My Name is Abu Salem

After Dongri to Dubai and Byculla to Bangkok, the next is the revelation of the life and crimes of Abu Salem that is equally chilling like the others. Based on numerous police dossiers, files, interviews and letters, the events are detailed in their required perspective to highlight the various incidents that outlined the career of the don. Keeping Bollywood at its toes, Salem not only made a business out of it but also made a fortune as well. Salem seems to be the only don who had written an autobiography in jail and that too with the help of two educated convicts and yearns to make a movie script out of it. Starting his career in India, he travelled to Dubai, US and Portugal, among other places evading the authorities under various aliases carving a mobile empire around the globe. The book sketches the character in his true colour and completes the trilogy of the Mumbai mafia.

Headley and I

The book had been a revelation to me about one of operatives behind the Mumbai mayhem of 2008. The key figure behind the plot who served as the intelligence gatherer, David Headley, had been described by many as being not only spy for only one agency, rather being an agent with multiple handlers from multiple agencies. He not only sketched the attack to its gruesome fate but when the time came he even offered sincere account to the investigators. This had been the underlying character of Daood Gillani who proved to be the dangerous spy ever recorded in years to come. Not only did he coax his way thru all the obstacles with apparent ease, thanks somewhat to the lax security of the countries he frequened, but he also played with the emotions of many. One of these was Rahul Bhatt, the coauthor of the book, who, along with his gym instructor Vilas, proved to be the front for Headley's espionage activities. Written in the first person, mainly from the perspectives of both Headley and Bhatt, it reveals how cautiously the intelligence was gathered with clever deceptions and coded transcripts. It is a tail of betrayal and horror penned effortlessly by Zaidi and forewarded by Mahesh Bhatt that brings true emotions in the open and makes us aware of the dormant risk that engulfs the common people everyday. International politics also have been highlighted a bit that seemed to mould certain events of which ultimately the common people becomes sufferer. The author has given a glimpse of the true story behind the horrific strike against humanity that paralyzed a city temporarily while the world watched helplessly.

The Krishna Key

Me "Have you read the narrative?"

Myself " Yeah ultimately"

Me "So what do you think about it?"

Myself "You see, there is a book called The Da Vinci Code that takes you thru a journey from Paris and back that tries to uncover a chilling truth guarded for years by a dedicated society. There is yet another story called The Lost Symbol that takes you similarly across DC racing against ruthless killer and the government to prove innocence. Finally there is the film Angels and Demons adapted from its book version that also tries to protect the Vatican from evil. All of these have some historical base with symbols playing a distinct role in unfolding the truth. So this story actually follows the same formula in an Indian perspective but gets lost in the obvious confusion in the later half and does not reach beyond bollywood drama finally."

Me "But it has been a bestseller."

Myself "That's what surprises me. Let's review its basic elements, shall we? The narrative contains stories in parallel. One of them is about Lord Krishna, The Eighth Incarnation Of Vishnu and The Mahabharatha, derived from the Hindi serial but is interestingly told and this part is fantastic. But when the parallel story runs it really becomes quickly boring with too many flashbacks and a supposed mystery that changes its colour too much. Also when friend becomes enemy romance also shifts place. There are hints of Freemason equivalents but are never justified correctly and all it seems that coincidences must have been inaccurately interpreted."

Me "Oh! Then why are we at all summarising like this?"

Myself "Just to show how irritating it can get when dialogues are used for describing events."

Colonel Samagra Vol XIV

The volume contains four chapters

• Projapati Rahasya
• Rainbow Orchid Rahasya
• Black Ambassador
• Bhuture Baganbari

of which mention must be made of the first and the fourth for two different reasons. While the former one has an unique method of the criminal mind, the later poses a fine mystery to the sleuhs. The plural is intentional as the stories feature, besides the evergreen retired Colonel, the ever energetic PI Haldermoshai as well. Infact going thru this collection, I could not but, for the first time,  help comparing the duo with Perry Mason and Paul Drake trimmed down a few shades. As for the other two, they belong to a kind of pulp genre with one recorded in the first person ny the detective. The narratives could have been more literary rich if reliefs was introduced at places which is significantly missing except for the final exploit. So though the mysteries are themselves quite involved but for the storytelling these remains well behind classics.

For the Defence: Dr. Thorndyke

A classic inverted detective story featuring Dr. John Thorndyke accompanied by Dr. Jervis. The facts of the case is presented in great detail in the first part and it is at a very late stage that the investigator arrives. It is really a revelation how true facts can, under unfortunate circumstances, may present itself looking as improbable as ever. But if the seeker of truth is sincere enough then the bits of convincing evidences will surely be unearthed presenting a near fantastic yet truthful picture. This is what happens in this case where an honest man is convicted twice under different charges but is freed from both thanks to the research of the defence. Infact the second charge of murder seems to be cleared completely if it is proven that the supposed murder is of the man who is actually convicted and thus an impossible situation ia demanded. The final chapter is thus a fast paced gripping scene where though the truth is apprehended yet the thrill remains till the climax. Though several characters seem too much simplified but master storytelling is to be appreciated based on the fact that a suspense is created with all the cards laid on the table. There lies the skill of the author who actually invented this particular genre.

Har Har Byomkesh

Undeniably the best Byomkesh after a very long time. Cool and composed, this Byomkesh is more intellectual than active. His activity is centred around his investigations rather than intuitions and thus a logical course follows along the entire movie making the thriller an exciting entertainment.
Based on Saradindu's Bahni-Patanga, the original story has been relocated from Patna to Benaras. The place, the naming of the story and the final sequence seems to be a tribute to the master director who had made both renowned Bengali fictional detectives appear in cinemas.
Though there are several changes in the story which doesn't make the basic plot different from the original but two instances could have been kept unchanged. The first disappointment is at the climax whose prolonged run has taken away much of the suspense. The second mistake however could have been easily avoided. While solving the plot it is revealed that one person, except those who took part in the actual crime, knew the truth all along. The question therefore remains as to the cause of the silence but it remains unjustified throughout.
The acting of everybody in the film is superb devoid of any loquaciousness which really makes the whodunit  a classic hopefully. Special mention must be made of Ritwick who blends the character of Lalmohanbabu as well as Topshe with the characteristics of Ajit thus giving rise to novel yet pleasurable relief sequences.

The Complete Battles of Hastings Vol 2

Containing four of the gripping mysteries penned by Christie, this volume delves deep inside human psychology. When the wife wants her husband dead and Lord Edgware Dies, it remains upto Hercule Poirot to unravel the truth to save the innocent. Following the chilling revelation that shocks many comes the challenge of The ABC Murders where the villain seems to pick victims following alphabetical sequence. It again remains upto Poirot to find a logic behind the randomness to pinpoint the evil. Next is the case of the victim who appoints Poirot through a letter that arrives after her death. Clues are left for the wise along with a Dumb Witness. This is perhaps the most horrifying of the lot where the coldness of the murderer is terrifyingly sketched. The  finale is the Curtain: Poirot's Last Case which seemed more thrilling as I read it after a long time. Undoubtedly this is my favourite Poirot story with the sleuth confronts the ultimate villain as he sits dying from the ailments of the body. The psychology of murder, the identity of probable murderer, how a murder is designed and how it becomes an obsession has never been better analyzed. Thus as curtain comes down to the life of the master detective Arthur Hastings seems to learn more and more whose own character in the backdrop evolves that though markedly contrasts that of his partner but is so much familiar with the readers that they comfortably inside the events resonating with the mood of each tale.

Waiting for the Mahatma

This is one of those stories that started in the expected pace, grew rather boring slowly, seemed losing focus sometimes, but as it neared the finale the grand author again excelled himself. Never had been a fiction more wonderfully blended with the truth.

Sriram was a person yards away from politics yet a curious turn of events converted him to the path of freedom fighters. Was it the presence of Mahatma or was it due to his amorous feelings for Bharati that stimulated the inherent patriot in him might never be understood but the adventures of a confused man is sure to be enjoyed. Several times the protagonist has travelled outside Malgudi but that doesn't prevented another outstanding story to unfold. Mixing humour with sadness as the pages are turned the narrative revels in the spirit of optimism.

