Mr Badhir Returns

This was a present of the author to the players in a bridge tournament in which he served as the Director all through. His strict authority over the tables kept the games being played smoothly. But his humour side was sometimes apparent which is reflected in this deck of chapters where some very thrilling bridge layouts are explained with unexpected twists presented in a way to make you smile at the peculiarities. Some original hands shuffled with some fictional ones with Mr Badhir, the dumb and the club expert, the champ are arranged that will help amateurs to understand the intricacies of hand play which may serve as tricks under the sleeve while playing. Some printing errors may make the readers go one down in patience but perseverance will surely result in enjoyment scoring overtricks.

Deep Focus Reflections on Cinema

Deep Focus is the way Ray viewed cinema in the international arena, arranged in the form of essays written by Ray in several publications. His view on cinema, how the artform evolved, how it is analysed by audiences in various countries, is portrayed in the chapters. Glimpses of his own works have also found obvious references in the articles. Some chapters are also on notable cinema personalities whose works had a marked influence in defining the course of cinema worldwide. His lament on the national cinema arena is also quite applicable today when the talkies seems less mature than their foreign counterparts.
The book is introduced by Shyam Benegal who was influenced by the work of Ray in his early years so as to watch Pather Panchali twice in succession in the same day when Ray was not a familiar name in movie directions. The book also contains the entire filmography of the master which is equally a prized possession along with the other contents of the book. The preface is by Society for the Preservation of Satyajit Ray Films where it makes an appeal for preserving the work of the legend in the city of his birth.

Yama Duare Porlo K(n)aata

A distressed girl comes to the chamber of Basu leaving her twin brother at death's door in a North Bengal hospital. The pace sets right in from the opening chapters that oscillates between the mountains and the plains with suspected embezzlement threatening innocents. But the case becomes complicated with a murder. As Basu starts the investigations at various places, help comes from unexpected quarters. Acknowledging the foreign themes as laid by Gardner, Sanyal adapted this. But this heady novel seems to lack in simplicity which might have given the mystery that extra bit a classic demands. The hurried justifications at the final chapters are some such instances.

Contagion

When a curious series of viral ailments take their toll on a particular hospital, Jack Stapleton seems the only person in the morgue who senses foul play. The viral strains are not only rare in occurrence but some of them dates back to centuries old. Is it a terrorist attack or the ploy of a fanatic? As Jack starts a crusade of his own, starting to investigate matters, he appears to have inadvertently shaken the hornet's nest. Attempts on his life becomes regular while Godsend help comes from unexpected quarters. Some loyal friends pay the price with their life while helping his cause. The mystery will be enjoyed to the core, yet the suspense when revealed, will appear so horrifying that it might seem an unnaturally forced theme. Also it may be also be said in the same breath that the compactness of the novel is a bit diluted as the criminals are unmasked.

Relativity The Special and the General Theory

The abstract nature of nature herself could not have been better summarized than this book. Using the minimum mathematics to alleviate the undue stress of a layman, the book revels in its own beautiful physics that takes the reader in a journey to unfold one of the most intriguing characteristics of the space, viz., relativity. Though a little bit of illustrations could have eased the readers in understanding this once novel concept, yet it must be told that, the events are so well described that the readers can easily draw on their own the illustrations that are due in places. But the best part is the way the apparently real 3D space is disproved and replaced with the abstract 4D reality. Infact, the essential relativity is also felt as you go through the book when time sometimes seems to freeze as your thoughts take a leap so fast that yourself a bit sluggish in keeping up with the ideas. For the sake of elaboration, several chapters are appended that gives a support to some of the abstract concepts which are really no less elegant than the main article.

Amii Misir Ali

Bordering the realm of psychology, this mystery is far from the mundane detective stories. Misir Ali is more psychologist rather than detective. It is the request of his clients that makes him a sleuth rather than his innate motive. Here we find the prospective client persuading a less reluctant Ali to take the case with varieties of methods that are queer to say the least. But this introduces the psychological aspect of the novel right at its very inception paving the mind of the reader for the complex set of events that will come shrouded in mystery. Misir soon found himself in the trail of a psychological duel between a master planner and himself with the resource of his intellect fighting the array of mortal and immortal pawns in the battle. The writing is flawless where it irritates at the beginning but its simplicity makes it attractive enough till it is taken care by the thrill that is surprisingly pacy. But there are certain shortcomings too viz, the climax could have been a bit less abrupt to allow the essence of the outcome to be assimilated and also it is not obvious how the criminals are punished, more importantly whether they are punished for the crime that was committed.

'Abhipurbak, Nee-Dhatu Aw'-er K(n)aata

The name itself is complicated enough and the novel more so as it progresses rapidly to its abrupt finale. It all starts with a distressed woman being saved from a conviction as Basu accidentally stumbles upon the court proceedings. After this as the lady gratefully acknowledges Basu's blessings in his chamber, she is assured of a compensation from the complainant by him. Meanwhile, Sukaushali is on the scent of a mystery that seems interspersed with the case. As negotiations start for the damage incurred, several new facts come to fore. As the wise old barrister senses some foul play, his client is once more convicted of a murder with the apparent evidence being found in the possession of her solicitor. It grows even more complicated as the only clinching evidence that could have saved the client is rubbed off even before its production due to a sudden hitherto unforeseen forensic detail. Then it remained upon theory and its corroboration by a different track that could punish the evil and reveal the real truth.
Sanyal is very much loquacious just like Gardner and his signature style of extreme subtlety with metaphoric jargons makes the narrative pacy yet boringly monotonous.

Blindsight

A spine chilling mystery that will keep you glued to the pages till it is solved. The medical examiner Laurie Montgomery is baffled with a series of coccaine overdose cases in which she senses foul play but fails to convince the authorities to take precautions. Quite curiously, a series of apparently random killings take place almost simultaneously that keeps detective Lou Soldano search for clues to link a Mafia kingpin to the crimes. Lou and Laurie cross path while doing the autopsies and each starts to piece together their respective puzzles to solve their problems. As bodies pile up in the autopsy tables, it seems these two are the only persons to get to the bottom if they work as a team but for their quabbles that does the opposite. As the paid assassins increase the body count, threat looms large on the unsuspected. With the rival sects planning to overthrow the other in the crime world, the innocents pay the most. Exploiting an inherent folly of a medical benevolence, the criminals play mayhem for their goal. But what is the motive? It is upto the forensic investigators to uncover the truth and unmask the evil. It had been a reread for me but I again enjoyed the suspense part of which had been happily erased from my memory. Recommended for lovers of medical fictions it reveals a chilling truth that will make the heart shudder.

Padipishir Barmibaksho

A gem of an adventure with mystery, comedy, fantasy interspersed with the rustic values that makes it a fiction for all ages. This charming classic by Leela Majumdar about a long lost treasure chest is accentuated by cover designed by Satyajit Ray the great. Picked in the bookfair by my wife for her and my son and daughter attracted me also. The literary wonder comes in a jewel box that heightens its appeal.

The Unexpected Guest

A cripple lies murdered in a wheelchair and the wife is holding the revolver in a house where almost everybody has a motive to be the killer. But interestingly, a stranger who is stranded due to his car getting into a ditch, stumbles upon the household and plans a misdirection for the authorities to save the wife of the charges. But will the truth be so easy to hide? Will the murderer get away? As the story progresses, the apparent clear case seems to develop in a mysterious murder which is actually noted in the excerpt of Osborne's analysis on Christie fictions annexed as a standalone chapter. The mystery was well conceived though the climactic twist seemed a bit too bland. This novelisation suffers from the fact that the author could not give an original touch in places where it seems more like a play rather than a novel.

The Firm

A couple of school friends suggested me the particular title among few others when I confessed that my tryst with Grisham's had not been so appealing. Actually it was again a college mate who had convinced me to read The Pelican Brief, which being as fantastic as it is made me select The King of Torts for my next read. That was apparently where I stopped reading Grisham and was actually a bit scared of ever touching another. But as it happened, friends have a way with themselves. But I am grateful to them for their suggestions for which I again relished a Grisham after a great many days.
It starts with a hint of thrill in the opening few chapters but the revelation comes all of a sudden that actually unfolds the terrifying puzzle. A fresher hired from the law school by a rich yet unassuming firm dreams a lavish early retirement. The promise of a hefty paycheck annually amassed from the rich uncomplaining clientele with other luring perks that the professional peers could only dream of seemed more than satisfying. Infact, the firm seemed also to take particular interest in the associates to settle down with a family early. So Mitch, the rookie, tried to settle down with a hope to make himself the youngest partner in the history of the firm where he was hired. Little did he know that the firm actually had a secret of its own that is chillingly fearsome. He was lured into a cleverly conceived trap that made him an accomplice to crime from which escape and death seems synonymous. But fate had a surprising twist for him as law enforcers contact him with a warning of an impending doom. As he becomes suspicious, more so by an even curious revelation of the accidental deaths of previous employees, Mitch tries to think rationally. As he gives his ears to the investigators against orders from his senior colleagues he is shocked to learn a dangerous truth. As the law is hell bent to bust a racket of mob and lawyers, Mitch is held in the midst that makes life threateningly deceptive. Thus ensues fast paced cat and mouse chase where it is upto Mitch himself to get out from the clutches of assassins while assuring safety for friends and family. With help coming from curious quarters, the chase is fascinating yet fearful. The uniqueness of the narrative is the delayed introduction of the central theme after the primary characters are well introduced though the web of suspense is felt with clear hints that poses queries that is revealed in trickles.

