Byculla to Bangkok

Sequel to Dongri to Dubai, the book traces the evolution of the Maharashtrian mafia and is even more fast paced than the predecessor. The narrative style is more of a collage of anecdotes and thus chronologically overlapping in parts. But the central theme is as chilling as ever. The socio-political aspect has been more critically analysed which makes it more haunting. Taking its birth from the socio-economic condition that allowed exploitation of the Maharastrian youth, the lust of the few made the evil even more dreaded. Murders were committed at daylight, gangs were formed and broken, smuggling networks became bafflingly intricate, police became mere spectators. In this situation were ushered in the encounter specialists, heroes who quickly turned the tables. But the ruthlessness of evil seemed to grow only. Some turned to politics while other fled to foreign lands. A state of confusion made apprentices to turn against their mentors as an age of treachery prevailed. Revenges were the order of the day and suddenly it seemed that the underworld is split in two. But this was only the broader divide. Internal to the split world, the zone was again divided into sects that took turns to rise and fall. Zaidi recounts the evolution of the mob where the battle for supremacy is defined in blood and gore.

A Silent Witness

A curious case presents itself starting with a vanishing deadbody that continues with a series of attempts in the life of a person without any apparent motive. But convenient coincidences pile up to ascertain the importance of something which seems to make sense only to the expert. Narrated from the perspective of Jardine, the story flows with a slow but sure rhythm that fascinates the readers as mystery unfolds while the solution too is hinted in more than one instances. Unlike the usual narrator Dr. Jervis, the beauty of the story lies in Jardine's revelations of not only Dr. Thorndyke's skills but also his own maturity that had in store some surprises for him. The forensics of the case are equally surprising and shows the analytical mind's supremacy in establishing the truth that is literally dug out from the ashes. The ever enthusiastic Polton plays his part with his versatility ranging from kitchen to laboratory while Dr. Jervis freshens the mood while particiapting in the adventure. Thus a fine story, woven at the time when the instruments of science were not so developed as today, fascinates the readers with the extent of innovation within the boundary of technology that achieves the apparently impossible.

India's Biggest Cover-Up

The National Best Seller got me attentive in the recent Boookfair and I bought the book in flipkart after researching a bit about the author and of course about the book itself. Clearly I was justified in the purchase as one of the most mysterious happenings in the life of the greatest Indian hero, Netaji, seemed to be at last given a public audience, thanks to this book. I would definitely defer to agree on all the views shared by the author but the evidences put forward in most of the cases defy any counter logic against the theories. The copies of several documents, the most chilling being the last photograph, proves once and for all that the predominant theory of Netaji's Taiwan air crash just don't stand much chance as an established logic. The excerpts of interviews of Netaji's INA brothers and their later movements as traced by Dhar, Barun Sengupta's investigative journalism, deliberations held in parliament, the precis of the commissions held, all give an entirely new dimension to the mystery. The views of Bose's relatives and near and (most but not all) dear ones also bear insight to the mystery that has kept several of the countrymen guessing for a solution that seemed so neglected at times. Not only the Japan angle but the Russian angle has been considered with a clear rationale that brings forth several new avenues (at least to me) that had been explored while documenting the beliefs in the book. Being an admirer of Netaji, as I don't think I have the audacity to idolize him, I find this endeavour to unmask any cover up a most welcoming one and also the citizens of a democratic country should have right to the truth.

Sherlock Hebo

As with other Sanyal detective stories, extreme loquaciousness is the primary downside of all the narratives. Also there are innumerable printing errors that makes this new get up fare poorly after the reading.

