Review of 'Killing Ashish Karve' by 'Salil Desai'

Blurb: Senior Inspector Saralkar is back at his desk after spending a rather annoying week at a Secrets of Living course, especially for police officers and he is itching for some action now. Luckily, an exciting new case turns up right away!

The body of Ashish Karve, a local businessman has been found in the back seat of his car. To PSI Motkar, Saralkar's diminutive assistant, it seems to be a straightforward case of suicide. But Saralkar's sharp mind is agog with the dark possibility of murder. As the case unfolds Saralkar finds enough motives for people, be it Ashishs business partner, his wife, his brother, his friend, his brother-in-law or even strangers to want to do away with him!

Is the senior inspector becoming too fanciful in his imagination or is he on the right track in assuming that Ashish was killed?

Delve into this deliciously thrilling whodunit and walk along with Senior Inspector Saralkar and PSI Motkar as they set out to sift the truth from lies and half-truths.

Verdict: ‘Killing Ashish Karve’ is one of the two crime novels written by Salil Desai. This book can be called as a perfect murder mystery, written in a perfect way and the suspense was alive till the last page of the book.

This book was previously published by the name ‘The Body in the back seat’ but the author correctly changed the name in its new edition which sounds more interesting and will definitely drag more readers towards it. The cover is exceptionally designed and one of the best cover design I have seen in murder mysteries. The blood, the body on the back seat, everything looks perfect and I can feel the author saying after seeing the cover, ‘just the way I want it.’

Like any other Indian thrillers or murder mysteries, this book also have been written in a very simple language which can attract a vast number of audience. The author have the capability to turn things with his narrating skills. The sarcastic comments made by the main protagonist or by his assistant and the ghoulish humor injected by the author only makes the book all the more entertaining. I appreciate the author for choosing such a narrating style which helps him describing every scenes in details without revealing much. Though I felt few characters can be described in a more detailed way but then in a murder mystery the author can’t describe everything.

The characters were planted very efficiently and made very delicate according to the story line. The reader can never feel that there is one single character who doesn't have a vital role to play in this story. Unlike other thrillers, which often introduce numerous characters to confuse the readers, this story have limited number of characters and one can very well start his own investigation based on the given information without missing one. As I said earlier if there was a bit more description about the characters, it will help the readers to visualize more clearly.

The storyline is very well framed and described in a similar disciplined manner. The author hasn't lost any time and have jumped into the main course from the very first page of the book without giving the readers much room. Once the main protagonist Inspector Saralkar and his assistant PSI Motkar starts their investigation one can’t put the book down. At one time I felt that all the characters in this story have the motive to murder Ashish Karve, where I think the author is successful. Kudos to the author for choosing such uncommon names which sounds familiar in this particular scenario.

The narrating style is very smooth and will help the readers to go with the flow without noticing any flaws. But after knowing the culprit at the end, I felt this a bit unacceptable and disappointed but the motive is though genuine and can lead to murder. May be if the culprit was someone else the ending would have been more thrilling. The book has a much maintained speed and the author was effortless in keeping the twist till the end. Apart from these minor draw backs I loved the book.

Final Words:  As the title suggest, this book is one unique murder mystery novel which will give the readers a nail-biting experience till the last page and will also keep them entertained all through the journey (read investigation).

Title: Killing Ashish Karve – An Inspector Saralkar Mystery
Author: Salil Desai
Publisher: Fingerprint
Page Count: 259
My Rating: 4.25/5

Available at –

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Interview of 'Saurbh Katyal' author of 'Seduced By Murder'

" I am not the kind to write standard love stories, if I write one I may title it,' I too had many love stories" says the debut author of the wonderful detective thriller Seduced By Murder. In a candid chat with Timid Fingers, the author discloses why he decides to write in this particular genre, the secret behind his witty one liners and about his upcoming novel. Here yet again we present one emerging talent. Lets start...

Timid Fingers: Congratulations on your book! How does it feel to hold your very first book physically in your hand?

Saurbh Katyal: It feels good to see months of creativity finally manifest as a book.

TF: When every second author is penning down a love story why have you chosen such a less traveled path of a detective novel?

Saurbh: Haha…no, I am not the kind to write standard love stories.  On a lighter note, if I write one, I may title it, “I too had many loves stories”.

On a serious note, I believe that at the end of the novel both the reader and writer should gain in perspective. And this can only be done through the protagonist.  So with this guiding principle, there is in fact a love story in the background of the plot- the resurgence of buried emotions of Vishal for his ex-flame Aditi who is married now, and how he deals with those emotions while he races against time to catch the murderer.

TF: Any inspiration behind writing a detective novel because you have mentioned the name of Sherlock Holmes quite a few times in your book?

Saurbh: The inspiration to write a detective novel comes from a challenge I made to myself. One of my friends stated that there are no good murder mysteries by Indian authors, and that got me thinking how would I write a taut murder mystery in which I could lay clues leading to the identity of the murderer and still keep his identity camouflaged till the last few pages. I am happy to see that by the response so far, I may have been successful in it.

TF: What kind of reaction are you getting from the readers, are they liking private detective Vishal Bajaj?

Saurbh: Yes they are. In fact, Padma Shri Keki N Daruwalla called it an unputdownable thriller and the book has got some good reviews in a couple of national newspapers. The most enjoyable interaction has been with readers who have connected with me on social platforms or have mailed me saying that they enjoyed reading the book. Most of the readers have found the detective incisive and endearing, and a lot of people have advised me to write a series on him.

TF: I really liked the humor in the conversing style of the Vishal, your main protagonist. So are you a witty author or it’s just that Vishal needed to be a witty detective?

Saurbh: I wanted to write a noir, crime novel where the protagonist is a fatalist; so while the detective Vishal has superb detection skills and is not afraid of getting his hands dirty to get the work done, he is also emotional enough to get affected by buried emotions when his ex-flame is near. However as every fatalist, he has a witty, slightly sarcastic sense of humor and that also becomes evident in his dialog.

In fact, most of the readers who were kind enough to connect with me after reading the book were unanimous in liking the sense of humor that Vishal displays in addressing situations. I am glad that you like his sense of humor as well.

TF: So, is it possible for this detective of yours returns with another case in form of another book or you will try your hand at some different genre next time?

Saurbh: I have got some encouraging reviews, so I have already started working on the next book with Vishal as the protagonist. This will be a locked room, murder mystery.

TF: How was your experience working with Blue Jay?

Saurbh: I had a great time working with Bluejay. They have thorough professionals in their team and carry rich experience in distribution, so that helps a lot.

TF: So now, when you are a published author any tips for the unpublished or aspiring authors?

Saurbh: Although it sounds clichéd, from personal experience, I would say just persevere. 

For aspiring authors, COMPLETE THE NOVEL FIRST. I have interacted with some aspiring authors and I have realized that the biggest thing that is impeding them from completing the novel is this obsession with finding a publisher. Understand that even if the book is good, you may still struggle to find a publisher.  That is how publishing works now-a-days.  Do not get affected by it, but just focus on writing.

Once the novel is completed, the next step is to approach all traditional publishers and send them the script as per their submission guidelines. If that doesn’t work, instead of losing confidence in your writing ability or belittling your own work, take advantage of the technological advances and go for self-publishing.

TF: One clichéd question, what is writing for you?

Saurbh: Writing is a form of meditation- you can take refuge in your imagination, express yourself and come back refreshed to the real world. I think everyone should write- it can be a blog, a diary or even just doodling on Microsoft word.

TF: I am done with boring you, no more questions. All the best for your book. Just few words for your readers and Timid Fingers blog.

Saurbh: On the contrary, I found the interaction quite scintillating. Thanks for your wishes.
For the readers, Keep calm and stay positive while you follow your dreams. In the immortal words of Johnny Walker, “Keep Walking.”

The book is available at - 

Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/seduced-murder-english/p/itmdyzdfqggr8auq?pid=9789382891192&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=seduced+by+murder&ref=c9ac19dc-b14a-4a54-ac9f-b25396ba8e84

Homeshop18 - http://www.homeshop18.com/seduced-murder/author:saurbh-katyal/isbn:9789382891192/books/fiction/product:32519637/cid:10916/?pos=1

Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Seduced-Murder-Saurbh-Katyal/dp/9382891196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411132080&sr=8-1&keywords=Seduced+by+murder

Review of 'Seduced By Murder' by 'Saurbh Katyal'

Blurb: When detective Vishal Bajaj receives a call from his old flame Aditi, he is seduced into a vortex of family lies and a murder. Vishal sets out to catch the murderer, while dealing with the resurgence of an irresistible desire for Aditi that he had buried years ago.

Vishal is a witty, hard drinking, tough private detective who doesn't mind getting his hands dirty as he races against time to catch a meticulous killer. Seduced by Murder weaves a web of noir and suspense that keeps the reader riveted and guessing till the end.

Verdict: ‘Seduced by Murder’ is the debut novel of Saurbh Katyal. When we read a detective story we often see the whole scene with the eyes of a detective and try to solve the case before the original detective does, but in this book the author has proper command over the plot and very effortlessly have kept the suspense till the end.

The name is so intriguing that the readers are bound to take a look at the blurb. ‘Seduce’ and ‘Murder’ are two different words and are a pure mismatch together but why the word seduce is so important in this murder mystery, one can find the answer only while reading it. The cover looks dull comparing to other books in the market of this genre and I would say this is not the best from the designer.

Debut author Saurbh Katyal has chosen a very simple yet gripping narrating style which will increase the reader’s reading speed. I appreciate the author for the witty one-liners he has added in those scenes which make them more entertaining. Each and every scene was described with such details that any reader can easily find the clue with the detective. There are few authors who gain respect by their writing style but this author will make readers his friend by his narrating style.

The characters are perfect for a story like this. Each and every time you start to believe that this guy/girl has nothing to do with the crime and in the next chapter the author somehow manages to shift the attention towards him/her. From our earlier experience of reading detective novels we always watch the detective with envy in our eyes but the main protagonist, the detective is different and unique in his own way. 

The story line is quite good but not excellent. The author has very efficiently framed his plot and maintained the guessing game till the end but the speed of the story was a bit slow comparing to be a murder mystery or a thriller. But as the story heads towards the end, it becomes unputdownable. The end will definitely shock the readers because like almost all other detective novels, here also the main culprit is the one least expected. Kudos to the author; for etching the end in such a wonderful way.

Talking about flaws, I do witness a few editing errors and few printing errors like punctuation errors or missing letters. These errors can easily be ignored if the speed was bit faster but that was not and a few times where the main protagonist was travelling through his past memories, the speed dropped to an average. Keeping in mind these flaws and the wonderful and witty narrating style of the author I would recommend this book to all the thriller lovers.

Final Words: A nice attempt by Saurbh Katyal of framing a detective novel and the humor of the author makes this book a must read. A fresh read in the genre of thrillers and murder mysteries.

Title: Seduce By Murder
Author: Saurbh Katyal
Publisher: Blue Jay
Page Count: 268
My Rating: 4/5

Available at –

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Review of 'Private India' by 'Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson'

Blurb: In Mumbai, seemingly unconnected people are dying, strangled in a chilling ritual and with strange objects carefully arranged with the corpses.

For Santosh Wagh, head of Private India, the Mumbai branch of the world’s finest investigation agency, it’s a race against time to stop the killer striking again.

In a city of over thirteen million, he’d have his work cut out at the best times, but this case has him battling Mumbai’s biggest gang lord and a godman who isn’t all he seems.

And then he discovers there may be an even greater danger facing Private India. Hidden in the shadows is someone who could destroy the whole organization – along with thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens…

Verdict: ‘Private India’ is yet another installment in the Private series by one of the finest thriller writer in the world, James Patterson, who this time teamed up with the most famous mystery writer of India, Ashwin Sanghi. Private series is a hit worldwide and this book is able to match their glory. This is what happen when thriller meets mystery.

The cover have the same kind of Private series feeling, the same font style the same running man, same kind of color combination, all gives rebirth to the Private atmosphere. Though the Indian touch is also visible which makes this a perfect contrast. This book will generate a strange feeling among the readers which will force them to read it. I loved the first impression.

James Patterson is famous for numerous things but his skill in putting right thing at right place in thrillers is remarkable and readers would get a same feeling while reading this. The narrating style is so good and engrossing that one can’t put down the book at any cost. The usage of words are simple and suits the atmosphere of the book and the readers will be automatically dragged into the streets of Mumbai where the story unfolds.

The characterization was something very precise. There is numerous characters but one can never feel that they are confusing or the writer is exaggerating things. Each and every character are so different that one can easily remember each one by their characteristics. In a thriller like this we, the readers always looks the detective with envy in our eyes and the main detective in this story Santosh Wagh suits perfectly in the frame, what we often visualize as a detective in our mind. Though I was expecting a bit more from Jack Morgan, the boss of Private.

