Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 77

Book spotlight- Killer in the Band

Book Description:Summer of Love & MurderJoshua’s eldest son, Joshua “J.J.” Thornton Jr., has graduated at the top of his class from law school and returns home to spend the summer studying for the bar exam. However, to Joshua’s and Cameron’s shock and dismay, J.J. moves into the main house at Russell Ridge Farm, the largest dairy farm in the Ohio Valley, to rekindle a romance with Suellen Russell, a onetime leader of a rock group who’s twice his age. Quickly, they learn that she has been keeping a deep dark secret.The move brings long-buried tensions between the father and son to the surface. But when a brutal killer strikes, the Lovers in Crime must set all differences aside to solve the crime before J.J. ends up in the cross hairs of a murderer.Praise for Lauren Carr’s Mysteries:“Lauren Carr could give Agatha Christie a run for her money!”​- Charlene Mabie-Gamble, Literary R&R
“As always, Lauren Carr brings an action-packed story that is almost impossible to put down. Her mystery plots have so many twists and turns that I didn’t know if I was coming or going. And the action just didn’t stop from the very beginning till the very end.” - Melina Mason, Melina’s Book Reviews
Buy the Book:
Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Author's Bio:


Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook
Book Trailer:

Interview with Lauren


Do you have a favorite spot where you like to write?
I have quite a few spots. My husband built a studio for me, but I like to write in a chair in the corner of the living room or in the sitting room in our master bedroom or even in bed in the evening.

What is your writer food? 
Hershey Kisses. Not any of the new fancy flavors. I like the reliable milk chocolate. If I’m wrapped up in a scene and on a good roll with a book, I can eat the whole bag of Hershey kisses and not even realize it until they are gone and those little foil wrappers are all around my laptop and on the floor at my feet.

What inspires you to write? 
Anything. People—even complete strangers. Circumstances. News headlines. Real murder cases. Anything, anywhere, anyone, anytime can inspire me.

What inspired you to write Killer in the Band?
For each mystery, both the Lovers in Crime and Mac Faraday Mysteries, I chose the setting after coming up with the murder plot. I tailored the characters to fit with the mystery. Lovers in Crime is a small town setting. I grew up in Chester, West Virginia, and there are quite a few farms in and around the Ohio Valley.
I introduced readers to Joshua Thornton in my first book, A Small Case of Murder. Readers of that book may remember that Joshua’s mother grew up on a dairy farm and that on his mother’s side, Joshua comes from a long line of farmers. Therefore, it was destined that eventually, a Lovers in Crime Mystery had to be set on a farm.

What are some of your favorite books? 
Oh, there are so many. I have to say that I feel a certain attachment to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. When I first read that book, as a young teenager, I really did not see the twist at the end coming. I think that was when I aspired to become a skilled enough writer to leave readers breathless with clever twists and turns in my mysteries.

What authors do you like to read?
I like Tess Gerritsen right now. She knows how to keep me on the edge of my seat.

This or that. 
Sweet or Salty? Sweet, of course!
Naughty or nice? Both
Cats or dogs? Dogs. My son is allergic to cats. I love anything that is furry and huggable.
Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate. I LOVE chocolate!

If you were deserted on an island, which author would you want to be stranded with?

Mark Twain. I loved the way his mind worked in his books, plus he has a good sense of humor. I would want to laugh if I was on a desert island. Being a down-home country girl myself, I would like to think he would understand me and I wouldn’t get on his nerves too badly.



