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The All Bengali Crime Detectives #2
The All Bengali Crime Detectives-II
A ghost that was ostensibly spotted in eerie Makaibari—one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling—finds its way to modern-day Calcutta, to the home of Probhat Sanyal, the erstwhile manager of the tea estate. ‘The ghost has returned!’ exclaims a horrified Sanyal, whose sudden death raises questions. Was the phantom-sighting merely a figment of his imagination? Or was it connected to solid facts? In The All Bengali Crime Detectives-II, an eclectic mix of four retired Bengali men return to solve this new mystery, and recreate what might have happened one night in Makaibari, so many years ago.
Even as our crime detectives forage for clues, a colourful array of characters demand attention—from Poltu, the roadside Romeo, who works on his romantic advances; to the local lass, Piya, whose parents are convinced they have found her the perfect groom! To complicate matters, the rivalry between Milonee and Sabuj Kalyan clubs intensifies, making things uptight and personal between the two.
With so many diversions, will our four intrepid investigators piece together Sanyal’s secret life? Find out in this page-turning, rollicking ‘all Bengali’ whodunit!
Even as our crime detectives forage for clues, a colourful array of characters demand attention—from Poltu, the roadside Romeo, who works on his romantic advances; to the local lass, Piya, whose parents are convinced they have found her the perfect groom! To complicate matters, the rivalry between Milonee and Sabuj Kalyan clubs intensifies, making things uptight and personal between the two.
With so many diversions, will our four intrepid investigators piece together Sanyal’s secret life? Find out in this page-turning, rollicking ‘all Bengali’ whodunit!
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 10, 2018
3.5 stars. A quick and fun read.
April 18, 2021
Spoiler Ahead (for the precedent of this book. not for this one)
Again, a very nice, easy read just like the first installment. My review points are however the same, despite the fact that the plot certainly is more complex - or has the potential to be. A death is involved, for starters. The death here is real, unlike the bhadralok quartet's first case, where the theft was not even a real theft.
Since I take my murders very seriously, I don't want to leave any spoilers and ruin the challenge for any other reader, so I will attempt to compose my following point as obliquely as possible.
There is something to do with some olfactory stimulus delivered behind a closed door which is one the key keys to solving the mystery. A scent hound may catch a whiff of the mischief based on a plot hook left (by the author) in one of the earlier chapters of the book - but just like the first book, she provides not even a faint whiff of a clue even to the most alert of readers.
Is it my vanity that's crinkling its nose to the fact that I could not "crack" the mischief before the retired judge's final reveal? - no! I stoically aver. Any one would shrug if they found themselves on a treasure hunt which has clues that look like they were composed with a severe word limit restriction! While ABCD = Any Body Can Detect, but also ABCD = (even the most) Astute Bookreader Cannot Decipher!!
Around half of the book has a serialized side story which has nothing to do with the detectives' case. But it is "Jeevishly" funny and absorbing. And a sufficiently detailed description of the joyful city that it is set in. However I felt that, this nostalgic recounting of commoners' Calcutta, was executed better in the first book. And yes, if it comes out, I will definitely read the next story in the series.
Again, a very nice, easy read just like the first installment. My review points are however the same, despite the fact that the plot certainly is more complex - or has the potential to be. A death is involved, for starters. The death here is real, unlike the bhadralok quartet's first case, where the theft was not even a real theft.
Since I take my murders very seriously, I don't want to leave any spoilers and ruin the challenge for any other reader, so I will attempt to compose my following point as obliquely as possible.
There is something to do with some olfactory stimulus delivered behind a closed door which is one the key keys to solving the mystery. A scent hound may catch a whiff of the mischief based on a plot hook left (by the author) in one of the earlier chapters of the book - but just like the first book, she provides not even a faint whiff of a clue even to the most alert of readers.
