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!