The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure

A baffling theft in a museum and an inexplicable case of gnome sighting, the investigators were presented with a double mystery though the former was not officially handed over to them until quite some time. But even then, Jupe could not have been so easily put off from nosing but for the second case that sounded ominous and intriguing enough. So though Hans, one of the two Bavarian brothers and helping hands of the Jones Salvage Yard, advised otherwise, Jupe and slightly reluctant Pete and Bob ultimately agreed for solving these mysterious gnome sightings. However they never realized that underneath the sightings of these creatures of the fairy tales, a sinister plot was unfolding. Also they never knew that a very important clue to the jewel robbery of the museum also was coming their way. So the investigators were set for yet another exciting ride of detection and thrill with clues that were all there but wisely hidden by their simplicity. The narrative is fast paced, intelligent and sure to bring hours of enjoyment to readers of any age.

K(n)aatae K(n)aatae - V

P.K. Basu’s four exploits are compiled in this volume starting with Bisher K(n)aata, whose naming itself is a pointer to the clue of a murder that takes place in the very heart of Calcutta. Two vengeful ladies, an irritating lover, a doctor with a revolver all seems to have a reason for murder. But who had dealt the fateful blow – it is for the detective to uncover! The next in the series Darpane Pratibimbita K(n)aata was an old one for me and so won’t bore with its summary that I’d earlier depicted. It is followed by Sakal K(n)aata Dhanya Kore, which could have been easily be said to be the best creation of the author in this collection, but for the fact that it is just a straight adaptation of a foreign novel. So, no credit for the author for the plot but for the way of adaptation with the ambience shifted from European backdrop to an Asian one without harming the mood of the story. The story actually gets its name as the Basus become granddad and grandmom when Sujata gives birth to a daughter. The next one Ch(n)aparanger Murshidabadi Sareer K(n)aata also could have been a classic but for its abrupt ending and some over simplified rationale. The father of the murdered victim seemed so less emotional and Basu’s inferences seemed bordering clairvoyance sometimes. This said, it is again very much irritating to find not only Basu but his clients and associates are also so much happy to dress like Europeans. Sanyal’s characters in his Basu novels are all so alike one another that each lacks any kind of individuality. The intelligence level of the important characters, barring Basu who can be considered no less than a living encyclopedia, is almost always the same, all are so adapt in engineering idioms, everybody loves to speak in riddles and metaphors. These may seem appealing at the beginning but the limitation is very much apparent for this style as it automatically restricts variation in the manner of storytelling. Also, a detective story, according to me, must focus mainly on the mystery and detection with only subtle touch to emotions and the rest. But Sanyal’s way of getting carried off at the emotional moments very often squeezes the very essence of suspense and intrigue. Finally a complain to the compilation as, contrary to the belief, I suddenly discovered that the compilations are not at all chronological and reference to previously unread chronicles may act spoilers and also change the otherwise fast paced tempo of the primary story.

Asterix and the Goths

This time our little wise Gaul Asterix stepped in Germania encountering the barbaric Goths (Germans) to release the kidnapped Getafix following the annual druid Conference in which that later was awarded the trophy of the champion. The Goths wanted Getafix to prepare magic potions for them so that their invincible army can invade the rest of the world. In this they were united at first but the cunning of Getafix ultimately got the better of them and while Asteric and Obelix rescued him from the clutches of the barbaric hordes, Getafix himself caused the Goths to turn against each other. Thus the Goths were for several years kept in the confines of their own boundary and the Gauls were once again seen living peacefully with the closing of the adventure.