The Unexpected Trail: Murder in the Building-Nisha B. Thakur

Book: The Unexpected Trail: Murder in the Building
Author: Nisha B. Thakur
Publisher: Self Published

Can hate drive you to murder?

After years of struggle, Tanvi is living the dream. Raj, the love of her life, has proposed to her to marry him, and things are hunky dory. It seems her love has defeated all the obstacles. But unfortunately, her happiness is cut short when she discovers a dead body. A man has died by suicide in her kitchen. She doesn’t know who the man is. She wonders how did the man enter her apartment. As the investigation proceeds, more baffling questions arise, leading her wedding ceremony and relationship with Raj into deep water. Then, when she thinks it can’t get any worse in this horrifying crisis, she is labelled as the prime accused. Suicide or Murder or Conspiracy? Read the tale of Unexpected Suspense in The Unexpected Trail by Nisha B. Thakur.

The premise of the book is an exciting one with a set of characters who have something to hide, and a death of a depressed person in an apartment complex which looks like a suicide. The book opens on a promising note and the first few chapters sound interesting as the characters are introduced and the plot is set in motion. As the story progresses, the plot starts sounding repetitive and while the scenarios might be different, the situations become disinteresting because the death takes a back seat. The author explores the backstories of the various characters, possibly to zero in on the motive for the murder, but that leads to the spotlight on the people, rather than the situations. The writing has a nice pace and the overall story moves at a comfortable yet quick pace. The concept that the story has been based on is well planned, and the level of complexity that the author has thought of is commendable. The climax, however, suffers because of that complexity and I felt that too much information was pushed in at the end, and I think it would have been better if those revelations would have been spaced out a bit. The book needs another round of editing because the grammatical errors are a bit too many, and after a point they start affecting the reading experience, and at the risk of sounding finicky, the plot makes it seem that the title of the book has a typographical error as well.

Coming to the characters, Nisha gathers an interesting set of characters, all of whom seem to have a motive for the crime, including the Deven, and at a certain point it does seem like a suicide. Tanvi’s character is interesting, especially the way in which it turns out in the climax. Another intriguing character is that of Raj, and the way he steers the story is impressive. Neha and Adi as a couple are quite contemporary and quite apt in the role they have been cast in.

Overall, this is a story that has quite a bit of potential and with a serious round of editing, it can turn out to be a whodunnit to reckon with. The book scores a 3.56/5 for me.

Get your copy of the book on Amazon here.

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

A Dark Queen Rises (The Burnt Empire Saga #2)-Ashok K. Banker

Book: A Dark Queen Rises (The Burnt Empire Saga #2)
Author: Ashok K. Banker
Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

What can happen when a person is pushed to the end of their limits?

A Dark Queen Rises (Book 2 of The Burnt Empire Saga) by Ashok K. Banker takes the story forward from Upon A Burning Throne. Demon-lord Jarsun wants more than just the burning throne. He wants to rule all of Arthaloka. When Aqreen flees with their daughter and heir, seeking refuge in Reygar, the demon-lord’s anger knows no bounds. He wants to punish his wife, and sends his indomitable Army of deadwalkers after them. To rule Arthaloka, Jarsun needs more than an heir. He needs allies. Prince Tyrak of Arrgodi is not only an ally, but Jarsun’s protégés and son-in-law. Born of an Urrkh father, he believes in nothing but brute force and complete domination, willing even to sacrifice his own parents. With each passing day, as he succumbs to his thirst for power, he becomes more Urrkh and less human. Now, only the demon Slayer, Drishya, can deliver the people from his tyranny. But Drishya and Krushita are one. Siblings born of stone fire. And they have a single aim: to kill Jarsun Kru’shan.