Is it my vanity that's crinkling its nose to the fact that I could not "crack" the mischief before the retired judge's final reveal? - no! I stoically aver. Any one would shrug if they found themselves on a treasure hunt which has clues that look like they were composed with a severe word limit restriction! While ABCD = Any Body Can Detect, but also ABCD = (even the most) Astute Bookreader Cannot Decipher!!
Around half of the book has a serialized side story which has nothing to do with the detectives' case. But it is "Jeevishly" funny and absorbing. And a sufficiently detailed description of the joyful city that it is set in. However I felt that, this nostalgic recounting of commoners' Calcutta, was executed better in the first book. And yes, if it comes out, I will definitely read the next story in the series.
July 19, 2024
Kolkata’s very own Thursday Murder Club. The book is well written with engaging prose sprinkled with philosophy and humour. The setting descriptions transported me to Kolkata, though I've never been there.
The mystery element was interesting, but lacked suspense. The author has borrowed some Christie features like the gathering of all characters in the living room for the big reveal and the actions perpetrated by one of the characters. The culprit becomes obvious much before the end, but the why and how is a bit hard to guess for the reader. The ghost explanation was unconvincing. Characters like Biplab, Poltu and gang are used as fillers providing comic relief.
The mystery element was interesting, but lacked suspense. The author has borrowed some Christie features like the gathering of all characters in the living room for the big reveal and the actions perpetrated by one of the characters. The culprit becomes obvious much before the end, but the why and how is a bit hard to guess for the reader. The ghost explanation was unconvincing. Characters like Biplab, Poltu and gang are used as fillers providing comic relief.
November 6, 2020
Detective co. of Sr Citizens
A book is well crafted. Love to see the valor , activeness of the persons who are already retired from normal day to day life. A good case , especially it's ending is nicely done.
But I think the curiousity that emerged at the initial phase of the book, doesn't maintain at the same level in the ending of the book.
The case could be more interesting, could be a little paranormal things added into the story.
Overall a good book
A book is well crafted. Love to see the valor , activeness of the persons who are already retired from normal day to day life. A good case , especially it's ending is nicely done.
But I think the curiousity that emerged at the initial phase of the book, doesn't maintain at the same level in the ending of the book.
The case could be more interesting, could be a little paranormal things added into the story.
Overall a good book
October 11, 2022
Had read the first part when it released and found the gang of senior citizens -ABCD refreshing. However, this one seems less of a detective novel and more of a worried father's saga. In fact, the same perspective led them to solve the case. Expected a better plot but looking forward to the next in this series.
December 21, 2020
It's same as one.
This book series has taught me more about Bengali culture and Bengal then anything else.
It's a enjoyable read but don't expect detective giri into it.
Read it as a drama book and you will be happy about it.
2 starts are just for description of Bengals and its festivals.
This book series has taught me more about Bengali culture and Bengal then anything else.
It's a enjoyable read but don't expect detective giri into it.
Read it as a drama book and you will be happy about it.
2 starts are just for description of Bengals and its festivals.
June 27, 2022
I would have given it 2 stars, but for the end finished up giving 1 extra star. The climax was really well crafted. Overall a good continuation, though I enjoyed the first part more. Having said that, if third part does come out anytime, will surely got for it.
March 29, 2023
An enjoyable read
This book was an enjoyable, page-turner filled with mystery, humour and thought provoking quotes.
My only gripe is that there were unnecessary subplots in the story, which bogged down the story a bit.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
This book was an enjoyable, page-turner filled with mystery, humour and thought provoking quotes.
My only gripe is that there were unnecessary subplots in the story, which bogged down the story a bit.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
July 13, 2026
It's a fun book, especially if you are a teenager who is starting to get into whodunit mysteries. I felt my patient wane somewhere in the middle, because of sideplots which seemed irrelevant, but Chatterjee nicely pulls it together towards the end when all is explained
April 16, 2018
waiting eagerly for the next instalment of the detectives 😊😊😊
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews