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.