Affairs of Deception-Rakesh Kumar Singh

Book: Affairs of Deception
Author: Rakesh Kumar Singh
Publisher: Rupa Publications

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

When money is at play, would you trust anyone?

In the high-stakes world of politics and power, conspiracies and betrayals take centre stage when greed and lust become the driving forces of life. A devoted wife. A philandering husband. Three women. One man. Two high-profile murders. A senior bureaucrat as the prime suspect. The investigating officer also not beyond suspicion. In this treacherous web of deceit, ruthless ambition and dangerous liaisons, can anyone be truly relied upon?

The book is a story that weaves in political ambitions, relationships, and interpersonal relationships to deliver a gripping plot. Set in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, the author uses the political environment around the country to set the tone of the story. The storytelling is engaging and as a reader, you are intrigued to find out what is happening in the lives of the characters. The plot moves quite fast and the twists and turns in the story are unexpected and create an air of mystery. The author manages to blend politics, crime and relationships. What did not work for me was that in the pursuit of creating a complicated whodunnit, the author complicates the story quite a lot. The intermingling of the characters creates an air of mystery; however, the threads do not simplify at the climax as well. Secondly, the high-profile murders, mentioned in the blurb take place quite late and by then the charm of the story is lost and you are not much interested in them. Coming to the climax, the part in the parking came out of no where and somehow felt like an outlier.

The characters in the book are quite interesting. The author has used the background of administrative officers to set the tone of the story. The marital relationship between the protagonists and their definition of right and wrong is what drives the story forward. Another character that I loved was that of Nilay and how he comes a driving force for the story as well. The interface of the characters was good to read and I liked how the author raises some pertinent questions about right and wrong.

The book was an interesting read that scores a 4.44/5 for me.

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

The Door-To-Door Bookstore-Carsten Henn (Tr. Melody Shaw)

Book: The Door-To-Door Bookstore
Author: Carsten Henn
Translator: Melody Shaw
Publisher: HarperCollins India

When was the last time you walked into a bookstore to purchase a book?

There's a book written for every one of us. Carl may be 72 years old, but he's young at heart. Every night he goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. He knows their every desire and preference, carefully selecting the perfect story for each person. One evening as he makes his rounds, nine-year-old Schascha appears. Loud and precocious, she insists on accompanying him - and even tries to teach him a thing or two about books. When Carl's job at the bookstore is threatened, will the old man and the girl in the yellow raincoat be able to restore Carl's way of life, and return the joy of reading to his little European town? THE DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKSTORE is a heart-warming tale of the value of friendship, the magic of reading, and the power of books to unite us all.

There are very few books that reach into your psyche and connects with you on a deeper level. The Door-To-Door Bookstore is a story that explores the importance of bookstores, booksellers and the ability to read and connect with people. What I loved in the book was that the story has been simply told and the author has focused on the message rather than the setting up of the plot. The author has also taken time to introduce you to the protagonist, his quirks and what makes him important in the lives of the other characters in the book. Another thing that I loved in the book was the two primary characters are on opposite ends of the spectrum and thus a wonderful contrast of understanding of people is seen, and that becomes quite important in the second half of the book. The storytelling is very visual and I loved how the author paints a picture of the bookstore, the route that Carl takes on his rounds as well as the homes of his customers that stay with you as a reader. The changes in the bookstore are also visually indicated and the change is mood is as much shown to you as it is written. The climax of the book is quite touching and will incite a few tears, specially if you were engrossed in the story.

Coming to the characters, I loved how the author created and developed Carl’s character. Right from the very first page, you find him endearing and relatable. If you have been a regular at any bookstore and if you are lucky enough, you’ll have your own Carl who will know just the right book that you need to read. His connection with his customers was quite fun to read. His dedication and passion for books is very well ingrained into his character which makes him a fun person to know. Schascha’s character was equally endearing to read and her contrasting viewpoint to Carl’s was a fresh whiff in the plot. The other characters are equally wonderful and in this story of human connections and relationships, the interconnectedness of lives is wonderfully represented and the way everyone intermingles and comes together was a nice end to the story.

This is a wonderful book that I think every reader should read once for it shows the magic of human connections and books. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book from a bookstore near you or on Amazon India.

The Colony Brats-Vineed P. Menon

Book: The Colony Brats
Author: Vineed P. Menon
Publisher: The Alcove Publishers

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

Have you lived in an official colony?

