday. And it is here that he also discovers love in all its splendour and sorrow, with its promise of redemption of his sheltered and fragmented life.

The book explores the theme of conflict in Assam and how that impacts the general populace of the area. The author beautifully, through the eyes of the protagonist, shows how it impacts the mindset of a person when they live in a conflict zone, and how that can alter a person’s perception of life and psyche. The book is very well written, and despite being almost 400+ pages long, there is never a dull moment that makes you keep the book away. Another aspect of the book I loved was how the author brings to light the viewpoint of the Tibetan refugees and their constant struggle. These two narratives have been interwoven quite nicely and you realise that the idea that the author wanted to highlight was that of how conflicts impact psyche of the people embroiled in it. The one scene that stayed in my mind was when they go to “Gateway to Heaven” and the similarities with the end of Mahabharata when the Pandavas are ascending to heaven. The overall plot is a story of redemption and how the past can be a albatross around our necks, until we take charge and take steps to change our lives.

I liked how the character of Sriman was sketched and his journey throughout the book. right from the very first page, there are a series of events that impact Sriman, and the first part of the book aptly sets the base of the character arc for him. In the second part of the book, we see the transformation and get into the thought process of the person when he is removed from that environment. Another character that I liked was that of Ramen, primarily because of his loyalty and his commitment to his friend. Another aspect of his character I liked was his quick thinking and being street smart.

Overall, this is a wonderful story, and a translation which does not feel dry or lose its emotion at any point. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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

Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy-Harini Srinivasan

Book: Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy
Author: Harini Srinivasan
Publisher: Treeshade Books

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

Do you like historical fiction?

Circa 403-404 CE. The Gupta Empire has reached its zenith under its greatest ruler yet, Maharaja Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. But with glory comes mischief. Mahakavi Kalidasa, the great poet-dramatist and one of the Navaratnas of the kingdom, heads the state intelligence network to weed out threats, internal and external. On the eve of the annual Buddhist procession, a spate of shocking murders casts a dark shadow on the glorious city of Pataliputra, with corpses of unidentified foreigners and the city’s social and administrative elite turning up one by one. Who is behind these killings and why? To crack the mystery, the Mahakavi enlists the help of Shaunaka, one of his unofficial spies. As the keenly observant but idealistic guptachara pursues his secret mission, the young man gets a taste of real-world affairs-deception, religious fanaticism and a 100-year-old secret. Faced with more questions than answers, there is one thought on everyone’s mind-what is going on in Pataliputra?

The book is a historical fiction based in the times of the Gupta empire. While I loved the premise of the book, considering that the spy network during the earlier days was quite efficient. The book is detailed oriented and Harini has explained the events quite in detail which help you place and understand what is happening in the book to make connections with the people and the events. However, it is this detailed oriented nature of the story that makes it a hard read. With the full names of the characters being repeated, monotony sets in and as a reader you get bored and turning the page becomes a bit difficult. Another aspect of the book that didn’t work for me was the slow pace, and being a historical spy fiction, I expected the story to move at a faster pace than it did in the book. However, with the flaws, the book does has its moments when you are drawn into the story, and it keeps you engrossed in sections.

In favour of full disclosure, I couldn’t continue the book after 50% and thus it would not be fair for me to comment on the climax, the characters and to rate the book. The book might be liked by people who like to read a slow-paced, long drawn historical spy fiction because the writing is good, only that the pace is a bit slow.

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

A Murder in Dehradun-Siddharth Maheshwari

Book: A Murder in Dehradun
Author: Siddharth Maheshwari
Publisher: Papertowns India

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

How far would you go to seek revenge?

In the shadowed corridors of deceit, innocence fades to illusion, and trust becomes a deadly gamble. Amidst the lush hills of Dehradun lies the opulent estate of the Dinshaws—a family bound by legacy, torn apart by greed. When an unexpected fortune of 700 crore rupees lands in their lap, old secrets resurface, and chaos ensues. The family patriarch, Jahangir, summons his lawyer, Bejan Contractor, and his daughter, Shehnaz, to revise his will. As the weather turns for the worst and a snowstorm envelops the hills, a death occurs! 13 suspects. One deadly secret. Is it greed that binds them, or something far more sinister? Trapped within the grounds, someone needs to take control and navigate through a labyrinth of lies and greed to unmask the killer. With each passing moment, the danger grows, and the stakes rise. As you read, observe the traits of every character and follow the clues! Will the killer be pinned, or will their deadly streak continue? The clock ticks and the suspense thickens. Trust no one. Suspect everyone.

A Murder in Dehradun is the story of the Dinshaw family, whose patriarch Jahangir comes across a windfall, and decides to alter his last will and testament. Things take a turn when the weather changes, and a death occurs in the mansion. Siddharth takes the setting of a rich family, marooned in the hills, each member being a suspect and builds the plot around it. The book starts in an interesting manner and as the whereabouts and the mindset of each character is explained, you are drawn into the plot. The initial chapters of the book are quite gripping and you get a flavor of a Christie mystery brewing. The visuals that the author explains are quite vivid and painting a picture of the Dinshaw estate or Anahita’s bonsais is quite easy. This helps quite a bit in the reader living the moment. What did not work for me was the second part of the book where the investigation happens. I felt that section of the book could’ve done with a bit more of suspense and flair, given how the first half of the book had built up to the moment. A thriller works when the reader is engaged, and there were enough red herrings in the first half that kept me guessing on the whodunnit part, but the interrogations became repetitive, specially the second time over. The climax was a good reveal, but felt hurried to me.

The characters are the crux of this book, and Siddharth has crafted them quite well. Each of the characters has a nice story that explains their actions and their role in the entire scheme of things. What I also liked was that each character was given a distinct quirk which becomes important as the story progresses on. I particularly liked the way Anahita’s character was sketched, and how her relationships with the other characters were explored. One character I think who did not get his due was that of Bejan Contractor. I believe he could have been an excellent red herring for the readers to get stuck in at some point. Shehnaz, as a character was interesting, but felt a little monotonous in the way she was depicted.

Overall, a decent book that is a recommendation if you like to pick up a nice thriller. The book scores a 4.25/5 from me.

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