Scion of Ikshvaku

Scion of Ikshvaku is different from the Shiva trilogy in several respects. At least to me, whereas the Shiva trilogy had been a new revelation, a completely novel interpretation of mythological characters, but maybe the fact that the epic Ramayana is so much familiar that the surprise is suppressed but the interpretation becomes supreme. But there is one similarity rather a repetition of the central theme. Here too a much deeper plot involves two wise sages who orients the events in the way they want. There is conflict between the two whose origin keeps the suspense heightened.

As Ayodhya is opressed by the trade rules imposed by the demon king Ravaan, people look for a saviour. Ram himself also looks to vanquish the Lankan king. As he gets an opportunity to do only that, it must be the daivi astras that he should use. The law maker in Ram thus uses the weapon for protecting the innocents but forces the punishment of being banned from the Sapt Sindhu for fourteen years as per the Vayuputra's laws.
The Malayaputras follow him in their search for the Vishnu but they too seem divided in their ways. It seems that the Vayuputras have also interest in Ram and they send troupes to his side.
Ram and Sita hold their dream of carving an ideal way of life for the Sapt Sindhu.  But as they prepare themselves for the great battle there comes a cruel blow as they are faced with Ravaan's interference.
The text is superb but for the conversations that doesn't do justice to the serious research carried out by the author. But having said that it must also be acknowledged that the concept is fantastic as always. The rationale behind the epics have been so clearly explained, though it sometimes seem too simple, that it becomes a valued read. The composition is compact yet complete that makes the episodes gripping. The evenly paced book is thus an apt prelude to the series.

Operation Red Herring

An unique Colonel Niladri Sarkar mystery told from the perspectives of three different persons, the sleuth, Jayanta and the client.

A case of disappearance, dormant for years, seems suddenly to come to prominence with a flood of threats and a sudden murder of an acquaintance. Was the disappearance a case of kidnapping or was it murder? With that there also appears a Godman with a skeleton that smokes which not only causes a hue and cry but also attracts challenges from the scientific minded. As Colonel is approached to look into the former, Haldermoshai is drawn to the latter. Some very obvious clues make the sleuth skeptic and the title perfect. As it nears the climax, the suspense heightens modulating the mood to keep the excitement at the right scale.

Hatyakari ke?

Those who are avid followers of mystery stories and particularly of Bengali detective fictions have sometime or the other had surely heard of De and his classic of which this brief is about. In a fortunate turn of events, I had got hold of a copy of this narrative quite a long time ago though I studied it just recently. It had been an experience. The concise plot gave it just the right flavour. Added with this were the organized plot, an unique way of storytelling that actually contained the essence of mystery fiction, the superb touch of thrill, the simple yet uncanny trick of camouflaging the motive till the last and last but not the least the fretful albeit shrewd investigator. This must read gave me a deeper insight to the rich and deep rooted culture of analytical detective fictions that had glorified Bengali literatures through centuries.

The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories

The collection contains a bunch of Christie stories that are not all detective fiction but related to crime in one way or the other. The classic Christie touch is predominant in Song of Sixpence and The Second Gong, the last featuring the "irreproachably dressed" private eye Hercule Poirot. Each is a murder mystery which is solved by the pro and involves the obvious clue cleverly hidden by the masterly literature. The Mystery of the Blue Jar and The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl are fascinating narratives where humour and suspense intersperse to offer the timely reliefs among the short thrillers. The Fourth Man is a tale of the supernaturals and so are The Red Signal and S.O.S. though in the later two suspense and detection plays the upper hand. Where There's a Will is a thrilling revelation of exploitation of the human psychology but its apt climax assures no gain to the evil. But nothing compares to the spine- chilling Accident and the terrifying revelation of Philomel Cottage. The opening anecdote of The Witness for the Prosecution is a mix of mystery, thrill and suspense which combine to keep it different than the rest.

Bittabasana

A Sankar classic which I had read once long time back had been etched in the memory for its realistically ruthless plot that portrays how ambition can drive a human to deception and cruelty. It picturises the human character that adapts itself selfishly at the slightest cue to attain a future of prosperity. How the purity of social bonds are broken by the coldness of the heart, how misdirections are intentionally introduced to profit a few is revealed at the final twist. Its relevance seem to be eternally true as the camouflaged honesty of rich though had been a quite old plot but the characters had been so sincerely depicted that they seem real life.