The storyline is the most important part of a book and in this particular book one can have only one problem that this story is too much thrilling. The book starts with a murder just like other Ashwin Sanghi books, and moves on to disclose that this a serial killing case attaching a huge number of people with it. From Mafia to fraud baba, from doctor to singer, from attorney general to stuff of Private India. By reading this book one can easily have an idea of how the crime base of Mumbai grew. The authors has shown everything, human trafficking, prostitution, forced begging etc. The books gets more interesting when the main hero, head of Private India, Santosh Wagh started to make sense of the puzzle. One can never put the book down until he knows who the main culprit is and when that reveals the readers will mentally kick themselves for not recognizing the clue left by the authors.

I could easily say that this book is the best crime thriller ever written if the first part of the book was a bit for fast just like the second half. When the authors are creating the base for the blast at the second half, the readers may feel a bit slow and can also lost interest from the plot. But I am fortunate that I haven’t lost the interest and completed the book in one go. Another hitch in the book is, it’s a bit lengthy. If the first half was bit speedier and the book a bit more short and crisp, I would call it a perfect. But the authors nailed it at the end.

Final Words: This book have the capability to fasten reader’s heart beat while reading this. This book takes the famous Private series to a new level. A unique crime thriller.

Title: Private India
Author: Ashwin Sanghi | James Patterson
Publisher: Arrow Books
Page Count: 470
My Rating: 4.75/5

Available at –

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Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Private-India-Ashwin-Sanghi/dp/0099586398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410426506&sr=8-1&keywords=Private+India

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Review of "Nine (Book Two): Vengeance of the Warrior" by 'Shobha Nihalani'

Blurb:All future is defined by the past.

And therefore, the end is only the beginning.

After burying the vicious Kalingan warrior, Akash, Tara and Zubin are continuing their lives as before, hiding the fact that they are a part of King Ashokas exalted Nine and that each of them has powers meant to be used for the benefit of mankind, when needed.

Except, things are not as quiet as they seem to be.

The Kalingan warrior has risen once again angrier and more vengeful. And this time he knows each one of them. If they dont destroy him now, they will be hunted down and the world will be battling its worst, most terrifying chemical warfare yet.

This second book in the Nine trilogy will change the way you look at time and space.

Verdict: ‘Vengeance of the warrior’ is the second instalment of the NINE trilogy by Shobha Nihalani. This book starts where the previous one ended, not plot wise but the feel wise. Being a fantasy-fiction, this book is undoubtedly one of the best of its series because of the imagination and narrative power of the author.

The name itself sends a chill down the spine and I feel that the book will be known more as the second book of the NINE Trilogy than by the name. If I have to judge the significance of the name NINE, then I would say no other name would suit this series better. The cover looks catchy and would definitely drag onlooker’s attention. The book is very reader friendly and will raise an urge among the readers that this book is going to be good. Overall I loved the first impression of the book.

The Nine series is a fantasy fiction but can easily be compared with any thriller in the market. The enthralling narrating style of the author will keep the readers hooked till the end and will force them to complete the book in one go. I appreciate the author for distributing the story in short and crisp chapters which helps to maintain the flow. The readers will love the way the author has narrated the whole story by showing different scenes in different chapters. The choosing of words suits the atmosphere of the book and will take the readers into an edgy journey.

The characterization was wonderful as the previous instalment and the author has very efficiently named her characters which suits their personality best. The Three who are already introduced to the readers in the first installment, are very well presented in this book too and in a more improvised version. At few places I felt that the author has deliberately removed the lime light from a few characters to keep the suspense and that is very much visible which can be marked as a flaw of the book.

The plot of the book is wonderful and framed in an efficient way. Just as the blurb says, The Kalingan has risen again and possessed a body of a willing woman name Tejwashi and ready to take the revenge from The Nine, the Mauryan guards, the servant of the great king Ashoka and take the Chintamani, the divine and powerful crystal. Again the responsibility to save the human kind was given on the shoulders of The Three, who are now more experienced and more powerful. The plot is such intriguing and interesting that at the end I, along with The Three shout aloud, ‘To hell with Kalingan’. The war sequence is described in such a way that the readers will feel that they are standing at the war field and witnessing The Three fighting with the mighty.

This book is so good that any flaw would hardly register in the readers’ mind. But I felt there are a few unanswered questions, there are a few scenes where the readers can feel that ‘Shit, why Akash is not doing this,’ or ‘Zubin, has the power, why is he not using it’. Though maximum of the time the author manages to clear the doubt but still there are some loose ends.

Final Words: This book has an unmistakable speed which will grow an urge among the readers to turn the page. The second instalment of the series has done proper justice to its name and readers will eagerly wait for the final installment.

Title: Nine (Book Two) – Vengeance of the Warrior
Author: Shobha Nihalani
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 338
My Rating: 4.75/5

Available At –

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Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Nine-Vengeance-Warrior-Shobha-Nihalani/dp/0143418831/ref=sr_1_2_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1409906499&sr=8-2&keywords=shobha+nihalani

Note:
Book Review in Association with "TheBookaholics"         
Here is the Author's website link - http://shobhanihalani.com/

Review of 'Happily Murdered' by 'Rasleen Syal'

Blurb: ‘Who killed GulabSarin?’

The radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police are certain. It could be anyone – the adulterous husband, convincing in-laws, jealous friend or the love struck ex-fiancé.

With an aim to save themselves and incriminate other, it is not long before these suspects turn into armature detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get the bottom of the mystery.

Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab’s death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?

Verdict: ‘Happily murdered’ is the debut work of Rasleen Syal. Happily and Murdered, both are so different that even Microsoft word can’t bear them sitting back to back but here the debut author has chosen this as the title for her crime thriller.

Not only the name but the cover will also give a hard time to the reader’s brain cells. Bridal attire drenched in blood, how interesting is that and after reading the blurb readers are bound to pick the book.

The book is written in a well-crafted manner. The narrating style perfectly matches the need for this piece of story line. As the author says I can very much relate her style of storytelling with the veteran thriller writer Agatha Christie. I appreciate the author for framing the chapters in such a beautiful way by putting Gulab’s version too.

The story starts with Gulab Sarin, the new bride of Sid Mehta, found dead in the Ratnagiri Palace of Uttaranchal. After the initial investigation police declare, this murder is work of an insider from the renowned Mehta Family. As the story moves on and the family members starts to find clues to save their own back, readers will witness a breath-taking journey. This story is full of surprise elements and the thrilling story line will hook the readers till the very end. I personally feel the success of a crime thriller is, if the author can distract the mind of the reader from the main culprit and in the book I can easily say that Rasleen Syal has been able to do that. As all effective crime thrillers, this book’s end will also make the readers smile at the efficiency of the author.

At the middle of the book I felt the author was getting distracted from the main course. But soon the author made up for this by introducing another twist in the tale. Few printing errors are also spotted. But overall these errors can easily be ignored and this book can be called one great thrilling read.

Final Words: The smooth narrating style and the efficiently framed plot will keep readers hooked until the mystery solves and when it solves, readers will smile with teary eyes.

Title: Happily Murdered…
Author: Rasleen Syal
Publisher: Srishti Publisher &Dristributors
Page Count: 246
My Rating: 4.5/5

Available at -

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Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Happily-Murdered-Rasleen-Syal/dp/9382665188/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408192263&sr=1-1&keywords=happily+murdered

Kingdom Come by Aarti V Raman: A Review

Blurb: Krivi Iyer is an embittered former spy and bomb defusal expert with only one regret. That he couldn't catch The Woodpecker, a dangerous, mentally unstable bomber who ended his partner's family. He has a second chance to go after his arch enemy with the arrival of Ziya Maarten, the manager of 'Goonj Business Enterprises' in Srinagar, Kashmir, who is alleged to be The Woodpecker's sister.

 Except, Ziya is a beautiful distraction and not a terrorist's sister. When a tragedy in London tears Ziya's life apart, she can only rely on Krivi to give her the absolution and vengeance she needs to move on. Between training to be an anti-terrorist squad member and finding The Woodpecker, Ziya uncovers the secrets of Krivi's tormented past.

But will two tortured souls find the courage to love?

Set against the serene beauty of Kashmir, Ladakh and Tibet, Kingdom Come is a gripping story of death and loss, vengeance and retribution, love and life.

Verdict: ‘Kingdom Come’ is the second work of Aarti V Raman. This book is an acute mixture of romance and thrill. Each and every time the reader turns the page while expecting the next scene, the author opened a whole new chapter. This book is one of those which offers twist in its every chapter.

At a glance the name ‘Kingdom Come’ can bring an unfamiliar feeling but while reading the content and after completing the book readers will have all their queries answered. The cover looks perfect to me with two main protagonists walking towards the kingdom come.

There are a few books which would make the readers think that the language is very easy to write but the readers are going to read this book with envy in their eyes. The way the author has narrated the whole story is admirable for a debut work. The words are chosen so brilliantly that they give this story the perfect atmosphere needed. From choosing the names to framing the characters, everything has been done so well that readers can easily visualize everything.

The story starts with Krivi Iyer, the male protagonist, a bomb defusal expert and an efficient spy, defusing a deadly bomb and rescuing a hostage. A breathtaking scene to start a book and described in such a way that it will grab the reader’s attention. After the introduction of Ziya Marteen, the female protagonist; the book turns in a different way, offering readers a different side of the story. The love story unfolded in this book is one unique and different one, I have read in a long time. As The Woodpecker, the terrorist, starts to show his skills, this book becomes more interesting. There are a few scenes where the readers will have to narrow their eyes in anticipation and a few where the readers will enjoy wholeheartedly.

At few chapters I felt the author has unnecessarily stretched few scenes by describing the feeling of Krivi or what is going on in the mind of Ziya. When the book was heading towards the end the effort of the author to keep the suspense going is visible and the twist in the end was not good as the beginning. But the fluent and smooth narrating style of the author can cover up all the flaws and readers are going to enjoy the whole journey on the edge of their seats.

Final Words: This romantic thriller can hook the lovers of both genre. The rich content and the gripping narrating style will take readers in a journey of a lifetime.

Title: Kingdom Come
Author: Aarti V Raman
Publisher: Harlequin
Page Count: 311
My Rating: 4.5/5

Available at -

Amazon- http://www.amazon.in/Kingdom-Come-Aarti-V-Raman-ebook/dp/B00KM0ZQ2U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406888603&sr=1-1&keywords=Kingdom+Come+by+Aarti+V+raman

Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/kingdom-come-english/p/itm9789351063971?q=Kingdom+Come+%28English%29&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9789351063971

Anti-Social Network by Piyush Jha: A Review

Blurb: When college students across Mumbai are murdered one after another in gruesome ways, Inspector Virkar from the Crime Branch called in. As Virkar Investigates, he stumbles upon a ruthless gang of young, tech-savvy miscreants who use social networking sites and the Internet for blackmailing and sextortion. But how are the two cases linked? And who is the mastermind behind these killings?

As the case grows murkier, the computer-challenged Virkar finds himself greatly out of his depth, chasing a killer who always seems to be one step ahead, and a group that soon trains its sights on him. He must race against time to unmask the gang and to find the murderer before his reputation is ruined forever.

Thick with suspense and layered with grit, Anti-Social Network brings to you Inspector Virkar’s toughest case yet.

Verdict: ‘Anti-Social Network’ is the third successive book by Piyush Jha in the Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller series. Needless to say that the name and the cover complements each other and if the readers haven’t read the previous installments of the series, they won’t hesitate much before picking up this book to start with.

After completing the whole book readers are going to find the real cause of spotting a girl in the front cover holding a knife dipped in blood, though in middle the author was successful to distract his readers’ attention. A speedy thriller with a lot of surprise elements.

This book is a treat to those readers who are searching for a quality crime thriller. The way the author has narrated the whole story, is wonderful. Each and every chapter will open a few gates in the readers mind to solve the case and will block the previous one. Every character was introduced in the exact place and described in well-maintained words. No unnecessary description or no stretched scene which keeps the speed going. The way the author has divided the story im short and crisp chapters is appreciable.

The story unfolds in the streets of Mumbai, where Inspector Virkar was called from the Crime Branch to inspect unusual murders of college students. From the very first page the author catches the reader’s attention with his story telling style and efficiently framed plot. As Inspector Virkar finds a clue to reach out for the mastermind of the ‘Anti-Social Network’, readers will experience a same feeling along with the main protagonist. The author, like his previous novels, is able to keep the suspense till the end and haven’t left any clue for the readers to antedate the end.

