Blood in the Paradise - A tale of an impossible murder

"Blood in the Paradise - A tale of an impossible murder" is a suspense murder case mystery by Madhav Mahidhar. A sure shot eye catcher in book-shelf, which will make you at lease check blurb of book. (Though blurb of the book could be more interesting)

Blurb of the book -

This is a tale of Madhumitha Nandan. Her courage, her determination, her mission and her pursuit.
This is a tale of DCP Vishwaroop. His honesty, his intelligence, his shrewdness and his focus.
This is a tale of Anupriya Gautam. Her theories, her influence, her credibility and her dependability.
This is a tale of an impossible murder. The puzzle begins.
Goal - Freedom from the fear of death
Weapon - Deceiving the minds
The Bait - Law—breakers
Evidence - Nullified because of the weapon
Crime designers - Unknown to the executor

Story started with a suiside attempt of Madhumita. Her husband, Vikash came home a few minutes after Madhu consumed cynide. Vikas saw the scenario and in panic he called neighbours and ambulence. Police entered in to the scene and started investigation. But when they came to know that Vikas died due to high dose of poison and chances of Madhu's survival still there, they got confused.

Vishwaroop, an honest & intelligent DCP, take the case in hand. He started investigation. He along with his collegue understood the truth and started taking actions. (I don't want to spoil the suspense so leaving remaining summary)

I like the way Madhav narrated the story. Though there were some lose ends but it is still better than plain rom-com novels of debut author. Author has taken enough efforts to study criminal psychology & police intterogation style, which is visible in questionair prepared for Madhumitha. Talking about ratings:

1. Cover - 4 / 5 
2. Language - 3.5 / 5
3. Story Line - 4.5 / 5 (Smooth. I finished it in 2 sittings)
4. Characters - 4 / 5 (Very strong character base, specially Madhu, Vishwa, Anu, Mallika
5. Overall - 4 / 5

Book can be found at - Amazon  & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

The Rude Tenderness of Our Hearts - Short Stories

The Rude Tenderness of Our Hearts by Saket Suryesh is a unique title with two completely opposite words. As title suggested it is indeed collection of short stories with sad ending (except one or two stories)

Book Blurb - 

Smith studying art at Yale, with a bright future ahead of him. He is not a man of half-measures. What happens when he falls in love? And who does he fall in love with? How much love is too much love? Shiva is a man in mourning, an asocial man, even if great. What will a father do whose daughter falls in love with an ascetic and a warrior? How would she win in love if not by losing herself? Sarthak is a modern man, with a modern family, trapped in the modern world. This day has seen him coming out as an undisputed winner in corporate warfare. He is rushing to meet those he loves- his wife, his daughter. What happens then? Will time bring solace or will he be Betrayed by Time? These and four other stories are placed in different time, different worlds, with nothing but one common thread that runs across them, connecting them is a human heart beating across the book.

The Rude Tenderness of Our Hearts a collection of heart touching short stories narrated by author in unique style. Theme of those stories

1. Artist fell in love with his master piece
2. A man decided to get his life back to track
3. Shailputri's devotion and love towards Shiva
4. A person living roadside with his wife & daughter
5. A soldier life at border
6. A couple who dare to go against caste and get married

As mentioned correctly in blurb, each story has something in common which would be the ending from my point of view. Except 1-2 stories each story has sad ending. I cannot tell stories in brief like other book review as in this case stories are already short one ;). But I liked the way story was brought in front of readers. Well, I found most of the endings predictable. Still it was good book which can be finished in 1-2 sittings.

Talking about ratings:

1. Cover - 4 / 5 (I like cover and binding)
2. Language - 3.5 / 5
3. Content - 3 / 5
4. Characters - 4 / 5
5. Overall - 4 / 5

Book can be found at - Amazon  & Flipkart
Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Memoirs of Vadodara - Travel Experience

An attractive cover page, which will surely get your attention if you are going through bookshelf. 'Memoirs of Vadodara' by Gaurav Prabhu was won by my wife from Goodreads. Book takes you through Gaurav's long weekend journey.

Blurb of the book goes like this -

The book starts off with the author’s compelling need to break-free from the monotonous routine in Mumbai. As a pleasant surprise, the family schedules a trip to Vadodara which turns out to be a eye-opener. Ajit Kaka is the one-of-a kind person who takes the responsibility of ensuring the author’s family is left with the best of memories. From witnessing the city’s largest festival of Navratri to getting hands on local Gujarati food, the author narrates each of the episodes, giving you an easy ride to the place! The chronicles serve as a souvenir of happiness guided by the smallest yet profound experiences of the author. In the middle of these narrations, there are notes about life, penned while the author is in a self-discovery mode, sharing his thought process! Highlights being – Simplicity has its own charm and works wonders if you realize the worth. As the trip nears to an end, destiny springs a surprise.

Author, Gaurava, is working in IT firm; living in fast pace Mumbai city. Photography is passion; and he has taken it seriously. But still he was bored with life wanted a vacation from hassle-bustle of his retinue. Much to his surprise his family had arranged a trip to Vadodara in long weekend. His family stayed with Ajit Kaka one of the locals instead of hotel. In just three days of their visit, they made deep bonding with Ajit Kaka and their family. They enjoyed Gujarati food, Navaratri - Garba, Sight-seen. 

Book was too casual to look like a serious work. It finished before I can get grip on it. I have read other travel experience so I had more expectation from book. Anyways good try Gaurav.

Talking about ratings:

1. Cover - 3 / 5 
2. Language - 2.5 / 5 
3. Content - 1.5 / 5 
4. Concept - 2 / 5
5. Overall - 2 / 5

Book can be found at - Amazon  & Flipkart
Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

The BNO - Sex, Life and Hookah

The Boys' Night Out by Manoj Jain was one of my serious erotica read ( ;) ). I started review-read a year back which has given me chance to read different genre.

Blurb of the book goes like this -

Eight men,

Two girls,

One boys' night out

He could be the man you say hello to in the lift everyday, he could be your boss, he could be your husband.

She could be your girlfriend, your sister, or the girl-next door.

In this fast-paced novel that reveals a slice of urban life, The BNO opens the doors to the locked world of people's minds, and explores the lives of eight Mumbaikars, examining them through their sexualities and what makes them behave the way they do.

The BNO looks at how the lives of eight relationships get affected by a casual night out. From the lonely housewife to the travelling business man, the book delves into the very private lives of married couples and how a single night can alter all existing equations.

Eight men (of age 40+) went to Pune for boys-nightout. They usually met in Mumbai for drinks and hookah-smoking. But this time they brought two girls to party for extra fun. Story started after a boys' night out in Pune. Author has narrated story from either these guys or their wives' point of view. Each story talked about three things

1. Past of each character and their spouse. 
2. Couple's current personal life (mostly sex life). 
3. How the character was related to BNO? or what he did in BNO?

Though it was strict adult book, to big relife book didn't turn out as plain erotica. It is a easy read in 1-2 sittings. Talking about ratings:

1. Cover - 3.5 / 5 (Suits with theme of the story)
2. Language - 3 / 5 
3. Story Line - 3 / 5 (Smooth)
4. Characters - 3 / 5
5. Overall - 3 / 5

Book can be found at - Amazon  & Flipkart
Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.