Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”

Agatha Christie’s debut novel “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is a murder mystery that introduces fictional detective Hercule Poirot, her very own Sherlock Holmes. A wealthy lady gets murdered in her manor at Styles and all evidence points to her husband Alfred. Was the murder premeditated or crime of passion? When there are more suspects within the household who could benefit out of the demise of Emily, was Albert the real murderer? 

The novel starts off as a template cozy murder mystery until Hercules Poirot arrives at the scene to investigate. The novel stands out in Agatha Christie’s brilliant staging of the crime scene and her intricate detailing of the evidence discovered at the crime scene. With the suspicion shifting from one member to another in the household, the novel develops into a slow burn whodunit with time, setting and atmosphere playing a pivotal role in finding the murderer. 

The detailing in the novel demands a close follow up of the happenings which might be confusing at times. But, the author makes an attempt to revisit and comprehend the ongoing investigation then and there, so that the readers don’t lose track. Though the novel progresses at a measured pace, there is enough drama to keep the readers engrossed.

A slow burn whodunit that stands out for the staging of the crime scene and the ensuing investigation! Highly recommended!

“The Inmate” by Freida McFadden

Freida McFadden’s “The Inmate” is a psychological thriller that revolves around Brooke Sullivan, a nurse practitioner appointed in the medical ward of a prison where she is forced to revisit her traumatic past when she encounters an inmate. The inmate Shane Nelson against whom Brooke testified in court is in prison for a series of murders involving their friends and school mates. When she meets Shane in prison after ten long years, she is forced to relive the one incident which she had had nightmares about over the past many years. But, was there something amiss in her testimony against Shane? Is Shane the real killer? 

The novel starts off with this interesting premise and travels back and forth in the timeline with non-linear narration. The twists keep coming every now and then, but the novel is tad too predictable for the most part. The novel solely rests on the mystery of that one incident which the author somehow manages to keep it under wraps until the very end. But, the unravelling of mystery is not set up in stages. The twist at the end throws us off guard but doesn’t settle well mainly because there is no strong backstory or establishment anywhere in the novel to justify it. 

With a weak protagonist who is dumb more than naive, a wafer thin suspense and a force fitted climax, this novel doesn’t hit the right chord! 

"சுபா"வின் "இரவோடு இரவாக"

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

இவர்களது "இரவோடு இரவாக" ஒரு serial murder mystery ஆக ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. கிழக்கு கடற்கரை சாலையில் இளம்பெண்கள் அடுத்தடுத்து கொடூரமான முறையில் கொல்லப்படுகின்றனர். இவர்கள் சமீபத்தில் தான் காதலிக்க ஆரம்பித்திருக்கிறார்கள். கொல்லப்பட்ட பெண்கள் அனைவரின் தந்தையும் அரசு அதிகாரியாகவோ, மந்திரியாகவோ இருக்கின்றனர். இந்த தொடர் கொலைகளில் ஒரு pattern and signature இருப்பதால் போலீஸ் ஒரு serial killer-ஐ தேடுகின்றனர்.

 

சுபாவின் detective duo நரேந்திரன் - வைஜயந்தி இந்த investigation-ல் involve ஆகும் சூழல் ஏற்படுகிறது. இவர்கள் தேடுவது ஒரு psycho கொலைகாரனா? அடுத்த கொலை நிகழும் முன் அவனது mask அவிழுமா? இப்படி ஒரு template serial murder mystery ஆக இந்நாவல் நகர்ந்தும், அதன் treatment-ல் பரபரப்புக்கு பஞ்சமில்லை. ஆங்காங்கே சில twists திணிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தாலும், வேகம் குறையாமல் கதை நகர்கிறது. 

Pre-climaxல் கதையின் ஓட்டத்தை வைத்து வலுவான backstory இல்லாத சாதாரண mystery நாவலென brand செய்வதற்குள் climaxல் வரும் எதிர்பாராத convincing twist நாவலை காப்பாற்றுகிறது. Cheesy scenes-ஐ தவிர்த்து ஒரு good mystery novel. 

“Rage of Angels” by Sidney Sheldon

“Rage of Angels” is an epic saga that revolves around Jennifer Parker’s journey from a nervous and amateur lawyer fresh out of law school to the most sought after defense attorney. The novel starts off with Jennifer being setup in an act of intimidation of the key witness in a trial against a ruthless mafia kingpin Mike Moretti. With the case being the talk of the town, Jennifer’s career comes crashing down before it even kicked off. 

The novel doesn’t waste time and plunges into a captivating narrative right from the first page. The state prosecutor in Mike Moretti’s case holds a grudge against her for blowing off an airtight case he had put up. Jennifer struggles to find her ground in the profession she wanted to shine in. 

From then on, the novel shifts into a series of tense courtroom episodes that are nothing short of brilliance. There is also a poignant love story in between involving Jennifer and Adam, an attorney who might run for senator and eventually the president of United States. Meanwhile, Moretti also watches the growing success of Jennifer, a fierce, street-smart and independent woman. 

Sidney Sheldon yet again proves that he is a master story teller. The novel stands out in not portraying the actions of the protagonists and key characters against any moral yardstick. The  characters have their own flaws and sometimes repent for their actions and Sidney never keeps them within moral boundaries which brings out the human nature. Though the novel has some redundant courtroom scenes that deviate from the main plot, the novel stays afloat with interesting twists even in the subplots. The climax falls flat in an otherwise engrossing thriller.

A tale of romance and betrayal, a tale of animosity and revenge, a tale of unimaginable power and authority - all three intertwine in this novel to make it a compelling page turner!