06 January, 2016

#BookReview :: The Sinister Silence by Moitrayee Bhaduri

When ace software engineer Saahil is found battling for his life on a rainy morning, it looks like a case of attempted suicide. However, Saahil's family strongly denies that possibility and calls in ex-super cop-turned-detective Mili Ray to investigate. While doctors are uncertain about Saahil's survival, the police discover the blood-soaked body of Saahil's colleague Farzad. Why are IT engineers being targeted? Is there a link between these ghastly attacks and Saahil's cutting-edge invention – the PA software? 
Ray and her team – Advocate Gatha and ex-army officer Anubhav – dive into this case, which is turning murkier by the hour. Unaware that a conniving assassin is stalking her, Ray races towards a dangerous trap while murderous attacks continue to haunt the IT world. Who is behind these assaults – a jealous co-worker, an IT kingpin, an estranged friend, or someone else? With the killer on the loose, Ray's credibility is at stake... 
Set in Mumbai, The Sinister Silence is an edge-of-the-seat thriller that traces detective Mili Ray's journey through a mysterious case that poses new threats every time she inches closer to her goal.



I have said it over and over again that I really admire the present generation of authors who dare to break free of the formulaic way of producing commercial romance stories. And I specifically admire the ones that bring us mysteries. Needless to say that I had picked up this book with great expectations and the book delivered on most of it.

Meet Milli Ray, an ex-cop turned detective. When IT personnel are being attacked in the city, she is brought into the case by the family of one of the victims. While Saahil is fighting for his life, his friend did not get that chance. Farzad’s bloody body was discovered. Milli has to understand the many aspects of the case and catch up with the killer before time runs out. With her career and reputation on stake, Milli Ray and her team must work to stay ahead of the killer or Milli herself may end up dead and a victim.

A female protagonist, who used to be a cop and is now a detective – we need to take a pause right there and applaud the author for coming up with such a character. How many female detectives have you come across recently? And among the few that you know of, how many of them had a law enforcement background? Bored housewife turned detective is the most common background that women detectives seem to have. So yes, sue me, but I fell in love with the character because of her strong background. I also liked her no nonsense personality and the way the author has shaped her up. Go girl power! I wish though I could say equally good things about the plot as well. It is true that the author has laid down a moderately complicated story line with quite a few twists scattered all over. Yet the ending did not shock or surprise me as much. The plot could do with some fine tuning so as to make it more difficult for us to guess things. However the author’s language and narrative does make up for the holes left by the plot. Moitrayee Bhaduri sure knows how to spin a beautiful yarn with her dainty language that in the end paints vivid pictures of each situation and setting.

Overall, I found this book to be an interesting debut. I would sure like to see Milli Ray grow over a series.



Review Copy received from Srishti Publishers


3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this review Debdatta! What a pleasant surprise - to find a book review in the middle of a busy work week. I am delighted that you liked Mili Ray! Coming from a v. popular blogger and an avid reader, this review means a LOT. Wish you all the very best with your writing. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete