This is one of the best books I have read so far, this year. Slick, concise and sizzling with delicious suspense in a breathless pace, it won't let readers put the book down until the last page is turned and the last line is read. It is different from her earlier book Dance to my Tunes in the genre.
The toughest part of reviewing a fabulous book is to war with the side that's bursting at the seams to 'discuss' every twist in the story, but is reluctant to disclose too much to readers beforehand. The latter part must win, to ensure maximum joy of unveiling the suspense while reading the book. Hence, I'll gloss over the story-line, but touch upon the intricacies.
'Good girls always love bad boys'
'Good guys are boring'
'Bad guys are more interesting'
How many times have we heard these clichés? Tanvi's story takes them at face value, mulls over them, analyses them, churns them into relationships and pronounces results, with neither judgement nor remorse. Everyone who likes to flaunt these 'cool' lines must read this book. And no, this is not gender-specific or woman-centric at all. It's just a mirror to realities that both men and women want to cover up with idiotic clichés and senseless excuses.
The suicide of a woman. The death of an innocent child. The 'thrill' of a veteran amidst the unexpected 'action' in a dull apartment with boring residents. This is a beginning that grips the reader and never lets go until it has taken a good, hard look at the motifs of friendship, family values, marriage, love, infatuation, heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, manipulation and the very foundations that relationships are based on.
This is a saga of a murder-suicide with host of victims, who are unearthed in dismaying clarity with each turn of the page. At the end, one wonders if the title should actually be pluralised, because each death of a loved one leaves behind a multitude of victims.
I absolutely loved the court-room drama scenes. I loved the off-courtroom arguments even more. Each twist in the tale comes at regular intervals and is more delicious than the last ones.
Kamini's journey to personal and professional clarity is electrifying. Her personal angst, juxtaposed with her professional expertise to uncover the truth, leaves us feeling sorry for a whole lot of characters, despite the inevitable smirks that surface in the process.
It's about time that people of all generations shun the various social 'stigmas' that offer convenient foils for players to get away with their ruthless games. At the same time, senseless promiscuity in the garb of 'modernity' has serious repercussions too.
And yes, the book takes a good satirical look at the WhatsApp generation of homemakers (or home-breakers) who make group chatting and endless messaging the main core of their existence. Knowing when and where to stop addictions, even something that seems trivial like a WhatsApp addiction, is crucial to peace and harmony in life. The gorgeous, accused Ravish, is not off the mark when he accuses his wife's 'supportive' friends of ruining his familial peace. But then, there are multiple layers in every relationship...
Irresponsible behaviour has distinct, numerous, long-lasting consequences, that may not always be visible even to the seasoned observer. And sometimes, justice is served from unexpected, albeit convincingly justified sources. This is the crux of the story.
This book is a must-read, I rate it 4.8 out of 5.
Hope you liked my review. Keep reading and stay safe, readers!
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