பட்டுக்கோட்டை பிரபாகரின் "குற்றச் சுரங்கம்"

ஒரு அரசியல்வாதி.

ஒரு உயர்நிலை போலீஸ் அதிகாரி.

இவர்களை மிரட்டும் ஒரு blackmailer.

முதலமைச்சருக்கு அடுத்த நிலையில் இருக்கும் அமைச்சருக்கும், ஒரு டி.ஐ.ஜிக்கும் மரணதேவன் என்ற நபரிடமிருந்து அழைப்பு வருகிறது. இருவரும் தங்கள் பதவியை விட்டு விலக வேண்டும் என்று காலக்கெடு விதிக்கும் அவன், அதை மீறினால் கொலை செய்வதாகவும் மிரட்டுகிறான்.

யார் இந்த மர்ம நபர்? இவர்கள் மூவரையும் இணைக்கும் புள்ளி எது?

ஒரு template revenge drama கதையாக இருந்தாலும், அதை present செய்யும் விதத்தில் விறுவிறுப்பு குறையாமல் கதை நகர்கிறது.

இந்நாவல் melodramatic ஆக மாறக்கூடிய பல இடங்களிலும் emotions-ஐ controlled-ஆக வைத்திருந்து, அதே சமயத்தில் வாசகரிடம் அதை சரியாகக் கடத்துவதும் சிறப்பு. குறிப்பாக, கதாபாத்திரங்களின் உணர்வுகளை அதிகப்படுத்தாமல், தேவையான இடங்களில் மட்டும் அழுத்தம் கொடுப்பது கதையின் flow-ஐ பாதிக்காமல் இருக்க உதவுகிறது.

இருவேறு timeline-களில் non-linear-ஆக எழுதப்பட்ட அத்தியாயங்கள், கதையின் suspense-ஐ தொடர்ந்து hold செய்கின்றன. Predictable ஆக இருந்தாலும், போதுமான drama இருப்பதால் தொய்வே இல்லாமல் பயணிக்கிறது பட்டுக்கோட்டை பிரபாகரின் இந்நாவல்.

Jason Kasper’s “The Spider Heist”

“The Spider Heist” is the first instalment in a series of heist thrillers by Jason Kasper.

Blair Morgan, a former FBI covert-entry specialist, finds her life in shambles after being used as a scapegoat and fired by her corrupt boss. She takes up a job as a waitress. When she is asked by Sterling, a stranger dining at the hotel, to go on a chance date with a bank employee, she agrees, driven by her circumstances. Towards the end of the date, she finds herself entangled in a bank heist planned by a small group of thieves who appear to be nothing more than amateurs.

This intriguing premise of a former FBI agent being held hostage during a bank heist sets the stage for a thrilling mix of intrigue, fun, and entertainment.

Once Sterling and his crew enter the bank, Blair begins to notice the unusual operating procedures they employ. When the Los Angeles police are alerted, they begin negotiations, appealing to the crew from outside the bank. Before the situation can escalate further, the FBI steps in. Jim, the FBI agent in charge of the hostage situation, identifies Blair to the media as one of the thieves - an unexpected blow to Blair’s already battered reputation.

The novel takes its time setting the stage for the crew’s getaway. With their escape plan kept firmly under wraps, the story maintains a steady pace, leaving us wondering what they have planned and how they intend to pull it off.

But when the FBI and police plan a break-in, the novel suddenly shifts into breakneck speed, taking us through a daring getaway across sprawling skyscrapers, followed by a high-speed chase.

Jason Kasper delivers a brilliant portrayal of Sterling’s heroics during the high-speed chase, packing the sequence with non-stop peril and keeping the tension relentlessly high. With police helicopters circling overhead and squad cars setting up roadblocks at every turn, the ensuing action is an absolute treat to read.

“The Spider Heist” is a high-on-action suspense thriller that is great fun, with a likeable group of thieves and their effortlessly daring attempts to escape.

“Rich Blood” by Robert Bailey

A personal injury lawyer, Jason Rich, who is just out of rehab for alcoholism. His estranged sister, Jana Waters, charged with the murder of her husband, Dr. Braxton Waters. A local drug lord who has been taking advantage of Jana to defer a payment she owes him and is now threatening her family. A handyman accusing Jana of being an accomplice to the murder. An ex-patient of Braxton, who lost a medical negligence case against him. Corrupt policemen. Affairs. Secrets.

A murder case with too many loose ends. And Jason, with no experience in criminal law, finds himself stepping into the case to defend his sister.

With such an intriguing premise, the novel seems to have all the ingredients of a compelling page-turner. But does it live up to its promise?

The biggest strength of the novel is its well-established cast of characters. Each character comes with a distinct personality, history and set of motivations, making the world of Rich Blood feel lived-in. This is perhaps intentional, as the novel also serves as the foundation for the Jason Rich series.

Touted as a legal thriller, the novel feels more like an investigative thriller, with relatively little courtroom drama. Nevertheless, the pre-trial investigation keeps the story moving at a rapid pace, with genuine twists and turns that are difficult to see coming. The mystery keeps unfolding at a steady clip, making it hard to put the book down.

However, once the story moves into the courtroom, the pace feels noticeably rushed. The events that follow seem to be wrapped up rather quickly, leaving the courtroom proceedings feeling less satisfying than the gripping investigation that precedes them.

The dual-twist ending feels forced and comes across as a letdown in an otherwise engaging thriller. After such a compelling build-up, the conclusion doesn’t quite deliver the payoff the novel seems to promise.

Harlan Coben’s “Fool Me Once”

Harlan Coben’s “Fool Me Once” revolves around Maya Stern, a military veteran whose career comes to an abrupt end after she blows up an SUV carrying civilians during a mission. When footage of the incident is leaked online by a whistleblower organization, her reputation is destroyed. But there is far more to the story than what the world has seen.

The novel opens with the funeral of Joe, Maya’s husband. He was murdered during what appeared to be a burglary gone wrong while he and Maya were taking a stroll through a park. But was it really just a random robbery? To make matters even more unsettling, Maya’s sister had also been murdered only a few months earlier in what was believed to be a home invasion. Were these two robberies merely tragic coincidences, or was there an unseen thread connecting them?

After the funeral, Maya’s close friend Eileen gifts her a digital photo frame with a hidden nanny cam, hoping it will help her keep an eye on her young daughter, Lily. Haunted by PTSD from the military incident, Maya finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life. She struggles to connect with Lily, who spends most of her time in the care of Isabella, the nanny.

She settles into this routine until one day, when she spots something strange and unsettling in the footage from the nanny cam. She sees Joe, her dead husband, playing with Lily. Did Joe fake his own murder? Is someone orchestrating an elaborate deception? Or is Maya’s trauma finally blurring the line between reality and illusion?

From that moment onward, Fool Me Once hurtles forward at a relentless pace, plunging the reader into a whirlwind of twists, secrets, and revelations.

As Maya begins digging into her sister’s murder, she uncovers the outlines of a conspiracy that may have cost her sister her life. What initially appears to be two unrelated tragedies slowly begins to unravel into something far more sinister, with each answer leading to even more unsettling questions.

While parts of the novel are fairly predictable, Harlan Coben keeps the pages turning with crisp pacing and a steady stream of revelations. Even when some twists can be anticipated, the suspense rarely lets up. The climactic revelation ties the various threads together and delivers a satisfying conclusion.

Barring a few moments where the characters make decisions that feel a little too convenient or implausible, “Fool Me Once” is a thoroughly engaging thriller.

“Lightning” by Dean Koontz

On a night marked by a freak lightning storm, a mysterious blond stranger intervenes at Laura Shane’s birth, preventing an inebriated doctor from delivering her. The complicated delivery claims her mother’s life, leaving Laura to be raised by her father, Bob Shane.

The same blond man reappears at crucial moments throughout Laura’s life, repeatedly saving her from danger. From the age of eight, she comes to regard him as her guardian angel.

Who is this mysterious guardian angel? How does he manage to appear whenever Laura finds herself in mortal danger? And why is he willing to commit murder to keep her alive?

Dean Koontz keeps the mystery under wraps while patiently developing Laura’s character. The life-threatening incidents are expertly staged, with the surrounding atmosphere and suspense heightening the tension in each encounter.

However, Koontz stretches the mystery a bit too far, causing the novel to lose momentum before the eventual revelation. While there is enough drama to keep the pages turning, the narrative relies heavily on this central knot.

The novel shifts gears once the time-travel element comes into play. Koontz builds an intriguing premise that links the sci-fi thriller to Nazi Germany, centering on a fictional plot involving Hitler’s attempt to rewrite the outcome of World War II.

But does the novel live up to this well-orchestrated, highly original premise?

Before the major revelation, Koontz entrusts Laura’s eight-year-old son, Chris, with unraveling the mystery behind the time-travel paradox. For a novel that otherwise takes its central mystery seriously, this development feels rather absurd.

After the major revelation, the novel settles into a familiar cat-and-mouse chase, losing some of the originality that defined its premise. Several scenes also feel implausible, requiring a greater suspension of disbelief than the story has earned.

Despite its flaws, the novel still works. It’s a leisurely, engaging read, though its mix of bold ideas and questionable execution may make it a hit or miss for some readers.

“From Raaja with Love” – A Breeze Through Chennai’s Scorching Heat

As a long-time admirer of his music, attending one of his live concerts had been on my bucket list since my college days. After years of waiting, I finally got the opportunity to witness Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja’s concert, “From Raaja With Love”, held in Chennai on 31st May 2026.

For someone who has grown up listening to his timeless compositions, this was more than just a concert—it was an opportunity to experience those melodies come alive on stage, performed by the Maestro himself.

Even before the concert began, while the final stage preparations for the grand event were still underway, the singers could be seen rehearsing their songs to perfection. Instruments were being tuned and sound-checked, and every now and then, the audience was treated to fleeting glimpses of the timeless masterpieces composed by the Maestro. Those brief moments were enough to heighten the anticipation for what promised to be a memorable evening.

The concert was hosted in an outdoor stadium, and as the evening progressed, the seats gradually began to fill up. At first glance, it appeared as though a significant number of tickets had remained unsold, despite online ticketing platforms displaying a “Sold Out” status weeks before the event. However, around 6:30 PM—the official start time of the event—the stadium transformed into a sea of eager music lovers, with scarcely an empty seat in sight.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

Amid thunderous cheers and a relentless chorus of whistles from the crowd, the Maestro made his entrance. Dressed in a pristine white kurta and traditional veshti, he appeared in the simple yet iconic style that has become synonymous with him over the decades. The roar that greeted him was unlike the frenzy often associated with celebrity appearances. Instead, it reflected something deeper—a collective expression of admiration, gratitude, and reverence from generations of fans whose lives had been touched by his music.

Without any instrumental prelude, the evening began with the Maestro’s voice gently resonating through the stadium. As the opening lyrics echoed across the venue, a sustained tanpura-like drone emerged in the background, creating an atmosphere of serenity and devotion. One by one, the accompanying instruments joined in, enriching the soundscape and building the anticipation. Thus began the concert in the most fitting way possible—with the timeless invocation, “Janani… Janani…”, a song that has become an enduring signature of Ilaiyaraaja’s live performances.

From that moment on, the music flowed seamlessly from one classic to another. The swaggering “Raja… Rajathi Rajanin Intha Raja”, the poignant “Annakili Unnai Theduthe”—the song from his debut film that beautifully captures the ache of longing—and the unbridled, explosive energy of “Madai Thiranthu” kept the audience enthralled.

Then came the banger. With its fast-paced violin rhythm instantly recognized by the audience, the celebratory and exuberant “Rakkama Kaiya Thattu” had the crowd snapping their fingers and tapping their feet throughout the song. The audacious placement of “Kunitha Puruvamum” from the Thevaram in an otherwise spirited composition felt fresh even today, after 36 long years—a testament to the Maestro’s creativity and easily my favourite pick from the concert.

The trailer launches that took place midway through the concert slightly disrupted its flow and extended the overall duration of the event. There was also some disappointment among the audience as a few songs were cut short, most notably the recent sensation “Vazhi Neduga”.

The majestic and timeless “Raja Raja Chozhan Naan”, the haunting “Oru Jeevan”, and the rustic, soulful “Shenbagame” were among the other standout performances of the evening. The concert concluded on a high note with “En Jodi”, one of the few songs that had the audience up on their feet, singing and dancing along till the very end.

What truly stood out was the sheer effort involved in bringing these compositions to life on stage. Unlike many contemporary concerts that rely heavily on programmed music, this performance showcased live orchestration at its finest. At 82 years of age, Ilaiyaraaja remained on his feet for almost the entire concert, meticulously guiding the orchestra, cueing musicians, and even correcting mistakes when needed—a remarkable display of dedication to his craft.

What began with a 20-kilometre journey and nearly three hours of waiting eventually turned into an unforgettable evening—one filled with nostalgia, timeless melodies, and the magic that only Ilaiyaraaja’s music can create.

Thank you for the music, the memories, and the countless emotions woven into your compositions over the decades.

Happy Birthday, Isaignani!

சுபாவின் "கம்பிகளுக்குப் பின்னே"

எழுத்தாளர்கள் சுரேஷ்-பாலகிருஷ்ணன் இருவரும் “சுபா” எனும் புனைப்பெயரில் நாவல்களும், திரைப்பட திரைக்கதை மற்றும் வசனங்களும் எழுதியுள்ளனர். அயன், கோ, தனி ஒருவன் போன்ற ஹிட் திரைப்படங்களில் பணியாற்றியுள்ளனர்.

சுபாவின் “கம்பிகளுக்குப் பின்னே” ஒரு template murder mystery நாவல். ஒரு நீதிபதி, ஒரு இன்ஸ்பெக்டர், ஒரு மருத்துவர் - அடுத்தடுத்து நடக்கும் மூன்று கொலைகள். மூன்று கொலைகளும் தனித்தனி சம்பவங்களா? இல்லை தொடர்புடையனவா? சுபாவின் very own Sherlock Holmes “நரேன்” மீண்டும் தோன்றும் மற்றுமொரு மர்ம நாவல்.

இந்நாவலில் வரும் crime scene-களின் வர்ணனை staging and detailing உடன் மிக நுட்பமாக அமைகிறது. Action, suspense, romance என ஒரு கமர்ஷியல் கலவையாக பயணிக்கிறது. இறுதி பக்கம் வரை நாவலின் suspense தொடர்கிறது. ஆனால் அதை தொடர்ந்து வரும் twist just touch and go.

நாவலில் இடம்பெறும் சென்னையின் வர்ணனை சமகால நிகழ்வுகளை பதிவு செய்தாலும் திருவல்லிக்கேணி, மைலாப்பூர் வர்ணனைக்கும் - சைதாப்பேட்டை வர்ணனைக்கும் உள்ள வேறுபாடு தான் stereotyping. இதைத் தான் தமிழ் சினிமா தற்சமயம் மாற்றி வருகிறது.

இந்த குறைகளை மீறி சுபாவின் “கம்பிகளுக்குப் பின்னே” ஒரு entertaining and engaging murder mystery with all commercial ingredients!