Bookish Indulgences: Jaico Publishing House

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18 January, 2019

Debdatta Dasgupta January 18, 2019 0

#BookReview :: The Silent Witness by Anuradha

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Silent Witness by Anuradha is a historical fiction set in the Seventeenth Century India. It is set in the beautiful Kerala, to be more precise, where the Sammudris of Kozhikode, the Rajas of Kochi and the Portuguese were all trying to gain the majority foothold. With the politics of the kingdom and the Portuguese conspiracies proves to be too much as the Crown Prince Kerala Varma and his brother is forced to go into hiding. In his quest for survival and also finding potential allies, Kerala Varma meets and falls in love with Unnimaya. Finally, with the help of the Dutch, Kerala Varma plans to win back his throne and title but will his love for Unnimaya be his strength or a hindrance?

The author has a knack for weaving a beautiful story. The book has quite a few characters as part of each of the camps represented in the story. I will admit it though that it took me some time to get into the flow of the story where I could understand and identify each character by its name. Then again, I have always been weak with names. So, this may not be an issue for others. It would have been very easy to complicate the story and confuse the readers. Instead the threads of the story are well interwoven to make it more interesting to the readers than anything else. The narrative felt smooth and it maintained the pace well enough. The main characters have been developed well. I could feel myself liking and disliking particular characters as I am sure the author meant it to be. The politics, the drama, the romance… each element of the plot has added to it and created a web that keeps the readers indulged.

The book has some illustrations that I found interesting. I am not sure if they add anything to the story itself, but felt like were there more for the aesthetics. As I have not read the original version of the book, it wouldn’t be fair of me to comment on the translation. All, I can say that while reading, at no point did I feel odd or as if something was missing which is usually a positive for the translator.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing House

21 February, 2018

Debdatta Dasgupta February 21, 2018 1

#BookReview :: The Vengeance of Indra (Vikramaditya Veergatha #3) by Shatrujeet Nath

VENGEANCE IS A CAGE. FORGIVENESS IS FREEDOM.

In their greed to possess the deadly Halahala, the devas and the asuras have employed every dirty trick against Vikramaditya and his Council of Nine. But the humans are still standing, bloodied but unbowed.

When the wily Shukracharya discovers the secret to breaking the Council’s unity and strength, he forges an unlikely alliance with his arch-enemy, Indra, to set a deceitful plan in motion.

As cracks emerge between the councilors and their king, ghosts from the past threaten to ruin Vikramaditya and Kalidasa’s friendship, signaling the beginning of an eclipse that will cast a long shadow over all that Vikramaditya holds dear. And into this shadow steps Indra, bearing an old grudge – and a devastating new weapon.

How much longer before the Guardians of the Halahala finally fall apart?

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I have been eagerly waiting for the release of this book. In fact, this book was one of my most anticipated books of 2018. I read the book in one sitting, staying up till 3:30am!

Shatrujeet Nath returns with the third book in the series after a gap of almost a year and a half. (*** Still grumbling about the wait ***) But boy does he return with a bang! He doesn’t wait to get right into it and the Prologue is a hook that is sure to get any reader’s attention.

The book picks up from soon after where ‘The Conspiracy of Meru’ left off. The kingdom is still reeling from the after effects of the attacks. There’s a restlessness growing among its people while Vikramaditya is faced with questions at every end. The effect of Kalidasa’s action has left a mark on Vikramaditya and his councilors; especially on Vararuchi and Shanku. Ghatakapara has some troubles of his own. Shoorasena’s plotting continues as King Harihara tries to face up to his dilemma and Chandravardhan tries to come to a decision. There is a lot happening in the human realms, but the unscrupulous scheming on the part of the Devas and the Asuras continue as well…

The book answers a couple of questions, but raises so many more. Compared to ‘The Conspiracy of Meru’, this book has less action. But it makes up by putting out all the moves and counter moves that each party has planned. It offers a lot of drama and politics to keep the readers engaged and involved in the story by nudging them to try and guess what exactly each character is up to. Each sub plot has something to offer – it is up to the readers to connect the dots where they can. The twists that the author came up with were ingenious and almost had me fooled. The book also offers a closer look at a few characters in a way that may change things for the readers. There are certain scenes in the book that are so well done that it almost blew my mind. I wish I could tell you more details about those incidents without giving out spoilers.

The stage is now set for the finale in “The Wrath of Hellfires” and I am so ready for it. I can feel how epic it is going to be from the way the story has built up so far.

To round up my review, I would like to recommend this series to every mytho-fiction and fantasy lovers out there. I really cannot say it enough – if you haven’t read this series yet, you are missing out on a LOT.

