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!

ராஜேஷ்குமாரின் "கடைசி தீக்குச்சி"

ராஜேஷ்குமாரின் “கடைசி தீக்குச்சி” ஒரு bio-medical thriller ஆகத் தொடங்குகிறது. ஆரம்பக் காட்சியே அட்டகாசமாக stage செய்யப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. போலீஸ் checkpost-ஐ உடைத்துக்கொண்டு செல்லும் ஒரு van-ஐ போலீசார் துரத்திப் பிடித்து, அதைத் திறந்து, கடத்தப்பட்டது என்னவென்று பார்க்கும் காட்சி பரபரப்பாகவும், எதிர்பாராத முடிவுடனும் அமைகிறது.

அதிலிருந்து அடுத்தடுத்த அத்தியாயங்களில் பரபரப்புக்கு குறைவில்லாமல் நாவல் பயணித்தாலும், முதல் காட்சி மட்டுமே ஆழமான தாக்கத்தை அளிக்கிறது. கதையில் ஏகப்பட்ட twists and turns—சில பொருத்தமானவை, பல கடமைக்காக. 

Bio-medical thriller ஆகத் தன்னை identify செய்து கொண்டாலும், நாவல் பெரும்பாலும் Bio tech company ஒன்றில் நடக்கும் serial murders பற்றிய investigative thriller/murder mystery ஆகவே நகர்கிறது. சில இடங்களில் continuity gaps, பல இடங்களில் over-stressing என glaring குறைகளும் உண்டு.

மொத்தத்தில், ஒரு passable read!

Michael Connelly’s “The Lincoln Lawyer”

Michael Haller, a criminal defence attorney is a cynical yet rational lawyer who operates out of the back of his Lincoln town car. He had always feared he wouldn’t recognise innocence one day when it stood right in front of him. That time comes when he lands on a case of aggravated assault and attempted murder defending a wealthy realtor, Louis Roulet. Though the case looks like a slam dunk case for the prosecution, Haller finds a glimmer of a hope on further discovery to save his client. He throws the case wide open only to find himself at crossroads where he can save only one of his two clients.

With legal complications mounting, ethical obligations to be upheld and his own life at stake, will the Lincoln lawyer find a way out of this conflict of interest? Michael Haller, as a charismatic attorney with a blunt candour and an emotionally vulnerable father to his estranged daughter is a well written character. There are equally important well etched characters that come along.

An interesting premise and a seamless chain of events that ensue with a banger of a twist at half way through the novel makes this a gripping read. A point of no return with a brilliantly written courtroom drama in the second half finishes this novel on a high.

Highly recommended !!

சென் பாலனின் "பரங்கிமலை இரயில் நிலையம்"

சென் பாலனின் "பரங்கிமலை இரயில் நிலையம்" ஒரு இரயில் நிலைய மரணத்தைச் சுற்றி நடக்கும் investigation drama. பரங்கிமலை இரயில் நிலையத்தில் மின்தொடர் வண்டியிலிருந்து தவறி தண்டவாள சுற்றுச் சுவரில் இடித்து ஒரு பள்ளி மாணவன் இறக்கிறான். வழக்கமாக இரயில்வே போலீஸ் விசாரிக்கும் இந்த கேஸை விசாரிக்க மாநில குற்றத் தடுப்பு பிரிவிலிருந்து detective கார்த்திக் அல்டோ வருகிறார். அவரிடம் CCTV காட்சி ஒன்று காட்டப்படுகிறது. அதனை கண்டவுடன் அல்டோவிற்கு இந்த கேஸின் தீவிரம் புலப்படுகிறது - காரணம் - மாணவன் இறப்பதற்கு முன்பு அவனை ஷு அணிந்த கால் ஒன்று இடுப்பில் வலுவாக உதைத்திருந்தது. 

Template murder mystery எனினும் கொலையை stage செய்ய இரயிலை தேர்ந்தெடுத்ததால் diverse suspects - confined space என ஒரு interesting whodunit ஆக பயணிக்க எல்லா அம்சங்களும் அமையப் பெற்று தொடங்குகிறது இந்நாவல். விறுவிறுப்பான கதை நகர்வு, இறுதியில் வரும் revelation, கதையினூடே உரையாடல்களில் இடம்பெரும் அரசியல் நையாண்டி ஆகியவை plus. ஓரிரு அத்தியாயங்களின் ஆரம்பத்தில் வரும் trivia giveaway ஆக அமைவது minus.

இது நான் வாசித்த சென் பாலனின் முதல் நாவல். A passable read with no disappointments.

“The Perfect Son” by Freida McFadden

Erika Cass, a mother of two, confesses to murder in a police investigation. Who was the victim? Was she the real murderer or was she covering her son Liam? Only Erika knows her son’s hidden sociopathic tendencies and what her son is capable of. “The Perfect Son” wastes no time and moves straight into the narrative with this prologue. 

Liam takes interest in a girl from his class and when Erika learns about it, she knows it is going to be trouble. But, before she could react, the girl goes missing and Liam is the last person to see her alive. The novel explores the theme of sociopath vs psychopath with this premise with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. 

With limited characters, Freida McFadden builds up the suspense in a manner that the novel sustains the momentum until the very end. Though we foresee the twist at the end, the pace at which the narrative unfolds makes us oversee this shortcoming. The novel is strewn with plot deflections which add to the mystery quotient but the novel never goes off track into the sidetracks. The multiple POV narrative makes the novel even more interesting with consistent high points.

Reminiscent of her previous novels, “The Perfect Son” also survives on the shock value with unsettling themes. Nevertheless, a worthy read!

“1st to Die” by James Patterson

James Patterson’s “1st to Die” is the first in his Women’s murder club series. Lindsay, a detective in pursuit of a serial killer brings together three other women - forensic expert, an amateur journalist and an assistant district attorney to solve the crime. Though they are from different fields and are aspiring to excel in their respective careers, they have one thing in common - a woman in a male dominated profession. As the ongoing procedural investigation is heading nowhere with their condescending, credit-stealing male bosses around, they decide to meet every now and then to crack open the case and identify the killer.

A series of double murders shock the city as honeymooners get killed soon after their wedding. The killer leaves behind explicit clues to keep the police on the run and is always one step ahead planning and plotting the most sickening nature of crimes. The killer proves elusive as the women search for the missing link between the killings that take place. The protagonist Lindsay, fighting her own battle with health issues is bent upon finding the killer and the motive behind the murders. 

James Patterson

The novel wastes no time and the solid premise catapults the novel into an intriguing suspense. The women’s murder club tracks down the most terrifying and unexpected killer half way through the novel only to stumble upon a shocking revelation that proves their judgement entirely wrong. Can they bounce back from this major setback? Until this point, the novel is brilliantly written with enough suspense to keep it going and enough twists that give a genuine thrill. The novel becomes a tad too predictable after the mid-point though it doesn’t get boring. It surprisingly keeps us engrossed until the very end.

The women getting together and bonding with each other is somewhat rushed. Due to this, the other primary female characters sans Lindsay’s are shallow. The logic takes a hit at a few places especially with the health condition of Lindsay after the midpoint. Despite these shortcomings, the novel still keeps us enthralled until the very end with convincing twists only to throw us off guard with an unnecessary epilogue. The twist in the epilogue is a big letdown in an otherwise brilliantly written novel. Highly recommended!

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. 

ராஜேஷ்குமாரின் "மின்னலாய் வா விவேக்"

ராஜேஷ்குமாரின் விவேக்-விஷ்ணு துப்பறியும் நாவல்கள் வரிசையில் மற்றுமொரு investigative thriller "மின்னலாய் வா விவேக்". உளவுத்துறை டைரக்டரைத் தேடி உளவுத்துறை அலுவலகத்தினுள் நுழையும் ஒரு பெண் நிருபர், அவரை சந்திக்கும் முன் poison செய்யப்படுகிறாள். அவள் இறக்கும் தருவாயில் சில எழுத்துக்களை சொல்லிவிட்டு மடிகிறாள். அதே சமயத்தில் இன்னொரு கர்ப்பிணிப் பெண்ணை கொலை செய்ய பலமுறை முயற்சி செய்கிறார்கள். இருவருக்கும் என்ன சம்பந்தம், இந்த கொலை முயற்சிகளுக்கு காரணம் என்ன என்பதை விவேக் - விஷ்ணு துப்பறிய முயல்கின்றனர். இன்னொரு உயிர் பலியாவதற்குள் கொலையாளி அடையாளம் காணப்படுவானா?

Rajeshkumar

Murder mystery ஆக துவங்கும் இந்நாவல் ஒரு conspiracy thriller ஆக மாறுகிறது. இறந்து போன பெண் நிருபர் உச்சரித்த எழுத்துகளின் பின்னணியில் உள்ள மர்மத்தை, ஒரு wafer thin suspense-ஐ வைத்து கதை நகர்கிறது. இதை சுற்றி பல திருப்பங்கள் இருந்தும் கதை consistent high points இல்லாமல் flat ஆக பயணிக்கிறது. நாவலின் நடுவே வரும் tidbits போன்ற சம்பந்தமில்லா செய்திகள் கதையின் வேகத்தை மேலும் குறைக்கின்றன. மேலும் தீவிரவாதம், பாக்கிஸ்தான் அமைப்பின் சதி என stereotyping நாவல் நெடுக பரவியிருக்கிறது.

ராஜேஷ்குமாரின் "மின்னலாய் வா விவேக்" தலைப்புக்கு நியாயம் செய்யாத ஒரு mediocre attempt.

“Thirteen” by Steve Cavanagh

“Thirteen” by Steve Cavanagh is another legal thriller in the Eddie Flynn series. Bobby, a rising Hollywood star is accused of murdering his wife Ariella and his chief of security. Ariella, also being an actress, the murder trial is high-profile and has enough media attention. With all evidence stacked up against Bobby, a con-man turned lawyer Eddie Flynn is pulled in as the defense attorney. As Eddie starts investigating along with his ex-FBI friend, they uncover the possibility of a serial killer being linked to the murder. 

A serial killer infiltrating the jury in the murder trial to watch the proceedings against a man he framed - this is one hell of a premise!

The novel has consistent high points keeping the readers guessing. With genuine twists revealed at the right time, the novel is fast paced. The final twist about the serial killer’s connections is the only one that doesn’t fit well. The narration with dual perspectives from the protagonist and from the antagonist makes it even more gripping. 

Eddie’s character as a street smart lawyer who carries some burden of guilt from his past and at the same time yearns for a future with his wife and daughter is well etched. The serial killer’s motive behind the killings and his manipulative moves against FBI to be always one step ahead and eluding capture are brilliantly portrayed. 

Steve Cavanagh

An intriguing legal thriller with a novel premise that never dips in pace! Highly recommended!

Agatha Christie’s “Hickory Dickory Dock”

“Hickory Dickory Dock” is another murder mystery from Agatha Christie. Detective Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s very own Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance in this mystery novel that is a cozy murder mystery set in a hostel on Hickory Road, London. Other than the name of the lane, the novel has no connection with the children’s rhyme, something unexpected from Agatha Christie. The novel starts off with a series of petty thefts that happen inside the hostel which seem trivial. But, Hercule Poirot and his obsession with order and method interests him in these absurd “disappearances”. He senses there is something more serious behind these thefts, will he be able to crack it before it is too late?

The novel starts off slow, but gains pace once a murder happens at the hostel. The police investigation and Poirot’s conversation with the students bottles up the suspense that keeps the readers engrossed. There are certain racial and political stereotypes, considering the novel was written in 1950s. Though the novel has the Poirot brand, this novel does not have the usual psychological angle to the investigation which Poirot believes in. The overwhelming list of characters and their diverse backgrounds are at times difficult to track and needs keen attention. 

Agatha Christie

The climax is underwhelming, there is not much logical explanation around Poirot’s inference of the murderer from the list of suspects. Though the twist in the end is unexpected, the missing rationale behind how Poirot jumps to conclusions that turn out to be true and “Poirot just knows!” act is out of character for Hercule Poirot. There are a few sparks of brilliance in this murder mystery, but that isn’t enough to keep up the Poirot brand!

"Misjudged" by James Chandler

In a small town of Wyoming... Emily, a divorce attorney is brutally murdered... Tommy, an ex- marine who was her client is charged with murder going by prima facie evidence... Polson, a honest detective who overlooks an evidence before making the arrest, later tries hard to get a fair trial for the defendant... Sam Johnstone, a disabled veteran suffering from PTSD decides to appear as the defense attorney... Ann Fulks, the prosecution attorney taking up her first murder trial, is desperate to get a conviction to boost up her career... Judge Daniels, at the verge of his retirement expects the case to be an open and shut one without any complications... A member of the jury is talking about the proceedings outside the court to a person who can be a suspect in this case too... 

With this interesting premise and well etched characters, does "Misjudged" manage to keep the readers hooked?

The novel introduces the primary characters with legal proceedings happening in the background. Though the idea is to introduce the nature of the characters and how the judiciary is run in the small town of Wyoming, the novel takes too much time dwelling into unrelated petty cases. But, once the stage is set for the murder trial, the novel picks up pace with some interesting courtroom moments and legal proceedings. The twists keep coming as the forensic evidence adds to more mysteries and some information is withheld from the defense due to the local politics. 

James Chandler

James Chandler builds up a brilliant legal thriller around the solid premise that is engaging for the most part. Though there are some loose ends, the novel is a decent thriller that has consistent high points and a convincing climax. 

சுஜாதாவின் "மீண்டும் ஒரு குற்றம்"

சுஜாதாவின் "மீண்டும் ஒரு குற்றம்" வழக்கறிஞர்கள் கணேஷ்-வசந்த் duo தோன்றும் மற்றுமொரு murder mystery. பிரபல தொழிலதிபர் சிவப்பிரகாசம் என்பவர் கணேஷை தொலைப்பேசியில் அழைத்து தன்னைக் கொலை செய்ய சதி நடக்கிறது எனக் கூறி அவனது உதவியை நாடுகிறார், அரை மணி நேரத்துக்குள் தன்னை வந்து சந்திக்குமாறும் வற்புறுத்துகிறார். கணேஷ்-வசந்த் அங்கே சென்றடைவதற்குள் அவர் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டுக் கிடக்கிறார். தொழில் விரோதம், குடும்பச் சிக்கல், சொத்துரிமை தகராறு என பல குழப்பங்களுக்கு நடுவில் கணேஷ்-வசந்த் இருவரின் investigation துவங்குகிறது. 

ஒரு template murder mystery ஆக துவங்கும் இந்நாவல் ஒரு investigation drama-வாக மாறி பயணிக்கிறது. ஆனால் ஒரு மர்ம நாவலுக்கு தேவையான பரபரப்பு குறைவே. நாவல் நெடுக வரும் ஆபாச வசனங்கள் சாதிப்பது “objectifying women” மட்டுமே, கதையின் ஓட்டத்துக்கு எந்தவித தொடர்பும் இல்லை. ஆங்காங்கே அமையும் அரசியல் வசனங்களில் சுஜாதாவின் ideological stance வெளிப்படுகிறது. 

நாவலின் நீளம் குறைவானதாக இருப்பது சாதகமாக அமைகிறது. எனினும் இந்நாவல் புதிதாக ஏதும் வழங்காத ஒரு highly predictable, done and dusted murder mystery. 

“Never Lie” by Freida McFadden

“Never Lie” from Freida McFadden, the author of “The Housemaid” series is a standalone psychological thriller that is set in a deserted manor. Tricia and Ethan, newlyweds decide to visit a manor they are interested in buying. The manor is huge and is situated in a secluded place that is cutoff from the city. The real estate agent who was supposed to show them around doesn’t turn up and it starts to snow heavily when they reach the place. They are stuck in a blizzard and forced to stay in the manor. 

They come to know that the house was previously owned by Dr.Hale, a psychiatrist who went missing few years back. There are also rumours that she was murdered by her boyfriend. Tricia accidentally stumbles upon a secret room full of tapes containing the recordings of patients of Dr.Hale. As she starts listening to the tapes, she learns about the chain of events that lead up to the mysterious disappearance of Dr.Hale. With this solid premise, does “Never Lie” live up to the hype?

The novel starts off with a striking resemblance to Alice Feeney’s “Rock Paper Scissors”. Most of the action happens inside the manor and the interesting sequence of events told in a non-linear fashion sets up a brilliant cozy mystery. The different POVs of the primary characters keeps the novel moving, but the novel picks up rapid pace once the mysteries start to unravel in the second half. Everyone holds a secret and tries to protect it no matter what. The events unfurl in a seamless fashion and keeps us guessing until the climactic end. There are few instances where the happenings are logically unsatisfying but that doesn’t reduce the tension building up. Despite some logical flaws, this novel is intriguing and has some genuine twists!

Stephen King’s “Mr. Mercedes”

“Mr. Mercedes” is the first of the Bill Hodges trilogy written by Stephen King. Bill Hodges, a retired detective contemplating suicide is pitted against a psychotic killer in a cat and mouse game in this crime thriller. 

The Mercedes killer is “the one that got away” in one of the cases Bill was formerly in charge of - a madman riding a Mercedes runs over a group of job seekers waiting outside a job fair on a foggy morning killing eight and injuring many more. The killer contacts Bill by sending him a letter and inviting him for a chat in a mysterious website. Bill comes out of his suicidal ideation and is bent upon catching this killer who has proved elusive before. 

The killer with his traumatic childhood and an unsettling and complicated relationship with his mother is one intricately written character. On the other hand, Bill Hodges as a retired cop starts off as a well written character but falls flat as the usual over-ambitious detective of mystery novels often driven by personal revenge. Holly as a socially awkward, mentally unstable middle aged woman shines towards the very end especially when the character tries to get into the mind of the Mercedes killer with deductions from her own condition. 

The exchange of messages between Bill and the killer is brilliantly written with enough suspense that keeps us guessing. There are flaws in the way the relationship between the characters are handled and it brings down the grounded nature of this novel. The novel never dips in pace and the scenes unfold seamlessly proving yet again that Stephen King is a master storyteller. 

Hoping the next in this series is even better!

“The Pelican Brief” by John Grisham

“The Pelican Brief” is a mystery novel that revolves around the murders of two Supreme Court justices who were either liberal or democratic or environmentalists. There are two possibilities behind the murders - a revenge for a case in the past that these judges were part of (or) a precautionary act to eliminate their voting on a case that is yet to be handled by the Supreme Court. Which one is it? 

A young law student Darby Shaw hunts all cases from the past that might link the two Supreme Court justices but fails to find a compelling case. She finds a case that is a long shot, writes a legal brief on it and almost decides to discard it. When the brief circulates around in the circles of FBI and the White House, she is in grave danger of getting killed and she is forced to run for her life. Her legal brief which was a shot in the dark had threatening implications in the inner sanctum of the White House.

While she is on the run, she calls up a reporter who goes to any extent and even resorts to sleazy ways to break a shocking news to the world. She dictates to him how she wants to approach the story and its verification before he breaks the story to the world. They both start digging the truth only to realise that there is an even bigger conspiracy. 

The novel is propulsive and page turning.  Though the plot solely rests on the suspense behind the legal brief, the novel is able to keep up the suspense until the very end without losing its steam. The overwhelming list of characters might need a track, despite that the novel is fairly engaging and easy to comprehend.

Another John Grisham masterpiece in the legal thriller genre!

“The Sky is Falling” by Sidney Sheldon

Dana Evans, an investigative journalist returns from Sarajevo with an armless kid Kemal whom she rescued while covering the war there. While both Dana and Kemal suffer from post war trauma, Dana tries her best to make Kemal feel at home. Jeff, her boyfriend turned fiancé works at the same studio. Just before their marriage, Jeff and Dana are forced to travel away from each other - Dana for work, Jeff to meet his ex-wife with whom the relationship is little complicated. 

Dana starts to investigate the deaths in the Winthrop’s family, a royal family in the US. The suspicious deaths of all the members from the same family in less than a year have many mysteries to be unearthed and Dana is bent upon to uncover them. While Dana is in determined pursuit to find the motive behind the killings, she finds every witness in danger and that there is even bigger conspiracy behind the murders. 

The novel wastes no time in getting to the premise and is well paced all along. The novel has an overwhelming list of characters that guarantees enough action and drama, but there are few characters which don’t add much to the storyline. The novel stays predictable at many places but the pace doesn’t dip. There is no emotional connect with most of the central characters. But, the complicated relationship between Jeff and his ex-wife stands out as a beautiful portrayal - a big plus to the novel. 

This Sidney Sheldon novel is a template murder mystery with additional ingredients that make it a timepass!

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins is a mystery novel that revolves around three central female characters - Anna, Megan and Rachel whose lives are intertwined with jealousy, betrayal and contempt. 

Rachel, an alcoholic who is unable to cope up with her failed marriage takes the train in and out of London everyday and notices the lives of people living along the tracks when the train stops at the signal. She begins to notice a happy couple and builds an imaginary world about them in her mind. But, she notices something off one day and that changes everything she had imagined. She realises that she knows too much about the couple only when the lady in the house goes missing one Saturday night. To top that, she was in the same street that night but she is not able to remember anything that happened as she was drunk. Does she have any connect with the disappearance of the lady? Did she notice anything odd that would be of importance in the ongoing investigation? Is she responsible in anyway for what happened?

The novel is a slow-burn thriller that takes time to build up the suspense, but it gives a feeling something bad is going to happen until the point when it actually happens. The non-linear narrative is confusing at times with the timelines going back and forth, narrated by three different women. But, the novel stays focused and doesn't deviate much holding the attention of the readers all through.

Though the novel becomes predictable towards the end, the intense scenes, the backstory of each character, the justification behind their actions, the uninterrupted flow of events in this unsettling thriller make it a compelling read. 

Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

Fifty-fifty starts off as a murder mystery with two sisters on trial, each accusing the other for the gruesome murder of their father, a millionaire. 

In a male dominated profession, a young female lawyer Kate Brooks who is part of an established firm is forced to stand against the firm after being subjected to harassment. She represents Alexandra, one of the sisters and is convinced that her client is innocent. An ex-con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn represents Sofia, the other sister and believes in her innocence. The prosecutor Dreyer convinces the judge to have a joint trial for both the sisters which means Eddie will be pitted against Kate with a possibility that either one or both the sisters will be convicted at the end of the trial. 

The novel starting off as a murder mystery is tense and has enough elements to sustain the suspense, but the brilliant courtroom drama that ensues is what makes this novel a compelling thriller. With a steady pace, the novel piques the reader’s interest with enough high points. The readers are kept guessing with their suspicion oscillating from one sister to another as events unfold in this taut legal thriller.

A plot that stands out from template murder mysteries, the intense courtroom drama and a convincing climax makes this novel gripping!