Seadogs and Criminals-A J Fisher

Book: Seadogs and Criminals
Author: A J Fisher
Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing

What if you could go on a treasure hunt?

Victorian London. Joseph Winter is a master of the criminal underworld, known around the backstreets as Trace - because he never leaves one . . . or so he thought. After a tip-off about a fabled treasure map leading to the infamous Lost Loot turns sour, Joseph is forced to consider his options and, along with a group of interesting strangers, takes a leap into the unknown. Through storms, seas, hardships and riddles, they sail, hunting for missing clues whilst learning about each other’s hidden secrets – secrets Joseph is keen to unravel if they are to reach the treasure alive.

Seadogs and Criminals by A J Fisher is an interestingly plotted story that puts a set of people, who would have not come together, in a situation where they undertake a journey across the seas in search of a mythical treasure, following a series of clues. The story is told in an interesting manner where we start with the story of Joseph, but slowly the story of the others becomes a part of the narrative. The clues used in the story are cleverly written and keeping the tone of the Victorian England intact, the authenticity of the plot increases. The one thing that did not work for me was a lot of emphasis on sailing and the language used with reference to it. While I agree that it added a layer to the plot, it did overpower the storyline at times. The book ends at an interesting juncture that surely interests me into the second part of the book.

The characters of the book are its soul and Alex creates a host of individuals that keep you hooked onto the book. Joseph Winter as a smooth criminal as a protagonist is an interesting study, specially as his lineage comes to light. Another interesting person in the story is that of the captain of the ship and his motivations would be something interesting to look out for. The primary factor that stands out for his characters is that of independence and the will to do what it takes to succeed.

Overall, this is an interesting series that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good treasure hunt. The book scores a 4.25/5 for me. 

Get a copy of the book here.

Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!-Jas Kohli

Book: Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!
Author: Jas Kohli
Publisher: Rupa Publications

Do you have some fun marriage stories?

Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana! By Jas Kohli is set in Ludhiana a city of big cars and bigger showoffs. The Rahejas are different, at least one half is. Reeti Raheja is the free-spending stunner, while Kushal, her industrialist husband is a fanatical environmentalist and a misfit in the high-society. The story starts with Reeti, who is preoccupied with planning her outfit and make-up in order to dazzle the invitees during a wedding celebration. However, things soon go awry when her mischievous son Lakshya uncovers a secret that sets off a series of mis-happenings and also threatens to create a big turmoil in the family. After they reach the wedding venue, there is not a single dull moment. Will the Rahejas be able to weather this storm?

Dr. Kohli’s writing has a certain level of wit and humor which has almost become his signature. The plot of the book is a collection of one day in the life of the Rahejas, a family where each of the member has their own quirks. The plot of the book is engaging and keeps the reader hooked to know what happens next. The story moves with a pace that is comfortable and the author takes his time to set the premise of the book. The incidents are described in detail and that is something that works in favor of the book. the descriptions, sometimes from the characters’ POV and sometimes from a narrator perspective help us understand the satire that Dr. Kohli wants to put in front of us. Using the background of a Big Fat Indian wedding, he ensures that laughs are something you take away from the story. The climax is interesting, and I loved the twist that emerges on the last page.

The characters are what make this story what it is, and the author manages to tread the thin line between too much and too little in the character descriptions. The details of the characters help us connect with them, and relate with them on a deeper level as each one of them bears a resemblance to someone we would have known or met at some point in our lives. I loved the quirks that come with each character that ensure that the smile does not wane away and keep the reader turning the pages. From the banter of the old people under the influence of alcohol, or the crazy wedding rituals, each of the character in the book can inspire a spin off.

Overall, a book I would recommend for sure in case you love weddings and have a set of crazy family. This book scores a 4.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India here.

Not Without Your Love-Arvind Parashar

Book: Not Without Your Love
Author: Arvind Parashar
Publisher: Srishti Publications

Do you think love can thrive in a conflict zone?

Not Without Your Love by Arvind Parashar is the story of Kabir, a young and dynamic travel journalist, who lands in Afghanistan for a special project, but has sights on something else, and Noosh, who has known Kabir since her college days and is buried under political unrest in her hometown, waiting for Kabir, the man of her dreams. When Kabir’s idol, Professor Sizov, offers him this special project in Afghanistan, it comes with a baggage – he has to be a spy. Little does he know that he is a part of a larger conspiracy that will ultimately lead to a war and crush his existence. After multiple setbacks and betrayals, he takes it upon himself to fight for love. Spread over years, this is a story of unresolved hatred and lasting friendships, of suspicions and unwavering faith, and of the power of true love that beats all odds.

The plot of the book is based on an interesting idea of love that cross borders and stands the test of time and adversity. The concept, however, does not reflect completely in the execution part as the plot does not move smoothly. There are scenes that are a bit confusing and break the train of thought running through a readers’ head. The first part of the book is quite detailed with situations being explored in such a way that it adds substance to the story, but the second part of the book becomes hazy as there are parallel tracks, but since they are narrated one after the another, the connection becomes a bit tricky. Another aspect of the book that could be improved is that there are certain words that did not suit the situation they are put in, hence they stand out like sore thumbs which could have been avoided with a second round of edit. The climax is well executed and puts an ending to the story that justifies it.

The characters in the book are well crafted and drive the plot forward. Kabir’s character of a person determined to achieve his goals is well sketched and it can be understood through his actions. Noosh’s character is not much detailed but her caring and steadfast nature does reflect through her actions. The character of the Professor was interesting with the multiple layers that unveil slowly.

Overall, a good book that I would recommend if you like reading spycraft and romance. The book scores a 3.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India.

Cupid is an Accountant-Shreyas Joshi

Book: Cupid is an Accountant
Author: Shreyas Joshi
Publisher: Self Published

Have you ever hesitated in speaking out your feelings?

Cupid is an Accountant by Shreyas Joshi is a story of a guy in love, and his struggle of expressing the same to a girl, and the hurdles that lie in the way. Nightmares, dreams and friends, alcohol and deaf people. Like Murphy said, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. and it does.

The book is a short read and tells the story of James who is in Love with Jessica but is hesitating in professing the same to her. The plot basically traces the journey of James as he goes through ups and downs while preparing himself to propose to her. The idea of using a one-sided love story as a central plot point is good, but the author merely skims the subject. The situations that occur in the story set up a good premise, but they fail to engage the reader as the tonality is quite flat. There are moments that could have been interesting, but in the race to keep the story short, the details are sacrificed. The climax starts on a good note, and I would have expected something different, but while it is unique, it fails to be interesting.

Coming to the characters, James and Jessica are the primary characters, but there is very less information that is provided which results in difficulty in connecting with them on a deeper level. The character arcs could have been critical to establish the plot. While we get to know of James a bit, there is no information about the others.

Overall, a fast read about love which could have bene a bit more detailed to make it more enjoyable. The book scores a 3.63/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon here.

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Over my Dead Body-Jeffrey Archer

Book: Over my Dead Body
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Do you have a favorite Jeffrey Archer story?

In the third sojourn of William Warwick, Over My Dead Body, Jeffrey Archer puts the Detective Chief Inspector in the heart of three investigations. One, the Metropolitan Police sets up a new Unsolved Murders Unit to catch criminals no one else can. Two, Miles Faulkner, pronounced dead two months ago, is still being represented by an unscrupulous lawyer, the question is why. Three, the power struggle within a wealthy dynasty aboard a luxury liner to New York is about to turn to murder. With ex-undercover operative Ross Hogan on his side, would this team be able to catch the killers before it is too late?

As a master storyteller, Jeffrey creates a plot that is so thick that it pulls the reader in and makes them a part of the story. The descriptions are so detailed that one can imagine being in the moment. The plot moves at a steady pace, with just the right amount of the mystery unravelling so as to keep the interest alive. With three parallel sub plots that seem to be running separately, it is amazing storytelling that brings them together. Another interesting aspect of the story is the focus on small things that turn out to be crucial in the long run. The language is easy to understand and suits the characters perfectly. I loved how Warwick’s history with Faulkner is the centerpiece of the plot and is explored in an exquisite manner. The cat-and-mouse chase is entertaining, and the spy craft of epic proportions leaves the reader guessing as to the true intentions of some of the key characters. The climax is true to Archer storytelling and ties a bow on to the story nicely.

The book stands on the feet of its characters and first and foremost it is Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick. While we met him first in the Clifton Chronicles, it is amazing to see how detailed the character has been created. His power of observation is something that amazes me, and this is what drives the plot forward. Equally important is the role of Beth and how she supports him in his endeavors, sometimes going above and beyond. Another interesting character is that of Ross Hogan, and I would not have imagined the way his story turns out. Booth Watson is another interesting person that makes the story worth reading through his craft means to do what it takes.

A crime fiction I would recommend whole heartedly to anyone who loves the genre and is a die-hard fan of Archer. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

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Incognito-Vibha Batra

Book: Incognito
Author: Vibha Batra
Publisher: Pirates Publishing

Would you be able to live incognito for one year?

Incognito by Vibha Batra is the story of Aarav, who is on the run from a gun toting mobster who has sworn revenge on his entire family, forcing them to go into hiding. Which means, bye bye school, friends, old life! And no cell phone, no laptop, no iPad, no FB, no Snapchat, no Instagram, no Wii, nothing. As if that wasn’t crazy enough, he has to assume a whole new identity. That wouldn’t be so bad - things were pretty sucky at school, anyway. Except, he has to pretend to be - hold your breath - a girl. To make matters worse, he has the World’s Biggest Crush on his employer’s cute daughter, while the pesky son digs, ahem, him. With a dangerous criminal hot on his heels and a startling discovery that throws light on his father’s unsolved death, things only promise to get more complicated. Will Aarav’s cover get blown sky high or will this go down as the role of a lifetime? Will he manage to escape incognito, or will he be finito?

On the surface, the story seems to be a simple story of a chase between a mobster and a borrower, but this is a story that explores the meaning of family and how it motivates a person to do what they might have never done in normal circumstances. The storytelling follows a linear structure and things move smoothly throughout the story. The language is simple and easy to understand. I loved how the author has used a mix of humor, wit and spycraft to create a wonderful story. There is an element of thrill that runs throughout the plot that keeps the reader hooked to it. The interesting aspect is that it is told from a YA perspective which makes it a tad bit more interesting. The climax is imaginative and interesting and a well-plotted end to the story.

The book is a mix of some very interesting characters. Starting from Aarav, a wannabe actor, who is forced to live his worst nightmares, his character has been sketched in detail. With small idiosyncrasies that make him the most interesting of the lot. I loved how he, as the narrator, drives the story and shows some interesting perspectives as to how the viewpoint changes when the lifestyle changes. Another interesting character is that of Kookie. Her character has been plotted so well as to help Aarav achieve his goal and she has some very peculiar habits that drives her actions.

Overall, this is an interesting story that I would recommend if you like to experience a good story. This book gets a 4.56/5 for me.

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The Ulysses Pact-Karthik C

Book: The Ulysses Pact
Author: Karthik C
Publisher: Redgrab Books

What if you were locked in a room and were faced with your crimes?

The Ulysses Pact by Karthik C is the story about Yazdaan Abbas, an intrepid psychiatrist from the valley, who uses five of his patients as pawns to play in a deadly game where they enter a Big Boss-esque house of death. The debauched ‘reality show’ is streamed live in the deep bowels of the darknet where delinquents bet on the horrid lives of miserable people. Each of the five carry their own secrets which when revealed can threaten their own reality. Will the five drown in their despair? Will Yazdaan Abbas succeed in his unethical social experiment? Will we uncover all the enigmas that lie within? Dive right through the thrilling story of self-realization and second chances giving its readers an immersive experience, one which is assured to stay with them for a long time.

The plot of the story depends on the reader’s understanding of the concept of the Ulysses Pact and how it works out in the long run. The author makes a decent attempt to explain it in the prologue and set the tone of  the story. This sets the ball rolling to show how our past can affect our future, and how it is never late to start afresh. Each of the backstories are horrific and show how the person was drawn to do what they do, and the consequences of it, not just in the legal sense, but in a psychological manner. The storytelling is good, and the way things are revealed, shows the storytelling prowess of the author. The thing that didn’t work for me was the fact that there are places where the story starts abruptly, and I would have appreciated if a better link between the six characters was shown. Secondly, the plot gets muddled towards the end and apart from the backstories, there is not much to go on. The climax is surprising, but it could have been a better one.

Coming to the characters, I liked how each of them are unique and none of the 6 stories are similar, yet have a common thread. The character sketches are interesting and that is something that powers this story. Each if them have a purpose and this purpose defines the people. be it Yazdaan or any other characters, there is a strong motivation behind each action, and I was amazed in the way Yazdaan’s story pans out.

Overall, a decent read that scores a 3.88/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.

A House Full of Men-Parinda Joshi

Book: A House Full of Men
Author: Parinda Joshi
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Do you enjoy the quirks in your family?

A House Full of Men by Parinda Joshi is the story of twenty-five-year-old Kritidhara Pant who has left Lucknow only twice in her life. The first involving the last rites of her grandmother, and the second for a wedding, only to return back to her mother’s funeral. While she lives in a full house, its full of men. Between her grandfather, father, and twin brothers, she has no one to share her deepest thoughts with. It is a story about false starts, failed attempts, love, and the importance of being understood.

