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When I first got to hear about Ashwin Sanghi teaming up with James Patterson to write this book, I had my doubts. I've read two of Ashwin Sanghi's books and needless to say, I wasn't a big fan. However, I had read and heard a lot of good reviews about James Patterson's work. I was a bit apprehensive about both these authors teaming up to write a crime thriller.
While James Patterson is renowned (and might I add, excels) in this genre, Ashwin Sanghi is known to lean more towards mythology and history in his stories.
However, this book turned out to be a pleasant surprise and I am mighty glad that I did read it.
Private India is India’s biggest detective agency, a branch of Private Worldwide, run by Jack Morgan. Santosh Wagh heads Private India, though in this story, Jack Morgan does make a few appearances in the story and does have a substantial role to play thanks to the beautifully executed plot.
Thai surgeon Kanya Jaiyen is killed in mysterious circumstances at the Marine Bay Plaza, Private India gets to the scene first since they have a tie-up with all Marine Bay Plaza's across the world. The Mumbai Police being overworked and backlogged with work are more than happy to hand over the investigation of the case to Private India.
Followed by the murder of the Thai surgeon, a journalist, a school head mistress, a politician and the Chief Justice of the Mumbai high court are also murdered on consecutive days. The culprit however leaves behind two common clues, a yellow scarf, a strand of hair and each murder has different religious and cultural items left with the body at the site of the crime. While these props were good enough to distract the police as well as the agents employed with 'Private India', I did enjoy the research done for involving history and mythology and associate it with the crimes committed.
As the bodies keep piling up all across Mumbai, it becomes evident to Private India and its agents that there is a serial killer on the prowl, however they are unsure about what his motive is behind the killings.
Like any good thriller, the plot has various people from different walks of life linked together with a past not worthy boasting of. With the story being based in Mumbai, one comes across familiar names like the Taj Hotel, Haji Ali, Cooper Hospital just to name a few. The deviation into the sub plot includes the Mumbai mafia & the ISI.
Private India does not realise what awaits them with the ISI trying to destroy their only office in Mumbai.
While the story doesn't reveal the culprit too soon, it does give you its moments to doubt the characters who are alive and involved with the case. Ashwin Sanghi seems to have done a fantastic job at throwing in a few red herrings from time to time, enough to keep you hooked till the end.
What I absolutely loved about the book is the detailing of each character's background. It isn't a history lesson of each character, it is brief and just enough for you to take a peek into the character's past.
While you do get a 'Mumbai Darshan' while reading the book, the story has its bit of tinsel town moments. Barring the touch of bollywood, the book is fast paced and definitely a page turner.
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