Review Copy received from Jaico Books

The Guardians of the Halahala (Vikramaditya, #1) by Shatrujeet Nath

The Conspiracy at Meru (Vikramaditya Veergatha #2) by Shatrujeet Nath

25 July, 2016

Debdatta Dasgupta July 25, 2016 0

#BookReview :: Ranga Half-Pants by Suman Kumar

How horribly wrong can a boy’s dream of owning a pair of full pants go? Set in 1986, in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, Ranga Half-Pants is a breathtaking, coming-of-age tale of love, courage and friendship.

Ranganathan aka Ranga, 14, goes to school after Dasara holidays to discover that he is the only boy in his class still wearing half-pants. All the other boys have moved on to full trousers making Ranga the butt of cruel jokes and bullying. Things hit a real low when his arch-nemesis Joel becomes friends with Ranga’s best friend Kaivalya.

Prasad, 24, is a man forced to live by the sword. Now he wants to give it all up for the love of his life, Tabassum. His rivals, however, have other plans for him.

The worlds of Ranga and Prasad clash on a fateful, violent night. Will Ranga get his full pants? Will Prasad outwit his foes?

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The name of the book intrigued me enough to give it a try and I am glad to have taken a chance with this book.

Ranga is an adolescent who discovers that all the boys in his class have graduated to full pants as a part of their school uniform while he remains the only one wearing half-pant. The other boys start to make fun of him enough to make him want a set of full pants for himself. Then there is also the fact that his arch-nemesis and his best friends seem to be getting closer by the day. On the other hand is Prasad who has fallen in love with Tabassum and he would do anything for a life with her. But there is the matter of a politician’s nephew who has other plans for him. When Prasad and Ranga’s lives cross paths, relationships are forged and unexpected things happen.

Ranga and Prasad are two very different characters, yet both are loveable. Ranga’s immaturity at times reminded me of how young he is. But he does find his voice as the story progresses. Prasad’s composure on the other hand managed to impress me. There are quite a few side characters in the story and they have been developed equally well. The character of Vishwa really added to both the story and the character of Prasad. The plot is simple and mostly predictable. It is more of coming of age story with the characters finding their way through life. The author has done a good job with the story telling by giving us just enough details and keeping things simple.

The book has a feel good feeling about it and made for an entertaining read.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing

13 July, 2016

Debdatta Dasgupta July 13, 2016 0

#BookReview :: Urmila by Pervin Saket

Recapturing the mythical journey of love and longing in contemporary India

Inspired by the story of Lakshman’s wife from Ramayana, Urmila traces a tale of rejection and a woman’s passionate search for love, rekindling questions of devotion and desire.

The talented and passionate Urmila Karmarkar has recently married into a wealthy, politically connected family in suburban Mumbai. When Urmila’s brother-in-law is compelled to move to Dubai, her husband leaves her behind and chooses to follow him instead. Fuelled by this rejection, Urmila seeks solace in her art as she battles to keep her dreams of love and motherhood alive, waiting for her husband to return.

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Urmila is the story of a woman who is married into a well-established and connected family. Her life after marriage isn’t what women typically dream of. Wedded into a family where she has no worth and is treated unkindly, she cannot even hope for support from her husband. Giving herself completely to her art is the only way she finds some semblance of normalcy. But when her art lands her in trouble, what or who does she turn to?

I had the opportunity to do an interview with the author for my blog and as such it gave me an insight to the book even before I started reading it. For instance, Urmila, our protagonist is inspired by Lakshman’s wife of the same name. When Ram, Sita and Lakshman left for the exile, Urmila stayed back at the behest of her husband. She is the ‘Sleeping Princess’ of Ramayana, who played her part but no one ever talks about her. In this book our protagonist has somewhat a similar fate and it felt like that she represented numerous women around the world whose sacrifices and contributions go unnoticed. When Urmila’s brother-in-law moves to Dubai, her husband follows his elder brother leaving her behind. To Urmila, it felt like a betrayal as he seemed to have made his decision without sparing a thought for her. She has nothing else to do but to live and deal with unkind family members.

I am not sure whether I liked our protagonist completely. There were moments where I wished she dealt with things differently and then there were moments where I was totally aligned with her. I guess that shows the many shades that the author has used to paint her character. Besides her there are few solid characters in the storyline whose actions impact Urmila’s life; these characters have been developed well enough to not let the reader ignore them. The plot on the whole is quite simple and its climax is totally the best part of it. The tale is beautifully narrated with a dainty language that compliments both the intricacies of each character and the story telling style on the whole.

I know, everything sounds simple and average and you might feel like giving a second thought about picking this one up. But trust me, the simplicity in which everything is handled and delivered is what makes this book extraordinary. Give it a try.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing House

20 August, 2015

Debdatta Dasgupta August 20, 2015 0

#BookReview :: Diary of an Immigrant Bride by Nim Gholkar

1998 Australia. Anjali Jathar is looking forward to life as an immigrant bride following her arranged marriage to ambitious divorcee Ravi. Settling in, she explores not just a new culture but also her newfound freedom. But life is less than perfect. Ravi’s constant travel and preoccupation with work leave Anjali feeling increasingly unloved and lonely.

