The Mystery of 31 New Inn

When two apparently disconnected mysteries converge with mathematical precision to a single case the unique storytelling is a credit all by itself. Dr Jervis gets himself involved in a curious case of secret identity of a dying patient and after a while Dr Thorndyke is invited to a problem of a curious will of a dead man. With nothing but his acumen at his disposal, the legal expert with the medical background embarks to unearth both. While on the case of Dr Jervis a practical method of map building is presented where a person in a closed automobile can make out an approximate idea of where he is travelling with the help of a compass, a pen and a paper, a watch and with some hints of the sounds. The explanation is so clearly made that its applicability is established beyond doubt. Well, coming to the actual story it centres on two plots. The primary one is Jervis's apprehrnsion of foul play on a patient that he sees but cannot find the place all by himself. The other one is a curious will that, by a curious turn of coincidences, devoids the deserving of the sincere wishes of the deceased due to a redraft of the same. It remains upon the insight of the medico legal expert to solve the mysteries without a doubt. As these two incidents are slowly unfolding their truth threat comes on Jervis as an attempt on his life is made. So Thorndyke is forced to make the outdoor investigations mostly by himself while Jervis ponders on the cases staying indoors. As usual there is some help from the efficient Polton in fabricating certain gadgets required during the probings. But in this story there is some gaps in the sense it is never divulged how Thorndyke pinpointed on two witnesses who gave him some vital evidences. So though the story is precisely crafted but for this slight want of clarifications that are not given their due.

Arjun @ beepbeep dot com

What started as a promising mixture of mystery and sci-fi turned quite a slow paced novel with a disappointing climax. The main theme started with Arjun purchasing a cell for himself. At the same time Major comes to India with a foreign researcher, Lucy who investigates bird calls around the globe. They seek his guidance in the forests of North Bengal. All of a sudden Amal Som contacts Arjun and requests for sending him his brain scan as well that of Habu. Mysterious calls comes at Arjun's cell from unknown locations. He also starts hearing voices. Threats seem to come from some local goons assisted by some foreigner. Arjun also gets communications from Bistusaheb. Thus as all the parties are introduced, suddenly the mystery of the calls are unfolded abruptly an the story plunges coarsely forward. The story had all the material for a thrilling suspense with the backdrop of the North Bengal depicted nicely but somehow it irritates as there is no proper justification to several doubts. The scientific rationale to the fiction is never divulged. Thus it remains an improper detective novel.