The Secret Diary of a Conman-Vish Dhamija

Book: The Secret Diary of a Conman
Author: Vish Dhamija
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

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

What, do you think, is the key to a successful con?

One heist. One night. No second chances. Fresh out of prison after being double-crossed by his former partners, a cardsharp turned conman extraordinaire finds that Mumbai’s underworld is no place for a failed criminal. Having spent years amassing a fortune and securing a reputation that few can compete with, he has learnt the hard way that playing high stakes is a dangerous game – especially when one’s comrades can be just as crooked as one’s rivals. He plots an elaborate heist to take revenge: an epic night of gambling amongst the city’s upper echelons, with crores of rupees – and his life – on the line. When the ever-thickening web of lies and deception he has woven begins to threaten those he loves most, he is forced to make an impossible choice. The deck is stacked against him … but this master conman has a final ace up his sleeve.

There are stories about conmen and heists, and then there is this book which cons the reader itself with multiple misdirects. The book is written in the form of diary entries by a man who is a card sharp and was double crossed by his partners. The book then explores the story of how he plots his revenge with his partners. What I loved about the book was the manner in which it is written and in the first person narrative, takes you through his life as a cardsharp and how he came into this life. The book is divided into 5 sections, each corresponding to one suit, and an extra chapter for the Hearts. Vish’s writing is excellent and you are drawn into the story so much that you miss the subtle cues that he has placed throughout the book. Each chapter corresponds to a song which matches perfectly with the vibe of the book and if you plug into the playlist and hum while you read, trust me, you’ll enjoy the book a lot more. True to the format of diary entry, there are scribbles on the margins that also fit in with the storyline, and give you the feel of reading someone’s diary. There are moments in the book where you, as a reader, are fooled into a sense of discomfort and miss the cues that misdirect you completely. Another aspect of the story that I loved was the research and the mind-boggling planning it would have taken to plan out the events in the book, given that not a word out of context is mentioned, and I take the example of the “three doorbells” here, giving no spoilers at all. The climax of the book, however, is the cherry atop the cake. It takes deviousness of another level to come up with what happens in the end.

I’ve always been a fan of Vish’s writing, and the way he likes to play around with his characters’ emotions, and by extension the readers’. Even in this book, you cannot help but feel sorry for our Dimpy Raja when you read his story. Another lovely character was that of Zara and how she added that zest to the entire story through her role in the entire con. Then there is this sub-plot of importance of friends that is the key to this entire story. Puja and Ranjit’s characters were crafted beautifully. In the relationship between the three of them, Vish manages to highlight how the friends we make when we are young are the ones we can bank upon, even for the craziest and the riskiest of plans.

Overall, the conman managed to con me and my rating scale to make me give a 5/5 for this diary, and the extra half star was just for the 1 misdirects that caught me blind!!!

P.S. I loved the Rita Ferriera reference in the book!

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

Till Fate Do Us Part-Smita Das Jain

Book: Till Fate Do Us Part
Author: Smita Das Jain
Publisher: Readomania

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

What if professional boundaries make you reconsider a possible relationship?

Doctor Gaurang’s ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when Vedika, a corporate professional burdened by life’s challenges, enters his examination room. Sparks fly as they delve into treatment options for Vedika’s daughter’s rare medical condition, awakening emotions long dormant. An unforeseen event hurls their worlds into chaos, blurring the lines between duty and desire. As Vedika’s estranged husband, Rohan, reenters the picture, the trio confront difficult choices that could either break them apart or offer a path to redemption. Join them on a heartrending journey of love, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of invisible bonds. Can love mend what destiny has broken, or will fate do them part?

The book explores multiple themes around the human psyche. Smita explores various aspects such as maintaining a work-life balance, maintain relationships with our families and the idea of how love functions as a primary emotion. Through the idea of a special needs child with a rare medical condition, Smita highlights the challenges of caring for her, along with balancing a full-time corporate career. Through Gaurang’s character, Smita brings to light the challenges that our front-line workers face, and how sometimes they have to choose between the professional and personal. The storytelling in the book is engaging and there are moments where you feel deeply connected with the characters. The book is quite well researched and I liked that the author has taken her time to focus on the medical procedures and the background to craft a believable story, especially the climax that starts building in a couple of chapters before. Another aspect of the story that I liked was the grey area in which Vedika and Gaurang operate where they briefly explore a “what-if” scenario. While the story has its ups, there are a few things that I thought could be improved. I felt that the story of Gaurang and Divya could have explored a bit more to develop his character arc. Another aspect of the book that could have been improved was the focus on the relationships between the Rohan and Vedika, as well as a , rather than the spotlight being on Devika and Gaurang.

Coming to the characters, I liked the way Smita sketched the character of Devika. A career-driven woman, juggling work and personal life, I liked that while a headstrong woman, she has her faults and Smita has brought them to light nicely. The way her character arc develops across the story was quite wonderful to read. Gaurang’s character also impresses with his empathy and the way he handles Samiksha’s case and the bedside manners he exhibits.

Overall, the book is a wonderful tale of love, empathy and the value of human connections and is a definite recommendation. The book score a 4.63/5 for me.

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

Nadir (The Empress of Indraprastha # 3)-Sonali Raje

Book: Nadir (The Empress of Indraprastha # 3)
Author: Sonali Raje
Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

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

What would you do if your life was its Nadir?

The Empress of Indraprastha series takes a unique approach to the Mahabharat. It focuses on one current issue of societal relevance in each installment of a story told through Draupadi’s lens. Part 1 focused on unconventional marriages and gender equality, part 2 on women’s empowerment. Part 3 addresses maternal support for married daughters, and tackles the canker of sexual harassment by highlighting the victim-perpetrator pairs of Draupadi-Keechak and Arjun-Urvashi. In this fictional retelling of the epic, discover a never-seen-before persona of Draupadi, the formidable warrior queen, who stands tall despite her life being at its – Nadir.

Book 3 takes off from the events after the Raajsooya Yagya at Indraprastha and the events that take place after the Pandavas are invited to Hastinapur for a game of dice by the Kauravas. The book starts with the events at Hastinapur and what happens when the Pandavas lose the game, and with that everything that they wagered. What stood out for me, and what sets the tone for the book was the powerful writing of the scene when the disrobing of Draupadi is written. The way that particular scene is written shows you what to expect in the book. The manner in which Draupadi retains her elegance and power in the face of adversity was truly amazing. Another aspect of the book that I loved was that how the same point is recalled during the end of the book in Matsya and the manner in which the actions of the Pandavas are different. Another part of the book which is wonderfully written is when Draupadi visits Hidimbaa and the events that take place there. What works in the book is its impeccable storytelling and the plot which keeps you turning the pages. Another aspect of the book that I loved was that the characters are neither black or white, there are shades of grey and the author does not restrain herself on presenting the moral dilemmas that the characters face, specially in the Hastinapur court after the game of dice. Skillfully retaining key stories from the Mahabharata, while blending in her concept of highlighting an issue of societal relevance in the plot.

Sonali’s writing is powerful and keeps you engaged as you turn the pages of the book. The book is longer than the previous two, however the pacy plot doesn’t let you feel the increased length. The events of this book set the tone for the next books nicely and with the side plots developing, I am excited to see how she proceeds and the social issues that she takes up in the upcoming books. The issue of maternal support for married women, especially after the disrobing in the Hastinapur court. I really liked the way she structured it. With each book in the series raising the bar, I am excited to read the remaining books and to see how she brings the story to a close. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

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

Check out my review of the previous books in the series