Picking up after the events of Upon A Burning Throne, this book focuses on Aqreen and Krushita as they journey to Reygar, and how Jarsun consolidates his power through various alliances. With the plot moving in multiple places, the storyline focuses on Krushita’s journey from a toddler to her awakening of the power within. The storytelling is engaging and while the parallels with the mythological tales are there, the book does stand on its own in terms of the imagery and the complexity of the plot. I liked how Ashok uses various elements to highlight the hero’s journey for Krushita, and her powers have been explored in detail, however I felt that the book had a lopsided focus on Tyrak, and Drishya’s story lost focus in the way. While Tyrak’s story was important to show Jarsun’s story, the buildup did not do justice to the climax, and a bit more of flesh to it could have been better. The overall closure to the story felt rushed, and the story that developed over the pages does not satisfy a reader’s need for a better ending, atleast till the next book.

Coming to the characters, this book is a wonderful example of how meticulously characters can be developed in a book, and they effort it requires to set up a story to back the characters’ actions. The journey across the desert was a wonderful way to set up Aqreen and Krushita’s story, with nothing else apart from them, the desert and their companions, the focus was squarely on them. I loved Bulan’s character and the way their character’s feelings change was quite wonderful. Tyrak’s story and transition is nicely told and the build up towards the end has been planned to the last detail. I would have loved to see more detailing of Drishya’s character however, especially because he was touted as the demon slayer, and running his story in tandem with that of Tyrak would have made for a better climax, in my opinion.

Overall, a wonderful addition to the series, the book moves the story ahead, and keeps the reader wanting for the next book in the series. The book scores a 4.44/5 for me.

The book is available on Amazon and your nearest bookstore!

Read my review of the previous books in the series:

Abhimanyu: Anuja Chandramouli

Book: Abhimanyu
Author: Anuja Chandramouli
Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

Do you like reading mythological stories from different perspectives?

Abhimanyu, beloved son of Arjuna is one of the most endearing figures of Indian mythology. The Golden Prince, blazed across the realm of myth like an effervescent comet that lit up the heavens, yet was extinguished far too soon. In the killing field that was Kurukshetra, where countless evil deeds were perpetrated in the name of righteousness, Abhimanyu was a shining beacon of valor. All are aware of the legend but how many can claim to really know the young man, who was the best among the best? Narrated with deep intensity, Abhimanyu’s saga unfolds, shedding light on unexplored aspects of his remarkable life and extraordinary persona. The story casts a spell over the reader, who is left to agonize over the tragic fate of one of the most luminous heroes of the ancient Indian epic – the Mahabharata.

Mythological fiction is one category that I am always keen to read, specially because while one is aware of the general story and the ending, the way the story is told is unique to all storytellers. Anuja turns the lens on the Great War through the eyes of Abhimanyu. Beginning with the birth of Abhimanyu, the book traces his life as he journeys through it. I liked how Anuja uses various examples to set up his characters and we see how he learns various lessons of life. I liked how the idea of Abhimanyu missing a vital piece of information keeps cropping up more times than one, and yet it is pushed down by the events of the time. Another thing that I loved about the book was how she highlights his bravery and skills, and we are shown this even before the Great War. The storytelling is powerful and as you read through the story, you start relating with Abhimanyu and as the book ends, you are genuinely pained, and that is the feeling that I liked the most about it. The book is extremely well researched, and the epilogue is something I actually was surprised by. While the end is known to most of the people, the way she crafts and presented is something else. The scene with the vyuha is emotionally charged, and the way he holds himself, challenging the best of the times, inspires you, gives you power.

Coming to the characters, I was amazed by a few new characters I encountered in this book such as Lakshmana. Anuja’s characters have always been powerful, and while our hero is the centerpiece of the story, I was amazed by Subhadra and the manner in which she conducts herself. I was profoundly intrigued by her monologue that forms a critical part of the story, at the time when everything changed for the Pandavas. Another interesting aspect was the idea of relationships she propagates through her characters. Vrishasena-Abhimanyu’s story was heartwarming, and the moment between Duryodhan and Abhimanyu was another that made this story stand apart.