This book is one of the best in its series but certainly not the best of its series. Comparing to its earlier parts, I would like to say that this book can be a bit better but it is definitely one of the best in its genre. I along with the fans of Inspector Virkar will wait for its next instalment.

Final Words: Piyush Jha has the ability to fasten his readers reading speed by his narrating style. The author will keep his reader on the edge of a knife while reading this book. Murder mystery at its best.

Title: Anti-Social Network
Author: Piyush Jha
Publisher: Rupa
Page Count: 193
My Rating: 4.5/5

Note: The book was received as part of Reviewers Program on The Tales Pensieve

Metamorphing by Kunal Pancholi: A Review

Blurb: 28TH APRIL, 2000: Flight No. 9x4876 bound to Srinagar has crash landed into the Everest Base camp. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the flight mysteriously went off the radar for few minutes and missed its landing. All passengers are feared dead… except for three bodies that are yet to be recovered.

8TH DECEMBER, 2050: This, without doubt is the most gruesome murder in recent times. Early this morning, an unidentified woman was found mutilated at the western gates of the abandoned Victoria Terminus Station in Mumbai. Authorities report her head was … well … semi-decapitated and she was drained of all her blood. The shocking part - the crime scene was devoid of any signs of blood spatter…

ROHAN: He was shorter than the shortest girl in school; he had to be ahead in the game!

RUDRA: A man without a past, coaxed into a murder investigation; will he ever grasp the true nature of the crime?

A thrilling tale about two men bound by an untraceable yet undeniable fate - One running away from his past, another unaware of his own.

Verdict: ‘Metamorphing’ is the debut book of Kunal Pancholi. The name itself portrays that this story is going to be an unusual one and the cover perfectly resembles that this is a murder mystery. Any readers can easily pick the book by the cover and the interesting blurb.

This book has been narrated in a different way or I would rather say in a different time line, one is on 2000 and another on 2050. This is not usual to see authors write about what we are going to see in the future, but this debut author has shown the courage to do so, which is appreciable. The story is narrated by two prime characters, Rohan and Rudra. Writing a thriller is indeed a commendable job and the author is able to keep the suspense till the end. The book is divided and short and crispy chapters  will force the readers to complete it in one go.

The story starts with Rohan’s inferiority complex because of his short height and he being strong from inside to resist those taunts. Rohan survived a plane crash and opens his eyes after five long years. As he returns to his family and starts to realize the changes in his body, the story picks speed. On the other hand, there was Rudra, a character who was found in the bank of a river and had lost all his memories but remembers his name. Within days, he found himself indulging in solving a murder case as a private detective in the year of 2050. The description of those places and gadgets in 2050 is a wonderful reflection of the author’s imaginations. Main prospect of a thriller is to keep in the guessing game with readers, which is very much visible in this story and at the end author wins the game. I loved the end and I can easily say that the unanticipated end will make readers bewildered.

The beginning of the story is a bit slow. This story is narrated by two protagonist in alternative chapters, which at times becomes confusing. There are few scenes which can be described in a more delicate way. There are some unnecessary sections which are dropping the speed of the book. But the author is able to end the book in such a way that readers will close this book with a positive response.

Final Words: An appreciable effort by a debut author. There is enough elements of mystery and suspense to keep a reader hooked. Overall an enjoyable read.

Title: Metamorphing – The Hunt Begins

Author Name: Kunal Pancholi

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

No. of Pages: 252 Pages

My Rating: 3.75/5

Available at –

Flipkart - http://www.flipkart.com/metamorphing-hunt-begins/p/itmdvfhtkdgr6tys?pid=9789383562992&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Metamorphing+by+Kunal+pancholi&ref=2b611c96-6b78-4aaa-82de-dd0a2e1938bf

Amazon - http://www.amazon.in/Metamorphing-Kunal-Pancholi-ebook/dp/B00K2OJYCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404985712&sr=8-1&keywords=Metamorphing+by+Kunal+Pancholi

Note: This review is a part of Readers Cosmos Book Review Program. 

The Unwanted Shadow by Bhaskaryya Deka: A Review

Title: The Unwanted Shadow

Author: Bhaskaryya Deka

Publisher: Half Baked Beans Publishing

Page Count: 167

The back cover says: Leaving home and the memories of his past behind was what Mohan intended to do when he left for Delhi. And he is proven right in his decision, because two years later, he sees his dreams shaping up. For some days, it feels to him like he is in a paradise….marrying the girl of his dreams, becoming a recognized writer. What more can anyone wish for?

But this bliss is destined to end soon. For the darkness is almost upon him, ready to engulf everything he loved in its merciless embrace.

Only one person can save him….A friend, an enemy. An Unwanted Shadow.

On the name & the cover:
The name sounds catchy and after reading the whole story I can very easily say that the author had very appropriately chosen this name for this story.

This is a perfect cover for a thriller. I loved the color combination and those two upside down characters which delightfully represents those two characters in the story. A job well done by the designer Sunil Kaushik. 

On the narrating style:
The author has opted direct narrating style to narrate this story, which is an appreciable effort for a debut author. The story is written in a friendly way and the words are very much familiar which will definitely grab reader’s attention.

On the story-line:
The book starts in a good note that will make readers turn pages to know more. The story starts by narrating the childhood of the protagonist who later leaves the village and comes to Delhi for higher studies. The way the author scripted the first love story within a single chapter is commendable. In the middle I felt the author has dragged the story a bit and that can drop the reader’s attention. But as the story goes on the author is able to keep the tension and I can bet the end will leave readers in complete awe. After completing the book readers will definitely acknowledge the author for the way he has framed the whole plot.

+ Point: Authors wonderful narrating style and the speed of the story.

- Point: The middle portion of the book which is a bit slow compared with the rest of the chapters.

Final Words:
The wonderfully framed plot and the fresh narrating style makes this book a complete page turner. An appreciable effort of a debut author.

A

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)     B+ (Good)      B (Average)      C (Below Average)

The Devil's Gate by Deepak Kripal: A Review

Title: The Devil’s Gate: An Impossible Journey

Author: Deepak Kripal

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

Page Count: 248

The back cover says: SIDLINED BY MAN, ANIMALS TURNED TO DEMONS.

Plundered by humans of their habitats, animals take a drastic step when they decide to send a team of a cat named as Katy and a dog named as Dug, to an invisible island known as the Island of ‘Five Hundred Graves’. The island becomes visible only for a short time on the night of the full moon.

Legend has it that the island is inhabited by the demons. Katy and Dug are supposed to negotiate a deal with the demons, convincing them to allow the animals inhabit the island. Majority of the animal community believe that tinkering with the other world could bring their wrath to the animals. The team is sent to the island nevertheless.

But can a deal with the dead be materialized?

Are there really demons on the island? Is there any conspiracy involved?

Will Katy and Dug be able to negotiate, or will survival remain their only question in the deadly island?

On the name & the cover:
The Devil’s Gate is an important part of the book or I would rather say important part of the journey, so I must say the name is appropriate. And the tagline also perfectly indicates  the journey readers are going to make while reading the book along with two protagonists, Katy and Dug.

At a glance the cover looks weird, but it is the beauty of the cover. It fits perfectly with the story and the name. The gate on the cover for the name and the black effect and the smoke for the unusual story-line.

On the narrating style:
The narrating style is good and keeps the authors glued till the very last page. The author has very efficiently chosen his words which helps to keep the thrill alive. The way the author has scripted those one-liners, will definitely tickle the funny bones of the readers. I love the names of the characters, a cat is Katy, dog is Dug, rat is Rees. The whole book is like an animations movie playing before the reader's eyes.

On the story-line:
When we say, this story is a work of fiction, we definitely mean something like this story. The main characters of this story are a speaking cat and a dog named Katy and Dug. As soon as they reached the invisible island and Billy, an owl joins their team, the story starts to pick its speed. The whole book is a roller coaster ride, which the readers are going to enjoy from the core of their heart. This story have the elements to make the readers laugh, cry and bit the nail in suspicion. By the voice of his characters, the author has stated a wonderful message to his readers, which leaves the readers admiring the author’s imagination skills. I felt some scenes are bit stretched and sometime the philosophies the author presented by the Character Billy seems to lessen the flow of the book.

+ Point: The unusual story line and the thrilling journey is definitely something to watch out for.

-Point: Few dragged philosophical lectures dropped the regular speed.

Final Words:
This is a wonderful work of fiction divided in the fourteen beautiful characters which will take the readers to a thrilling journey. The outcome of the author’s brilliant imagination.

A

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)     B (Average)     C (Below Average)