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Murder in Melucha
Something strange is afoot at the Lotus Palace.
A guest is murdered after a boring state banquet ...
A secret room full of scorpions is found ...
A cloaked stranger passes on information ...
Every marble statue seems to hold a secret ...
In Melucha, children's alphabet books teach that H is for hemlock, so it is no particular surprise when someone is found murdered. But in a city where everyone has devious and twisted motives, and dire plans, it is not easy for Meenakshi and Kalban to find the murderer.
In this sequel to the acclaimed The Magicians of Madh , Aditi Krishnakumar pulls off another delightful romp, full of mystery, humour and hilarious predicaments.
A guest is murdered after a boring state banquet ...
A secret room full of scorpions is found ...
A cloaked stranger passes on information ...
Every marble statue seems to hold a secret ...
In Melucha, children's alphabet books teach that H is for hemlock, so it is no particular surprise when someone is found murdered. But in a city where everyone has devious and twisted motives, and dire plans, it is not easy for Meenakshi and Kalban to find the murderer.
In this sequel to the acclaimed The Magicians of Madh , Aditi Krishnakumar pulls off another delightful romp, full of mystery, humour and hilarious predicaments.
240 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 7, 2023
review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2023/0...
Murder in Melucha is entertaining and imaginative middle-grade fantasy mystery that takes Kalban and Meenakshi to Kalban’s home, Melucha.
I think this can be read as a standalone as readers who haven’t read the first book still enjoyed this. But I would recommend reading this in order as first book introduces the world and characters well. Moreover, there is mention of events happened in first book.
Writing is as fun and witty as first book but this is less rambling with fewer long sentences and has a little serious and sinister tone but not in a scary way. The pace is fast to steady.
The best thing about the book is Melucha, its description, court and its rules, mystery, and the theme of human nature and many meaningful lines.
There are many other characters and they all were given enough backstory to make them suspect which made them even more interesting. I have to say I couldn’t guess the villain until it was revealed near the end which is another plus point to the book. I also couldn’t guess the person who helped the villain in his/her plot.
Climax is interesting. While I liked Meenakshi’s long explanation of deducing the mystery and eliminating the suspects I still felt it was little too long. It’s the reason I’m not giving this full star. End is satisfying. I can’t wait to see what new adventure Kalban and Meenakshi are about to undertake.
Overall, Murder in Melucha is entertaining, delightful and well-written middle-grade fantasy mystery with theme of human nature.
Murder in Melucha is entertaining and imaginative middle-grade fantasy mystery that takes Kalban and Meenakshi to Kalban’s home, Melucha.
I think this can be read as a standalone as readers who haven’t read the first book still enjoyed this. But I would recommend reading this in order as first book introduces the world and characters well. Moreover, there is mention of events happened in first book.
Writing is as fun and witty as first book but this is less rambling with fewer long sentences and has a little serious and sinister tone but not in a scary way. The pace is fast to steady.
The best thing about the book is Melucha, its description, court and its rules, mystery, and the theme of human nature and many meaningful lines.
There are many other characters and they all were given enough backstory to make them suspect which made them even more interesting. I have to say I couldn’t guess the villain until it was revealed near the end which is another plus point to the book. I also couldn’t guess the person who helped the villain in his/her plot.
Climax is interesting. While I liked Meenakshi’s long explanation of deducing the mystery and eliminating the suspects I still felt it was little too long. It’s the reason I’m not giving this full star. End is satisfying. I can’t wait to see what new adventure Kalban and Meenakshi are about to undertake.
Overall, Murder in Melucha is entertaining, delightful and well-written middle-grade fantasy mystery with theme of human nature.
April 4, 2023
I was quite skeptical while starting this book “Murder In Melucha” as it is clearly written - “Sequel to Magicians of Madh”. Getting all the characters, story plots, the extravaganzas, and the gist of climax will surely be left out - that was my perception before reading the book. Yes, I do felt somewhere that the experience could have been better if I would have read the first part as well i.e. Magicians of Madh. But believe me, even though I was unaware of the past this book holds, I thoroughly enjoyed all the fictitious elements.
