Black Coffee

Poirot’s fussiness to neatness and order could not have been better utilized than this narrative as an immensely important clue is due to that which is pointed out by Hastings surprisingly. Adapted from Christie’s play, the story is set in a single room where a curious murder occurs and the murderer seems seemingly obvious. But with the signature Christie twist the perspective is suddenly changed by the detective. A case of poisoning and theft, the mystery must be solved before the evidence is destroyed and the stolen goods recovered before it falls in wrong hands. A sublime suspense reigns throughout where each suspects the other and it remains to be seen how the secrets are unraveled and misunderstandings cleared.

The Mystery of Wreckers' Rock

My first three investigators book that

was a gift at a time when English books had seemed nightmare. But when I reread it after ageing a bit, I realized what treasure it was. Now when I read it, this seems rather simple story yet not a bit less thrilling. As a boat is found with signs of a possible drowning near an age old rock that seems to be den of ghosts and werewolves the plot seems a bit thick. Also when the investigating trio is hunted for some innocent snaps there is no turning back. The mystery closes the series yet remains one of the most enticing.

The World of Nagaraj

Nagaraj belonged to the elite Kabir street family and so didn’t have to care for a living. Infact he didn’t have a care in the world except writing his masterpiece on Narada. But life was soon to change when Tim, his nephew came to live with him forever. Social confusions seem to get in his way but his meek nature prevented to find a solution and so he remained only the silent spectator to the drama of life that revolved around him. Contrary to his ways of life, his wife though doted on the nephew but wished to be strict. But her wise means were easily foiled by her husband who had proper sense but lacked the courage to use it. To make matters worse sometimes the stubborn brother visited him and made his life even more miserable. Then came the daughter-in-law with her harmonium that seemed to create enough noise for Nagaraj to change his daily routine. There are also a few more characters of varied prominence including the Talkative Man who really breathed more fun to the already humourous mood of the narrative. But amidst all the chaos the focus to write about the great sage never became blurred and he tried every avenue to write his manuscript on Narada who was his idol. The entire pace of the story is perfect throughout but for the closing chapter that seemed a bit abrupt. The humorous perspective is most prominent but it adds a bit of sober romance that heightens its appeal more.

The All Bengali Crime Detectives II The Mysterious Death of Probhat Sanyal

When I had read the first in the series, or what would promise to be the first in a series beyond the expectation of the writer as acknowledged at the closing pages, it was a real entertainment. But as it happened this one is a bit short on the expectations of the readers. As a case is presented to the ABCD by one of the collegemates of a member of the club, of a reported eerie happening in the past and followed by unexpected death of a Kolkata based businessman, the sole witness to the creepy event, the energy of the senior citizens are boosted to solve the mystery. Soon arrests follows and the events take some unexpected turns. But here the thrill is marred by a host of side events and coincidences that does not do justice to the central plot. Compromising the suspense to some extent at the cost of the size of the novel I think the side plot of the roadside Romeo could have been itself a wonderful Barogolpo but when clubbed with a mystery loses both its fun, barring its climax after the actual mystery is solved, and tries in vain to breath relief to the already relaxed mood of the mystery. Also using the Bengali lingo to its colloquial extremity including the spelling of several characters and references to the story it does not do justice to the ‘Rasik Bangali’ culture and it makes it even more improbable for a club in Golf Garden organizing a jatra instead of a play that is too much far fetched in my view. Also after going thru the story I will comment that don’t be its judge by its cover as contrary to the expectation that most of the story might be in the backdrop of the hills and forests, it is only a minute part that references the hills. So though a wonderful mystery with a final twist quite unique it is not as gripping and compact as its predecessor which maintained the balance of the central plot with the right blend of refreshing anecdotes.