Enter Jake Ellis. Charmed by Anjali’s exoticism, he finds himself gradually falling in love with her. And so begins an emotionally intoxicating roller-coaster ride.

‘Unravelling Anjali’ is a cross cultural tale delving into love, lust and relationships. What happens if a woman meets her soul mate after marriage…and it’s not her husband?

A riveting read, ‘Unravelling Anjali’ is a vivid portrayal of commitment, betrayal and the struggle to find one’s identity in a foreign land.

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Anjali Jathar, our protagonist, lands in Australia to start her ‘journey’ as a newlywed bride. She has various ideologies and expectations as she embarks on her new life in a completely new place. But her expectations start to crumble as soon as she lands in Australia. Ravi, who is on his second marriage, is too career oriented and has absolutely no time for his new bride. His work is his life and consumes most of his time. He also travels a lot for his work. Anjali feels left behind and ignored; and even though she soon makes some friends her life feels incomplete. Some unexpected friendships and twists take Anjali on a road that she would have never imagined treading upon… What will come of these relationships? And where will it take Anjali?

I was intrigued by the blurb of the book. The life of an immigrant wife with a hint of adultery on the side is not something I am usually attracted to, but the allure was too much and I decided to take a chance with this book.

Anjali is a character who handles her role of the protagonist well. Her honest voice makes the reader feel and empathize with her even at the darkest moments of her life. It was pretty easy to fall in love with Anjali and support her throughout. Also the development of her character is so well done… You can see her grown and change over the pages. Ravi on the other hand came across as a bit of a downer in the book. I couldn’t really like him till the end. I guess that shows how well the author has worked on her characters – so as to make us feel so strongly about them. There are other supporting characters that bring something to the plot, especially Jake, but I will not discuss them in detail, or I might give out some spoilers.

The author has done a wonderful job with her narration of the story. I loved the detail oriented narration that helped the story take a picturesque form in my mind. The flow is smooth and while some may find the pace to be a bit lacking, it is because of the care that the author has taken in world building and setting up the backdrop for each situation. As a result, I found the book to be very engaging and entertaining.

This makes for a very light hearted read and if you are someone who doesn’t condone adultery and have been avoiding picking this book up because of it, I suggest you give it a try anyway.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing House

13 May, 2015

Debdatta Dasgupta May 13, 2015 1

#BookReview :: Special Lassi by Amrita Chatterjee

A Backbreaking Misadventure in the Himalayas.

A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.

In the summer of 2011, two bleary-eyed kids, teetering on the cusp of adulthood, decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh. On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more this journey is all about rolling with the punches.

Special Lassi is one part funny, two parts crazy and a whisper of wistful-for the best things are ephemeral and a lust for life is a dangerous thing.

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I do not normally read travelogues… As a result this book sat on my shelves for a long time before I gave into my love for Himalayas and picked it up.

The author, Amrita, bored of the routine life sets off on a backpacking trip with her friend Rivers with only one plan in mind – to see as much of the foothills of Himalaya as possible. With no itinerary to follow, the two friends traipse from Kolkata to Darjeeling and Sikkim to Kathmandu and Lumbini to Haridwar and Leh. On their way they not only take in the beauty of the places but also encounter a multitude of different people who add to this story.

The beauty of this book lies in not only the way author has captured the different essence of all the places but also her own euphoria at experiencing something new and something different at every turn. I have spent about a decade in Darjeeling, pursuing my education, and it was such a beautiful experience to see the Darjeeling I know through her eyes. I have also been to Sikkim and Haridwar and I know that she hasn’t exaggerated any aspect about these locations. All the same it was fun to experience old and new places through her beautiful and engaging narratives. And it certainly helps that she had an entertaining companion in Rivers.

This is an interesting book to read – a travelogue that almost feels like fiction yet the reality of it all is so obvious. Kudos to the author on various levels – to take off for the trip and then to present it for everyone else to read – neither were easy but a job well done.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing House

26 February, 2015

Debdatta Dasgupta February 26, 2015 1

#BookReview :: HiFi in Bollywood by Rishi Vohra

"AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER. THE DIZZYING HEIGHTS OF BOLLYWOOD. AND A STRAINED FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIP"

Rayhan Arora’s long cherished dream is to be a filmmaker in the Hindi Film Industry but his formidable father has other plans… a successful financial career in Corporate America, and a marriage of convenience with Vanita, a medical student in the US.

In a final act of desperation, Rayhan abandons his promising life in California and secretly returns to Mumbai to work as an Assistant Director in Bollywood. The characters he encounters along the way become part of his journey of self-discovery - a self-proclaimed local goon with a penchant for acting; a powerful local politician who wants to marry Rayhan's part-time domestic help, who in turn covets stardom; an angst-ridden, homosexual film director; ego-ridden film stars with twisted agendas; and the mysterious Viola who captures his heart.

