Book Review : Curse of The Red Soil

Book Review : Curse of The Red Soil

Curse of The Red Soil is written by Durgesh Shastri who is a Computer Networks Engineer, currently working as an Asst. Professor in GNDEC, Bidar, Karnataka which is also the place where all actions are happening in this book. I have received this book being the winner at Blog-A-Ton for my post It Was Just A Dream. This book is published by Red Ink Publishers and belongs to the thriller genre. 

Cover : Cover shows a newspaper page with the book title as headline and a story about missing Bidar Statue with image of that statue. I will not rate it as a brilliant sort of cover as it fails to ignite the curiosity about the story inside but yes it mystifies the things inside.

Plot : Aradhyaa and Suhasini returns to their hometown Bidar in Karnataka after completing their engineering in Bangalore. Before the end of the last year in college Aradhaya has also confessed her love for Sachit who thus accompanied her to the railway station with his best friend Ritesh when she was going to Bidar. Aradhaya was disturbed with a dream about her maid Manorama whom she hasn't seen in last four years. In order to inquire about her she visits her family where she knew about her father's linkup with Manorama,  Pratap, Manorama's brother also believed that her father Vaikunth Patil has killed her and stopped them to registered any case with use of her power. Sachit and Ritesh also came to Bidar to investigate his fathers involvement in all this. This investigation not only strengthen love bond between Sachit and Aradhaya but also brought Ritesh and Sachit to Jail. Aradhaya's love, her trust on her father whom he also find involved in smuggling of antics from Bidar fort, her friendship, her past all is at stake in this express ride.

Thriller : I like the way author has used flashbacks, the description of previous scenes in thoughts of the character have maintained thrill and excitement in the narrative. Detail information about Bidar's history, geography, archaeological sites, etc creates involvement of reader in the narrative. You keep guessing what's coming next which is a good thing for this genre. Although the book is a thriller , romantic scenes are also narrated appropriately. Simple language adds a cherry to the cake.

Spoiler : I don't have much complains about this book except the end. The revelations in the end is a surprise element which is fine but the climax before that lacks emotional value looking at the relationships of the character involved in that scene. That could be done differently and could be much better.

Verdict : A fast paced thriller with emotional backing and a fantastic narration is a must read for everyone.

Rating : I would give it 4.5/5. 

 

The Masked Killer - Part 2

The Masked Killer - Part 2

For first part : Click Here 

A pizza delivery boy reported the incident to the police.  Sangita was unconscious with wounds on her forehead when they brought her to hospital. Girish meanwhile telephoned her husband about the incident who immediately drove to return. He also interrogated her about the incident.

"See Inspector I am not getting what you are saying about robbery.I planned to visit the nearby town to surprise my husband working there on Valentine's eve when I noticed an abandoned car. There were blood spots at its back seats, a masked man with blood stained knife attacked me and when I became conscious I found myself on this hospital bed. I am sure someone was murdered by that masked man and you are saying that some robbers attacked me in my house." Girish and Victor looked at each other in disbelief after hearing her because a patrolling police unit have found a similar car described by Sangita but no dead body was recovered from the spot.

As they finished Aarav entered the room, met with officers and consulted doctors to take her home. Girish decided to meet them in the evening after investigating the spot she found the abandoned car.

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"Victor what do you think? " Girish asked while sipping tea in his cabin after returning from that site of abandoned car. " We haven't found any dead body as Sangita believes but there was truth in her statement about the car." Victor was moving in the cabin with worried expressions. As a crime reporter he has reported and worked on many such incidences but that was a real mystery.

A constable interfere their conversation by giving them report of the blood spots they found in the car and informed about the owner of the car. " The car belongs to some Vandana Chaudhary and ..." His eyes was wide open to see her address. She was Sangita and Aarav's neighbor. " I need a complete history of Aarav, Sangita and Vandana immediately and also the details of their phone records." Girish ordered the constable.

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" How are you feeling now my dear ? " Aarav asked Sangita when she woke up. " I am fine now." She repeated the incident of last night to Aarav. " Baby, this must be your dream. How can you present at two spots at the same time." That thing was also bothering her but she was sure that it wasn't a dream.

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Inspector Girish reached Aarav's home and asked Sangita about Vandana. Aarav was more surprised to hear that name than Sangita. " Yes! She came to our home yesterday and introduced me as our neighbor. She wanted to meet Aarav but you know he was not there yesterday." Their attention turned to Aarav who started speaking before they asked anything.

" Vandana is my friend and our only neighbor but Sangita doesn't know her because she left India before our marriage but why are you asking about her." Do you know some Jatin." " No I don't know him." Girish told them that Jatin was Vandana's husband and she was here to complete the process of her divorce. Aarav told them that he didn't know that she was married. She was missing and that blood spots matched her blood group and police believed that Jatin has killed her.

At this point Victor reached and said something in Girish's ear. " Mr. Aarav where were you last night." " I am in another city for some work but why you are asking this to me Mr. Victor." Victor showed him the copy of his mobile bill record which shows his location at home. He was the one who ordered the pizza and perhaps he was the killer of Vandana.

" What rubbish are you talking Mr Victor, inspector why don't you told him that Jatin is the killer." Aarav was sweating in the AC room. " I am also saying that Jatin is the killer and Mr Aarav you are Jatin," Victor threw some papers on the bad in front of Sangita. Sangita read those papers and started crying she looked angrily towards Aarav which broke him down.

" I am sorry Sangita but I did everything for your love and because I don't want to lose you." Sangita spoke nothing , he continued." Vandana was my first wife whom I married as Jatin for her money. I even succeeded in transferring some of her property to my name. But she discovered my treachery and charged me for forgery & also filed for divorce. She shifted to America after that incident while her lawyers fighting her case and I came here to this lonely place without knowing that the adjacent house belongs to Vandana. She informed me about her arrival and it was than I planned her murder so that Sangita remain unaware about her. It was only a chance that she met Sangita."

"But Sangita's surprise spoiled your plan. She spotted you in mask with a knife.You hit at her forehead, bring her home in her car, call for pizza and set the story of a robbery so puzzle her." Girish finished the story and hand cuffed him."

" Mr Aarav if you truly love Sangita you have told her the truth. We usually forget that love is not in days we spend to earn happiness for each other but in days we spend together with each other." Police recovered Vandana's body from her swimming pool and informed her aunt in America about her death. Sangita still struggling to come out of this shock.

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Part 1 + Part 2 Word Count = 1488 

This post is part of The Ultimate Story Writing Competition s organised by  - My World... My Words by Ashwin Kumar and A Rat's Nibble by Meera. 

The Masked Killer - Part 1

The Masked Killer - Part 1

It was Valentine's eve and she was driving in an isolated road. She found it odd to see an abandoned car parked there with doors open. A distant cry triggered her to stop her car to check if things are alright. She peeked into the car's back door and found fresh blood spots at the back seats. That's when she witnessed a masked man approaching the abandoned car. She tried to hide herself but it was all in vain he noticed her car and knew that someone was intruding his privacy to complete his task of killing. Her futile running ended when he gripped her wrist and turned her to face him. A long blood dripping knife in his hand was enough to tell her his motive. She fainted when he brought the knife closer to her neck.

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Sangita was not happy with Aarav sudden departure to nearby city for some work when Valentine's Day was knocking at the door which would also be their first wedding anniversary. " Can't you postpone this trip? I was waiting for that day from a long time and it was our first anniversary." She said dejectedly. " I know baby I have also planned for that day but I have to go this is urgent." He said to coax her. She packed his bags and accompanied him to the car. They hugged each other and he drove away to his destination.

Sangita and Aarav were married for almost a year. There love story was not lesser than a roller coaster ride. They were good friends in college and loved each other but both of them never expressed their feelings. They parted their ways after completing college and met in a college reunion after four years. Aarav thought it was some heavenly sign that they both were single even after these years and a right opportunity to confess his love to her. He proposed her to marry him which she readily accepted and they tied knots on Valentine's day.

She was in her thoughts when door bell rang. " Hi ! I am Vandana your neighbor. Is Aarav home? " A young girl in her late twenties dressed in modern attire surprised Sangita since there was only one vacant home adjacent to their. " I guess you are Aarav's wife." Sangita was still puzzled." Oh ! Actually this is my home but I lived in America. I am back in India for some unfinished work and am just arrived. Aarav is my only friend here so I thought to meet him first." Sangita welcomed her inside and told her about Aarav's absence. " You wait here I bring something for you." " No it's OK, I need some rest now catch you later, bye." Sangita was happy that she was not alone in this locality.

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"Hi ! I am inspector Girish from the crime branch and he is Victor Bannerjee senior crime reporter from famous fortnightly magazine The Arbitrator and also my good friend."

"Am I alive?" Girish smiled at this question , "Yes madam you are alive and I think you are now fine enough to answer our questions. Did you see who robbed your house?"

" My house robbed ? Who robbed my house? She didn't understand what Inspector said to her as she was at the roadside of a deserted road.

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This post is part of The Ultimate Story Writing Competition s organised by  - My World... My Words by Ashwin Kumar and A Rat's Nibble by Meera. 

The Mystery Continues...

The Mystery Continues...( Part 4 of team Inspirati)

“Read the previous part of the story here

"Madam! Is there any news about Roohi baby," asked Kamla as Tara and Shekhar returned from the police station. Kamla came to their house as a maid six months back when the husband of their old maid died in her village. She recommended Kamla in her place because she would remain in village with her children thereafter.

Kamla although new in their house took over the charge of the house as if working for years in that house. She easily mingled with Roohi with her friendly and caring nature impressing Tara who needs someone better than her husband to look after her to concentrate more on her career, she completely handed over Roohi's charge to her. Kamla was not like usual maids she had basic education, knew driving, understood nutritional requirement of children and was soft spoken. She remained properly dressed in a Saree ,her hairs oiled and set with center partition, applied fairness cream to lighten her complexion ,wears lots of bangles in both hands and had special handmade slippers gifted by someone.She looked more like a government school teacher than a maid.

Shekhar could concentrate more on her writing having her with Roohi which was the reason he remained mostly in his study room after she took the charge. Kamla was equally worried since the absence of Roohi. " We have complained to the police, they are searching for her and they will come here to record your statement. O! Roohi...." Tara resort to crying again. Shekhar hugged and console her. Tara never experienced such warmth in his embrace from almost a decade actually he never embraced her in all these years. We often come closer if our pains are same and both of them were in a same position.

Later in the evening a constable came and recorded Kamla's statement, " When did you noticed that Roohi was missing? asked the constable in firm voice. " I... I ... noticed when madam become unconscious," she answered hurriedly. " OK ! Listen don't go anywhere until baby was recovered," he turned towards Shekhar," Sir! inform us if you receive any call for ransom don't try to negotiate yourself it could be dangerous for her life." He left the house increasing their worries. Crimes against children are increasing day by day all bad thoughts started coming in their minds.

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' Love tortures more than law books,' Cyrus said to himself while sitting in his room with packed backs. "Should I go to her when she is happy with Vijay a handsome crime reporter, why the hell he only wants her to be his companion ? Don't he know that crime reporting is a dangerous job and girls are at risk at such crime scenes. But I know Jennifer herself would have chosen him. Her liking for adventure would kill me one day with worry. She is not picking her phone should I go or should I not." He was sandwiched between his heart and mind. Heart wanted to be with her while mind advising him to forget her as she loved Vijay.

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" Jennifer I think you are not all right. I should drop you at your home and go alone for this assignment," Vijay's voice showed that he was concerned about her. " No... no... I am all right, this is a big investigative reporting I was craving for such an assignment for a long time.I will definitely go to Mumbai." She wiped off her tears and lit a cigarette coincidentally radio played ' Mein zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya har fiqr ko Duaen mein utada chala gaya' from the movie Hum Dono when she blew a cloud of smoke.They were going to Mumbai to investigate about the cases of child trafficking in Mumbai. Vijay had some leads from his sources that children between 8 to 12 years were being kidnapped and sold to gulf countries. The gang planted their members as security guards,maids,housekeeper,laundryman,etc, in houses with children. These members kidnapped the child whenever they got the chance without coming under police scanner. Some believes that police was also had hand in gloves relationship with this racket.

Vijay and Jennifer's itinerary included meeting with inspector Tawde, parents of some victims and his sources in police and underworld as he doubts hands of some politicians. This was a big story the biggest in Jennifer's career and it has the kind of thrill she always wanted. She befriended Vijay for the same reason to get the name and fame she deserved.

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After losing battle with his heart Cyrus decided to go to Kochi and sort out differences between them. He called her room partner as she was not picking the phone. Her room partner told him that she was headed to Mumbai with Vijay in evening flight. " Destiny have always snatched what I liked but this time I will not let Vijay to grab my love." This was first time he admitted that he loved her. He took the next flight to Mumbai for confessing his love.

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"Where is mummy and papa? " She asked as she woke up from sleep. He gave her milk mixed with sedatives as ordered by her. When she fell asleep, he received a phone from boss. Boss telephoned him for some instructions, "the time to deliver this 'Samaan' has not came yet be extra cautious police is searching hard for her," " Aap bhool gaye kya police to apni jeb mein hai?( Have you forgotten the police is in our pockets)" he said confidently and disconnected the phone.

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Read the next part of the story here 

“Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”