The Couple at No.9 - Claire Douglas

A twisty thriller told from different perspectives, it had been hovering on my radar for a long time and when finally I got down to it, finished in a couple of sittings.

Gist:

Tom and Saffy have just moved into their grandmother's cottage. They are in the process of building an extension when bodies are discovered in their garden. Questions arise and soon fingers start pointing towards their grandmother, who has Alzehimer's. It set events in motion that makes Saffy worry for her family and for her unborn child...

My review:

• The story kicks off with a solid hook and within pages the reader is flung into the lives of the characters. The story is told from different perspectives - one of my favourite ways of telling a story and Douglas uses it well as disparate threads slowly come together in a well constructive narrative.

• The characters of Lorna and Saffy were well presented, their motivations and feelings for Rose had the depth, imperative to tell such a complex story. Overall, the story seems simple with its premise of family secrets and domestic relationships, but as the story traverses to the conclusion, the intricate working of the character mindset is well revealed as it sheds light on the relationship between Saffy and her grandmother Rose and her mother Lorna and Rose. 

• I had an idea of how the story would progress but for me the highlight was how Douglas portrays the relationship dynamics between the characters. 

• The setting of the story, a small sleepy town hidden away from the world is beautifully portrayed. I could imagine this place with its tight-knit community, the country lanes and the proximity to nature. The setting is a foil to the story that unfolds, which adds to the reading experience. 

Overall, a great read, well plotted and carefully drawn characters.    

    

The Blue Bar - Damyanti Biswas

I enjoyed reading this book and yet I struggled to come up with this review. Found it to be such an great read and was acutely conscious of articulating my reading experience well. It took me a while to get into the story but once I was firmly ensconced in that world of gritty, understaffed world of the justice system, I was caught in by how the story moved and turned as events unfolded and lead to an action packed climax.

Gist:

Tara, a bar dancer in Bombay is waiting at the Borivalli station in exchange for a hefty payout. Little does she realise that this outing will change her life forever.

Thirteen years on, her boyfriend, InspectorArnav Singh Rajput is still struggling with her disappearance. But then there is something else that demands his attention. Bodies of women are surfacing in different parts of the city and soon Arnav gets caught up in it. A serial killer seems to be on prowl and Arnav must act fast if he wants to save loved ones from falling victim to his antics.

My review:

I enjoyed this book and here's why:

• The initial chapters took me straight to Bombay and I found myself hearing and breathing the city as I turned the pages.

• Tara and Arnav are relatable characters , Biswas makes them very accessible and the reader feels a kind of kinship for these people caught in complicated situations.

• The story is a bit of a slow burn. It  takes time to get into the world, to immerse oneself into the lives of the characters. But then, it is a complicated world where passion coexists with bureaucracy, evil and distorted mindsets. The story is well layered, narrating a tale of crime, passion in contemporary Indian society, within a framework that is entertaining and offers insight at the same time.

• I see it as a novel that engages and educates the reader about a certain section of the society, not often seen in fiction. Corruption of power is a conventional theme, but in Biswas' hands it is delivered it in a manner that tugs at heart strings. 

• And this element of realism continues till the very end, which I think is commendable. Biswas could have easily turned it around into a palatable, neat conclusion but the fact that she doesn't, makes it all the more compelling.

• It is a slowburn read but once the story takes off, the reader is on a rollercoaster ride following Tara and Arnav, trying to work out the mystery in the story. The twist was unexpected, and I got that feeling of being hoodwinked, which bears testimony to Biswas' control over the craft. 

Overall, recommended for crime thriller lovers who dare to pick up something different. 

The Marlow Murder Club

 

What happens when a set of women, unlikely combinations come together and decide to solve a murder mystery in their town. Marlow Murder Club is a cosy crime mystery where some interesting civilians decide to solve a murder in their town of Marlow. 

Gist:

One evening 77 year old Judith Potts in swimming out on Thames river when she sees a brutal murder. When the local police don't believe it Judith decides to to figure it out for herself after some help from her friend. But then another body turns up and they realise that things were not as straightforward as they thought...

My review:

• I haven't read Thursday Murder Club so not sure if it is in anyway similar but I loved this one. It has a nice cosy feel to it. Midsommer Murders comes to mind.

• Seventy seven year old Judith is the leader of the pack. I loved how Thorogood uses the accessories of an senior citizen; crosswords, jigsaw and focus on keeping fit and uses it to create a formidable persona who is bold, sharp and quickwitted like Judith. 

• The story moves so well, meandering at first, introducing the knots and suspects in the story and then racing towards a conclusion, reminiscent of a Death in Paradise episode. Since this is the writer who has written the famous series as well, there is a particular delight in knowing what to expect. However, I like the book more than the series, purely because of the space to delve into the minds of the characters and their backstories which is not possible in an hour long episode. 

• This is not only a cosy crime mystery. The personas of the women characters are well developed, each distinct with their own set of traits and characteristics. There is some sharp observation and insight into these women's minds and their circumstances . The way these women come together to pool in their talents to solve mysteries is quite ingenious and enjoyable. I also liked the character of the inspector, a woman grappling with her own work-life balance as she joins forces with the murder club.

A well plotted mystery although the reveal reminded of me of a crime story with a similar murder. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable treat! Just heard that the Marlow Murder club is ready with their next case and I cannot wait to read it!

Highly recommended for fans of Midsommer Murders or Marple stories.