Giveaway:​
Anyone can post the giveaway, even if you didn’t sign up to feature it.
Prizes: ​ Win a Fire Tablet, 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB (Open internationally) Winner will be person to use #LoversInCrime most often)
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Review of Promise me a million times by Keshav Aneel

Book Name         - Promise me a million times Author                  - Keshav AneelPublisher              - Srishti Publications Number of Pages - 168Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - PaperbackPrice                     - 175Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart
Rating : 2.5
Blurb
Believing that life always gives us all a second chance is too bookish a thought. Because sometimes, by the time we finally realize our faults and true potential, times have changed dramatically.
Like a couple of migratory birds, both Charlie and Edwin leave everything back in their village and settle for a new life in the big city. For Edwin, it was where he was going to chase his dreams of becoming an actor; But for Charlie, it was just another place to be with his only friend, to help him accomplish his dreams.
However, life seemed to have different plans as it throws Charlie in Aster's way, who was silently walking through instabilities of her own destiny. He could never have guessed, but he was in for an absolute unthoughtful phase of profoundness, which was going to last forever.
Promise me a Million Times is a story of dreams, friendship, struggles and a will to make up for every loss with love by your side.
My Review

Going through the lives of Charles and Edwin, story of dreams and struggle, takes the readers to a world of love and friendship .
The narration is simple first person narration of Charles. Charles and Edwin sets out from Lugaar and reaches Etiole to achieve something in life. Edwin wants to become  an actor wherein Charles is aimless till he meets Aster. Aster teaches him how to cope with difficulties. She motivates him to recuperate from the failures and start dreaming again. The places Etiole and Lugar are fictional
The characters Charels and Aster are well crafted. But, the rest of the characters did not appeal a second look.
 The relationship between Aster and Charles is platonic. Thankfully author did not succumb to the new trend of clubbing erotica and love. The story is slow paced but short. Somewhere I felt an amateurish touch in the way the storyline was developing. 
Lack of novelty is the major issue I felt with the book. The story of a small town guy who dream big,  and fall In love with city girl is an over worked formula. The book has a niche target audience i.e early teens. May be that is the reason why author adopted the simple style of writing. In between an easy breezy read, undue squeezing in of lengthy sturdy words like obstreperously, pulchritude etc stuck out like a sore thump. The narration could have been tight and strong. The climax is a cliche. Again an overworked formula. 
The book needed a through rework to appeal to the masses.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I waas not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Keshav Aneel is a young marketing professional, who chose to take the route of his heart, ending his brief stint in corporate soon after completing his studies in Business Administration. He immersed himself in honing his creative side and now revels in it. 'A University Gold Medalist' in debate and an affluent public speaker, he is a poet at heart and an avid traveler, in love with the blue sky side of life.

The Secret diary of Kasturba by Neelima Dalmia Adhar

Book Name         - The Secret diary of Kasturba Author                  - Neelima Dalmia AdharPublisher              - Westland BooksNumber of Pages -395Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - HardbackPrice                     -699Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart
Rating : 4.0
BlurbHe is the Mahatma, a man the world venerates as a prophet of peace. But for Kastur, the child bride who married the boy next door, Mohandas was a sexually-driven, self-righteous, and overbearing husband.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was sworn to poverty, celibacy and the cause for India’s freedom; Kastur spent sixty-two years of her life, juggling the roles of a devoted wife, a satyagrahi and sacrificing mother, who was eclipsed because of a man who almost became God for India’s multitude. Gandhi was an intolerant father to Harilal, his wayward son, driven to debauchery; Kasturba paid the price for her son’s unending misery. 

Kastur is long dead, but she lives on in the pages of her diary…. Renowned author Neelima Dalmia Adhar lays it bare to tell the world what it meant to be Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - in a gripping tale of unconditional love, passion, sex, ecstasy and the ultimate liberation that every woman seeks.

My Review

The secret diary of Kasturba is a tribute to one of the strongest, supportive and sacrificing females in the history of India.Eclipsed under the shadow of her great husband, very few have thought of the turmoil she had to handle. Kasturba's inner feelings are depicted in detail. Nevertheless, major part of the book is like biography of Gandhiji narrated by his wife. Every coin has two sides, likewise every human being has two faces. The book shows another face of Mahatma Gandhi. He himself has admitted that he was not a good husband and a father for that matter. On the flipside, we can see an abusive, suspicious,apathetic human being. The plight of his sons, especially elder one Harilal is explained in detail. Every instances are connected flawlessly. A lot of research has been invested.
The book is like Sita's Ramayana. Author shows the world that Kasturba is not just Mrs Gandhi but a headstrong woman in flesh and blood,whose life and dreams were neglected by her better half who dedicated his life for a greater cause, who was forgotten in the pages of histor
Somewhere down the line, there seems to be a feministic tinge in the whole narration. Being a woman myself, it was difficult for me to digest the unilateral account of the events. There is a thin line between telling the truth and defaming someone. In some instances the word self righteous The books is a fiction but which is the fictional element is Some thing that is not mentioned anywhere.  An author's note was needed give clarity on that front. 
Overall the book should be read by every Indian to understand this great woman's  contribution to our struggle for Independence.

Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I waas not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
When Neelima Dalmia Adhar wrote Father Dearest: The Life and Times of R.K. Dalmia in 2003, she was on the bestseller list and labelled a daredevil “family chronicler” who had exposed some fiercely-guarded secrets. She then wrote a novel, Merchants of Death in 2007 to be established as a mistress of the genre. 

Educated in a convent school and a reputed college in Delhi, she has a Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in “Personality”. Her first and only job was to teach Psychology to undergraduate students of Delhi University. 

A passionate “people-watcher”, she is drawn to oddities and thrives on writing about personalities and human behaviour, from the quirky to the mysterious to the bizarre, a subject she does chillingly close to the bone. 

She lives in Delhi with her husband, children and two grandchildren.

Review of Two Graves by Zoe Kalo

Book Name         - Two GravesAuthor                  - Zoe KaloPublisher              - Self Publishing Number of Pages - 68Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - KindlePrice                     -$1.89Buy books from Amazon
Rating : 3.0
Blurb(TWO GRAVES is a short novella, about 70 pages. It is volume #1 in Zoe Kalo's psychological suspense "Retribution" series of standalone novellas centered on the theme of revenge and a famous work of literature, in this case Dante's Inferno.) 

A Dante-ish descent through a sinister world of decadent shadows and woeful souls… 

Seven years ago, he shattered her life. The town eventually forgot the headlines and the nightmares. But 23-year old music student Angelica hasn’t forgotten. 

For the past seven years, she’s contemplated payback with as much intensity and unwavering faith as she puts into her violin playing. Finally, all the pieces are in place. Over the course of one night, disguised for a masquerade ball, Angelica orchestrates a journey of revenge. 

My Review

The title two graves gives an impression of a fast paced cliffhanger with lots of action. But, on indulgence, the story unfolds a different and unexpected form of narration. Author has succeeded in manifesting a dark ambience in the background of a performing studio. Angelina, the protagonist, sets out for retribution of something that happened seven years ago. 
While the performance is being staged, people are copulating and fighting with each other. The narration is a switch between present and 7 years ago alternatively.  The build up of suspense is really engrossing but towards the climax, it gives an impression of an inflated balloon that bursts out of air pressure. 
A lot of homework need to be invested to polish the whole story.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I waas not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review of One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat

Book Name         - One Indian GirlAuthor                  - Chetan BhagatPublisher              - Rupa Publications Number of Pages -272Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - PaperbackPrice                     -176Buy books from Rating : 3.5
Blurb

Hi, I'm Radhika Mehta and I'm getting married this week. I work at Goldman Sachs, an investment bank. Thank you for reading my story. However, let me warn you.You may not like me too much. One, I make a lot of money. Two, I have an opinion on everything. Three, I have had a boyfriend before. OK, maybe two.Now if all this was the case with a guy, one might be cool with it. But since I am a girl these three things I mentioned don’t really make me too likeable, do they?
My Review

I am not starting the review with the Chetan Bhagat is overrated kind of line. Lakhs of readers love is writing style and hence he is a bestselling author. I gave this disclaimer because I don't want my readers to think that I am going with the flow by supporting or criticizing him.
The story is the first person narration of the protagonist Radhika. It is a good attempt on author's part, as a man, to put forth woman's view point. Radhika's reverie doesnt sound like a creation of a man.
Some pre set norms of the society like 'bride's side should adjust and  make sacrifices are mocked in the story'. 
The give and take between Radhika and her mother is so realistic. I myself had such moments and  liked the fact that in spite of all the fights, she called her mother when she wanted emotional support. The book is crafted to be a future bollywood movie.

Yet, some prejudices can't be shunned. A woman doesn't wax her legs so that men could stare at her legs. Radhika's soliloquy when guys stare at her legs, sounded degrading at least for me. Another important fact is that I cannot endorse a book that shows the use of Weed as a cool thing. C'Mon, teens are your main target readers and you want them to feel that it's cool to use these stuff?  The inner voice thing is a huge overworked and died out cliche. The storyline is not novel 
Half of the climax is good but rest disappointed me.
Overall the book is a one time read.Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I waas not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author

Chetan Bhagat is the author of eight blockbuster books. These include six novels—Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009), Revolution 2020 (2011), Half Girlfriend (2014)—and the non-fiction titles, What Young India Wants (2012) and Making India Awesome (2015). Chetan’s books have remained bestsellers since their release. Several of his novels have been adapted into successful Bollywood films.
The New York Times called him the ‘the biggest-selling English language novelist in India’s history’. TIME magazine named him amongst the ‘100 most influential people in the world’ and Fast Company, USA, listed him as one of the world’s ‘100 most creative people in business’.
Chetan writes columns for leading English and Hindi newspapers, focusing on youth and national development issues. He is also a motivational speaker and screenplay writer.
Chetan quit his international investment banking career in 2009 to devote his entire time to writing and make change happen in the country. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Anusha, an ex-classmate from IIM-A, and his twin boys, Shyam and Ishaan.

Spotlight of Journey Out of Fat Dumb and Ugly

BOOK SPOTLIGHT Journey Out of Fat, Dumb and Ugly [image error]

Book Description:
Are you tired of living your life according to the labels that have been slapped onto you? Do you feel you are always pressured to conform to other people’s ideas of who they believe you are? Do you feel destined to live a life of mediocrity and unhappiness, despite the fact that you know you are meant for something bigger?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will easily identify with journey.Journey is a lost and tortured soul on a personal quest to escape the physical, mental and emotional servitude of the unfair labels, invisible barriers, and dire consequences of a lifetime of decisions made out of fear and feelings of inferiority. Journey’s Path to freedom is a dramatic, tear-jerking, yet funny roller-coaster ride that beautifully demonstrates how to:Change the directions of your thoughts and life.Use the power of your pain to discover and serve your life purpose.Eliminate toxic relationships and self-sabotaging behavioral patterns.
​You have the power to remove whatever labels have been placed on you. If you know there’s more to you than meets the eye, and you’re determined to break free of a lifetime of painful stereotypes and a mediocre, dissatisfied existence, then this book is our key to opening the door to the exceptional life that you always imagined.
Buy the Book:  Author's Website
Giveaway:​
Win a copy of Journey Out of Fat, Dumb and Ugly and/or a $50 Amazon gift card (Open to USA only) Giveaway ends on Oct 22.

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Author's Bio:
Cherie Esteves was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, the city she so affectionately calls her first love. There she was deeply rooted and heavily influenced by the rich, diverse crosspollination of the European American culture that makes New Orleans one of the most unique and intriguing cities in the world. Cherie moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989, where she raised her two beautiful children and has continued to live for over twenty years. Her production company’s name, Creole Peach Productions, was born out of her alliance to both cities.
​Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~ Facebook

Review of The One Man by Andrew Gross

Book Name         - The One ManAuthor                  - Andrew GrossPublisher              - Pan MacmillanNumber of Pages - 415Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - PaperbackPrice                     - 599Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart
Rating : 4.5
BlurbThe One Man is a gripping story of heroism from master of the thriller genre, Andrew Gross. A career-defining book, which journeys from the darkest days of humanity to the heart of the US secret service. 

Poland, 1944. 

