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Eleventh Hour
New Delhi, 2017. It is nine years since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and the wounds have still not healed. Especially not for Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh, who ends up landing a slap on the High Commissioner of Pakistan's face when he meets him at an event. Meanwhile, in Bhopal, five members of the Indian Mujahideen, arrested by Vikrant, break out of the Central Jail. Vikrant, suspended for the diplomatic disaster, is unofficially asked to assist the team tracking the escaped terrorists. In another part of the country, a retired tycoon, a heartbroken ex-soldier and a young woman dealing with demons of her own embark on a journey of self-discovery aboard a cruise liner from Mumbai to Lakshadweep. Fate, however, has other plans, and the cruise liner is hijacked. Racy and riveting, this is Hussain Zaidi at his best.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
53 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
S. Hussain Zaidi
25 books570 followersS. Hussain Zaidi is a prominent Indian author, journalist, and screenwriter celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the world of crime reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling. Born on February 28, 1962, in Mumbai, India, Zaidi has left an indelible mark on the literary and cinematic landscapes of India, particularly in the realm of crime and the Mumbai underworld.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
S. Hussain Zaidi embarked on his career as a crime reporter, where he honed his skills in uncovering hidden truths and delving into the intricacies of organized crime in Mumbai. His early experiences as a journalist provided him with a deep understanding of the criminal world and its dynamics.
Over the years, Zaidi transitioned from journalism to writing and screenwriting, bringing his unparalleled insights and storytelling prowess to a wider audience. His unique ability to humanize the characters in his narratives, whether they are criminals or law enforcement officers, sets his work apart.
"Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts" - Zaidi's book "Black Friday" is a compelling account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. It presents a factual and thorough examination of the events leading up to the blasts and their aftermath.
"Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia" - This critically acclaimed book stands as one of Zaidi's most notable works. It meticulously traces the evolution of organized crime in Mumbai over six decades. The book offers a comprehensive and gripping account of the city's criminal history.
"Mafia Queens of Mumbai: Stories of Women from the Ganglands" - In this compelling book, Zaidi sheds light on the powerful and enigmatic women who played significant roles in Mumbai's underworld. He tells their stories with empathy and detail, providing a fresh perspective on the world of crime.
S. Hussain Zaidi's influential literary works have transcended the confines of the written word and made a powerful impact on the silver screen. Some noteworthy adaptations of his books include:
"Black Friday" (2007) - Directed by Anurag Kashyap.
"Shootout at Wadala" (2013) - Directed by Sanjay Gupta.
"Class of '83" (2020) - Directed by Atul Sabharwal.
"Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022) - Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, among many others.
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, S. Hussain Zaidi has harnessed his creative prowess in the realm of film and web series production. His noteworthy productions encompass projects like "Bard of Blood" and "Scoop" on Netflix, as well as the recent addition "Bambai Meri Jaan," available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
S. Hussain Zaidi has played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging literary talents within the authorship realm. Notably, individuals such as Bilal Siddique, Neeraj Kumar (Commissioner of Delhi Police), Kashif Mashaikh, and many more have found their path to success as authors under his guidance. This mentoring initiative is facilitated through "Blue Salt Media," an imprint in collaboration with Penguin India.
S. Hussain Zaidi's work, both in literature and cinema, continues to captivate audiences with its gritty realism, engaging storytelling, and insights into the complex world of crime and law enforcement in India. His contributions have not only enriched the true crime genre but have also served as a source of inspiration for aspiring writers, journalists, and filmmakers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 22, 2018
If you're looking for a crime novel based around the theme of terrorism, it's a great weekend read.
Started reading this book and could not put it down. It has a very classic storyline as in it's not an entirely unique story or concept but that doesn't affect your reading even a bit. Didn't happen with me, at least.
I enjoyed reading the book, following the events and characters right until I flipped the last page. If you want a quick weekend read... get this one.
Started reading this book and could not put it down. It has a very classic storyline as in it's not an entirely unique story or concept but that doesn't affect your reading even a bit. Didn't happen with me, at least.
I enjoyed reading the book, following the events and characters right until I flipped the last page. If you want a quick weekend read... get this one.
February 21, 2020
Gripping thriller. Finished audio book in just 2 days.
Detailed review may come.
Detailed review may come.
August 6, 2019
The first fiction book from Hussain Zaidi and he does not disappoint. Fast paced, he does not allow the reader any slackness. It is a great read in one go, you just cannot put in down. An encyclopedia on Mumbai underworld, Terrorism and the dark underbelly of politics, Hussain Zaidi packs his in depth knowledge with knock out punch. The climax is riveting. Must read.
August 13, 2018
If you are looking for a gripping crime fiction read to challenge your detective side , you definitely need to pick this up. S. Hussain Zaidi’s Eleventh Hour is a fast paced crime fiction novel that is not only full of twists and turns but also has the power to play with your mind till the last page.
The book opens up when Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh is suspended on the grounds of hitting the High Commissioner of Pakistan. Meanwhile , the news of a jail break by five member of the Indian Mujahideen shocks everyone. Vikrant , who is suspended is asked to assist the whole matter but unofficially. In some land far , a cruise liner traveling from Mumbai to Lakshwadeep is hijacked.Are both the events co-related ? Read to find out.
The plot is gripping and has the potential to play tricks with the mind of the readers and keeps you hooked till the end page. Nowhere did I feel that the plot is losing it’s path or the narration lacks anything. It was bang on. The writing style is lucid yet keeps you hooked to the book. In the blink of an eye , you flip pages and the it get’s nail biting.
The end leaves you baffled and it all makes sense how cleverly the author has penned this masterpiece. The characters are well portrayed and their details were crisp and to the point which I liked the most.
If you are looking for a nice Indian crime fiction book , your search should end here.
The book opens up when Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh is suspended on the grounds of hitting the High Commissioner of Pakistan. Meanwhile , the news of a jail break by five member of the Indian Mujahideen shocks everyone. Vikrant , who is suspended is asked to assist the whole matter but unofficially. In some land far , a cruise liner traveling from Mumbai to Lakshwadeep is hijacked.Are both the events co-related ? Read to find out.
The plot is gripping and has the potential to play tricks with the mind of the readers and keeps you hooked till the end page. Nowhere did I feel that the plot is losing it’s path or the narration lacks anything. It was bang on. The writing style is lucid yet keeps you hooked to the book. In the blink of an eye , you flip pages and the it get’s nail biting.
The end leaves you baffled and it all makes sense how cleverly the author has penned this masterpiece. The characters are well portrayed and their details were crisp and to the point which I liked the most.
If you are looking for a nice Indian crime fiction book , your search should end here.
August 11, 2018
Eleventh Hour is a Crime based fiction. It's a story of SP Vikrant Singh who is suspended after landing a blow on the high commissioner's face. Meanwhile, in Bhopal, five terrorists escaped from the jail and Vikrant is asked to assist. On the other hand, A cruise liner from Mumbai to Lakshadweep is Hijacked. Dealing with all the situations SP Mirza, Vikrant and his team are on the mission to find the escaped terrorists. How will they solve the case? what will happen next? were the questions on my mind.
Firstly, I loved the title and the cover of the story, it's eye-catchy. The plot of the story is full of twists and turns. It's fast paced with lots of suspense. One can easily connect with the story from the very first page. The flow of the story is smooth and gripping. With each chapter, it gets more engaging making reader curious about what will happen next. I loved the climax of the story, it was unpredictable. The narration of the story is strong and clear. The Writing style of the author is commendable. It's crisp and easy. The story gets exciting with every turning page keeping the reader hooked with the story.
The characters that the author made were appealing. each of them had their own personality. The only part that I disliked was the plot suddenly shifted to the character's past and then again present which made it lil confusing. Themes like love, friendship, relationship, hate, and many others are seen in the story.
Overall, It's a story with an amazing plot like a Bollywood movie. Like reading thrillers? Go for it.
Firstly, I loved the title and the cover of the story, it's eye-catchy. The plot of the story is full of twists and turns. It's fast paced with lots of suspense. One can easily connect with the story from the very first page. The flow of the story is smooth and gripping. With each chapter, it gets more engaging making reader curious about what will happen next. I loved the climax of the story, it was unpredictable. The narration of the story is strong and clear. The Writing style of the author is commendable. It's crisp and easy. The story gets exciting with every turning page keeping the reader hooked with the story.
The characters that the author made were appealing. each of them had their own personality. The only part that I disliked was the plot suddenly shifted to the character's past and then again present which made it lil confusing. Themes like love, friendship, relationship, hate, and many others are seen in the story.
Overall, It's a story with an amazing plot like a Bollywood movie. Like reading thrillers? Go for it.
June 30, 2018
Fast paced thriller, with Indian intelligence, security internal and external forces involved.
February 6, 2021
Considering the regular work of Mr Zaidi, I bought this book. It took me a couple of pages to understand that it is fictional.
It's a story of SP Vikrant Singh who was suspended after landing a blow on the high commissioner's face. Meanwhile, in Bhopal, five terrorists escaped from the jail and Vikrant is asked to assist. On the other hand, A cruise liner from Mumbai to Lakshadweep was Hijacked. Dealing with all the situations, SP Mirza, Vikrant and his team are on the mission to find the escaped terrorists.
The story's plot is like a Bollywood movie.
Not a Big Fiction fan, but its a good read
It's a story of SP Vikrant Singh who was suspended after landing a blow on the high commissioner's face. Meanwhile, in Bhopal, five terrorists escaped from the jail and Vikrant is asked to assist. On the other hand, A cruise liner from Mumbai to Lakshadweep was Hijacked. Dealing with all the situations, SP Mirza, Vikrant and his team are on the mission to find the escaped terrorists.
The story's plot is like a Bollywood movie.
Not a Big Fiction fan, but its a good read
August 17, 2018
I was thinking to read it since Manpreet Kaur recommend it on her channel. Picked it up yesterday and here I am with the review.
So, it basically projects two main characters, Vikram and Mirza (my favorite) and multiple other characters scrambles throughout this thriller. These two characters certainly represents all those brave officers, be it in any department or of any country, who work very hard day and night to safe guard us, the common people and for the sake of their nations of whom they are immensely proud of.
Talking about the plot, which revolves around a bunch of terrorists who break out of the jail and now police is digging every possible hole, not leaving any stone unturned so that they can find out the master minds and understand the actual big game behind it.
Narrative is very good, a bit slow in the middle yet not boring. It keeps you fully engaged with the storyline and you just can't keep the book down.
Recommended for all those thriller lovers. 👍
So, it basically projects two main characters, Vikram and Mirza (my favorite) and multiple other characters scrambles throughout this thriller. These two characters certainly represents all those brave officers, be it in any department or of any country, who work very hard day and night to safe guard us, the common people and for the sake of their nations of whom they are immensely proud of.
Talking about the plot, which revolves around a bunch of terrorists who break out of the jail and now police is digging every possible hole, not leaving any stone unturned so that they can find out the master minds and understand the actual big game behind it.
Narrative is very good, a bit slow in the middle yet not boring. It keeps you fully engaged with the storyline and you just can't keep the book down.
Recommended for all those thriller lovers. 👍
June 30, 2018
Katz Shooting Star:
NAME OF THE BOOK : Eleventh Hour
SP Vikrant Singh, a heroic police officer slaps a Pakistani diplomat and is suspended. When he is being questioned, news breaks out that 5 Indian Mujahideen operatives who had been busted by him, have escaped prison.