Hi, I’m Niv, though my parents named me Nivrutti Nandan Nedumpilly Nair—yeah, I know, what a ridiculous name. But trust me, the name is nothing compared to the ridiculousness of my life. And here’s why we call ourselves brats in Sawalpur, a town dominated by the cement plant. As children of wage board workers, we faced injustice and weren’t allowed to enter the officers’ colony. But I had the guts to sneak into my girlfriend’s quarters—don’t ask why. My best friend, Baiju, had the audacity to have an affair—sorry, a relationship—with the colony’s schoolteacher. Our so-called ordinary life was filled with mischief, adventures, and escapades. Our shift to an ultra-ordinary life came with reckless schemes and acts of revenge, making the lives of the factory officers, who took their privilege a bit too literally, a living hell—just to prove our worth. My problem? I take things to heart and always make sure to get back at those who hurt me. This time, it was the cement company that wronged me, and I made sure to give back royally. Read The Colony Brats to learn how not to screw up your life—and everyone else’s—with vengeance. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rethink everything as you follow our journey from innocent kids to not-so-innocent troublemaking adults. Outrage can turn your world upside down, and our story is living proof of that.

Vineed’s setting of this story in a colony located in a small town is perfect for the story he intends to tell. Through our protagonist, Vineed presents a picture of a social divide that exists in the colony basis the designation of the people working there, and how that impacts the daily life of the residents. The writing of the book is easy to understand and the context has been explained in detail which adds to the overall reading experience. The opening scene of the book is beautifully crafted and that sets the tone of what to expect in the story as you go along, and the divide that is turning into a chasm with the actions of the GM. What I liked in the book was the subtle take on the social divide that exists in any colony. The book takes a dig on how the lives of “officers” and the “wage board workers” differ through the eyes of the children. He also raises some pertinent questions about the living conditions and the facilities that are provided to them. Another important aspect of the story is that of legacy and how our good acts bear fruits even after we have passed on, and that is enunciated beautifully in the story. The writing is powerful and manages to leave its impact on you through the characters and the storyline. While the storytelling and the plot captures you, the editing of the book could have been better. There are instances with grammatical errors which become glaring. Secondly, the writing could have been trimmed a bit because there are places where the story starts dragging and you start losing interest in it. The climax is predictable, but the way it is written is interesting.

Coming to the characters, the character of Niv is very well written and I was quite impressed with the character arc that is provided for him. His story drives the plot and I liked how his character traits are highlighted time and again, right from the childhood. His persistence to prove himself despite everything comes out nicely and his grit to do what he wants, without considering the impacts is something that stands out. Another character that I loved was that of Rao and while he might come across as a negative character, the way his character is written makes you despise him, and I think that is a highlight of good storytelling.

Overall, the book is a wonderful depiction of life in a factory colony and how the lives of its residents change with the changing times. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

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Diary, Deceit and Death-Sonia Chatterjee

Book: Diary, Deceit and Death
Author: Sonia Chatterjee
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

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

Would you unravel a family secret that could change your life forever?

Detective Raya Ray is riding high on her success as a private investigator when she receives an anonymous call. She takes up the case of dual deaths that shook the peaceful beach town of Saptaparni two decades ago. Raya meets a whole slew of characters with a probable connection to these deaths. The intrepid detective traverses through a web of deceit to encounter a well-guarded secret. As she peels away the superficial layers, she’s shocked to discover veiled connections. Will Raya be able to race against the forces of nature to deliver justice to the departed souls and retrieve the secret from falling into the wrong hands? ‘Diary, Deceit, and Death’ is a thriller about greed, betrayal, and masked identities of two families spanning three generations in four cities over five decades.

A good detective story is one where you, as a reader, are invested along with the detective in solving the mystery that is in front of them. In Diary, Deceit and Death, the storytelling compels you to solve the mystery of the deaths along with Detective Raya Ray. The plot is very engaging and at no point do you have a moment where the plot gets boring or predictable. The high point of the story is when the true colours of the characters are revealed and you are presented a picture that is a complete opposite of what you have been led to believe till that point. Another aspect of the story that I really liked was the setting that goes perfectly well with the story, be it the hills or the sea side town. As a sign of a good thriller, the author holds the cards close to her right till the end and you are left guessing who was in the wrong and who was right until the author chooses to reveal the truth to you. The writing is easy to read and does not distract you from the plot of the story and you are focused only on the events and not the words, which elevates the reading experience. The climax takes its time to unravel, considering the tangle of the family ties, but the wait is worth it. I would highly recommend that you take notes while reading the book to understand the climax because the family connections are myriad.

Coming to the characters, Raya Ray’s character as a detective is quite good and I loved the zeal that she displays while solving the case that is in front of her. Right from the first page where she is given the documents to the very last page, she is quite dedicated towards solving the case. I really enjoyed her thought process and the way she gathers the clues to crack the case was fun to read. Another thing I found interesting in Raya’s character was that she never shies away from asking for help, and thus the entire gamut of characters in the book also do not lose their place in the overall scheme of things. The supportive husband, Krishanu, was a delight to read, and almost akin to Watson to Holmes, helps the thinking process of the detective. On the lines of Lestrade we have Inspector Sudhir who appears just at the right time and is quite instrumental in Raya Ray’s involvement in the Ghoshal family mystery.

Overall, if you have a love of reading a good detective fiction and are fans of Feluda or Sherlock, then pick up this book. The book gets a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Chicanery-Timeri N. Murari

Book: Chicanery
Author: Timeri N. Murari
Publisher: Olive Turtle (An Imprint of Niyogi Books)

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

What if you lived in a world where you were under complete surveillance?

After twenty years in exile David Richelieu returns to his homeland where an execution warrant awaits him for unspecified crimes. At the border, the AI cameras identify him as Cyomared, the ex-Prime Minister of that once democratic nation, and he is arrested at the border by the young assistant to the Minister of Culture. Cyomared ends up in prison. Cyomared’s interrogator, the Minister, has just one question, “Why did you return knowing you will die?” before carrying out the execution. Cyomared’s answer, that he returned for the woman he still loves and wishes to meet for one last time doesn’t convince the Minister. He suspects that Cyomared has been helping the Others to overthrow the despotic government in the general Elections that are just a few days away. How the Others manage to break the surveillance and control of the oligarchs and restore their people’s freedom, liberty and dignity, and how personal ambition, internecine rivalry, and betrayal lead to the downfall of the men in power, is revealed in a racy, gripping tale of intrigue, dreams, hopes and commitment to a greater cause.

The book is a wonderfully written story of how an authoritarian state functions and the role of AI in subjugating the populace. The story of how hope can revive the people to rise against tyranny is told wonderfully through the plot. The writing of the book is simple and easy to understand. The storytelling is quite interesting and it keeps you hooked. What I loved in the book was how the author has blended a dystopian future that awaits us along side the basic requirements of liberty and freedom. The aspect of AI and its role in enforcing the state’s agenda is also very well established and I loved that technology is central to this book. Another thing that I loved about the book was that how small and seemingly irrelevant red herrings are put in multiple places in the story that come out just at the right time and you are truly in for a treat when it happens. The idea of family and love stands at the core of this book. The author presents a multitude of aspects of love-be it for your family, your partner, your friend, and most of all your country. The climax of the book is quite good and while it is predictable, the path it takes to the end is quite interesting and fun to read.

The character development in the book is descriptive and the author has taken his time to build the characters and the world they live in. Right from the protagonists to the President, each of the character in the book is intricately penned and the connections have been meticulously planned. The character arcs and the “show-not-tell” method of character introductions was quite fun to read as well. I also liked how his characters were operating in the grey and there is no good or bad, just people reacting to situations and the way they were treated.

Overall, a book recommended to people who love to read dystopia and science fiction. The book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a bookstore near you!

Pronounced Guilty-Monica Singh

Book: Pronounced Guilty
Author: Monica Singh
Publisher: Readomania

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

Do you believe that people convicted of crimes deserve a chance at redemption?

Is redemption possible behind bars? Dushyant Dave, a disillusioned advocate, spearheads a radical mission: Bandi Mukti Morcha, India’s first open-prison dedicated to rehabilitating criminals serving life sentences. Joining him are Vijendar Singh, a reluctant ex-convict, and Dr Anusuya Savarkar, a seasoned psychologist, both harbouring their own demons. As inmate resistance and political agendas mount, secrets unravel and trusts shatter; the project teetering on collapse. Can this unlikely trio bridge their differences to make the program a success or will Bandi Mukti Morcha crumble under the weight of its own ambition? Will society ever embrace a second chance for those it has pronounced guilty? Pronounced Guilty is not just a novel—it’s a reflection of the world we live in. Step inside the courtroom of conscience and explore the price of justice, the weight of guilt, and the echoes of redemption.