The little sleuth is introduced in Sherlock Hebo Gurubidae Parbo though his first exploit is placed after this in Adi Parbo and finally Palashpur Parbo completes a chapter of his career during his school days. In these several of the side characters are introduced, the most annoying and recurring being Mejda, the person responsible for adding the illustrious title to Hebo's name. The most interesting part is that though in earlier Bengali literature, there had been instances of minors as detectives but never have been a detective is seen making laughable blunders that keeps his ego under control. Sincerely speaking, in the first three episodes Hebo has been a mix of a lesser Holmes and a greater 'Pagla Dashu'. Ocassionally allowing the imagination to run wild, Hebo is found to overdo detection in various cases albeit the primary problem is always solved.

But in the finale Sherlock Hebo Fire Elen the analytical mind is truly revealed as the sleuth matures and his documenter, his Chotokaka pens the most interesting case namely the solution to a aged riddle. The story is not only the best but also the literary talent of Naryanbabu is truly revealed that masks the reader of some of the obvious points that remains hidden in plain view.

So as a whole this will be a good compilation for the collection of detective stories but may not appeal much to the matured mind after a first read. Added attraction to the book is illustrations bu Chandi Lahiri that not only augments the stories but really shows the stark superiority over Sanyal's efforts to parallel the same.

Jugalratna Tiktiki Office

Ashapurna Devi's pickpockets turned investigators, T(n)yapa & Madna (T(n)yapa Charan Pal & Madan Kumar Das) find themselves practically living next door to the victims of a violent crime. Two sets of ornaments from an astrologer's room gets missing and the man was found in a pool of blood but living in the temple inside his residence. The secret chambers, known only to a few, where the valuables were kept was found ransacked and everything missing. The head of the house, the astrologer, was hospitalized and though he recovers his brain seemed to be affected. The members of the huge joint family then seeks help of the local pair of not so well known detectives though several hold them in contempt. Then the story becomes fast paced as the investigators gathers clues and with their near telepathic understanding traps the criminal with damnable evidences. Though some chance happenings help them, as it sometimes happens in detective stories, the best part is that the author acknowledges these in style as she does in all the episodes.

This pair had been introduced during my childhood in one of the magazines but passed into oblivion may be due to the introduction of other private eyes in the fictions. Still I was only fascinated once more going through this piece. The unconventional duo as depicted by Ashapurna Devi is another addition to the class of Bengali detective fictions and as scripted in a dialogue of a character in Anjan Dutta's 'Chalo Let's Go', that every other Bengali writer has his or her series of detectives, Ashapurna Devi's pair though may not be the geniuses but will surely secure the place among the classics.

Pichone Paer Shabda

In the past I had read quite a few stories of Prafulla Ray. So when I saw that he also writes detective novels it seemed quite interesting. Infact the story is quite fast and full of adventurous situations. But with coincidences galore and all so conveniently placed that though the storytelling is interesting but the detection part beocmes quite boring. Also if somebody tells me after reading this that he can find trace of a Byomkesh plot and the final scenes based on the scenes of a Feluda novel, I think it will be not incorrect. Mainak, the detective with his equally wise aunt Hemalata, a widow with a sharp sense of self respect, shares interest in solving crimes. But their detection process seems to be based on direct observations leading to inferences with Mainak missing some obvious clues that his aunt catches staying in the house. The analytical ability of the sleuths are never exploited. Also there are some clear mistakes in the plot where taxi turns to a motorbike. So this may be a good story but not a wise one.

The Case of the Baited Hook

In a stormy and rainy night, Perry Mason gets a call in his private number that takes him out to meet the most mysterious of client couples. The man tries to give a false name while the lady is masked and hooded and not interested to speak to the lawyer so as to prevent her identity slip. The case presented is also strange. The truth seeker is asked to represent the lady in case someting happens in future. The clients remain silent to further prodding though manages to convinve the lawyer to take the case. What happens next is a fast paced crime thriller starting the Perry trailing the probables of the case both for the knowhow of the client and the mystery itself. So it was not a ,surprise that he is really at the crossroads stumbling across a murdered man while ladies throng his office in numbers asking to make cases for various reasons. This adrenaline driven mystery drama crowds up with characters and Perry had a real tough task to solve the unique case with police sniffing up both the right and wrong trails making it more dangerous than ever. But the only unanswered part that remains likewise was how the clients got his private number. Except this the novel is a thrilling adventure where time seems to the only thing that seems precious.

Inspector Brahmer 7 Tadanta

Contrasting to Mustafa Siraj's Colonel stories, Inspector Surapati Brahma is more of a professional detective. But as with the retired colonel he also exhibits a deceiving look that masks his shrewd thinking brain. An ex-professor of the English language, for which he is referred to as Sir by many of his contemporaries, he is a revered figure in the police force. Much to the dissatisfaction of his wife Suranjana, the responsible Brahma feels happy to remain busy even at home too. So the seven investigations that this compilation includes never for once will keep the reader idle. Assisted by the young, enthusiastic and intelligent sub-inspector Satyacharan Pathak he delves deeper into the human minds to unmask criminals and catch them red-handed. But the problem of the seven novels lie in the fact that more often the ambience that is described matches with each other in several of the instances. This repititiveness sheds a disappointment for the readers as do the incompleteness of several of the recurrent characters though it does not compromise the central theme at any time. But apparently the very best, that mixes a bit of science fiction with mystery remains incomplete in the sense that the detective never explains clearly how the clues led to the murderer in Tadanta 7. The investigations invariably starts with a murder and it remains upon the shrewd Brahma to unveil the criminals. Sometimes it is the case of a lecherous businessman in Tadanta 1, sometimes a renowned painter of yester years in Tadanta 4, sometimes an auditor who has stumbled upon a truth in Tadanta 6, sometimes a corporate killed in his flat in Tadanta 3, everytime the investigators catch hold of the truth by analysisng the clues. An intricate network of informers also help the police in several cases. Traps are sprung on the unsuspecting criminals as in Tadanta 2, web is weaved around the evil as in Tadanta 5 that completes the story satisfactorily. The curious point to note is Inspector Brahma considers the fictitious Colonel stories as trash but uses several of the phrases used by him while solving mysteries. Another interesting factor of the stories are these have been conceived during the time cell phones had not been so predominant. This adds an old world romance and the efficient use of technology during mystery solving.

Baby K Parijat

Nabarun Bhattacharya's latest collection of magic realism centre's on Baby K and Parijat (the abbreviation K is better not explained) with a fireman on tow and some other characters that are not recurrent like the rest in

• Aguner Mukh
  
• Parijat o Baby K
• Baby K.
• American Petromax
• Fire-fight
• Baby K and Spiderman Parijat
• Baby K, Parijat, Pangapal o Markin Samrajyabaad

Barring the first one, the others though are loosely related to each other but are not so compact presentation as the Fyatarus were. Mixed with humour the stories are handicapped in the sense that though the characters remain the same but the continuity is not maintained which seems to be the chief drawback. Though the title is alluring but the stories are not so. It begins well but as it proceeds a note of monotony sets in that remains throughout.

Saras Galpo

A pack of hilarious romantic comedies, nothing could have been a better buy than this Bimal Kar collection. Warming up with not so hilarious Chaar Taas and Basanta Bilap which proved to be less comic than the film, the actual pace was set by Kaalidas o Chemistry and the rhythm by PremShashee. Again the spirit seemed a bit dampened to some extent in the couple Hridoe Binimoe and Atmadarshan but it was compensated doubly by the woes and pathoes without which the conjugal life remains incomplete but wrapped up in classic comedy in Bridhasya Bharya. Abhilashee, Bou nie Khela, Chumbak Chikitsa and PhaneeManasa followed the monotonous yet enjoyable style set by the previous few but uniqueness again unfolded with Gorachand, Rasatal and to me, one of the quality stories of the set in Rangalal. But Milonatsab was not so good and seemed to miss the general goal of the book but was followed by, my fabourite of the set, Ratnalabh. The next couple were again romantic, though I will keep Ratkiller a bit lesser in the fun side than Bichitra Prem. The book culminated with the charming Beauty ebong GG filled with old world values but a little less convincing. The striking thing of the narratives is that while exploring the old world values along with the funny side of romance, that sometimes bordered the crude innstincts, it rarely crossed aesthetic limits which proved the command that Kar possessed in Bengali literature.

Outbreak

Another Robin Cook thriller that higlights the horror of an outbreak that mysteriously seem to appear at several places one after the other. The medical investigative teams are baffled by the mystery. The limited information seems to point out to trivial possibilities that nobody cares to validate. But one of them - Marissa Blumenthal seems adamant. And so seems this trait of virus that remains temporarily controlled only after it wrecks havoc. As Dr. Blumenthal tries to collect facts, she falls prey to a horde of sinister forces that tries to eliminate her in any way possible. With nobody to trust and a psycopath trying to compose a game of death, the pace accelerates in just the correct way to keep the suspense growing but never becoming monotonous. With the right mix of mystery and suspense it remains enjoyable till the final pages. The Cook novel like always has an underlying motto that finally points out a horrifying theme. As the terrifying scheme is finally revealed it is upto the reader to judge for themselves whether it is a boon or curse that science and socio-economics of modern civilization ultimately promise.

A Stranger is Watching

A cunning psychopath is on the loose evading the law by pure luck but can't evade his fear. A fear that thrives on obsession drives him to commit murder once more. He has a master plan. But bearing the burden of his crime innocent Ron Thompson waits electrocution. As pleas to the Governor for stay order doesn't stand a chance it remains for coincidences to pile up that saves the day. Yes the most disappointing part of the novel is its tight plot fails to make it a good detective story but remains an action packed suspense narrative. With all the ingredients for an inverted detective story it remains a thrilling race between the psychopath and the police. I went to buy another novel by Mary Higgins Clark but chose thise one instead among the others due to the unavailability of the intended title. I admit that it is not very dissappointing as far as a crime thriller but the mystery part was actually not there in the narrative.

Samagra Kishore-Sahitya Vol. IV

• Ghoramamar Abadan
• Swayam Tinii
• Sada Hasyamukhe Thakbe
• Boltudar Utsaha Labh
• Gajakeshtababur Haasi
• Saheber Upahar
  
• The Great Ch(n)atai
• Anyamanaska Chor
• Lankanatham Kattasundaram
• Ghantadar Kablukaka
• Journey by Car
• Ticket
• Porer Poishae
• Pishemoshaer Mamar Galpo
• Kabitar Janma
• Shayataner S(n)ako
• Ghoramamar Cutlet
• Kh(n)aramoshai
• Naama Rahasya
• Rachanar Rahasya
• Haate Haatei
• Haridas aar Neel Maachi
• Ekdiner Uposh
• Pratidwandee
• Halde Bus
• Laal Ghora
• Sei Cheleta
• Cricket maane Jh(n)ijh(n)i
• Karim Mia
• Doctor Zakeer Hossain (Smritikatha)
• Chotobelar Smriti (Atmajeebanee)
• Pabitra Gangopadhyayke lekha chithi

A glance at the above will reveal that the volume is a mixture of a variety of literatures penned by the creator of Tenida, Pyala, Haub, Kyabla. Another bout of laughter galore, the volume is mostly humorous but blended, I think with just the correct proportion of nostalgic memoirs, letters, articles and some of the author's creations that he wrote during a very early age. Acknowledgement is thus due to Asha Devi and Abhijit Gangopadhyay to compile this volume. Also the majority of the smileys are not again reserved to Teni and his group's activities alone but other interesting characters have found their place suitably in the volume, that shows that if Narayanbabu had wished to start a series with any of the other characters,Bengali readers would not have been dissapointed. Of particular interest is the stories he wrote during his childhood that infact parallels many of the matured writings of the writer. Infact I think readers may find it interesting if they start savouring his stories from this volume only.