In the Arabian sea, a cruise liner is hijacked by Somali pirates and an ex soldier, a retired tycoon and a young woman are among on board.
S. Hussain Zaidi weaves together a racy plot that keeps your mind racing for the next turn, and beautifully produced a masterpiece ending. Definite read.
Can't let out more without spoilers, something booklovers shall hate me for, so do read and enjoy the thrill.
NAME OF THE BOOK : Eleventh Hour
SP Vikrant Singh, a heroic police officer slaps a Pakistani diplomat and is suspended. When he is being questioned, news breaks out that 5 Indian Mujahideen operatives who had been busted by him, have escaped prison.
In the Arabian sea, a cruise liner is hijacked by Somali pirates and an ex soldier, a retired tycoon and a young woman are among on board.
S. Hussain Zaidi weaves together a racy plot that keeps your mind racing for the next turn, and beautifully produced a masterpiece ending. Definite read.
Can't let out more without spoilers, something booklovers shall hate me for, so do read and enjoy the thrill.
February 20, 2019
An SP slapping the High commissioner of Pakistan, 5 terrorists escaping from Bhopal Jail and a Mumbai to Lakswadeep cruise liner gone missing – 'Eleventh Hour' is the story that revolves around SP Vikrant Singh, SP Mirza and their team, who are running against time to catch these terrorists.
Excluding first few pages, this one is a fast-paced crime thriller.
Hussain Zaidi, India finest crime journalist, keeps you hooked to the pages till the end. One thing that would help you while reading this book is not to compare this one with his previous non-fiction work. For me his non-fiction work in 'Dongri to Dubai' is still his best work.
Nonetheless if you are looking for a good crime thriller, then this one is surely a good one.
Excluding first few pages, this one is a fast-paced crime thriller.
Hussain Zaidi, India finest crime journalist, keeps you hooked to the pages till the end. One thing that would help you while reading this book is not to compare this one with his previous non-fiction work. For me his non-fiction work in 'Dongri to Dubai' is still his best work.
Nonetheless if you are looking for a good crime thriller, then this one is surely a good one.
December 7, 2024
4.25⭐️
Read
July 30, 2018I am sitting here, trying to gather my thoughts.
Meanwhile, read this book if you are fond of desi thrillers.
Meanwhile, read this book if you are fond of desi thrillers.
August 5, 2018
The Eleventh Hour by Hussain Zaidi is an edge of the seat thriller; a cat and mouse game played between the police lead by Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh on one side and a band of highly committed and extremely dangerous terrorists on the other. This is Zaidi’s first attempt at fiction after his highly successful non-fiction books like Black Friday, From Dongri to Dubai, Mafia Queens of Mumbai and Byculla to Bangkok. Since I hadn’t read the earlier works I went in with a fresh mind and the experience was marvellous. I felt as if I was watching an action flick, an extremely satisfying one.
The seeds of the story lie in the 26/11 blasts in Mumbai which left the nation reeling and the common man being exposed to a completely different level of terrorism. Some of the terrorists were captured but the masterminds got away, largely due to the diplomatic games played by bureaucrats. SP Vikrant Singh is still troubled by the events that occurred and the culprits who got away. He takes out his frustration by slapping the Pakistani High Commissioner while the latter is on an official visit to the capital. All hell breaks loose and as Vikrant gets suspended a fresh threat crops up. Five terrorists, involved in the bomb blasts and who were captured due to Vikrant’s efforts, escape from a high security prison. A seemingly unrelated chain of events is set off and the police are left wondering about the rationale behind this. Vikrant is secretly brought in along with his mentor Inspector General Shahwaz Ali Mirza to investigate the jail break.
At the same time there’s a parallel narrative route which takes the reader on a cruise liner, travelling from Mumbai to Lakshwadeep, with Indian guests who are enjoying a vacation. These two chains of events are on a collision course, which sets the tone for a thrilling climax to the story.
The author has been able to maintain the pace of narration, it’s pacy and tight. His language is captivating, and I felt I was with the protagonists as they sped towards the climax. There’s an authenticity in his writing which may largely be due to his background in crime reporting, especially terrorist related ones.
I felt that it could have been given a bit more of depth, though that could also take away from the pace of the story. I also felt that Prime Minister Naidu and his story was quite cliched and could have been given a different twist. But all that does not take away from the dynamic thriller that this book is. The Eleventh Hour is a genuinely explosive thriller which will definitely get a screen version shortly.
The seeds of the story lie in the 26/11 blasts in Mumbai which left the nation reeling and the common man being exposed to a completely different level of terrorism. Some of the terrorists were captured but the masterminds got away, largely due to the diplomatic games played by bureaucrats. SP Vikrant Singh is still troubled by the events that occurred and the culprits who got away. He takes out his frustration by slapping the Pakistani High Commissioner while the latter is on an official visit to the capital. All hell breaks loose and as Vikrant gets suspended a fresh threat crops up. Five terrorists, involved in the bomb blasts and who were captured due to Vikrant’s efforts, escape from a high security prison. A seemingly unrelated chain of events is set off and the police are left wondering about the rationale behind this. Vikrant is secretly brought in along with his mentor Inspector General Shahwaz Ali Mirza to investigate the jail break.
At the same time there’s a parallel narrative route which takes the reader on a cruise liner, travelling from Mumbai to Lakshwadeep, with Indian guests who are enjoying a vacation. These two chains of events are on a collision course, which sets the tone for a thrilling climax to the story.
The author has been able to maintain the pace of narration, it’s pacy and tight. His language is captivating, and I felt I was with the protagonists as they sped towards the climax. There’s an authenticity in his writing which may largely be due to his background in crime reporting, especially terrorist related ones.
I felt that it could have been given a bit more of depth, though that could also take away from the pace of the story. I also felt that Prime Minister Naidu and his story was quite cliched and could have been given a different twist. But all that does not take away from the dynamic thriller that this book is. The Eleventh Hour is a genuinely explosive thriller which will definitely get a screen version shortly.
August 4, 2018
Bravery. Dedication.
Skill. Belief.
Manipulation. Heroics.
Sacrifice. Patriotism.
These are but some of the emotions on display in this fast paced and well written book, Eleventh Hour by S. Hussain Zaidi.
This thriller novel unravels a terrorist plot and the manhunt that ensues to stop the terrorist and protect their country.
The book is so well written, that it might as well be a movie plot. Fast paced, action sequences, suspense, romance, tragedy, an ensemble of interesting characters makes this a very enjoyable read.
Its rare for a book to grip you from the first page, but this book literally does exactly that. Jumps straight in the thick of the action like an opening scene of a Bond Movie.
What I liked about S. Hussain Zaidi is that he neither defended, glorified or criticized the terrorists and religion in any way which was refreshing. All too often we see writers incorporate their personal feelings into the stories and in effect take sides. And I am not even referring to whether the good guys win at the end or not.
Another interesting aspect is the intelligence, planning, resourcefulness and organizing by the terrorists. All too often they are showcased as gun slinging people happy to kill innocents randomly, but what is often over seen is their meticulous planning, their strategies etc. Makes one wonder how they can evade and outsmart the official defense agencies so routinely so often.
Overall a very well written book that will definitely leave you satisfied at the end of it. A true page turner that is a good, quick read.
Skill. Belief.
Manipulation. Heroics.
Sacrifice. Patriotism.
These are but some of the emotions on display in this fast paced and well written book, Eleventh Hour by S. Hussain Zaidi.
This thriller novel unravels a terrorist plot and the manhunt that ensues to stop the terrorist and protect their country.
The book is so well written, that it might as well be a movie plot. Fast paced, action sequences, suspense, romance, tragedy, an ensemble of interesting characters makes this a very enjoyable read.
Its rare for a book to grip you from the first page, but this book literally does exactly that. Jumps straight in the thick of the action like an opening scene of a Bond Movie.
What I liked about S. Hussain Zaidi is that he neither defended, glorified or criticized the terrorists and religion in any way which was refreshing. All too often we see writers incorporate their personal feelings into the stories and in effect take sides. And I am not even referring to whether the good guys win at the end or not.
Another interesting aspect is the intelligence, planning, resourcefulness and organizing by the terrorists. All too often they are showcased as gun slinging people happy to kill innocents randomly, but what is often over seen is their meticulous planning, their strategies etc. Makes one wonder how they can evade and outsmart the official defense agencies so routinely so often.
Overall a very well written book that will definitely leave you satisfied at the end of it. A true page turner that is a good, quick read.
August 31, 2018
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I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Eleventh Hour by S. Hussain Zaidi is a beautiful book filled with action and suspense, that doesn't let you put it down until you have finally cracked the mystery of the novel, or well, finished it nonetheless. The book is a compilation of three stories going on simultaneously—one is of Superintendent Vikrant Singh who is one of the survivors from the 26/11 attacks and is extremely sensitive about it, having seen most of the horrors right in front of his eyes; the next is in Bhopal where five prisoners from those very attacks are held, waiting for their trial and who, later escape; and lastly, one is on a cruise liner to Lakshadweep where Vaishali, a young lady having taken to the company of an old man named Hakimi goes on to take a liking for Daniel Fernando.
And somehow, all of these stories are interrelated. Of course, the link between the first two is pretty evident but what is it about the third part of the story that links it to the first two? Well, that is why you need to read the book and find it out!
The thing that I loved about this book was that the suspense was killing me all the time. I really could not put it down without knowing what exactly was about to happen in the next few pages. (And of course, I could never expect what actually happened.) It is a fast-paced crime fiction and an action-packed thriller that makes your mind go round and round till the last moment.
The writing style of the author is smooth enough and the plot of this book gripping enough. This was the first book by Zaidi that I read and I admit, I wasn't disappointed (although, I've heard that his non-fiction books are even more sensational). The book got more interesting as I turned each page to go on to the next, filling me with a thrill that I generally do not expect from Indian fiction. Each character was properly developed and I enjoyed reading more and more about them. So much that I ended up finishing the book in one day itself (well, five hours to be exact)!
The book displays a lot of characteristics that only the Indian Army and Indian Police Force can display. The protagonist, Vikrant Singh is shown as someone brave, someone with a lot of courage to fight for what he believes is right, someone with the right amount of dedication based on the right kind of motivation. So it's something that I would definitely recommend.
The only thing that I did not like about the book was probably that it is based on real-life incidents of 26/11 and so on, but the fictional take on these events just doesn't seem to do justice to them. I mean, if you're reading it as a script for the next Bollywood masala, then it's gorgeous. Otherwise, maybe not! Nonetheless, if I ignore that it is based on a real-life incident and a pretty huge one at that, I can easily say that I loved it and would definitely recommend it to you.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Eleventh Hour by S. Hussain Zaidi is a beautiful book filled with action and suspense, that doesn't let you put it down until you have finally cracked the mystery of the novel, or well, finished it nonetheless. The book is a compilation of three stories going on simultaneously—one is of Superintendent Vikrant Singh who is one of the survivors from the 26/11 attacks and is extremely sensitive about it, having seen most of the horrors right in front of his eyes; the next is in Bhopal where five prisoners from those very attacks are held, waiting for their trial and who, later escape; and lastly, one is on a cruise liner to Lakshadweep where Vaishali, a young lady having taken to the company of an old man named Hakimi goes on to take a liking for Daniel Fernando.
And somehow, all of these stories are interrelated. Of course, the link between the first two is pretty evident but what is it about the third part of the story that links it to the first two? Well, that is why you need to read the book and find it out!
The thing that I loved about this book was that the suspense was killing me all the time. I really could not put it down without knowing what exactly was about to happen in the next few pages. (And of course, I could never expect what actually happened.) It is a fast-paced crime fiction and an action-packed thriller that makes your mind go round and round till the last moment.
The writing style of the author is smooth enough and the plot of this book gripping enough. This was the first book by Zaidi that I read and I admit, I wasn't disappointed (although, I've heard that his non-fiction books are even more sensational). The book got more interesting as I turned each page to go on to the next, filling me with a thrill that I generally do not expect from Indian fiction. Each character was properly developed and I enjoyed reading more and more about them. So much that I ended up finishing the book in one day itself (well, five hours to be exact)!
The book displays a lot of characteristics that only the Indian Army and Indian Police Force can display. The protagonist, Vikrant Singh is shown as someone brave, someone with a lot of courage to fight for what he believes is right, someone with the right amount of dedication based on the right kind of motivation. So it's something that I would definitely recommend.
The only thing that I did not like about the book was probably that it is based on real-life incidents of 26/11 and so on, but the fictional take on these events just doesn't seem to do justice to them. I mean, if you're reading it as a script for the next Bollywood masala, then it's gorgeous. Otherwise, maybe not! Nonetheless, if I ignore that it is based on a real-life incident and a pretty huge one at that, I can easily say that I loved it and would definitely recommend it to you.
August 4, 2018
Known for works like Black Friday, Dongri to Dubai, Bombay to Bangkok etc. there is absolutely no doubt when a badge on the cover of the book says India's Best Crime Writer. Zaidi prior to becoming everyone's favourite crime writer, has years of experience in investigative journalism that we see in themes of his writing. Out with his new book titled - Eleventh Hour, the writer takes us through yet another thriller featuring the men in uniform from our country. A personal acknowledgement from the author; at the end of the book, throws light on the formation of the story and his personal affiliation to the characters in this non-fiction crime thriller book.
S. Hussain Zaidi's Eleventh Hour opens with a conflict similar to non-linear stories in cinema, but this one turns out to be a collection of a whole lot of twists and turns; along-with undercover characters on both sides, put together in 242 pages. Multiple roles from the story limit narrowing down to a single hero, but the jobs of Vikrant and Mirza are those of heroes in the book.
The story is tied to a string with the good guys on one side and the bad on the other, almost like every other good versus bad drama. What is unique is the way the author takes you to the setting of the story, with a technique similar to episodic treatment across the chapters. So what you basically travel through is a peek on on both sides simultaneously until the two stories reach the final bloodbath.
To summarize the entire plot in short: Men in uniform, up on their feet 24 x 7 trying to figure out ways to bring an end to the mess created by a group of terrorists holding hostages in exchange for their demand for an island to rule on and a city held at ransom, on orders from their masters. (The author would probably hate me for doing this.)
The book honestly didn't blow my mind, but makes up for a really smooth read while it paints a visual drama in the head. It's almost as if the writer penned the story with a movie adaptation in his head, and it would definitely make up for a decent Bollywood film.
Since the writer is known for his well researched real-life instances being incorporated into his stories, it gives the reader a chance to take a closer look into the lives of these characters, who whilst on their toes deal with betrayal, friendship, love, death and vengeance.
S. Hussain Zaidi's Eleventh Hour opens with a conflict similar to non-linear stories in cinema, but this one turns out to be a collection of a whole lot of twists and turns; along-with undercover characters on both sides, put together in 242 pages. Multiple roles from the story limit narrowing down to a single hero, but the jobs of Vikrant and Mirza are those of heroes in the book.
The story is tied to a string with the good guys on one side and the bad on the other, almost like every other good versus bad drama. What is unique is the way the author takes you to the setting of the story, with a technique similar to episodic treatment across the chapters. So what you basically travel through is a peek on on both sides simultaneously until the two stories reach the final bloodbath.
To summarize the entire plot in short: Men in uniform, up on their feet 24 x 7 trying to figure out ways to bring an end to the mess created by a group of terrorists holding hostages in exchange for their demand for an island to rule on and a city held at ransom, on orders from their masters. (The author would probably hate me for doing this.)
The book honestly didn't blow my mind, but makes up for a really smooth read while it paints a visual drama in the head. It's almost as if the writer penned the story with a movie adaptation in his head, and it would definitely make up for a decent Bollywood film.
Since the writer is known for his well researched real-life instances being incorporated into his stories, it gives the reader a chance to take a closer look into the lives of these characters, who whilst on their toes deal with betrayal, friendship, love, death and vengeance.
August 6, 2018
Its rare for a book to grip you from the first page, but this book literally does exactly that. Jumps straight in the thick of the action like an opening scene of a Hollywood Movie.
It is the season of Stories written while keeping movies in mind, Books to be adapted as screen play and Eleventh Hour just follow the trend.
There is suspense. There is drama. There is romance. There is a twist following other twist. Writer has given speed, momentum, twists and thrill which keeps reader curious and thinking, a must requirement for a screenplay.
The story is Simple, a cat and mouse game played between the Intelligence agencies lead by Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh on one side and a band of highly committed and extremely dangerous terrorists on the other.
What is unique is the way the author takes you to the setting of the story, with a technique similar to episodic treatment across the chapters. So what you basically travel through is a peek on both sides simultaneously until the two stories reach the final bloodbath.
As you go on reading chapter after chapter, you will be able to piece together certain incidents resembling real life stories related to crime & terrorism, provided you read daily news and follow current affairs.
Author has written the book so well that once you start reading you cannot let go off. I have finished the book in two sittings. A true page turner with thrill in every page and every chapter.
Rating 3.5 Star
Book Courtesy : Vivek Tejuja
It is the season of Stories written while keeping movies in mind, Books to be adapted as screen play and Eleventh Hour just follow the trend.
There is suspense. There is drama. There is romance. There is a twist following other twist. Writer has given speed, momentum, twists and thrill which keeps reader curious and thinking, a must requirement for a screenplay.
The story is Simple, a cat and mouse game played between the Intelligence agencies lead by Superintendent of Police Vikrant Singh on one side and a band of highly committed and extremely dangerous terrorists on the other.
What is unique is the way the author takes you to the setting of the story, with a technique similar to episodic treatment across the chapters. So what you basically travel through is a peek on both sides simultaneously until the two stories reach the final bloodbath.
As you go on reading chapter after chapter, you will be able to piece together certain incidents resembling real life stories related to crime & terrorism, provided you read daily news and follow current affairs.
Author has written the book so well that once you start reading you cannot let go off. I have finished the book in two sittings. A true page turner with thrill in every page and every chapter.
Rating 3.5 Star
Book Courtesy : Vivek Tejuja
February 28, 2019
📙"'Are you serious?' Kalra sputtered.
'I am, Sir. If the IM Five are ready to leave, it means they are done with whatever they were planning with the '93 Cache. The city might erupt with bomb blasts the minute they leave. We really cannot take any chances. Please, please sound a red alert.'
There was silence at the other end.
📙Five terrorists break the jail in Bhopal and are suspected to plant some bombs in the Mumbai. But, this is just one face of the coin; what lies on the other is more horrifying. Will the mentor-protege duo of NIA officer Vikram and Mirza be able to stop them?
📙Laced with a nail-biting suspense, this crime thriller deserves a loud cheer.
📙I picked the book after @indianbooktuber's recommendation and it turned out to be a really good read.
📙One of the two things, which I loved most was its characterization. It is just flawless. The way how all the characters are developed is superb. The other one is plot. It is well researched as this book is inspired from real events.
📙This book gives us an insight into the lives of officers working for intelligence agencies, be it Intelligence Beaureu or National Investigative Agency.
📙Every chapter ends with a suspense which compells the reader to turn more pages. By the time you sense it, you are too addicted to put the book down.
📙The action scenes were penned down well. They felt so surreal.
📙This book may not be suitable for naive readers as the words used are of a bit higher level.
📙My rating: 9.5/10
📙Thesaurus level: 8/10
'I am, Sir. If the IM Five are ready to leave, it means they are done with whatever they were planning with the '93 Cache. The city might erupt with bomb blasts the minute they leave. We really cannot take any chances. Please, please sound a red alert.'
There was silence at the other end.
📙Five terrorists break the jail in Bhopal and are suspected to plant some bombs in the Mumbai. But, this is just one face of the coin; what lies on the other is more horrifying. Will the mentor-protege duo of NIA officer Vikram and Mirza be able to stop them?
📙Laced with a nail-biting suspense, this crime thriller deserves a loud cheer.
📙I picked the book after @indianbooktuber's recommendation and it turned out to be a really good read.
📙One of the two things, which I loved most was its characterization. It is just flawless. The way how all the characters are developed is superb. The other one is plot. It is well researched as this book is inspired from real events.
📙This book gives us an insight into the lives of officers working for intelligence agencies, be it Intelligence Beaureu or National Investigative Agency.
📙Every chapter ends with a suspense which compells the reader to turn more pages. By the time you sense it, you are too addicted to put the book down.
📙The action scenes were penned down well. They felt so surreal.
📙This book may not be suitable for naive readers as the words used are of a bit higher level.
📙My rating: 9.5/10
📙Thesaurus level: 8/10
November 7, 2020
Eleventh Hour by Hussain Zaidi is a crime fiction inspired and derived from real-life events. This book is heavy on action and thriller. The plot is gripping and has the potential to play with the minds of the readers.
SP Vikrant Singh got suspended for landing a blow on Pakistan high commissioner Zakir Abdul Rauf Khan. Meanwhile far away, five members of the Indian Mujahideen arrested by Vikrant had escaped from the Bhopal jail. Vikrant recently suspended, is asked to assist the team and track the terrorists unofficially. Somewhere between Mumbai and Lakshadweep, in a cruiser liner, a professor, an ex-soldier and a young woman start their journey hoping for a change. However, fate had another plan as the cruiser liner got hijacked.
Can Vikrant track the terrorist? Will the team save the hostages?
Hussain Zaidi made sure to create the plot in such a way that it grabs our attention right from the beginning. It's fast-paced with a lot of suspense. This book was a page-turner for me. I couldn't take a break until I completed it. Vikrant Singh's dry humour is something to look forward. With guns blazing and trying to save Mumbai from the hands of the terrorists made me feel like I was in an action movie. I loved the climax. It was unpredictable.
If you are looking for crime fiction, then your search ends here.
SP Vikrant Singh got suspended for landing a blow on Pakistan high commissioner Zakir Abdul Rauf Khan. Meanwhile far away, five members of the Indian Mujahideen arrested by Vikrant had escaped from the Bhopal jail. Vikrant recently suspended, is asked to assist the team and track the terrorists unofficially. Somewhere between Mumbai and Lakshadweep, in a cruiser liner, a professor, an ex-soldier and a young woman start their journey hoping for a change. However, fate had another plan as the cruiser liner got hijacked.