HiFi in Bollywood takes the reader from the streets of Berkeley to the film studios of Mumbai; from red-light areas to police stations, and from reality to dreams and back to reality again!

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After reading (and liking) Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai by Rishi Vohra, I was looking forward to reading his next. Needless to say, I picked this one up with certain expectations.

HiFi in Bollywood is the story of Rayhan Arora, who has always dreamt of making it big in the tinsel town of India and make his own space in the film industry. But like most Indian parents, his father has different plans for him. As a result, Rayhan is sent off to take on the financial world in US and a probable marriage to Vanita, a medical intern there. But Rayhan, with the help of his savings and his friends, moves down to Mumbai, unbeknownst to his father. There he struggles to land on his feet while encountering a myriad of characters including Violet. Will he survive the struggle or will he give in?

The best part of the book is Rayhan. His character is lively, real and loveable. I also liked the way his father influenced his story. It is so true that even today most parents try to live their aspirations through their children instead of giving them the choice of choosing their own path. It is probably the story of one in every two Indians. I also liked the way author has described the various settings, situations and locations. It made the story come alive in front of my eyes. The many characters brought in different flavours to the story. I loved how different each one was and how each of them had a different roles to play in Rayhan’s journey.

The plot though is very predictable including the big twist in the story. Also, apart from the protagonist, the other characters felt falling a bit short. They should have been developed a bit more. Also, the book dragged a bit in the end. Despite the few drawbacks this book makes for an entertaining read due to the humour infused in the story. There were moments that made me laugh out loud and moments that made me think. The author has done a good job of balancing out the fun and the seriousness in the novel. It did not get too heavy at any point and neither the humour felt forced.

Overall, this book is worth one time light read.

Review Copy received from Jaico Publishing House

05 January, 2015

Debdatta Dasgupta January 05, 2015 1

#BookReview :: Tracking Purnima by Usha Kathir

24-year old Aditi Sridhar is trying hard to establish herself as a newspaper reporter in Bangalore.

In her first major feature article, Aditi, with her never-say-die spirit, resurrects Purnima, the once celebrated singer and actress from the 60s and now a forgotten and missing star. Soon, Aditi is warned off by an unknown caller. Intrigued and defiant, the feisty girl ropes in her friend Reshmi, a photographer, to help her track Purnima. Her detractors become bolder and more violent.

Will Aditi solve the mystery that shrouds Purnima’s disappearance? Will she unravel the dubious identities and missing links as she gets closer to Purnima? Or does something more sinister await Aditi as she risks her own life to find Purnima, dead or alive.

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Welcome to Aditi Sridhar’s world, who is is trying hard to establish herself as a newspaper reporter in Bangalore. In her first major article she plans to resurrect Purnima, once celebrated singer and actress who seemed to have dropped off under the radar of everyone. But things get really interesting when her seemingly innocent questions disturb a hornet’s nest and she starts getting threatening calls. Things soon get heated, but with the help of a friend, Aditi is determined to crack this case.

First off, I love to see strong and feisty girl characters in a book and Aditi is just that. She is highly spirited and somewhat stubborn, yet she is street smart and relentless in her perusals. She is a perfect reflection of modern women whose career aspirations can rival that of any man. Aditi’s photographer friend, Reshmi, is also a strong character who plays an important role in both her life and in the story. There were handful of other characters who played had their own characteristics and added something to the story with their roles. The plot in itself is quite simple and predictable for most part. There are twists thrown in here and there to stir up the events of the story. Besides the main plot, there were certain sub plots that brought in different elements. For instance, Aditi’s mother and her matchmaking trick added to the drama and sometimes comic relief to the story.

The author’s language and narration style is quite dainty and I particularly enjoyed the extra little description of situations and people that the author has included in her way of storytelling.

Overall, an interesting novel that promises hours of entertaining reading hours.

Review Copy from Jaico Publishing House

02 August, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta August 02, 2014 0

#BookReview :: Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

Landon Reed is an ex-quarterback convicted of organizing a points-shaving scheme. During his time in prison, he found forgiveness and faith and earned his law degree. Now he longs for an opportunity to prove his loyalty and worth. "Be careful what you ask for."
Harry McNaughton is one of the founding partners of McNaughton & Clay--and the only lawyer willing to take a chance employing an ex-con-turned-lawyer. Though Landon initially questions Harry's ethics and methods, it's clear the crusty old lawyer has one of the most brilliant legal minds Landon has ever encountered.
The two dive into preparing a defense for one of the highest-profile murder trials Virginia Beach has seen in decades when Harry is gunned down in what appears to be a random mugging. Then two more lawyers are killed when the firm's private jet crashes. Authorities suspect someone has a vendetta against McNaughton & Clay, leaving Landon and the remaining partner as the final targets.
As Landon struggles to keep the firm together, he can't help but wonder, is the plot related to a shady case from McNaughton & Clay's past, or to the murder trial he's neck-deep in now? And will he survive long enough to find out?

Dead lawyers may not tell any tales, but I found the title of the book quite telling.

While what seems to be open and shut case, lawyers associated with it are dropping dead like flies. And amidst it all is our protagonist, Landon, a lawyer with a not so clean record and with an unusual mentor. With a prison record, an upcoming reporter for a wife and a baby girl, Landon has more to lose than anyone. After losing his mentor to the case, Landon is more determined to solve this case before not only he loses in the courtroom and his marriage. But is his skill and determination enough or will he be the next on the list of dead lawyers?

The story starts with a surprise and holds on to that element till the very end. A gripping tale told gracefully, this is certainly a page turner. While I was able to guess a few of the aspects, but the author had more shockers in store. The fast pace and the intriguing quality of the plot are enough to keep a hold on any reader. To top that off was the character of our protagonist, Landon. I really enjoyed reading about him. What with his seedy past, people would really underestimate the guy. The imperfect shades of his character make him all too more real to the readers, because really, who in real life is perfect? Also, when his wife Kerri is thrown into the mix, things get more interesting as Landon is not only pitted against another in the court but also at home since Kerri is an reporter who needs the scoop.

Overall, an interesting read where the pages just fly by.

Review Copy from:

29 July, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta July 29, 2014 0

#BookReview :: False Witness by Randy Singer

An Explosive Secret.
An Invaluable Code.
An Unreliable Witness.

Three ambitious law students at a local legal aid clinic watch as their routine case representing a man named David Hoffman ignites an incendiary trail of deception and betrayal. A member of the witness protection program, Hoffman has defrauded the government and eluded the Mob’s pursuit of his stunning secret: a coded algorithm capable of crippling the Internet and disarming national security.

Because of the intense threat posed by such a code, federal agents want Hoffman dead or alive. But the Mob wants him alive, more than willing to obtain the algorithm by whatever means necessary. And the would-be lawyers–caught in the middle of this deadly triangle–must overcome their differences and work together if they’re to survive long enough to graduate.

On one hand we have Professor Kumari and his young protégée trying to sell an algorithm, but the dealgoes sideways and soon Professor Kumari is on the run. Enter Clark Shealy, a professional bail bondsman, whose wife has been kidnapped and has 48 hours to locate Professor Kumari or his wife suffers the consequences. Then we have Attorney Jamie Brock and a man named David Hoffman to account for in the same plot. Deceit, betrayal, murder and lots of action packed into one novel – False Witness.

This is my first time reading a Randy Singer novel and frankly it reminded me of a James Patterson Novel. Short chapters, fast pace and action from the very beginning… However, Randy Singer stands on his own and holds the fort quite well. The characters in this book come from varied backgrounds with different colours and they are all interesting. I particularly liked Jessica’s, Clark Shealy’s wife, spirit. I wish there was more of a scope for her. I also liked the three law students and hope they will return in some other book as I would love to get to know them better. Each character had different shades in them. Good guys were not overly good and the bad guys weren’t completely bad and this particular aspect is what I liked the most in Randy Singer’s characterization.

There is action, drama and suspense – a full fledged thriller that has you turning the pages right till the end.

Review Copy from:

06 June, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta June 06, 2014 0

#BookReview :: The Great Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Donald Thomas

Holmes returns! In five ingenious new novella length tales featuring the Great Detective. Once again the game is afoot, in these highly original stories featuring Sherlock Holmes at the height of his powers. Crossing historical fact with inventive fiction, the master of pastiche Donald Thomas plunges Holmes into London's Siege of Sidney Street, where he ratiocinates alongside Winston Churchill in obstructing an anarchists assassination plot led by Peter the Painter. In the next adventure, Holmes and Watson are confounded by the Riddle of the Zimmerman Telegram during World War I, as Holmes must employ all his wits to defeat a plan for a German led invasion of the United States. In other mystifying tales of detection, Sherlock Holmes searches for the treasures of King John, lost in 1216. Foiling a foul extortion attempt, Holmes and Watson aid in discovering Lord Byron's epic poem evoking his secret journey to Virginia. Finally the great detective, in a bravura performance, confronts a supernatural curse in Lord Arthur Savile's Crime.

This is the fourth Sherlock Holmes book by Donald Thomas that I have read.

This installment brings together five more stories of the great detective. The first is set during the London's Siege of Sidney Street, where he resolves the assassination plot led by Peter. The next story finds Holmes and Watson playing with the Zimmerman Telegram codes as Holmes tries to uncover the details of a German invasion. The next adventure leads to a treasure hunt and the final story involves Holmes dealing with a supernatural curse. Five very different plots and five very different stories make up this book in order to play with the readers’ imagination.

I have to say that I am finally warming up to this very different dynamics between Sherlock and Watson. While the first Donald Thomas book that I picked up left me feeling a bit disappointed with the way this author is dealing with the dynamics of the relationship between these two, I almost anticipated it when I picked this one up. Also, I am starting to appreciate the way Donald Thomas infuses fiction with reality. I checked out all the five situations on google to find out more about these incidents. Also, went back and checked some of the other incidents narrated in the other books. It is fascinating.

I don’t know if it is because I have finally accepted the differences from ACD’s Holmes or if Donald Thomas just has a way of growing on you or if it is because this is his best work – but I loved this book the best so far. Yes, This pair grows on you and so give it time and chance by picking this series up.

Review Copy from:

16 April, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta April 16, 2014 0

#BookReview :: The Secret Cases of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes #1) by Donald Thomas

What if Sherlock Holmes did not retire in 1903 to a life of bee-keeping in Sussex but instead returned as an occasional Consulting detective in some of the Edwardian eras most baffling, actual cases?Donald Thomas combines his expertise as a novelist and criminal historian to give a brand-new twist to the adventures of Conan Doyle's famous creation. Accompanied as ever by Dr. Watson, Holmes here investigates the alleged bigamy of King George V, the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, the suspicious death of President Faure of France after the Dreyfus affair, and four of Great Britain's most notorious murder trials.

The Secret Cases of Sherlock Holmes provides the Great Detective's numerous fans with their first look at clandestine investigations too damaging to the monarchy, the government or the nation's security to be read until now.

This is supposed to be the first collection of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Cases by Donald Thomas. Unfortunately for me, I have read the later books first – but that is only because I like to read books in order. These books can very well be read in any order and also treated as standalones.

This particular book narrates certain cases that are based on true stories from Edwardian Era. Sherlock Holmes, instead of retiring and retreating to Sussex to entertain his hobby of bee-keeping, remained at Baker Street to perform his duties of a consulting detective to solve these actual cases. The cases ranged from the alleged bigamy, to the death of a president, to the theft of the Crown Jewels, to the four of England's most notorious murder trials. The authors take on these cases are really interesting and entertaining, but his delivery of Sherlock Holmes’s handling these cases were perhaps a bit disappointing.

The one thing that is constant in all the Donald Thomas books about Sherlock Holmes is the dynamics between the great detective and Dr.Watson. I am starting to believe that it has been done intentionally – to keep some distinctions from the original works. I cannot say I enjoy this new shade of their relationship as much as the original. However, when judged as an independent book, free from any comparisons, this book can stand tall on its own. Donald Thomas does a great job of narrating the mysteries and the thrills and I can’t help but think that I would have rated these books higher if he had written these as original series of a character created by him than instead of stories of Sherlock Holmes.

Review Copy from:

23 January, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta January 23, 2014 0

#BookReview :: Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso

Shannon has been the backdrop of my life since the moment I was born.

Summer Stetson lives inside a shrine to her dead sister. Eclipsed by Shannon's greatness, Summer feels like she's a constant disappointment to her controlling, Type A momzilla and her all-too-quiet dad. Her best friend Gibson believes Summer's C average has more to do with rebelliousness than smarts, but she knows she can never measure up;academically or otherwise.
On her birthday, Summer receives a secret gift from her aunt; Shannon's diary. Suddenly, the one-dimensional vision of her sister becomes all too solid. Is this love-struck, mom-bashing badass the same Shannon everyone raves about? Determined to understand her troubled sister, Summer dives headfirst down a dark rabbit hole and unearths painful family secrets. Each revelation brings Summer closer to the mysterious and liberating truth about her family,and herself.

Summer was born after her elder sister Shannon died in the beginning of her senior year. As a result, she has always lived in the shadows of an elder sister who means nothing to her other than a framed photo or a name on a plaque. She has never really tried to live up to her smart, popular, beautiful sister, one she had never met and one she is constantly compared to. Then things changes for her when on her sixteenth birthday her aunt gifts her Shannon’s journal. It is while reading the words penned down by Shannon that Summer, for the first time, feels like she is getting to know the real person behind that name and photo. Things change for her as she realizes that very few people actually knew the true Shannon.

What I liked the most about this book was its plot. Getting into the mind of a 16 year old girl isn’t probably the most brilliant idea. To top that, to get into the mind of a 16 year old girl who is just ‘getting to know’ her elder sister for the first time isn’t really the best place to be. But at the same time it is oddly touching and intriguing. I wondered if Shannon would be worth all the hype and how would summer react to finally having an insight to her mind. I loved reading Shannon’s journal along with Summer. Then there was the family dynamics that felt pretty odd at the beginning but soon made me realize that they were not perfect in any way, yet would Summer be able to bring a balance in the end is what I wanted to know. The other thing that I particularly enjoyed was the ‘love’ factor in the story…. It wasn’t the ‘I barely know you-but I can’t keep my hands off you- so it is not lust but love sort of love story.’ Gibson is a sweet guy and their friendship slowly grows into love – the kind that makes us girls go ‘awww’.

Overall, this book made for an interesting read. It is a fast read and can be squeezed in an afternoon. This story could probably make a great chic-flick too.

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20 January, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta January 20, 2014 0

#BookReview :: The Cosmic Clues (Stellar Investigations Detective Agency #1) by Manjiri Prabhu

SONIA SAMARTH couldn’t have predicted it. It had only been a day, but her first advertisement had drawn dozens of responses. In the bustling city of Pune, with its winding alleys and exotic customs, Sonia has launched a brand new business – private investigation guided by Hindu astrology. Her unique brand of investigation might raise eyebrows but before long, she seems to have found her niche.

When a cat leads Sonia to her very first investigation, she uses astrology to unmask the killer. Suddenly, clients begin streaming in – a persistent, handsome TV personality; a terrified bride-to-be; a missing husband with suicidal tendencies. These cases initially seem like isolated experiences, but Sonia soon finds that they are bound by an invisible thread. Very soon she will have to look closely at her own stars: a notorious international criminal has just crossed Sonia’s path – and he has his own plans for her future!

Sonia Samarth is a smart and independent woman who is an entrepreneur of a brand new business – private investigation guided by Hindu astrology. The initial response that she receives from her newspaper ad and after solving her first case is awesome and clients keep pouring in. But soon Sonia discovers a connection between more than two of her seemingly different cases and there is no turning back. With her new friends and admirers in tow, Sonia is all geared up to solve her cases but is she prepared for what a hardcore criminal has in store for her?

The first aspect of this book that demanded my attention was the procedures involved and Sonia’s very unorthodox methods. I mean we have seen ‘grey cells’ in action and forensic evidences leading to the solution in detective stories, but Astrology? That is something new in this area and I admire the author for taking the risk to explore new detection avenues.

There were a lot of characters involved in this book – from its protagonist to her friends, colleagues and many clients. For the most part, the characters were all very well fleshed out who played their individual roles well. But as we bring them together it was like watching a rainbow take form with the many myriads of the characters. The plot was also interesting and the parallel investigations kept it going well enough. However, unlike most detective/mystery novels, this one doesn’t really encourage you to play the guessing game along. For one, some crucial information about the cases is withheld till the last moment. On the other hand it also contributes to the page turning quality of the book.

Overall, this book was a breath of fresh air in IWE. I enjoyed getting on the ‘Stellar Investigations Detective Agency’ journey and would love to read more in this series.

Buy This Book

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09 January, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta January 09, 2014 0

#BookReview :: Return (Redemption #3) by Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley

This touching novel reunites readers with the Baxter family and focuses on the only Baxter son, Luke. He is determined to leave his faith and his past behind and embrace a new, free-thinking future.

A Special Note: Redemption series is Christian Fiction. I am not Christian and I have not read the Bible. So, I am not in a position to agree or disagree with the religious side of the book and my review will be solely focus on this series as a work of fiction and my point of views on the characters/situations as a third person. I do not mean to criticize or applaud any of the religious views presented through the stories.

Luke Baxter is the ‘baby’ of the family. He has been in a relationship with Reagan and though they had decided not to ‘do the deed’ before their wedding night, they end up sleeping together. The next day is 9/11 and as the attack on the twin towers devastates the nation, things get personal for Luke and Reagan. Reagan having ignored her father’s call the previous night realizes that she had missed her chance at the ‘last conversation’ with her dad because the attack had claimed his life. She moves to spend some time with her mother and break her contact with Luke. Luke on the other hand not only loses his love, but unknown to him, Reagan gets pregnant from their night together. Now as Luke questions everything as he knew it, it is up to his family to have patience with him and hope that he would find his way back to them and to God. Ashley’s story continues in this book and reached new heights and lows making her too question a few things. Erin on the other hand has a secret that the family doesn’t know about.

Luke hadn’t really made a good first impression with his appearance in the last novel and I was hoping to see a better version of him in this book. But my, did he test my patience or what?! Well, I am glad he did because I realized one major thing about this series. The author has drawn up some major flawed characters… and that is kind of a good thing because that is what people are in real lives. We are all flawed and we often get on people’s nerves whether we realize it or not. All the characters in this series have some major flaws and that is exactly what makes them human and real. The ‘issues’ that are brought up are also issues that people really face outside the world of fiction. And though the way Ms.Karen resolves the issues and ties-up the loose ends in the plot isn’t something I always agree with, I am happy that she at least tries to address these things. The plot remains constant with each book and so does the author’s riveting story-telling.