Sparkling Cyanide

I had bought this book at a second hand store and with it brought By The Pricking of My Thumbs as well. It will always be a good bargain as had I not bought the same, I would not have got to read parts of this book as by the virtue of a mistake in the stitching, parts of the books have been interchanged. It seems more of a coincidence that I bought them at once.
Well enough of the interesting shopping, let us now look at the story. A rich heiress to a fortune marries a person years older than her and brings her only little sister to live with them. At a party tragedy strikes as the depressed heiress collapses, revealing cyanide poisoning to be the cause of the apparent suicide. Curiousness strikes the husband days later as he gets anonymous letters pointing it to be a murder. The sister also unearths some doubts as to her faithfulness. With clues strewn here and there, the husband sets to trap the murderer in the same setting about a year later. But tragedy strikes once more as the husband is murdered in front of everyone at the same way.
With several characters to investigate upon, the primary investigators find a sleuth hidden among the suspects. With revelations as surprising as the actual mastermind of the heinous crimes, the accessory of the murder will not be so surprising when identified.

Greatest Stories

This had been a very old book in my shelf. The short chronicles are arranged as
• Hostage to Momus
• The Gift of the Magi
• Telemachus, Friend
• A Ramble in Aphasia
• The Passing of Black Eagle
• The Shamrock and the Palm
• Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet
• Past One at Rooney’s
• The Princess and the Puma
• The Moment of Victory
• The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear
• The Brief Debut of Tildy
• The cop and the Anthem
• The Last of the Troubadours
• The Memento
• A Ruler of Men
• The Man Higher Up
• A Municipal Report
Going thru the signature twists in the plots in each of them brought back the enjoyment in the fullest. It seemed that age has ripened the flavour even more. It is not that these all commence in comedies but tragedies too had been wrapped up in such a pleasant ambience that it steals a moment to contemplate whether to lament or laugh. The collection inspires a promising vacuum to be satisfied by a host of similar others.

Bhuteder Niie Goppo

Sieving thru the bookself searching for something different, suddenly this one caught the eyes. Standing in a forgotten corner was my childhood's happy companion whose contents run as

• Raat Jakhan Barota

• Kustir Pyanch

• Nishi Kabrej
• Kogramer Madhupandit
• Dui Paloan
• Purano Jinish
• Nayanchand
Though these are for the children, yet they brought a sense of nostalgia and fun devoid of malice. Chiefly belonging to the ghost genre but some are exceptions that are no less entertaining. This, for a change, brought some fond moments back once more.

The Mystery of the Two-Toed Pigeon

A nervous winking man, a caged pigeon, a murdered magpie that used to bring pearls, some dead hawks, a message scripted with Japanese letters, Jupiter, Pete and Bob have to find who is killing the birds and why is their pigeon swapped suddenly. Traversing thru the nostalgia, the story was savoured with its gentle yet firm pace. Recommended for the young people, the elders can also enjoy the rationale that clears away all the queries which were posed. Clues abound there is a chance that part of the mystery may be guessed a bit early.

Jana-Aranya

After I've seen "Jana-Aranya" I had longed to read the book with a feeling may be to better understand the characters. But after going thru the story I discovered not one but two stories - one penned by author and the other by the director which is not only different although a masterpiece but is a merely an adaptation only.

The life of an educated ordinary yet honest unemployed youth turned mediocre businessman who not only witnesses the dark steps towards success but ultimately boards them remains central to the plot. With this revolves several parallel themes that rediscovers the life of order suppliers in their various avatars. Also the socioeconomic condition of the society is revealed that disrobes the social and sophisticated standings of the people. Thus its significance is still apparent and remains as a timeless warning to society and their politics.

The Jayjayanti edition has added attractions of the writer's autograph and the stories behind the story that inspired the author to create the characters for which debt is due to that anonymous lady who convinced the author to reveal them.

Shri Shri Ramakrishna Rahasyamrita

A mystery that had cast a melancholy yet mysterious shadow on the Bansha Biswas family of Howrah for more than hundred years seems to be unfolded by the combined effort of Harimoy Chowdhury, editor of the periodical Chamcham with HQ at the Hidaram Halder Lane, Howrah, Bhabanath Sen, a renowned writer, Piklu, a management undergraduate from Bombay, a DIG and Banshagolap Biswas who has returned to his roots after a series of grievous episodes made the Biswas to partially relocate at Benaras for years. But it seems some sinister gang of smugglers also has their noses on the scent. But what is the mystery? It seems to have its origin in the histories. The glorious incidents around Shri Shri Ramakrishna remain to be studied once more. Some newfound archives in the Biswas mansions reveal some new secrets as do a traditional practice that Chamcham editor performs each day on the request of the Biswas, four generations previous. The book is narrated with the signature Sankar touch and its easy flow seems to gain tremendous pace in the later pages. The finale is a cliffhanger and unique as contrary to the fictions with historical significance it keeps both the facts and fictions pure

Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant

Consisting of two stories, Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant and its second part Picnice Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant the nostalgia of the movie is brought back with some memorable dialogues. This had been one of the first instances when characters from a movie or more correctly real life characters had been used in stories. A tribute to the one of the most unforgettable comedy pair of Bengali cinema, the stories are woven on the fabric of humour. Containing the element of mystery, the stories follow the smart Bhanu with his clumsy yet devoted aide Jahar chasing lost ladies and questionable identities. But it seems that all they manage most of the time is getting themselves entangled in the most improbable confusions and misunderstandings. As the fun continues the sleuth remains undeterred to their ultimate aim. The old world romance and the absence of obscenity and malice make the stories as enjoyable as it can be. Surprised by the title in the bookfair this selection seems to be one of the evergreens that will remain a favourite for all times.

Goenda Indranath Rudra Samagra Vol IV

I had read maybe one or two or a few only Indranath Rudra stories in Anandamela and that too at a very young age. But it had something that still aroused the interest as I chanced across a collection among the final few copies left in bookfair this year. True these are old fashioned stories but how now I lament why I didn't bought a few more volumes. The only bad part is these are written with an undue emphasis on drama of the moment though the intellectual part is quite good. Sometimes the sleuth hunts in his own but sometimes he is assisted by Mriganka and his wife. But the quick observation with the analytical reasonings always keeps the detective a class apart from the rest. The stories after a brief author's introduction are arranged as

• Ghori
• Sonar Koroti
• Choti
• Momer Haat
• Nebuchadnezzarer Silmohar
• Atta Jhinuker Botam
• Shunya Kalshi
• Rakter Shaitan
• Paerakuthir Rahasya
• Chidranwesi Indranath
• Neel Chobir Chalanae

The narratives correctly blend nostalgia with the classic. Right from very first readers will be glued to the old world romance that also is used to mask yet prolongthe underlying suspense.

My Name is Abu Salem

After Dongri to Dubai and Byculla to Bangkok, the next is the revelation of the life and crimes of Abu Salem that is equally chilling like the others. Based on numerous police dossiers, files, interviews and letters, the events are detailed in their required perspective to highlight the various incidents that outlined the career of the don. Keeping Bollywood at its toes, Salem not only made a business out of it but also made a fortune as well. Salem seems to be the only don who had written an autobiography in jail and that too with the help of two educated convicts and yearns to make a movie script out of it. Starting his career in India, he travelled to Dubai, US and Portugal, among other places evading the authorities under various aliases carving a mobile empire around the globe. The book sketches the character in his true colour and completes the trilogy of the Mumbai mafia.