The book focuses on an important question of the possibility of redemption and the root cause of crimes. The book opens with a heart wrenching scene where Vijendar is arrested just because he has had a criminal past, and from there starts a journey to change the lives of people who have completed their sentences. The second part of the book is when the Bandi Mukti Morcha is created and the process of rehabilitation is shown. The courtroom part of the book is quite well written and I liked the detailing that the author has put in while describing those scenes and the emotions of the people while sitting as the arguments were being parried. What I liked about the book was the flow and the narrative that keeps you turning the pages. What did not work for me was the second half of the book where the entire setup of the open prison is shown and the writing lacked a bit of research and execution on that end. A book that focused on the redemption of convicts could have shed a bit more of light on the open-prison part of the book, but sadly there are glimpses, but not much of spotlight on the open prison. The sub-plot involving the female prisoner was good to show that corruption can breach lines everywhere, but it felt a bit unnecessary and its role in the climax was also a bit sketchy.

Coming to the characters, Dushyant Dave’s character was very well written and his scenes in the court were quite wonderful to read. Another character whose writing impressed me was that of Vijendar and his character arc throughout the story. I felt that Dr. Anusuya’s character could have been a bit more detailed and contributory to the plot, rather she felt more like a side character in the bigger scheme of things.

Overall, Pronounced Guilty is a book that I would recommend to people to understand the concept of redemption and the idea of open prisons. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

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

The Unforgettable Woman-Pankaj Giri

Book: The Unforgettable Woman
Author: Pankaj Giri
Publisher: Bee Books

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

How would you react if a long-time secret came to light?

Abandoned by his wife and daughter and living with his cousin’s son, senior doctor Adarsh leads a lonely life . . . until he begins glimpsing someone in the streets of his hometown, Ilathang—a woman he knew once, a woman who had long disappeared. As Smriti starts working as a teacher at Ilathang Government School, she develops an affectionate bond with her PG owner’s teenage son—who is suffering from drug addiction—which fulfils her childhood craving for a brother. But one day in the summer of 2007, a dramatic turn of events unveils a devastating secret, a secret that turns her life upside down. Will Adarsh be able to discover the mystery behind the curious glimpses of the woman? Will Smriti be able to recover from the trauma of the shattering secret? Set in fictional towns in the beautiful state of Sikkim, The Unforgettable Woman is an inspirational, heart-touching story that explores the themes of regret, love, and forgiveness and shows how a single secret can influence several lives.

The book is wonderfully written and the plot is so engaging that you keep turning the pages. As the story progresses, you are pulled into the plot and it keeps you hooked. The writing is quite impressive and the plot threads are extremely well connected and the idea of how relationships can stand the test of time. Pankaj explores the idea of love and how the different aspects of love manifest in the relationships we have with people around us. The book also explores the idea of fate in a beautiful manner and how interconnectedness of life binds us all. The writing in the book is quite powerful and makes you think of how one impacts the people around us as well. What I loved about the book was that the author has left crumbs to the climax all through the book but only when you reach the end do the bits make sense and you get to see the whole picture. Pankaj’s mix of love, regret and forgiveness in this story make the entire reading experience a delight. Another aspect of his writing that shines through is the simplicity and honesty. As a writer, he stays true to the core storyline and slowly lets the story unfold as you live and breathe with his characters. The climax has been given its due and the author takes his time revealing the thread connecting his characters and the core idea of the story. The way he reveals how Smriti, Dr. Adarsh, Shobha, Savitri, and Mr. Sharma were connected is quite magical.

Coming to the characters, each of the primary character in the story has been written in painstaking detail. There are no loose ends that seem frivolous or unnecessary at any point. Each character that has been introduced is integral to the story. The author also does not waste time in describing our protagonists, but lets the scenes take over and you have a picture of them. The book is driven primarily through the interactions between the characters and each of the interaction gives you something to think about as you keep turning the pages.

This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone looking to read a story of love, regret and forgiveness, and one that is heartwarming, perfect for a winter evening to pair with a cup of hot chocolate. The book scores a perfect 5 from me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.