The Fourth K

This isn’t the familiar Mafia routine with treachery and deception at every turn of the page where, presided by the silent but sure law of Omerta, the stories revolve around revenge and the sense of honour that binds syndicates. But this time the story is of politics and dictators.

When the terrorists assassinates the Pope and holds a plane full of travelers including the first daughter of the United States as hostage, it depends on one man and his staff to thwart the ploys of the terror group. Parallel to that is the threat of a mini atom bomb in the heart of the city. With all these difficulties along with the opposition and the influential Socrates club trying to oversee his every move, President Francis Xavier Kennedy finds it the ultimate challenge of his career. To know how the crisis is managed you have to go through the book but two things I can promise, one, the story is superbly orchestrated devoid of undue heroism that makes it more realistic. And two, though this is not about the underworld, but Puzo draws a clear parallel with political maneuvers that shapes nations and creates dictators. With exciting revelations of fictitious political machinery, the only disappointing is occasional lengthy introductions to characters and the subtlety of the multiple climaxes that decelerates the pace a bit.

Harano Diaryr Khonje

Bimal Kar’s detective other than Kikira, used to bore me with maybe his only appearance in the novel Harano Diaryr Khonje but for the fact that I was somewhat optimistically biased about Bimal Kar in recent days that I again took up the ebook to refresh my memory about the story which I’d once read in Anandamela. To say that it felt excellent would be not true but the adventure or the slow evolution of the plot seemed now to be so akin to traditional detective novels which I’m sure I was not matured to appreciate at my younger days. But the slowness of the pace seemed to get the better of the story and the climactic revelations that ought to be more splendid seemed not so astounding. It is more of a standard adventure story than detective but for the last two pages, where suspense was created very rapidly and there too detection never seemed a prime motive and so the readers can enjoy Kar’s easy paced storytelling but for the fans of stories involving true investigators this may not be so much of an enthusiastic choice.

Ghari Rahasya

Syed Mustafa Siraj's detective story, once read in Anandamela and now preserved in digital form, brought some more nostalgic memories and along with it a thrill for the suspense that seemed promising at first. But it was too quick in the finale and doesn't do justice for a bit old readers. Infact the ridiculous coincidence seemed too much in the story but seemed to be kept just for the sake of justification which I think may have been very well crafted in a different manner. All the same the story will be an addition to my prize collection just for bringing with it the fortnightly that I was once fan of.

Guptadhaner Gujab

As Mitin starts to investigate the rumour of a hidden treasure, albeit Partha's doubt in it, she seems to get more and more interested as the investigations progressed in the semi-dilapidated mansions of the Bagchi's at Nurpur. Amidst the treasure seekers haunting the house quite often, ghostly sounds disturb the residents at night. But what actually is happening behind all these? Mitin is intrigued  by the case and asks Partha to do some research that reveals an ancient crime hidden in the dark chambers of the basement. But is it enough? Is the past crime threatening some revenge? Or is some sinister forces of the present trying to take hold of the mansions? All these the readers may find out once they accompanby Mitin, Tupur and sometimes Partha, in their adventure in the novel set at semi-rural Bengal.

Though Suchitra Bhattacharya's detective novels are quite appealing but for one very disturbing point that lies in the names of the characters. By choosing very unique and sometimes quite extraodrinary names for the characters, Mrs. Bhattacharya seems to make fiction more fictional that is quite undue. Prajnyaparamita (Mitin) is ok and it definitely sets her detective aside the others but starting from Anishchoy Majumdar, the recurring IG character, whose name she now cannot change but can definitely offer some good excuse as to exactly what uncertainty the officer's parents were thinking of while naming him, to the client, her naming standard seems very unreal and this, if not anything else, tries to focus on characters rather than the central mystery.

N or M?

The story of espionage and counter-espionage, Tommy and Tuppence with Albert in tow appears in yet another breath taking novel wrapped up in mystery with a thrilling culmination waiting for them and the readers alike. Always on the look out of an exciting adventure, in their middle ages, the couple seemed to get bored devoid of any action during the war times. But their friend, the ever mysterious Mr. Carter seems to have a surprise for them. When conspiracy of the enemy camp successfully generates corrupt Government officials, the duo are called on to find the rot and to get clues leading to the next attack. Camouflaged under false identities they are directed to a remote location and a apparently harmless habitat called Sans Souci where they are excepted to find two of the most daring spies for the enemy camps. There in the midst of the seemingly retired army personnels, inquisitive old ladies, refugees, harmless family persons, they must unmask the enemy. Exciting at every turn of the page, though this may not be the best spy story, but will be as exciting a story of detection as any other.

The Sicilian

The literary sequel to The Godfather, the tale is of romance and betrayal and treachery and bravery that depicts the true Sicily. Set in the years of his exile from America, the story at parts, is set from the perspective of Michael Corleone but the major share goes to the author's romantic narration of the legend of Turi Guiliano. Considered by many as the Sicilian Robinhood, Turi Guiliano's rise to infamy had been through a path of cruelty, deception, betrayal and love. Categorized in various volumes, the story narrates Guiliano life in the hills of Sicily with his band of bandits. Puzo brings the legend to life and narrates the story with his signature style that is devoid of emotions but filled with sentiments so Sicilian that the reader is always on the lookout of treachery within treachery whose final twist comes at the very last chapters. As history is brought to life with fiction mingling with it, the novel becomes unlike Godfather yet so like it in the same way as Guiliano was so unlike Mafiosi but became so like them.

Ayena

A short detective story by Ananda Bagchi, found from a digital collection of old Anandamela stories. The story serves as a short representation of classic detection that, in the short span was logically correct and complete. The added appeal was personal as it brought back the nostalgic moments that I used to derive from the pages of the old magazine that I was so fond of.

Partners in Crime

The happily married sleuths are back, now under the guise of what they really like to be - brilliant detectives, literally so as Blunt's Brillinat Detectives have been replaced by the Beresfords. While Tommy poses as the brilliant Mr. Blunt, Tuppence takes up the stance of the inconscupious secretary Ms. Robinson but in now way less inquisitive than him. As the pair tries to play the parts of master detectives of classics it is always that their super intelligence and sometimes few stroke of luck that they solve the problems posed to them while laying out the trap superbly for the ultimate villain for whom this elaborate hoax is played to the minutest detail. So the partners in crime or more correctly the partners in foiling the criminal activities takes us thru an exciting path strewn with intrguing plots solved by their master intelligence.

Batukburoro Chashma

The story seemed Golmaal revisited but with more pace and more fun. The characters too seemed more amusing. The sudden appearance of green beings (literally and figuratively speaking), initially in village gossips and then in the real seemed to disturb the peaceful lives of many. Showing superior intelligence and strength, the sapient beings (remember Avatar by James Cameron!) seemed to condemn destruction of flora and fauna. Their technology, science, philosophy seemed to dwarf that of the globe, yet their requirements are simple. So why did they come here? What do they want? Is there an evil motive? Why are they so keen to communicate? To know all these you must go through the novel which sometimes jumps sequences but remains exciting throughout with its lovable characters, each showing a curious trait.

Robertsoner Ruby

This is supposed to be the final Feluda story that takes the trio to a tour that originates as a holiday but turns to an adventure protecting a ruby of historic importance and immense value. Though it was published posthumously in the book form, the appeal of Feluda lingered in the first few chapters. But disappointment will be in store near the climax which has been diluted by not so logical conclusions and an incompleteness not meant for a novel. The story follows the descendant of a British soldier in whose possession was a ruby looted during the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny and who wanted his predecessors to return it to its place of origin. So Patrick Robertson brings the ruby back home with his friend Tom who seemed to have some ulterior motives of his own. Along came many traders willing to buy the gem at a high price and strangers eager to help the tourists. As tension grips in Tom is injured in a covert attack and the ruby is stolen. But the climax is not during recovery of the ruby but in the way Feluda solves the identity of the criminal which again seems not so rational.

Nayan Rahasya

Feluda had been introduced to fantasy from Sonar Kella but Nayan Rahasya is not at all the same classic. True it contains the sharp intelligence of Feluda but fantasy and unrealism dominates more than anything here. Another point that fades its appeal is that evidently the three musketeers have aged, not in years, but in their maturity. So the conversations and justifications seem to get the better of the novel rather than the novel itself. The story can be considered a rather ordinary one but for two instances - the first being the adventure in the caves of Mahabalipuram and the second being the way he solves a murder. Theft within theft had also been a feature of the story but quite unlike Ray novels, the fate of at least one of the characters has remained incomplete. So in all this may be an item to complete a collection but it may not be a favourite past time for several readers.

Tirandaj

Sankar narrates two most contrasting tales in his unique style that captivates the readers from the very first page. Based on the socio-economic crisis of the Bengali middle-class, the most surprising element is the amount of surprise itself that is woven in the two stories titled

•  Tirandaj

• Lakshyabhrashta

Never before there seemed a social drama filled with so much thrill as these two, the first being a novel based on the life of Nikhilesh Sensharma, once a humble government servant turned an aspiring corporate manager who finds himself at conflict with the company's policy more than once. But will he succumb to the pressure or will he maintain his head high? That is the answer sought not only by the characters of the story but also by most of the readers, I have no doubt about that. The second story is based on the same crisis but is a refreshing relief of the intense tension of the first but in no way a lesser thrill awaits. Though I'll put this as more of a creative approach than approximating reality but it will no doubt captivate the readers. The genius Nibaran Mukherjee seemed to stumble at each corner of his career for the extreme shyness that possessed him. Is it only his modesty or is the cause more deeprooted, the readers have been given a ride through the intricate pathways that the human mind possesses. The novellete is no doubt a journey to the unknown realms of psychology.

Doshti Kishore Upanyas

This compilation for the young contains

• Gourer Kaboch
• Harano Kakatua 
• Golmaal 
• Chakrapurer Chakkare
• Chhayamoe
• Sonar Medal
• Patalghar 
• Haripurer Harek Kando 
• Dudhsayarer Dweep
• Bipinbabur Bipod

As obvious of Shirshendu's works, the novels consists of a conglomeration of weird characters, human and others, all weaved into adventures that will bring smile to the faces. Fun and frolick galore, all the adventures underlines pleasant messages that freshens the heart and appeases the soul. I'd already commented on Gourer Kaboch in an earlier post so won't go into any detail. Infact all the novels contains the same proportion of adventure and mystery combined with laughter and humour that makes these a treasure item. Especially I must mention Patalghar that I'd watched but I'll say that the story surpasses the film version by miles. Personally I feel Harano Kakatua to be a bit stretched but all the others had been just too good. Golmaal can be considered as a sequel to Bhuture Ghori. The next Chakrapurer Chakkare is a wonderful anecdote of a young man coming to terms with his heritage while Chhayamoe complements this storyline. The next Sonar Medal reunites an estranged pair. A quest for secret treasure is the central plot is Haripurer Harek Kando and the same quest continues but culminates in the classic sacrifice in Dudhsayarer Dweep. But the best climax is of Bipinbabur Bipod that along with the preceding story seems to be ideal short story in the volume.