Another couple of hours well spent in reading this third installment. I will read the other two novels if I can get my hands on them. I will not be going out of my way to procure them, however.

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06 January, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta January 06, 2014 0

#BookReview :: Remember (Redemption #2) by Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley

Strong-willed Ashley Baxter is trying to forget. She has locked up her heart, convinced that no one - including God - could love her. Four unlikely people - Alzheimer's patients - find the cracks in Ashley's heart and slowly help her remember. Then comes the nightmare of September 11, which forever changes the lives of the Baxter family, causing them to remember what is important and leading them to make decisions that are both heartbreaking and hope-filled.

A Special Note: Redemption series is Christian Fiction. I am not Christian and I have not read the Bible. So, I am not in a position to agree or disagree with the religious side of the book and my review will be solely focus on this series as a work of fiction and my point of views on the characters/situations as a third person. I do not mean to criticize or applaud any of the religious views presented through the stories.

Ashley Baxter had always been the free-spirit of her family. She had always stood out amongst the faithful family members that she belonged to. Ashley wanted more from her life than what her ‘safe’ family could provide. So, she travels to Paris in search of adventure and to make her mark in the world of Art. But when she returns from Paris, she is pregnant and tight-lipped about it all and even though she was finally back home – she was as unreachable by her family as if she was still in Paris. Landon Blake, who has been in love with her since their teens, tries to bring her out of that shell with his love and attention. Yet, Ashley remains unresponsive towards his gestures… On the other hand, Luke, the baby of the family returns after the 9/11 incidence questioning everything that the family has always stood for. There’s also a sort of conclusion to Kari’s story from the first installment.

I have to say that I liked this story more than Redemption. Ms.Karen continues with her fascinating style of story-telling that keeps you close to the story and flow with it. She has included the 9/11 tragedy in a manner that makes the incident personal globally. I liked Ashley and couldn’t help but compare her to her elder sister Kari. Ashley comes across as more practical though they are equally soft hearted. I also absolutely loved the ‘extras’ in the novel. Ashley’s Alzheimer’s patients manage to touch a readers’ heart in a way that is impossible to ignore. Luke on the other hand touched the wrong nerves in me and I couldn’t just muster up the patience to deal with his hypocrisy in this novel. The next book in the series is going to focus on Luke’s story and I sure do hope he redeems himself before it is too late. Landon is a sweet guy too.

As with the characters, the plot of this novel matured a bit too over the first installment and I have rather enjoyed reading this one.

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04 January, 2014

Debdatta Dasgupta January 04, 2014 0

#BookReview :: Redemption (Redemption #1) by Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley

When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley’s key messages: Love is a decision.

A Special Note: Redemption series is Christian Fiction. I am not Christian and I have not read the Bible. So, I am not in a position to agree or disagree with the religious side of the book and my review will be solely focus on this series as a work of fiction and my point of views on the characters/situations as a third person. I do not mean to criticize or applaud any of the religious views presented through the stories.

Our protagonist in this first book of the series is Kari Baxter Jacobs. When she discovers that her husband has been having an affair and wants a divorce, she decides not to divorce him and instead work through their problems. She moves in with her parents, where her ex-flame, Ryan walks into her life. She also discovers that she is pregnant with her husband’s child, one that they have been trying for quite some time. The story follows Kari through her struggles with her marriage, her attraction towards Ryan and how she comes to term with everything and try to work out her problems.

My main problem with this book was Kari’s attitude towards her cheating husband. I am sorry, I do not approve of cheating in any form and I cannot fathom why she would want to continue her relationship with her husband. I mean cheating isn’t something that just happens… It requires a lot of conscious decisions, and in my book any man who has taken those conscious decisions over and over again over a period of time doesn’t deserve a second chance. A person should make an effort to work out whatever problems he had in his marriage that pushed him towards cheating instead of just going about cheating on his wife. To top it off, Tim, Kari’s husband cheats on her with his student…! That’s just not done. I get the part about forgiveness and loyalty… well forgive him and move on. Not forgive and move back in so that he can go on and continue with his ways!

Well, ranting over! Now that I have managed to get that out of my system, let me move on to the good aspects of this book. We meet a lot of character in this book. It is clear that the authors were aiming to set up a background for the other stories in the series and as such, some characters play a more important role than the others. But the leading casts of this story were all very well fleshed out. I loved to hate some of the characters in the book. The plot is pretty simple and almost predictable. I am actually happy with the ending because I don’t think that given Kari’s train of thoughts, I would have liked the ending any other way. The author’s language and style story-telling is most fascinating. It was probably the USP of the book.

Overall, this was a couple of hour’s worth of light reading for non-Christians like me. I will be picking up the next book in the series for sure.

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