Book Review: Surpanakha

Title:  Surpanakha

Author: Hariharan Iyer

Pages: 304 pages

Publication: Notion Press

Plot: Educated, young, no-nonsense bearing, able administrator-these are the equalities that won Sesha the loyalties of the people after three years of rule as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. An allegation that he was the mastermind behind the murder of 73 Kannadigas threatens to bring him down but he is miraculously saved at the 11th hour.

Even before he can relish his victory, Sesha is slapped with the charge of sexually offending a young nurse. This time around, the case is strong and his supporters are uncertain. Worse, his teenage daughter calls him ‘vile’ and walks out of the house. While Mythili, his wife promises her full support, her secretive activities-undertaken with the help of a retired cop-is cause of concern for Sesha.

Will Zarina, the human-rights activist, succeed in bringing him down? What about the insinuations of a celebrity lawyer that he is casteist and anti-minorities? When the young nurse is found dead, the case becomes even more complex. Who is innocent? Who is guilty? And who is the mastermind?

This political thriller describes the current state of the country very well. The media involvement in law cases, protesting activists, loopholes and corruption in the system as a plot setting is realistic and quite gripping. Honestly I am not much into politics, but this book kept me glued from start till the end. I wanted to find out whether Mr Sesha is innocent or has he really committed the crime. There are two major plot twists amongst the many which will make you feel closer to the truth but again you will have to wait to find out.

The first few chapters in the book are narrated from individual character’s perspective. Initially, it was a little difficult to remember the characters and the kind of impression they left on the reader was confusing, but post that the story picks pace and becomes intense and gripping. While most of the characterization is developed well, my favorite character in the book would undoubtedly be Mythlli. Her determination, trust and presence of mind balled me over.

You will only understand why this book is named Suparnakha towards the end. Over all the book is quite a read for all the thriller lovers.

My Ratings: 3.5/5

About the Author: HariharanIyer is a finance professional based in Dar es Salaam. Not content with just a rewarding corporate job, he took to writing a couple of years back. He blogged on media and current affairs for a year at valadyviews.blogspot.com before hitting on the idea for this novel. An idea so powerful that it convinced the accountant in him that he could put together not just a balance sheet but an intriguing political thriller as well. He has definite views on politics, NGOs and media ethics and has tried to package them in the form of an interesting novel. Hariharan lives with his wife in Dar es Salaam while his two sons are pursuing their ambitions in India.

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PS: – Thanks to the author for sending a copy of the book for an honest review.

Book Review: The Newsmakers

Title: The Newsmakers

Author: Lis Wiehl

Publication: Thomas Nelson

Length:  352 pages

Plot: What if it turns out that the newsmakers are actually making the news happen?

Television reporter Erica Sparks has just landed her dream job at Global News Network. Beautiful, talented, and ambitious, Erica grew up dirt poor, worked her way through Yale, and is carrying a terrible secret. She moves to Manhattan to join GNN, leaving Jenny, her adored 7-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband. Erica’s producer at the network, Greg Underwood, is handsome and compelling. Scarred by her divorce, Erica is wary of romance, but there’s no denying the mutual attraction.

On one of her first assignments, Erica witnesses a horrific Staten Island ferry crash. Then she lands a coveted interview with presumptive presidential nominee Kay Barrish. During the interview Barrish collapses. Erica valiantly tries to save her with CPR. The footage rivets the world—GNN’s ratings soar and Erica is now a household name.

But she’s troubled. What a strange coincidence that both events should happen on her watch. It’s almost as if they were engineered. Is that possible?

Erica’s relentless pursuit of the truth puts her life and that of her daughter in danger. Her investigation leads her into the heart of darkness—where the future of our democracy is at stake.

The Newsmaker is a well narrated book mainly revolving around the Global News Network (GNN channel). The key characters are Erica Sparks, Greg Underwood and Nylan Hasting. The book highlights the elements of plotting and politics that take place in the company. But that’s not it. The book is much more than that. As the name suggests it is about creating news. Is that possible? Read the book to find out.

Our protagonist, Erica Sparks is a beautiful, ambitious and an intuitive journalist who is  brought up in the country side and makes her way to Manhattan. Her journey from country side to Manhattan is not easy. She has a flawed past. She has the most indifferent parents in the world. Her mother has always put Erica down. In spite of the incompetent parenting, Erica was a bright student and with the right mentoring she made her way to the Ivy League schools. Erica over came the condescending looks that she received from the other Ivy League students and successfully graduated from Yale. She ends up marrying a school teacher and has a small career at a local news channel. They have a daughter together before they file a divorce. Erica doesn’t take the divorce so well and losses Jenny’s custody. All these things leave a deep scar on Erica. She becomes an alcoholic. And here she hits the rock bottom. The best quality about Erica is that she is swamped to the ground and yet she not only manages to pull herself up but she achieves heights.

She is discovered by Greg Underwood at the GNN and she is chosen to be a field reporter. Nylan Hasting, the man behind GNN has bigger plans for her. Erica happens to be covering news at the right place at the right time. And bam… She has two hit stories. Erica soon becomes a household name. What makes Erica a great journalist is that she empathizes with her interviewee. It is not purely business for her. She is trailing one of the cases and comes across a lot of shocking revelations. Here on, the story is full of suspense and mystery. The person behind the mystery is quite predictable but still the book holds interest.

Newsmaker is full of mystery, politics, and thrill. I would recommend this book to whoever is up for a little corporate politics and a lot of mystery. Let me also mention that the end of the book leaves you wanting for more….

Ratings- 4/5

BookLook Bloggers had provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exhchange of an honest review.