Fraudster by R V Raman.

• Book: Fraudster. 
• Author: R V Raman.
• Publication House: Hachette India.
• Category: Fiction/Crime.
• Rating: 4.5/5

Story-in-Short:

There are those who will do anything to silence the ones who come in their way, those who will stop at nothing, including murder. A young banker is found dead a day after she deposes before a commission investigating large-scale financial fraud...A doyen of corporate India falls to his death from his South Bombay flat...A high-security server room of a multinational accounting firm is hacked, and the hackers aren't looking for just company secrets...Illicit finance, high-stakes crime and vicious manipulation come together in this story of corruption, greed and treachery among corporate India's black sheep. Arresting, fast-paced and written by an insider from the corporate world, Fraudster will keep you on your toes till the very end.

In my view:

Frankly, I am running short of words to appreciate this wonderful novel. I am speechless after having read this amazing thriller. So without wasting a single more minute, I am getting to my review on Fraudster by R V Raman.

A committee is set up to investigate into a possible fraud and a female banker who deposes before the commission is found dead. The police aren’t able to ascertain whether it is a murder or suicide. Subsequently, two corporates are found murdered under mysterious circumstances, and the investigating officer is startled by these incidents happening one after the other. Detective Inspector Ranada tries to reach the assassin to nail him. 

CBS firms’ employee Varsha plays a major role in this story and so does detective inspector Ranade, who tries his best to enter deeper into the mystery to dig out the culprit. Meanwhile, it is found that someone tries to hack into CBS’ accounts, and all these parts completely engross readers into it. But will the investigators be able to nail the culprit or, culprits? And how will they do this? This is what you’ve got to find out from the book! 

It is an exciting thriller in which things unfold step by step, pulling and deepening one’s attention. The story is a blend of illicit finance, high-stakes crime and vivacious manipulation. It brings into picture scams, voracity, disloyalty and betrayal. 

The cover is amazingly and perfectly designed, and the title completely suits the story. Both the aspects which have first impression on readers are up to the mark! The narration of the story is simple and sharp. The narrative is totally absorbing, alluring and enchanting. Howbeit it proceeds at a quick pace, it fully engrosses a reader. The story is so riveting that a reader desires to explore it in depth. 

But towards the end of the initial part, the story becomes slightly delicate for some time and attention begins to dodge. At this time, the faith that the story ripens works out and the second part waits with more thrilling portion that further hooks up a reader!

For sure, I am recommending it to all my readers because this is a book that they cannot afford to miss! It’s truly, truly amazing! 

Considering everything, I would rate the book with 4.5/5.

NOTE: This review is a part of The Reader’s Cosmos book review program. For more details log on to The Readers Cosmos.

• Fraudster is available in leading bookstores. 
• You can also avail a copy online via: Crossword, Rediff Books, Flipkart,  Amazon, Uread, Infibeam.

End of story? I Arjun Shekhar.

• Book: End of Story?
• Author: Arjun Shekhar.
• Publication House: Hachette India
• Category: Fiction.
• Rating: 4.5/5

Story-in-Short: 

Shukrat Ali, a news anchor at Khulasa, the ‘tabloid’ current affiars channel, is out of a job. 

TV channels across the country have closed down as a consequence of a Supreme Court ban on electronic advertising. An inquiry is on regarding the emergence of a sinister new form of ad’s the media has dubbed ‘propogandads’, which uses compelling subliminal messages to subtly rewire people’s minds and influence their actions. 

Even as Shukrat grappels with the question: ‘How does an achor move on?’ he is summoned to testify in the trial concerning the killing os his ex-boss, Satya Saachi Sengupta, the mysterious and towering igure in his life, whose connections with this insidious mind manipulation scheme can no longer be denied.

Being a key witness present at the scene of the crime, Shukrat must prepare to bare all before the court and treat carefully lest his testimony boomerangs on him. 

Gripping and darkly humorous, End of Story? Is an intriguing and intelligent thriller about the dystopian possibilities of everyday advertising. 

In My View: 

The story is about Shukrat Ali who is the witness of his ex-boss Satya Saachi Sengupta’s murder. Shukrat is summoned by the court and he prepares himself to address in the court. This endorsement of Shukrat Ali forms this whole interesting story. 

It begins with Shukrat Ali’s daughter Quyamat who suddenly goes missing from her school. Shukrat Ali and his wife Siyahi go to her school where they run helter-skelter to find her class 5^th B. But the class is nowhere to be found. Amidst the search, she is found out to be in one of the school rooms and this comes out to be her surprise for her parents. 

Both Shukrat and Siyahi have an argument, the previous night, while deciding the exact place for Quyamat’s birthday celebration and so she decided of calling them to school in this manner. 

While going through this plot, the most interesting things were those drawings that she had scanned and attached in her PowerPoint presentation along with the three questions. This plot is already written in an interesting manner and on top of it these drawings add-up to its beauty. 

Shukrat, then gets to know that thing which both, his wife and boss hide from him. This leads to Siyahi leaving Shukrat’s house and Shukrat trying his heart on his boss’ sister Pixie.

Further in the story, Shukrat Ali is sent to Vidarbha in Maharashtra to cover an exclusive story about which the local media too, is unaware. It is about a farmer who commits suicide and his ghost that roams in the field. When Shukrat goes there, he explores something really shocking and decides to expose it out. The major and crucial part of the story unfolds here. 

Finally, the revelations put forth by Shukrat, about Satya Sachi Sengupta’s murder will surely leave readers stunned and aghast. After completing the novel, the first word that came to my mouth was ‘Wow!’

Over-all: This book is a fabulous one with a brilliant story. The cover of the book is simple yet sweet. The title is perfect. The story begins and ends very smoothly without colliding or falling loose anywhere. The language used in the book too is excellent. 

Speaking about the drawbacks - the title of the second chapter could have been a bit more interesting. The titles of other chapters are good enough to attract a reader’s attention. Also, some chapters in the book are slightly long which tend to drag a reader’s attention away for a while. Otherwise the novel rocks!  

I really loved the concept and narration of the story equally. I dearly feel that every individual must purchase this novel and take pleasures of reading Mr. Arjun Shekhar’s work! I would like to rate it with 4.5/5. Brilliant work Arjun sir! :) 

NOTE: A review copy of the book was sent by the author himself. I am extremely thankful to the author the copy. 

• The book is available at all the book stores. 

• You can also get the book online: Flipkart, Infibeam, Uread, Amazon, Rediff books. 

Review: Sita’s Curse by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu.

• Book: Sita’s Curse… The Language of Desire. 
• Author: Sreemoyee Piu Kundu. 
• Publication House: Hachette India 
• Category: Fiction 
• Rating: 4.5/5

Story-in-Short:

Somewhere, behind closed doors,
in her solitary world;
Somewhere, under the sheets with
an indifferent lover;
Somewhere, is woman
who will not be denied… 

Trapped for fifteen years in the strangehold of a dead marriage and soulless household domesticity, the beautiful full-bodied and passionate Meera Patel depends on her memories and his flights of fancy to soothe the aches that wrack her body; to quieten an unquenchable need. Until one cataclysmic day in Mumbai, when she finally breaks free… 

Bold, brazen and defiant, Sita’s Curse looks at the hypocrisy of Indian society and tells the compelling story of a middle-class Indian housewife’s urgent need for love, respect, acceptance – and sexual fulfilment. 

In my view:

In India, very rarely do we openly talk about sex. There are many erotic story, novels available but then this is a really, really different one. Its prologue is enough for a reader to realize that the book is erotic.

This book brings us a story from a typical Gujrati family. Readers are introduced to Meera a simple girl who has high sexual desires. She is close to her twin brother Kartik who expires, leaving her lonely. 

Soon after his death she is married off to a Mumbai-based Businessman Mohan Patel. Quickly after her marriage Meera, quite a bit, gets attracted to Mohan’s younger brother Bansi. Bansi is basically a jolly kind of person who keeps on entertaining Meera. In her married life too, Meera doesn’t gets much attention from her husband. Her lust and desire continues to remain the same. She tries a lot to get Mohan on her but he doesn’t shows much interest. She then begins finding source to fulfill her wish. 

This book, Sita’s Curse also highlights existing superstitious mindsets of the rural India. Slots where-in Meera is told to cover her face with the ghunghat, Mohan kicking a black cat etc. 

Each and every story automatically attaches readers to it and then reading the book gives an enjoyable time. The topic chosen by the authoress is such which isn’t discussed so frankly in our cultured society.

Speaking about its cover: It is simple yet suitable. The writing style of the authoress is also good and the way she has crafted the chapters in the book is fabulous! The title of each and every story is enthralling. 

Altogether Sita’s Curse gets a well-framed, well-crafted and a very well-narrated story which engrosses a reader into it, from the beginning till the end. It deserves a sure shot 4.5/5. Great work of fiction by Sreemoyee! 

  - This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program" . To get free books log on to The Readers Cosmos.

•  Sita's Curse is available in all the book stores and libraries. 

• You can also shop it online: Flipkart,  Homeshop 18,  Infibeam.