The plot of the story revolves around Kittu and her life. The idea of putting a girl in a setting with a family full of men is quite interesting and it brings out some amazing moments in the story. I loved how the author uses the tension and uncomfortable moments to set the tone of the plot. The plot moves smoothly, and the pace of the story is comfortable enough to keep the reader hooked. Another interesting aspect is how Parinda uses the city of Lucknow as a part of the story. The flavors of the city and the sights of the city play a critical part in the story and help the character arcs. Putting the romantic interest next door was a masterstroke and adds a humor element to the story. The language of the story is easy to understand, and the descriptions in the story are excellently done, which add a completely different dimension to the plot. The climax is very well drafted, and the Harry Potter references were the icing on the cake.

The characters are something that hold this story together. Kittu is a complex character, and her quirks and idiosyncrasies make the story what it is. There is a tension in her character that unravels as the story progresses and that is the force driving the story. Another interesting character was that of Anandita and how her actions add various flavors to this story. I was amazed at the level of detailing that she did to add layers to her character. To add to the mix, a crazy family and a weird ex-boyfriend complete this melee of characters that make up this story.

Overall, a wonderful ride I would definitely recommend you read. This scores a 4.81/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon here.

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The Calling-Priya Kumar

Book: The Calling
Author: Priya Kumar
Publisher: BooksThatInspire

Have you ever thought about your purpose in life?

The Calling by Priya Kumar is a fable of an adventure that takes Arjun on a ride into the mountains. At the brink of losing his wife, he takes a trip into the Himalayas on the insistence of a Sadhu who predicted that this journey to Hemkund Sahib would change his life. With every turn, the mountains unravel their secrets and tests that urge him to change into the person to fulfil his purpose. All the pretenses, falsities and untruths start falling out of his life as he is faced with the truths of his life. With subtle messages, this fable would make you take a fresh look at your own life and urge you to find your own calling.

The story is very well told and for a book whose primary purpose is to inspire, it is not preachy, rather it is actually inspiring because of the way the story it unfolds. The storytelling is powerful, and the imagery is so engaging that it keeps the reader turning the pages where each step is a learning. I loved how the messaging was subtle, yet the impact was powerful enough to imbibe it in the readers’ mind. Another interesting aspect of the story is the wonderful use of humor, sarcasm, and wit to drive the message home. The tests that Arjun goes through are interestingly created and add quite a bit of weight to the plot. The climax was quite wonderful, and I loved how the continuity is maintained.

The characters that Priya has created are very interesting and fit their role in this story. Arjun’s journey that transforms him is well told and while his character has an awakening, relating to his issues is very easy and once that is done, the solutions to our own problems start jumping out, and that is what I think is the point of the fable. The details of the characters, whether it is Arjun or Jay, or the monks are specific and to the point, and they support their roles perfectly.

Overall, this is a story I would recommend you read if you wish to become a better version of yourself. This book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Hayee Rabba!-Simran Singh

Book: Hayee Rabba!
Author: Simran Singh
Publisher: Papertowns India

Have you faced a volley of questions about marriage?

Hayee Rabba! By Simran Singh is a fun, mad ride based in Amritsar. It is the story of Simran, who moved out to study in New Delhi and then goes on to work there. As time passes, a chasm starts developing between her and her high school sweetheart Angad who stayed behind to take care of his family business. As years go by, both of them are under family pressure to get married, and neither wants to take a step back to manage things. To add spice to things, the family has a crazy set of family friends who are as crazy as they come. Would they be able to sustain their love?

The plot of the book is quite well thought of. Putting a crazy set of characters in a scenario that twists and turns making it a fun read. The plot is well sketched, and it moves at a smooth pace, keeping the reader hooked. I loved how the scenarios are relatable and as a person in the same age group, I could relate to what Angad, Simran and the others were going through. The language is simple and easy to understand. The use of a third person as a narrator in certain spots acts as a fresh perspective to the events as they happen. The climax is something I didn’t expect, and I was awed by the way it turns out. My favorite part of the story were the small sub-plots unfolding at each moment and how they add volume to the central story. I would have loved to see a bit more of Angad’s story and his views which would have elevated a story a bit more.

The characters in the story are well sketched and seem very real. From the nosy relatives to persistent friends, each of the people in the story are unique and add their own flavor to the story. While Angad and Simran as the protagonists get their share of limelight, Sapna Aunty and her obsession with marriage is something that drives the story. I loved how she has given an individual shade to each person, and how each of them views the idea of marriage as. Using the societal norms, she brings to question the idea of “marriageable” age and how that affects us as people.

Overall, this is an enjoyable ride, and I would give a 4.25/5 for it.

Get a copy of the book on Amazon India here.

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