Can Vikrant track the terrorist? Will the team save the hostages?
Hussain Zaidi made sure to create the plot in such a way that it grabs our attention right from the beginning. It's fast-paced with a lot of suspense. This book was a page-turner for me. I couldn't take a break until I completed it. Vikrant Singh's dry humour is something to look forward. With guns blazing and trying to save Mumbai from the hands of the terrorists made me feel like I was in an action movie. I loved the climax. It was unpredictable.
If you are looking for crime fiction, then your search ends here.
August 3, 2018
Fasten your seat belts, Ladies & Gentlemen, you are in for a ride against time.
S.Hussain Zaidi pens a racy thriller with so many twists, turns , that perhaps even after almost reaching the end of the book, one can't predict the end.
Eleventh Hour is a story of recently suspended SP Vikrant Singh & his mentor Mirza, where they unearth & chase dangerous criminals of IS Five , the suspected group behind the infamous 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. They have escaped the Bhopal Central jail & SP Vikrant Singh & Mirza are on the hot trail of pursuing these criminals.
Meanwhile, a cruise sailing on Indian waters is hijacked by Somalian Pirates. Are the two parallel stories connected ?
What follows is a chain of reaction, events, twists & turns on every page. The story races against the time & is an gripping edge seat of thriller. S.Hussain Zaidi has written a master stroke of a thriller with all the makings of a hit bollywood movie. This one is a must read.
S.Hussain Zaidi has written this novel with quite a flair and there is not a single dull moment in the whole novel. This one is a must read.
S.Hussain Zaidi pens a racy thriller with so many twists, turns , that perhaps even after almost reaching the end of the book, one can't predict the end.
Eleventh Hour is a story of recently suspended SP Vikrant Singh & his mentor Mirza, where they unearth & chase dangerous criminals of IS Five , the suspected group behind the infamous 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. They have escaped the Bhopal Central jail & SP Vikrant Singh & Mirza are on the hot trail of pursuing these criminals.
Meanwhile, a cruise sailing on Indian waters is hijacked by Somalian Pirates. Are the two parallel stories connected ?
What follows is a chain of reaction, events, twists & turns on every page. The story races against the time & is an gripping edge seat of thriller. S.Hussain Zaidi has written a master stroke of a thriller with all the makings of a hit bollywood movie. This one is a must read.
S.Hussain Zaidi has written this novel with quite a flair and there is not a single dull moment in the whole novel. This one is a must read.
September 19, 2018
Book begins with Vikrant Singh, a senior Police officer in National Investigation Agency who still has the memories of the drastic terror attack of 26//11 lingering in the abyss of his minds land a blow on the Pakistani High Commision Zakir Abdul Rauf Khan, who still is on visit to India, Vikrant Singh is suspended till further notice but he appointent as a consultant and unofficialy asked to assistant the team track the five member of Indian Mujahideen who had broken out of the Central Jail of Bhopal .
Review -
The book has lots of a sundry of characters, each with a distinctive trail of their own but although only a few of them makes impact on the book.The book is divided into chapters which makes flow shifting to place to place.The plot revolves around the two big terrorist attacks on Mumbai -26/11 and the serial blast of 1993 and a possible third attack bigger than these two .
Due to being a lot of characters in the book, you will sometimes not understand what is going on. The book grows at a very slow speed, I do not like the narration of the book. As you move forward, the book starts getting better and you will feel like thrilled.
Review -
The book has lots of a sundry of characters, each with a distinctive trail of their own but although only a few of them makes impact on the book.The book is divided into chapters which makes flow shifting to place to place.The plot revolves around the two big terrorist attacks on Mumbai -26/11 and the serial blast of 1993 and a possible third attack bigger than these two .
Due to being a lot of characters in the book, you will sometimes not understand what is going on. The book grows at a very slow speed, I do not like the narration of the book. As you move forward, the book starts getting better and you will feel like thrilled.
August 9, 2018
Eleventh Hour is Set in the present time and Hussain Zaidi, has created an interesting and very plausible story that may have some connect to real-life events. The plot is a classic one where Indian intelligence agencies are trying to catch some escaped convicts. There’s terrorism involved and references to actual events of terrorism that happened in the country. The book was a racy and riveting read, with enough twists, turns and reveals to keep me hooked for its entirety. Of course, you will have guessed a few characters early on if like me, you are into fiction. A couple of things will catch your blind side and that is where the author reveals his mastery on the genre. I am planning to now read his earlier books including Mumbai Avengers and Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia.
Visit Eleventh Hour – A Riveting Racy Read for my full review
Visit Eleventh Hour – A Riveting Racy Read for my full review
August 5, 2018
I finished reading this book in 2 days straight. That is how gripping and thrilling it is! Just my kind of novel - crime, thriller with some emotions and a lot of twists and turns! I am a sucker for such books, and Eleventh Hour turned out to be just like that! I wonder why I haven't read other books yet!
Situated years after the 9/11 Mumbai attacks that nor me, nor any other Mumbaikar will ever forget...the book and the characters take you through on-the-edge ride towards another attack in the waiting. I won't tell a lot about the story, you can read the summary below, but Vikrant's chemistry with his mentor Misra and the character Daniel are just awesome! I could imagine the story as a movie in my mind, infact this so could be a Bollywood movie (if done well). Can't wait to read Mr.Zaidi's previous books. A must read!
Situated years after the 9/11 Mumbai attacks that nor me, nor any other Mumbaikar will ever forget...the book and the characters take you through on-the-edge ride towards another attack in the waiting. I won't tell a lot about the story, you can read the summary below, but Vikrant's chemistry with his mentor Misra and the character Daniel are just awesome! I could imagine the story as a movie in my mind, infact this so could be a Bollywood movie (if done well). Can't wait to read Mr.Zaidi's previous books. A must read!