Overall, I loved reading Anuja’s take on Abhimanyu and his perspective on the Mahabharata, and the story of this brave soul deserves to be read. The book scores a 4.56/5 for me.

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

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

All Kinds of Wrong-Shilpa Suraj

Book: All Kinds of Wrong
Author: Shilpa Suraj
Publisher: Self Published

Do you prefer reading romance or thrillers?

Alia Dubey is being stalked. The problem is no one believes her. Not the cops, not her family…and well, she doesn’t really have any friends. Until the day her sister calls in a favor and asks her friend from the Intelligence Bureau to check on Alia and the gifts she’s been receiving. Officer Avinash Rathore has better things to do than babysit a spoilt socialite with delusions of danger. Until he walks in to find her home broken into and an innocuous bouquet of red roses placed there. While everything points to an obsessed lover, Avinash’s instincts are screaming that there is more at play. The gifts keep arriving, escalating from roses to far more sinister things…each with an intimate note hinting at a personal agenda. But whose? For the ditzy socialite, the one who is All Kinds of Wrong for him is suddenly the only one who can make his world Right again.

Romantic thriller is a genre that always excites me because of the fact that it combines two of my favorites. This story is told in a wonderful manner and I liked how Shilpa keeps you hooked through the pages with the gifts and the notes as they come along, and as a reader you are intrigued to find out what happens next. The plot has been crafted nicely and the thrill in the story continues till the very last page, and if you like to play detective, there are quite some moments where you can make your mark. The letters and the symbols are very nicely planned and I liked the way they appear in the plot to push it forward. The Harry Potter references are very interesting and as a Potterhead, that made the story a tad bit fun to read. The romance, unlike Shilpa’s other works, is subtle and does not overpower the primary plot of the story. The devil for this story truly lies in the details, and right from the word go, the details in the story are very fine and in retrospect, the events do start making sense. The climax is very well done and the way it jumps out and the person is revealed is interesting.

The people part of this story are equally interesting and I loved the way Shilpa develops the quirks in the characters, especially Alia. The all-white description and the way she behaves is very well described and the visuals are easy to imagine. I also liked the way she developed Avinash’s character and his conflict with himself till the end. The other characters are good, and I specially would like to mention the way she created Uncle Richard, and how she highlights the fact that the past never truly leaves us, whatever we might think.

Overall, a book worth reading and if you love a nice thriller with a dash of love, then go get your copy today. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

I was provided an Advanced Reader's Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Get your copy on Amazon Kindle here.

Once Upon a Scandal (Il Cuore Book 2)-Shilpa Suraj

Book: Once Upon a Scandal (Il Cuore Book 2)
Author: Shilpa Suraj
Publisher: Self Published

Do you believe that love-hate relationships work?

Once Upon a Scandal (Il Cuore Book 2) is the story of Aakash Thakkar and Kanak Shourie. Aakash knows his path. Family, duty, responsibility, tradition. His path does not lead to madness, chaos, wild passionate steamy nights, and her. Or so he tells himself. Kanak lives for the present. Friends, fun, work, life. Her present does not include the weight of other people's judgement, stuffy societal mores, discovering desire with uptight businessmen, and him. She refuses to believe otherwise. What happens when the one you hate is the only one you want? What happens when you try to right a wrong but end up in something that feels more right than anything ever has? Can Aakash and Kanak bury a lifetime of distrust and forge a life together? Or will the reasons that had them battling each other for years bury their tentative new beginning?

The book’s plot has an interesting start and the idea of two people who despise each other falling in love is quite imaginative. Shilpa tells the story in a pacy manner and the plot keeps the interest up through out the story as the relationship has ups and downs and both of them keep questioning the sanity of the idea of them being in a long-term relationship. Another interesting part of the story are the wonderful and witty comebacks that form a part of the banter between our protagonists. They make the storytelling even better because you start relating with Aakash and Kanak, and the visuals help you paint a picture of the story. The tension in the book adds to the charm of the story, keeping you hooked till the last page. One thing that I didn’t like about the book is that the transitions between the characters in some parts of the story could have been better, and secondly while we get the sense that the Thakkars are influential, a bit more on the background could have helped a little more. The climax is interesting, and while it may appeal to people with a romantic bent of mind, it is wonderfully executed.

Coming to the characters, I liked the way Shilpa has structured the ones in this story. Kanak’s character as a feisty young businesswoman, who is stuck between a rock and a hard place is wonderfully created. Her presence in the story is headlined by her comebacks and sarcastic replies, and specially in the way when she is agitated. Her interactions with Aakash and the others are quite a fun read. Aakash’s character as a deeply conflicted person is also a great fit into the plot and keeps the plot balanced and drives it forward.

Overall, this is a wonderful book and I would definitely recommend you to read if you like a whirlwind romance with a liberal dose of steam. The book scores a 4.25/5 for me.

Get your copy on Amazon Kindle here.

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

Aasma-i-Noor: The Cursed Jewel-Sudipta Sen Gupta

Book: Aasma-i-Noor: The Cursed Jewel
Author: Sudipta Sen Gupta
Publisher: Rupa Publications

Have you heard of the famous diamonds from Golconda?

This is the story of the world’s largest diamond—Aasma-i-Noor (sky of light). This rare red jewel of incomparable beauty surpassed its sister stones—Koh-i-Noor (mountain of light) and Darya-i-Noor (sea of light)—all mined from the same womb of the Kollur mine in Golconda. This was a diamond with a far more violent history than her sisters. The modern-day search for the lost jewel begins in two different corners of the world, involving a British research scholar in London and an Indian historian in Calcutta. The British scholar finds mention of the Aasma-i-Noor in the documents left behind by Sir Robert Clive. The historian from India is the descendant of a Raja, who was Clive’s friend and confidante. The Battle of Plassey in 1757, the downfall of Nawab Siraj-ud Daulah, the death of Clive and the treachery of Mir Jafar, all combine to create a maze of cryptic clues and devilish dead ends for the unlikely partners.

I picked up this book because the premise really intrigued me and the idea of a sister jewel of the Koh-i-Noor and the Darya-i-Noor is something that made for a wonderful story. Sudipta creates an interesting narrative that brings together the story of the diamond, the curse it wields and its connection to the time when the British were finding their feet in India. The storytelling is interesting and the parallel storylines make for an engaging read as you explore the story of the diamond as it journeys through different hands. The first half of the book is quite pacy and the events take place at a rapid pace and at different points in time as Sudipta sets the plot of the story by telling us the origins of the diamond, as well as the origins of the intentions of the people who want it. The second half of the book deals mostly with the aftermath and the chase which for me was a bit mixed. The story jumps between the past and the present as we explore the journey of the diamond, the events of the time, and the current search for the lost treasure. The plot is kept simple in the first half, but the second half becomes a bit complex as the focus of the storytelling moves from being plot focused to being focused on the characters. The climax has been crafted in an interesting manner and I liked the way it was presented and executed. The thing I loved about the book was the detailed history and focus on the reference of historical events and personalities in the book. The attention to detail was quite interesting to read and it added an aspect of authenticity to the story.

Another aspect of the book that is quite interesting is that it also explores some important historical events that highlight places and people that might not be popular, but are an integral part of our history. On a personal note, I would have loved if a map had been a part of the book to point the places of interest in the book which would have elevated the overall reading experience.

Coming to the characters, I liked Sudipta’s style of creating characters that mimic real life, and that none of them are either black or white. As you read through the story, you start realizing that the characters are quite dynamic and their actions cannot be predicted too far into the future. Using historical characters to fit into the story is not an easy task but Sudipta manages to do that with ease, and the layering of certain characters had me floored. Another aspect I loved was that the diamond itself acts like a character and is an integral part of the entire narrative.

Overall, a wonderful story that takes inspiration from the tales of yore and weaves a tale of treachery, curses and family that spans across centuries. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

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