Goenda Indranath Rudra Samagra Vol I

Mystery and suspense are the essence of the stories but often the fast pace mars the evolution of the mystery. Consisting of the following exploits of Indranath Rudra, penned mostly by Mriganka and some from a 3^rd person perspective, plots are sometimes dull, sometimes fantastic but with speedy happenings all through.
In Bhanumatir Khel, the sleuth investigates a double murder in a theatre with a jumble weave of characters but the solution seems a jigsaw puzzle fitted in the right way. The credits go to the author for the elegant solution of a clever riddle. In Afim O Indranath Rudra, a smuggling racket operates in the Rajasthan deserts. There is an attempted murder that leaves the sleuth apparently traumatized. The police friend from Calcutta, Jayanta is called. But as the racket is busted by the sleuth in disguise, it seems a bit unrealistic as it seems a superhuman effort on the part of him. But the superhuman status to the sleuth is actually acknowledged in the introduction by the author. The next, Bha Rahasya is basically a riddle to open a treasure trove that when solved will justify the name of the story which seems a printing mistake otherwise. The preamble is drama in itself which borders an unrealistic romance, which is characteristic of the author as some of the other stories depict in this, that continues in the main story as well. The story starts with two prime characters appearing at the same place at the same time which was actually necessary but this puzzling coincidence is never explained. The sleuth also seems a bit too smart. The next is Aamar Moner Moreechika, which is written in the 1st person in the form of communiqué to his friend where the sleuth himself poses a fundamental query. A taxi driver is killed. The clues reveal an elopement but the climax horrifies the conscience of the detective as the truth is unshakeable yet tragic to someone near. Prabanchak Samrat is Indranath’s written letter to an editor where he acknowledges his failure to catch the king of deceivers. The letter essentially narrates one of the latest tales of the deceiver juicing out wealth from the rich in a way that is precarious yet clever. The anecdote of failure continues in Sonar Aata where the search for treasure turns tragic with a murder. So Indranath failed in his primary objective of protecting the client. Two suspects are apprehended where both seems to have equal chance to be the killer. As the mystery is solved but this poetry in motion is too abrupt to be a good one. The title¸ Rudrachakra, itself could have been pointer to the plot which I realized only near the final chapters. It is actually a series of traps set to catch a criminal who is identified quite early. Though it plays with the psychology of the villain but its apparent apathy towards the victim of the hateful crime lowers its civilized quality. Indranath solves a death in Achalgarh Rahasya that hints his similarity with Ghanada to certain extent as the charges are cleared against the accused. The Chh(n)uchor Golae Chandrahar has a Ghanada Swapankumar combo effect where animal skin smugglers are busted with a surprise entry of Geondani Narayani, a vigilante, that lowers the appeal only. The mystery is further diluted by the excessive use of ornamental language in Chemical Detective, which could otherwise be categorized as marvellous. A chemical factory explodes leaving behind a severely mutilated body charred beyond recognition where police smells murder but the trace of the victim could only be found by the sleuth. Beema Rahasya, as the name indicates, is a mystery related to an apparent insurance fraud which Indranath investigates as part of his job for the agency. It is a nice mystery albeit the undue stress on descriptions of emotions strips out the real charm. Another nice mystery is weaved in Photo O Indranath Rudra, which is predictable yet enjoyable. Here, the sleuth exhibits a deep knowhow on the existing national conspiracies. A hateful crime is committed in Pagal Khuni but more stress on description rather than analytics with confiding clues only with the truth seeker makes it tiresome. The thrilling crime is made tasteless by poor choice of perspective. A girl with four wooers suddenly finds one killed and another arrested for the murder in Sonar Kharam. But is he the real killer? The sleuth finds a deep rooted motive lying dormant for years. But this pacy mystery is a bit fast that makes investigation crudely prime without caring for sentiments to be developed for the unfortunate. Sieving thru the complicated autobiography in Stabsha Attahasi, a mystery is to be solved that had aged quite a bit. These become less of a mystery while more of a romantic adventure that hurries downstream. With the use of hypnotism in D(n)aat Thakte, a bit of psychology, the criminal is finally pinned with the use of odontological evidence. Here, the criminal is threatened to agree to terms dictated upon that is justified wonderfully and proves to be the best part here. The 3^rd person perspective in Heerak Bandareer Heerer Kalam starts with the request to rescue some thirteen diamond studded pens that is stolen. Quickly a murder follows. Clue to catch murderer is vague but there is a hint to where stolen items can be placed. The only thing worth mentioning in Kodakar Case is that ghost and mystery go hand in hand. An interesting method of saving a friend while pinning criminals is narrated in Rupor Rekabi. A riddle with a wrong clue is given in Adrish Bardhaner Galpo Nie Goenda Dh(n)adha Gh(n)etu Pujote Dhol Shanai|| Indranath Rudra||. Unfortunately, detection has taken a backseat in Sundaree Tumi Suktara where fiction runs in the extreme. The less said the better. Complicated way to justify the murderer to be human by analyzing a series of eerie happenings in Pretinee Kanyar Kahinee seems a bit too much. A stoneman case is revisited as the sleuth tries to catch Raater Atanka where the author explains in his own style with a disclaimer that is witty yet wise.

Curvalor Baksha

I started reading Arjun stories when it used to be only detective stories. But later on the stories became less of detection but more of sci-fi adventures. "Curvalor Baksha" is one of them.
A Ramchandra Ray suddenly hears strange audio signals emanating and disappearing every night into a box left in his house by his friend Curvalo. With this, he also feels that his chronic gout pains are vanishing. But as he realizes that for some part of the night he is acting uncontrollably under the influence of some external force he reports to the police. Though the police is a bit doubtful of the sanity of Ray, but Arjun, who had coincidentally dropped by the police station at the same time, is interested. He accompanies the complainant to his house to examine the box. As he opens the box with the help of a local, once shady, locksmith, it reveals some interesting contents. When it is ascertained that the audio signals are affecting only a few, the investigations indicates a high chance of the instruments in the box to be of alien origin.
Then starts the trail for the truth that is pleasantly mysterious yet somewhat predictable. This is one of the Majumdar's stories that is recommended for all ages. I had read the story earlier but now understand that a bit more detailing could have made the story even  more thrilling. The culmination is a bit abrupt yet unsurprising.

Kikira Samagra II

Consisting of six novels, the volume is adventure combined with magic, suspense and mystery. It starts with Mayurganjer Nrisingha Sadan which revolves about a cursed family heirloom. A magical appearance of a fire walking ascetic unnerves the sole witness which is followed by a death in the same place. The eerie magical mystery seems a problem for a wizard sleuth. So came Kikira, self abbreviated Kinkar Kishore Ray. With him are the duo Tarapada (Tara), an accounting clerk and Chandan (Ch(n)adu), the doctor, who is lovingly referred lovingly by Kikira as sandalwood, the literal translation of his name. Next is the Jadukarer Rahasyamoy Mrityu where a magician is killed on stage and his magical harmonium vanishes. Though it mainly revolves around smuggled goods, it is a bit of a disappointment as the fate smuggled items are never revealed. Case closes without a hint to how all clues are obtained by the investigators. In Circus Theke Palie a performing motorcyclist escapes from circus accusing his fellow senior of threats and attempt to murder. As Kikira takes up the case on insistence of Chandan only to find that all concerned are not revealing the truth. It seems mysterious about why the motorist escapes and goes to hiding. Abrupt ending mars the climax in this thriller that is gripping yet satisfyingly slow. The following is Holod Palak B(n)adha Teer where the story reveals the magician turned detective's MO which is to collect as much information as possible so that others understand the solutions without the sleuth requiring to spell it out specifically. A businessman suffers a paralysing stroke while visiting a place to negotiate a deal in Ghatsheela. But two persons think otherwise. So Kikira is called to take the case. Tarapada accompanies him to Ghatsheela. Mystery revolves as the place of murder reveals some curious clues like a glove with a missing place for a finger, yellow feathers. Chandan is present for short crucial chapters. The mystery actually increases the appeal of the volume which somehow was dampened before this. An odd advertisement, sets the tone of Turuper Shesh Tas, hinting foul play to a death startles the business partner of the deceased. Along with that there is a constant blackmail by a supposed relative. The victim is confused and Kikira is consulted in the matter. A slight similarity with a previous adventure is felt in the plot but the finale is pleasantly different. The case of a missing young man is apparently central to Sonar Ghorir Kh(n)oje but Kikira feels that the gold watch, kept as a fond remembrance to his grandfather and also as a family heirloom, which is also missing, holds the key to the mystery.
The stories of the unassuming Kikira are a bit different from others in the genre and adds another dimension to the tradition of detective fictions. Bimal Kar allows the stories to meander easily but they never loose focus on the actual course.

Choyti Rahasya Upanyas

Picked up this book at the bookfair and it proved to be a gem of a choice. This premier collection consists of six mystery stories by Kalyani Basu, sister to Bani Basu, with a signature style of her own though reflecting a similar trait in the plots. Author introduces about her works in a higher octave but seems her expectations are a bit too ambitious. Though there  is thrill and suspense yet the introduction could have been toned down a little for the future.
Featuring police detective Avra Chatterjee in four of the cases, the first one is Golmuktar Bala where a murder follows theft but criminals are unmasked following a set of bad clues. The suspense is weaved at the very beginning but the solution becomes a bit obvious as the story progresses. Actually the absence of a clear motive makes it a bit easy to understand who the perpetrators are. The next case for the detective is in Boomerang where the possessive and suspicious husband contemplated the contract murder of the wife but is killed instead. Here the central theme of the book becomes more  prominent that hypothesizes that crime is the result of circumstances that forces persons to become evil. Infact the fate of the villain being uncertain during the closing seems fitting for the case. Avra remains a bit passive in Shikarakti where a serial killing targetting a set of four friends keeps the suspense high. A depressed girl is about to be married to one of the friends while getting over her psychological trauma but the killing starts suddenly that threatens the dream of a settled life. This fast paced suspense is a real thriller. The detective reappears in Arya Aasche where a long lost step brother is about to return after thirty four years to claim his right over a family heirloom. A mysterious twist of false identities and murder threatens the calm life of the family that seems to feel the ripple of past magnified to a dangerous scale.
There are two other stories, the intensely psychological thriller Sutapa Ekhono Bari Fereni, where a wife goes missing after leaving for home from her school. Clues are cleverly weaved that subtly casts shadows of doubt that fades but persists throughout to keep the thrill focussed. With merely a handful of characters, this is not a professional investigation style narrative yet suspense runs high as the mystery unfolds. The other is titled B(n)ashbon  which might be termed as a mystery with a difference where a hateful crime is committed but nobody finds a clue. The usual suspects rare rounded but are forced to be released due to insufficient evidence. An unsolved mystery seems to await. The surprise comes as justice is served the natural way with a punishment which is violently just.
Mystery lovers may go through the thrill that promises a unique perspective to crime as well as punishment.

Clouds of Witness

A man, the would be brother-in-law of Lord Peter is killed. The chief accused is his brother while the chief witness is their sister. No doubt that drama starts from the very first page that continues with a steady pace till the closing chapters. An incredible finale is in store in this essentially courtroom case. As evidence piles up it seems that mystery is not one but many. Some witness goes missing while some clouds the judgement. It remains to be seen how the sleuth uncovers the truth assisted by Bunter along with Inspector Parker who acts as the faithful satellite while remaining mostly unbiased as his post demands. Support also comes from Peter's mother, the wise Dowager Duchess whose abilities display the trait that her son uses in his sleuthing. With an introduction by the fictitious uncle of Lord Peter this Sayers saga of crime and passion is light yet satisfying.

Kiriti Omnibus Vol II

The introduction by Shri Gajendrakumar Mitra is the best in this volume of Kiriti. Sketching a compact to the extreme history of detective fiction till that time, the introducer did not miss to acknowledge the premieres of the trade yet criticizing the authors where they are due. But in this regard it seems he was a bit biased to the Kiriti genre as his analysis of appeal seemed a bit far fetched. Following this is Duti Katha by the author where he justifies the marriage of his sleuth. Then the volume starts with Holud Shaitan that takes the sleuth with his associate overseas on a hunt for a sinister assassin, continues with Dainir B(n)ashi aka Ishkaboner Bibi Harataner Saheb which could have been the best of the fictions had it not been for the unnecessary lengthening in the closing chapters. After this is Dragon which bridges two sets of incidents by the murderer but it seems a bit forced that both murderers are the same along with the fact that the sleuth enjoys holidays while on the scent of criminal without trying to wrap it quickly. The next piece is Momer Alo where a wife is killed with the father-in-law accusing his son for the crime. This is followed by Basanta Rajani where an old acquaintance of the sleuth is found dead that starts a trail of queer revelations and Kalo Pakhi links a murder with theft but fails to justify the link clearly.

Acceptable Risk

Based on the Salem Witch trial and trying to give a rational of the events the story revolves around a mould unearthed in one of the mansions in Salem. The mould seems an apparent anti-depressants and when it promises a billion dollar future for a set of doctors and a businessman with a medical background sky seems the only limit. But things starts a bit awry with mutilated animals turning up in the neighbourhood and the researchers, playing guineapigs among themselves, find themselves dishevelled and sleep walking awakening on their rooms but with dirt and injury on their beings. A fine border that remains between medical ethics and incessant profiteering seems to become blurred by lust and Robin Cook once again proves that the world needs a balance and a rationale approach for its betterment where hurrying may lead to danger that might become uncontrolled becoming irreparable.

Thirty Years That Shook Physics: The Story Of Quantum Theory

Introducing the modern physics as it shaped in the hands of the giants of the subject the chapters wittily introduce the complex physical concepts in a playful manner. You will enjoy reading the major breathtaking basic mysteries that unfolded in the era between 1900 to 1930 that offered the insight into the atom and its nucleus from a perspective that was at once beautiful yet surprising. The thrill of unlocking the suspense of the universe will grip you firmly while going thru the chapters in order. Being one of the chief protagonists in shaping the modern physics, Gamow offers a vantage point view of the limitations of classical physics, quantum theory, uncertainty principle, anti particles, wave mechanics and presents it in the most layman's terms along with penning some classic illustrations, humorous anecdotes that offers reliefs, some informal snaps of the most celebrated physicists of all times along with conference plates also. The thrill of the book closes with Barabara Gamow's translation of a satirical version of a German dramatization of how the modern physics unfolded which is a gain a masterpiece in its own right.