Book Review of 'The Mystery of The Talking Skull - The Three Investigators' by Robert Arthur.

This is my second read of the Three investigators this year, after The Trail of Terror. Unlike the last one, this one is delightful. The suspense, storyline and pace are good. Also, my other two ensuing ones authored by Alfred Hitchcock, namely the mysteries of the Silver Spider and the Fiery Eye were excellent reads.

The idea of a skull that talks is intriguing. The lacing of humour is highly entertaining, especially when the skull says "Boo" to Aunt Mathilda, when she calls it ugly. The twists in the story are good. The inclusion of magician tricks, the gypsy angles and bank roberry add elements of change in the storyline. 

An ancient trunk bought for one dollar by Jupiter in an auction, leaves the boys with publicity and adventure, complete with a grinning skull that speaks to them. What more can one ask for an interesting storyline? 

Jupiter's brilliant deduction of the secret message in a letter and the subsequent unearthing of the hidden money are fantastic. The characters are as usual etched interestingly: antagonists with some grey shades, but not evil ones - a somewhat realistic portrayal. 

A good read, rating it 4.2 out of 5. 

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Book Review of 'The Mystery of The Trail of Terror - The Three Investigators' by M.V.Carey

It's been a while since I picked up a book of 'The Three Investigators'. I find them immensely enjoyable, with just the right amount of suspense, storyline and knowledge that makes for a breezy read. My subsequent read 'The Mystery of The Talking Skull' was infinitely better than this one. Also, my other two ensuing ones authored by Alfred Hitchcock, namely the mysteries of the Silver Spider and the Fiery Eye were excellent reads.

This book however was rather a let down. The plot line is thin for the expertise displayed by the trip in the previous books. Also, it flows like a travelogue, with the tourists travelling  and sightseeing across the length of America. The mystery is not deep enough, nor is the action.

I loved the characterisation of Pete's grandfather immensely, though. The excentricity of the jolly old man wins our hearts at once. Jupiter's brain takes too much time to figure out what is obvious to readers at once. Pete  had far lesser athletic prowess to display than in his previous adventures, even with the scene of the bike escapade. Bob too seems wasted, with his records playing very little role in the progress of the story.

Overall, it's readable once, if you have nothing else to read. Rating: 3.2 out of 5. 

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Book Review of 'A Stranger is Watching' by Mary Higgins Clark

This is by far the best thriller I've read this year. Clark weaves her magic as always, and how! Psychological thrillers cannot come better than this, and if they do, they'd still compete for breathless attention with Clark's expertise. 

I have just finished reading the book and I have only just resumed breathing. The break-neck speed of the climax kept me gasping till the last word. Clark's trademark suspense keeps us biting our nails from the first page to the very end..

Characters

Steve Peterson, the single parent, grappling with his wife's murder, while being racked by guilt is a compelling protagonist. Neil, the scarred child tugs at the heartstrings, with his helpless private agony. Sharon Martin is the journalist attempting to tackle her professional chaos with a host of her personal love-life woes. 

The other minor characters are etched with enough detailing, to fit neatly into the storyline, rendering their importance invaluable at crucial junctures of unveiling the suspense.

Storyline

There is a sense of deja vu, as is the case with any of Clark's books, because most of her stories run along similar lines : A brilliant psychotic murderer chasing and killing women. One knows what to expect. And yet, the tension of suspense built up with each turn of the page, and leaves readers with the same thrill as her previous reads.

Multiple themes are woven into the story: Love, Fear, Psychosis, Loss, Parenthood, Suspense, and of course, murder, vie with each other to claim attention. However, the dominant theme is the debate on capital punishment.

A severely deranged killer on the loose, a wrong convict about to be executed and a train station under a bomb seige pitted against the desperate, ultimate race against time - these are the elements that form the crux of the story. The novel keeps readers at the edge of their reading seats. 

The parallel structuring of the storyline allows the suspense to build and subside like waves in a turgid sea. The climax and the end are reminiscent of many of the thriller movies we have watched on the screen. 

Conclusion

Overall, this is a must-read for thriller lovers: A clean 4.9 out of 5 rating for this one. That single point less is perhaps because I could not breathe from the intensity of the suspense, at some points. 

Jokes apart, I'm mighty glad I picked this one up. It made my reading journey feel complete, this year. 

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Happy reading, readers!

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Book Review of 'Diamonds are Forever' by Ian Fleming

I didn't know what to expect from my first Bond book that I finally read this week. It has been a whole year since I bought it and I've been saving it for a long time. 

While I wasn't disappointed with the action and risky manoeuvres executed by Bond, there were many places where a reader would want to substitute the book for the crisp movement of the story in the movie. Some of the scenes, especially the horse racing bits, delve too deep into the inside aspects of the business. The casino parts are enlightening, though.

The alluring double-O 7 agent, with the license to kill is as charming as he is, in the movies. As is the norm, there are many insights that can be gleaned from the book. Bond seems more human in the novel. It is somewhat heartening to read about his feelings, fears, and even the guilt playing on his mind. The movie versions showcase James Bond as a more heartless womanizer and a carelessly slick, perfectly calm agent. Being privy to his thoughts, as he moves from one level of danger to another is thrilling, after years of watching the poker-faced versions on screen, playing women and criminals alike, with cool competence. 

The book has  only one hot 'Bond woman'. And Bond falls in love with her, making the story a nice combo of action, thrill, adventure and romance. 

The train and ship scenes are nail-biting. However, one must admit that watching the movie is somewhat more satisfying.

Also, what I missed in the book are the fancy gadgets that Bond gets to use during the course of his work, that are especially more interesting, in the later films.

I like the way Fleming gives us an outline of the Diamond pipeline and also a glimpse of twisted psyche of the perpetrators, especially one who kills scorpions and ants, just because the 'brutes' are black in color. 

Overall, it's a nice book to enjoy on a rainy day. I rate it 4.4 out of 5. 

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Happy reading, readers. 

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Prey : A Poem

Enticing eyes prey

with warm breaths

of unholy love play

Soapy streams sway

in sultry skin showers

lacquered in mist & spray

Dreams unwind & lay

amidst scents of goodbye

floating away

***

Image credits: flickr, pinterest

Book review of 'The Hairy Ape' by Eugene O'Neill

This is my third read of the celebrated American playwright Eugene O'Neill, after The Emperor Jones and Anna Christie. It was wholly different from the other two, in terms of the setting, treatment and characterisation. 

Yank, the protagonist labourer is so raw and real, that one can imagine his physique, feel his angst and empathise with his predicaments. Mildred showcases the utter cluelessness of the highest societal class - devoid of life and capable of untold damage. 

The setting adds on to give readers the feel of the oppressive conditions for the working masses aboard a ship, while the rich enjoy luxury on the decks above them. The contrast produced by the clarity of imagery is deliberately blatant and highly effective.

The hardcore ironies that surround the painful lives of the proletarian masses is captured with unadulterated, unapologetic clarity. The striking contrast between them and the nonchalant, robotic, elite bourgeoisie is so blatant, that one is left with helpless despair and antagonism towards the heartless society. 

The ease with which working classes are deprived of not just a decent lifestyle but also their core confidence, love for life, their very identity, and finally life itself, is so heart-wrenching, that it leaves a bitter taste on the readers' psyche.

I rate the book 4.5 out of 5.

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***

Book Review of 'Anna Christie' by Eugene O'Neill

This play is different from the last one that I read of O'Neill, The Emperor Jones.To begin with, it ends differently, on a happier note, and the settings are quite different too. My subsequent read, The Hairy Ape is also quite different in the setting and treatment of the characters.

The sea plays a pivotal, vital role, as a main character in Anna Christie. The characters ooze reality, and are a revelation in multiple layers, which keeps up the suspense. 

Anna is a compelling character, who wins hearts despite her foibles. Chris showcases a father's love, that borders on an obsessive protective instinct, that blinds him to obvious truths about his daughter. Mat is the typical make chaivinist who has to come to terms that the love of his life is not quite what he percieved her to be.

One feels sorry for all the three key characters, who try to deal with their own fears and insecurities, while coming to terms with their love for one another. 

The repeated dramatic irony is intense and compelling with each new scene and character entry. There is vivid imagery and deep symbolism, which keeps readers hooked till the end.

Overall, it is an endearing, enjoyable read from the progression of conflicts to their conclusion. 

I rate the play 4.5 out of 5. Extra points are for the vivid aura that is built around the ocean, allowing readers to live the sensations associated with it.

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Happy reading, readers!

*** 

Book Review of 'The Emperor Jones' by Eugene O'Neill

This is my first book of the famous American author and my expectations were rather high. I wasn't disappointed with the read, although I did have some misgivings in the characterisation. It is a short, but deep read with multiple themes and symbolic references. I enjoyed the plays Anna Christie and The Hairy Ape that read after this one, a lot more. 

The narrative is high on imagery. One can picturize the palace as well as the jungle, with all it's subtle nuances. The aural imagery is the most powerful element, with the beating if the drums that play a key role in the Emperor's mental degeneration.

The character of the Emperor displays the two faces that the powerful - one that effuses confidence, hiding the fear in the mind and the other that succumbs to the forces at play. The main character is however, the forest itself. It is the looming presence that shapes the progress of the story. 

The most interesting aspect of the storyline is the psychological symbolism. The drum beats, silver bullet and  the vivid hallucinations offer a good sense of heightening tension as the play progresses. The climax is riddled with a sense of drama and musical euphoria. The mystical elements blend well into the themes of guilt, betrayal, danger and fear.

The main grouse that readers will have is the  blatant racism. The racist hues are strong, both verbally as well as symbolically. O'Neill implies that 'Negroid' men cannot be expected to have positively distinct characteristics. 

I rate the play a 4.2 out of 5. Hope to find this review useful.

Happy reading, readers. 

***

Book Review of 'Lifeline' by Chetan Maheshwari

The first thing that intrigued me about the book was the blurb that mentioned corporate politics. I thought it would be good to read this genre and the book has done justice to the theme.

Teesha and Akhil's love story progresses smoothly, while intertwined with their corporate lives. Rati's challenges in raising a child as a single mom, while juggling her work schedules and an app launch, may be relatable to working moms. 

The hard toil and long working hours that go into the elusive chase for success are enumerated well. The story captures the struggles of hapless individuals caught in the web of political corporate victimization. 

The narration is simple, straight-forward and easy to read. Although the overall editing throughout the book could have been a lot more sharp, readers will be able to follow the narration and story easily.

There are strong messages and considerable learnings related to entrepreneurship, in the storyline. The challenges and multiple monetary/work considerations are enumerated well.

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Happy reading, readers.

***

Book Review of 'Nothing Lasts Forever' by Vish Dhamija

This is my first read of Vish Dhamija. The title rang a bell, because of Sidney Sheldon's bestseller. The contents turned out to be as different as one would expect.

Dhamija pulls of a tale of mystery and intrigue, that however lacks the speed of narrative that readers crave in a typical thriller. 

The actual story behind in part 2 of the book. One wonders what's going on and where everything is leading, almost to the point of giving up on the book in the first half. Part 2 thereby redeems the book, in this respect. It may take some readers multiple references and turning back of pages to refer to dates, to enjoy the book more.

The characterization is puzzling. Why socialites are showcased as alcohol guzzling, chain smoking elitists all the time is beyond comprehension. The romance and dialogues between Raaj and Serena is excessive, to the point of boredom or fakeness. D'Cunha and Kabir are smart and suave charmers. Kim is a useful accessory in the plot. The rest of them are forgettable.

The descriptions of clothes are full of detail, with strong imagery, but bordering on excessive and rather unnecessary. 

The second half of the story picks up good pace and the move towards the climax makes up for the slow first part. The best parts of the book are the investigations and interactions of the policemen-turned-CBI officials D'Cunha and Kabir. 

The turns and solutions in the mystery were predictable for me, perhaps because of all the Agatha Christies I devoured during my childhood. Readers unaccustomed to mystery genres may love the way it pans out.

Overall, the book is readable, if one can gloss over the parts that do not add value to the plot, except for a little imagery and atmosphere.

I rate it 3.6 out of 5. Did you find my review useful? Do follow my blog for more.

Happy reading, readers.

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