The story revolves around the happenings of the magical city of Melucha. Everything that Kalban and Meenakshi had experienced in the sovereignty of Madh, was just a trailer for their journey ahead in Melucha. I bet the readers must have tightened their belt for the mysterious start of a murder. The overall drama was carried out in the third person’s eyes, where you can’t take your eyes off the perceptions the author is presenting from time to time.
Sometimes you will find the suspect right in front of your eyes, but again you couldn’t even take a guess how it all happened. You will be shocked by the perplexity of scorpions, snakes and the suspicions.
No doubt, Krishnakumar has depicted all the sceneries in words, but I believe that the pictures of this sorcerous world would have made the characters more alive. But nevertheless, anyone can enjoy this charming fantasy genre.
The story revolves around the happenings of the magical city of Melucha. Everything that Kalban and Meenakshi had experienced in the sovereignty of Madh, was just a trailer for their journey ahead in Melucha. I bet the readers must have tightened their belt for the mysterious start of a murder. The overall drama was carried out in the third person’s eyes, where you can’t take your eyes off the perceptions the author is presenting from time to time.
Sometimes you will find the suspect right in front of your eyes, but again you couldn’t even take a guess how it all happened. You will be shocked by the perplexity of scorpions, snakes and the suspicions.
No doubt, Krishnakumar has depicted all the sceneries in words, but I believe that the pictures of this sorcerous world would have made the characters more alive. But nevertheless, anyone can enjoy this charming fantasy genre.
May 15, 2021
Book Review - Murder in Melucha by Aditi Krishnakumar @aditikrishnakumar
A captivating book that will force you to think like a detective. You know what I love most about mystery books is that they challenge you. They take you to this world where you are a spectator seeing everything from a bird eye perspective and trying to guess the murderer before anyone else and yet a good mystery always surprise you at the end.
I got a chance to have my hands on a similar mystery lately and I really liked it. A guest is murdered after a boring dinner. A secret room full of scorpions is found. A cloaked stranger passes on information. There are too many suspects with motives. In the city of Melucha, Meenakshi and Kalban are challenged every step of their way to find the real murderer.
This was a good read as it kept me on my toes and even though I was able to catch certain hints here and there, I could not completely guess the ending. The story was well-crafted and each and every scene was set out to a T which I loved the most.
My rating - 3.5/5
A captivating book that will force you to think like a detective. You know what I love most about mystery books is that they challenge you. They take you to this world where you are a spectator seeing everything from a bird eye perspective and trying to guess the murderer before anyone else and yet a good mystery always surprise you at the end.
I got a chance to have my hands on a similar mystery lately and I really liked it. A guest is murdered after a boring dinner. A secret room full of scorpions is found. A cloaked stranger passes on information. There are too many suspects with motives. In the city of Melucha, Meenakshi and Kalban are challenged every step of their way to find the real murderer.
This was a good read as it kept me on my toes and even though I was able to catch certain hints here and there, I could not completely guess the ending. The story was well-crafted and each and every scene was set out to a T which I loved the most.
My rating - 3.5/5
May 14, 2021
Kalban and Meenakshi are back for another adventure after their experiences at the magical city of Madh. This time though the stakes are higher as Melucha is a far cry from Madh. A murder takes place even before Meenakshi can catch her breath and it is up to Kalban and Meenakshi to figure out what is going on. There are a number of suspects around, motives and opportunities galore. And then there is the mystery of scorpions… Could things be any more twisted?
This is my first time reading a book by Author Aditi Kumar and my first foray into the magical world created by her. Though I have not read The Magicians of Madh, the first book in the series, I had barely any trouble getting into the world as I picked up Murder In Madh. Did I wish I had read the first book before picking this one up? Yes. But did I have any trouble understanding the world, characters or setting without reading The Magicians of Madh? No. This book can be read as a standalone.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
This is my first time reading a book by Author Aditi Kumar and my first foray into the magical world created by her. Though I have not read The Magicians of Madh, the first book in the series, I had barely any trouble getting into the world as I picked up Murder In Madh. Did I wish I had read the first book before picking this one up? Yes. But did I have any trouble understanding the world, characters or setting without reading The Magicians of Madh? No. This book can be read as a standalone.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews