Misir Ali Omnibus I

After you have selected a book based on its focus on mystery as well as psychology, it will stimulate the senses in a different way when the supernaturals emerge prime. Devi starts with a newly-wed wife displaying behaviour that seems clairvoyance to the husband who seeks help from Misir Ali, among others. But quickly the theme diverges when the family of the landlord gets involved in a problem which curiously mingles with that of the couple. The suspense gathers momentum as the climax is reached but the rationale of the rescue of the innocent remains mysterious even to the sleuth. But the doubts are cleared in Nishithini, the story that follows though it might not be satisfying to those whose mind is not so open to take in ideas that are based on simple belief. Further challenges for the reader await in Nishaad, where evidences of parallel worlds make Ali as baffled as the traveller between them. The narrative establishes another dimension as well to the life of Misir. Nilu, the student turned collateral victim of an earlier story turned admirer of Ali, takes it upon herself to try convincing Misir of their destined relationship. Their marriage is consummated in Anyabhuvan, but not before leading the seeker of the paranormal to a quest that leaves him with more puzzles than those he apparently solves. The story starts with the perspective of Misir Ali but culminates from a different angle which makes it a bit lengthy with the twist diluted even while a horrific future is forecast. The narrative actually concludes with a hint of a follow up which might be necessary if the chronology is to be maintained. On a different note, the following story, Brihannala, is unlike its predecessors and is a definite mystery, which, the ingenuity of the author camouflages for quite sometime. Here, the author is the protagonist, who meets Ali as the latter come seeking for him for a curious case and gets to understand him as their association progresses. Irritated, initially and trying to avoid the sleuth, the author finally gets convinced of the selfless intentions of the truth seeker and accompanies him to unravel a deep lying mystery that reveals a horrifying tragedy. The following is a collection of three bizarre stories, Bhoy, Jin Kafil and Sangeeni, which belong definitely to the mystery genre but for the last where the revelation remains satisfyingly unsatisfying. In these, the author is also a character in some cases. The following in line is another attraction due to a couple of reasons. When the underlying tension is over, a curious twist awaits the readers which keeps us guessing about whether the danger was the effect or sensing danger is the cause to stimulate the psychological effect that is central to its theme and justifies naming it Bipad, which translates to danger. Its other feature is its shows the rationale by which the sleuth solves for the truth which makes him indeed an expert in dealing with abnormal behaviour in the otherwise normal world. The next story, Anish, finds a 51 year old Misir Ali fighting an ailing liver but is eager to help the distressed. His sincerity drives him to guide a tormented mother find peace as her diary reveals her apparent hallucination of hearing the apparent dead. The next title is on the conservative side as it says Misir Alir Amimangshito Rahasya which translates to unsolved mystery of the truth seeker but in essence, there are double mysteries, one of which is apparently solved, convincing the reader albeit the evidence is only implied while the other is only conjectured without a shred of evidence to corroborate the assumptions. Interestingly, this feeling stimulated by incompleteness is the signature beauty of the pieces where Humayun Ahmed excels in keeping the magical reality alive. Added to this is the Bangladeshi setting that keeps the nationality original. The smell of the common people with the characteristic depth of the brilliant mind is etched in the central character which makes these remarkable in the intellectual domain as well. But the underlying theme of each story is tragedy, where events that are unexplained, seems to lead people to some unhappy future.

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.