Alfred Mendl counts down his final days within the confines of a hell on earth. His family was torn away from him on arrival, his life's work was burned before his eyes. Now his only joy comes from watching the occasional game of chess. To the guards he is unassuming, but in fact Mendl - a leading physicist - holds knowledge that only two people in the world possess. The other person is working hard for the Nazi war machine. 

Four thousand miles away. . . 

In Washington DC, intelligence lieutenant Nathan Blum decodes messages from occupied Poland. Having escaped the Krakow ghetto after the Nazis executed his family; Nathan thinks he has a safer future. But the US government has other ideas. They want to send Nathan back to Europe to rescue one man from a place no one can break in to - or out of. 
But even if Nathan does make it in, how on earth will they make it out alive?


My Review

The major challenge while reading historical fiction is to distinguish between history and fiction. While the challenge of writing the same is to connect both. Andrew Gross has succeeded in bridging the connection between  history and fiction in such a way that more or less every incident looked true. 
For example: Straus's meetings with President Roosevelt and other dignitaries. I had to literally Google the names to know which is real and which is created. Finally while I read the author's note only,the reality and fiction could be distinguished. We have read several stories, in fact truths about the cruelties against Jews during the WW2. Being an individual from  another era, I haven't given much thought about this but fictional adaptation of the dark years brings forth the realization in all readers. 

The classes between Mendl and Leo were a bit confusing for someone who is not much into Electromagnetic physics. From the moment Blum sets out on his mission, it is literally impossible to put down the book. Blum's soliloquy while  weighing the chances of being quote echoes in the kind of the readers. A lot of homework has been invested in character portrayal, which enabled the readers to have a three dimensional image of the characters. There were quite a lot of characters and since the story is so engaging and since the names were difficult to comprehend, sometimes I forgot who is who. A character glossary could have been added in the end.

The climax was , well, I can't explicitly say but I would say, lingering with me for hours and may be continue to be so for days but I wanted it to be different.

Overall the book is just amazing. I recommend the book to all thriller lovers.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I waas not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Before writing his own bestselling thrillers, Andrew Gross co-authored five novels with James Patterson. His first novel the Blue Zone was an instant international bestseller. He currently lives in New York with his wife, Lynn and their three children.

Getting back on track

It has been a tough time for me. Some of my readers might know but for the sake of knowledge of others I would like to announce the arrival of a new member in our family, three months back.
I was in a hiatus, more like a sabbatical. My reading speed has come down, pending reviews piled up. Somehow, I managed to complete the pending lot. Now I need to start afresh.
As you can see a lot of reviews in last two days
Now onwards, number of reviews can be as low as one per week. The reviews will be detailed. The ratings would  not be as lenient as before.
Currently Reading will be updated in my blog, FB page and Google plus. Due to lack of time reviews will, not be shared in pinterest but tumblr is active again.
Articles will be updated only in WordPress since blogger will be dedicated purely to books from now onwards.
Stories and poems takes a back seat for now, till unassuaged phantasm is revived.

More is in store. Keep coming to know more.

Review of The girl who loved a pirate by Kulpreet Yadav

Book Name         - The girl who loved a pirateAuthor                  - Kulpreet YadavPublisher              - Rumour BooksNumber of Pages - 256Publishing Year   -2015Edition                  -PaperbackPrice                     - 259Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart
Rating : 4.0
BlurbThe Pirate of the World is locked up in a high security Malaysian jail. He is desperate to unite with Dao-Ming, his girlfriend. Andy Karan, an undercover spy belonging to India's top-secret The List, is on a mission to snuff-out his colleague's murderer in Goa. He has a plan for the pirate. A plan that will will two birds with one stone. The playground is the high seas off the Indian coast. An the rave parties in Goa, where a new drug called 'magic' is altering the inter-gang dynamics. But can Andy trust the pirate ? Or his own instincts in an unfamiliar terrain? PRAISE FOR KULPREET YADAV "Well researched, gripping\" \"The fast-paced narrative and suspense-filled plot are components that make the book read like a movie script.\"-- The Times of India \"A smashing read...\"-- Vish Dhamija, bestselling author of Bhendi Bazaar and Deja Karma About Kulpreet Yadav Kulpreet Yadav is a novelist and the Founder-Editor of Open Road Review, an international literary magazine. A product of the Naval Officer's Academy, he quit the job of a mariner as a Commandant with the Indian Coast Guard to pursue his passion of writing. Shortlisted in numerous contests, Kulpreet's writings have appeared in over 30 publications in India and abroad. He lives in New Delhi.My Review
Mysterious title, mysterious cover image and a different plot. There are a lot pf different plots coming together in a single story. From the title I was expecting yet another boy meets girl love story. But once involved in the plot, the thrilling cliffhanger caught my interest. The various plots are interwoven seamlessly. Character craft is good.
The narration is exemplary. 
Murder, drug mafia, media, romance and what not. A multiplicity of genres. Author proves that it is not necessary to write passages on love to pull off a love story. Love is not to be shown but felt. Author portrays the love through silence. A different read.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Kulpreet Yadav is a Novelist and the Founder - Editor of Open Road Review, an International Literary Magazine. A Product of the Naval Officer's Academy, He Quit the Job of a Mariner as a Commandant with the Indian Coast Guard to Pursue His Passion of Writing. Shortlisted in Numerous Contests, Kulpreet's Writings have Appeared in Over 30 Publications in India and Abroad. He Lives in New Delhi.

Review of Pune Murder Chronicles by Manaso Sapre

Book Name         - Pune Murder ChroniclesAuthor                  - Manasi SaprePublisher              - Rumour BooksNumber of Pages - 200Publishing Year   -2014Edition                  -PaperbackPrice                     -299Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart
Rating : 3.5
BlurbOn New Year's Day, a man is found brutally murdered on the outskirts of Pune City. Pune's leading investigative journalist, Chakradhar, is shocked by this gory and puzzling crime. The dead man is found with multiple stab wounds in the shape of hideous smile carved on his face. Post-mortem results show that the wounds were inflicted with an old fashioned fountain pen while the victim was still alive. Chakradhar, assisted by his spunky kickboxer protege Mukta, a genius anti-social computer hacker Aatif, and Chakradhar's best friend Dr. Poonawala - an eccentric bumbling GP - is drawn into a spine-chilling investigation. The case starts spiralling out of control when bodies start piling up with the killer's signature - the smile carved on victims' face. As Chakradhar races on with determination to get to the bottom of this mystery, he uncovers a terrible secret in corporate Pune. But, even when he solves one clue after another, the architect of this crime puzzle - the murderer - is still at large. And, suddenly, Chakradhar is a target.

My Review
Intriguing cover image and compelling blurb makes the expectations of the readers sky high. I wouldn't say the book is disappointing but could have been better. The suspense was predictable.The narration is unique. Character craft is also good. Lack of novelty is the major drawback of the story. We feel like I have read this somewhere. 
Unlike the cliched , so called bestsellers , language of the book  is good. The book cannot be considered as easy breezy. Nor can it be counted as a cliffhanger.  It is a good effort from the author but could have been better with a little more polishing.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Manasi Sapre studied English Literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and got her Masters degree in Media Studies from the University of North Texas. Since 2002, she has worked has the Head of Content and Programming for various national Hindi and English TV channels. She has been part of the core leaership team at UT and has launched several successful channels in Movies an Kids television space. Her passion for cinema and animation, from acclaimed and award winning international cinema to Bollywood entertainers to Hollywood blockbusters, to Japanese anime, led her to conceptualise and head highly successful niche TV channels. Manasi is a compulsive esoteric reader. She loves 19th century Russian Novels, Marathi literature, modern literary suspense and horror from Scandanavia, Europe and Japan. Her studies and work have taken her to various parts of the worl and flamed her passion for literature and cinema. Manasi lives with her husband Ronojoy and their dog Myshkin in Mumbai. When not brainstorming about television content with a twist, she can be found mountaineering in North-East India and burning the midnight oil reader her favourite genre : murder mysteries.