Headley and I

The book had been a revelation to me about one of operatives behind the Mumbai mayhem of 2008. The key figure behind the plot who served as the intelligence gatherer, David Headley, had been described by many as being not only spy for only one agency, rather being an agent with multiple handlers from multiple agencies. He not only sketched the attack to its gruesome fate but when the time came he even offered sincere account to the investigators. This had been the underlying character of Daood Gillani who proved to be the dangerous spy ever recorded in years to come. Not only did he coax his way thru all the obstacles with apparent ease, thanks somewhat to the lax security of the countries he frequened, but he also played with the emotions of many. One of these was Rahul Bhatt, the coauthor of the book, who, along with his gym instructor Vilas, proved to be the front for Headley's espionage activities. Written in the first person, mainly from the perspectives of both Headley and Bhatt, it reveals how cautiously the intelligence was gathered with clever deceptions and coded transcripts. It is a tail of betrayal and horror penned effortlessly by Zaidi and forewarded by Mahesh Bhatt that brings true emotions in the open and makes us aware of the dormant risk that engulfs the common people everyday. International politics also have been highlighted a bit that seemed to mould certain events of which ultimately the common people becomes sufferer. The author has given a glimpse of the true story behind the horrific strike against humanity that paralyzed a city temporarily while the world watched helplessly.

The Krishna Key

Me "Have you read the narrative?"

Myself " Yeah ultimately"

Me "So what do you think about it?"

Myself "You see, there is a book called The Da Vinci Code that takes you thru a journey from Paris and back that tries to uncover a chilling truth guarded for years by a dedicated society. There is yet another story called The Lost Symbol that takes you similarly across DC racing against ruthless killer and the government to prove innocence. Finally there is the film Angels and Demons adapted from its book version that also tries to protect the Vatican from evil. All of these have some historical base with symbols playing a distinct role in unfolding the truth. So this story actually follows the same formula in an Indian perspective but gets lost in the obvious confusion in the later half and does not reach beyond bollywood drama finally."

Me "But it has been a bestseller."

Myself "That's what surprises me. Let's review its basic elements, shall we? The narrative contains stories in parallel. One of them is about Lord Krishna, The Eighth Incarnation Of Vishnu and The Mahabharatha, derived from the Hindi serial but is interestingly told and this part is fantastic. But when the parallel story runs it really becomes quickly boring with too many flashbacks and a supposed mystery that changes its colour too much. Also when friend becomes enemy romance also shifts place. There are hints of Freemason equivalents but are never justified correctly and all it seems that coincidences must have been inaccurately interpreted."

Me "Oh! Then why are we at all summarising like this?"

Myself "Just to show how irritating it can get when dialogues are used for describing events."

Colonel Samagra Vol XIV

The volume contains four chapters

• Projapati Rahasya
• Rainbow Orchid Rahasya
• Black Ambassador
• Bhuture Baganbari

of which mention must be made of the first and the fourth for two different reasons. While the former one has an unique method of the criminal mind, the later poses a fine mystery to the sleuhs. The plural is intentional as the stories feature, besides the evergreen retired Colonel, the ever energetic PI Haldermoshai as well. Infact going thru this collection, I could not but, for the first time,  help comparing the duo with Perry Mason and Paul Drake trimmed down a few shades. As for the other two, they belong to a kind of pulp genre with one recorded in the first person ny the detective. The narratives could have been more literary rich if reliefs was introduced at places which is significantly missing except for the final exploit. So though the mysteries are themselves quite involved but for the storytelling these remains well behind classics.

For the Defence: Dr. Thorndyke

A classic inverted detective story featuring Dr. John Thorndyke accompanied by Dr. Jervis. The facts of the case is presented in great detail in the first part and it is at a very late stage that the investigator arrives. It is really a revelation how true facts can, under unfortunate circumstances, may present itself looking as improbable as ever. But if the seeker of truth is sincere enough then the bits of convincing evidences will surely be unearthed presenting a near fantastic yet truthful picture. This is what happens in this case where an honest man is convicted twice under different charges but is freed from both thanks to the research of the defence. Infact the second charge of murder seems to be cleared completely if it is proven that the supposed murder is of the man who is actually convicted and thus an impossible situation ia demanded. The final chapter is thus a fast paced gripping scene where though the truth is apprehended yet the thrill remains till the climax. Though several characters seem too much simplified but master storytelling is to be appreciated based on the fact that a suspense is created with all the cards laid on the table. There lies the skill of the author who actually invented this particular genre.