August 11, 2018
The inquisitve title is one among the reasons to see what this book has to offer. The book is teeming with a sundry of characters, each with a distinctive trait of their own although only few of them makes an impact with the readers.The author is to be lauded for the alluring plot providing the reader with a gritty edge of the seat thriller.The book starts slow, gathers pace at its own rate and reaches a crescendo proliferating the adrenaline within the readers making it a humdinger of a thriller engaging you with its brevity. The author makes sure the readers are entangled into a cobweb of parallel moving stories which are connected by hijacking incident that leads to the befitting finale showcasing the research and brilliance of the author.his rivetting action packed page turner will make you search for the author’s previous work and devour them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
A great weekend read . Got it for cheap on kindle .
The novel moves forward with fast pace and it's one of the most cliche book I have read this year . I mean come on , there are muscular , rugged , arrogant Male protagonists who are perfect in every sense and do no single wrong thing in whole book .
Whole bunch of terrorists die when none of the protagonists do . Not even side kicks. Only character who dies from all this mess is a freaking prison corrupt guard .
Also I can never believe that we can have a mole in bunch of terrorists who dont communicate with Indian army for years .how can things like that happen in reality?
Also none of the main protagonists get any life threatening injuries too in so called terrorism activity.
It was a decent read anyway . A great way to pass the time at least .
The novel moves forward with fast pace and it's one of the most cliche book I have read this year . I mean come on , there are muscular , rugged , arrogant Male protagonists who are perfect in every sense and do no single wrong thing in whole book .
Whole bunch of terrorists die when none of the protagonists do . Not even side kicks. Only character who dies from all this mess is a freaking prison corrupt guard .
Also I can never believe that we can have a mole in bunch of terrorists who dont communicate with Indian army for years .how can things like that happen in reality?
Also none of the main protagonists get any life threatening injuries too in so called terrorism activity.
It was a decent read anyway . A great way to pass the time at least .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
I’m given to reading in fits and starts. And thanks to the 5-days-a-week job, a happily busy marriage and a kindergartener at home, gone are the days of staying up the whole night with a book. So it takes a really gripping book to have me sit up till 3 am on a Friday night! Veteran investigative editor and crime reporter S.Hussain Zaidi‘s latest crime thriller, Eleventh Hour was right up my alley!
Pick this up you're looking for a quick weekend read. The book is fast-paced, and shows the Indian intelligence and police at their best - up and about trying to track down the escaped terrorists. Written almost like the screenplay of a Bollywood pot-boiler, it comes as no surprise that..Read the complete review at http://eatreadplayvacay.com/2018/08/e...
Pick this up you're looking for a quick weekend read. The book is fast-paced, and shows the Indian intelligence and police at their best - up and about trying to track down the escaped terrorists. Written almost like the screenplay of a Bollywood pot-boiler, it comes as no surprise that..Read the complete review at http://eatreadplayvacay.com/2018/08/e...
October 16, 2018
Rating: 3.5
I love Zaidi's non-fiction works. Dongri to Dubai, Byculla to Bangkok are two of my favourite works of non-fiction. His impeccable research and ability to form an unbiased narrative makes his writing a compelling piece of art.
Eleventh Hour is Zaidi's first work of fiction and predictably revolves around terrorism. The writing his simple and his protagonist Vikrant Singh is a rough & tough shrewd cop, definitely likeable. The couple of plot twists are good and the book has enough in it (drama, mystery, romance, history) to keep you engaged.
For fans of Zaidi and crime thrillers!
I love Zaidi's non-fiction works. Dongri to Dubai, Byculla to Bangkok are two of my favourite works of non-fiction. His impeccable research and ability to form an unbiased narrative makes his writing a compelling piece of art.
Eleventh Hour is Zaidi's first work of fiction and predictably revolves around terrorism. The writing his simple and his protagonist Vikrant Singh is a rough & tough shrewd cop, definitely likeable. The couple of plot twists are good and the book has enough in it (drama, mystery, romance, history) to keep you engaged.
For fans of Zaidi and crime thrillers!
August 28, 2018
I am a huge fan of S. Hussain Zaidi, hence was hugely disappointed with ‘Mumbai Avengers’ and wished for him to come back to his best with a sensational non-fiction. And he did exactly that with ‘Dangerous Minds’. Again I am wishing that he sticks to writing non-fiction and stays away from writing mediocre fictions hoping them to be made into crappy Bollywood movies. There is nothing to write regarding this book, it was a disappointment especially more considering that this came from the best investigative writer this country has produced.
December 8, 2021
I wouldn't go so far as to say that this is Hussain Zaidi at his best, this is clearly experimental for him (as mentioned by him in the acknowledgements too). I've been avid follower of Mr Zaidi's books and I would surely want to read more of his Non-fiction works.
It was fast-paced, sprinkled with just the right amount of details and suspense, intriguing. For fans of the IB, R&AW, Intelligence related activities in India–this is a treat.
It makes for a quick weekend/one-day read. It is followed by the book, "The endgame."
It was fast-paced, sprinkled with just the right amount of details and suspense, intriguing. For fans of the IB, R&AW, Intelligence related activities in India–this is a treat.
It makes for a quick weekend/one-day read. It is followed by the book, "The endgame."
August 7, 2018
All the makings of a high-octane, fast-paced thriller that talks about the cat-and- mouse chase of the police and intelligence and the terrorist groups. It starts with a reference point of the 16/11 attacks in Mumbai that transpired in the year 2008 and what is going to transpire nine years later in 2017. It revolves around the efforts of passionate officer Vikrant Singh and his senior Mirza go about catching the culprits and bringing them to book after a major bloodbath.
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