Review: The Other Daughter

The Other Daughter by Shalini Boland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you have been reading Shalini Boland’s books, you know that her stories are always engrossing, fast paced and have unexpected twists. This book is no different and keeps you hooked till the end, though not all aspects of the story tie up realistically.

Rachel works hard to bring balance to her life after her eldest daughter Holly is kidnapped. Her partner leaves her with a young toddler (Jess) to care for. Nine years later, she has a loving partner in Matt now, and they raise two kids – Jess & Charlie. The pains of the past return as she meets a new couple Shaun & Kate who move into the area with their three kids. Rachel feels their daughter Bella bears a striking resemblance to her lost daughter Holly.

While not entirely clear on how she should approach this, Rachel is determined to pursue this as she feels strongly drawn to Bella. She digs into Shaun & Kate’s backgrounds with vigour, determined to trace their story.

The story has you hooked and is a page turner from start to finish. It is also very well written and is a pleasure to read. Some aspects of the story are unrealistic though, not everything ties up cleanly and does detract from the impact at the end.

Thanks to Netgally, the publisher Bookouture and the author for a free electronic copy of the book in order to provide a review.


View all my reviews

Review: Girl Walking Alone

Girl Walking Alone by Dana Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read a number of good crime & suspense novels this year. Girl Walking Alone is another very good read. It has a good story which keeps up the pace, the central character has depth and the narration is very personal & makes an impact.

Jessie Tucker is a successful reporter. As she covers the story of Margaret Kincaid’s murder in Central Park, the memories of past horrors she has gone through come rushing back. Jessie was assaulted many years back at night and her recovery was considered a near miracle. NY police investigates the case and Jessie identifies her assailant who later dies in prison. The nature of the crimes is yet very similar. Police quickly moves to identify a suspect and considers the case solved, but Jessie feels there are loose ends.

Jessie’s investigation suggests that this is a very involved story involving politicians and there are echoes from the past including incidents during the Gulf War.

The story moves quickly and has a number of good twists and turns. A very relaxing read. Certainly recommended.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author for a free electronic copy of the book in order to provide a review.


View all my reviews

Review: I Let You Go

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first read the author’s ‘I See You’ and found it a good light read and suspense novel. This book is well written as well.

An accident turns many lives upside down. A hit and run leads to the tragic death of a young 5 year old boy. The police effort is led by Ray and Kate, a junior who wants to make a mark for herself. Ray and his wife Mags have their hands full at home as well as the kids are growing up. Jenna Gray feels she needs to get away from all this. She moves to a remote place, Penfach, to start afresh. But can she overcome her grief and move on?

What caused the driver of the car to flee? Is this case something more than a straightforward hit and run?

The book brings together multiple threads very well, and they converge strongly at the end. While there were some unexpected twists in the storyline, there are also aspects of the story that I could sense.

Overall, a book which is quite fast paced for the most part (except the early sections) and is a relaxing read.


View all my reviews

Review: An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the herd taught me about love, courage and survival

An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the herd taught me about love, courage and survival by Francoise Malby-Anthony
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ by Lawrence Anthony a few years back. It was such a wonderful account of how he saved a herd of traumatised elephants (the matriarch was shot dead in front of the rest of the herd) who would have otherwise been put down, and settled them at Thula Thula. It was sad to read about Lawrence’s death subsequently. I learnt about his wife Francoise’s book very recently. This book takes over from ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ and is a warm & beautiful book as well.

Lawrence’s passing is tragic and sudden. In ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ Lawrence recounts the story of the elephant Mnumzane, who had to be put down when he turned violent (later determined due to a painful ulcer), and Lawrence’s ashes are laid near his. Many people who admired him came visiting and so did two herds of the elephants he saved, who just came to the house and sat in mourning. In fact, they return on his first death anniversary as well to the house.

Francoise now has responsibilities she is unfamiliar with. Lawrence handled the animals while Francoise took responsibility for managing the bookings, guests and the food. There is very little time to learn, but Francoise is determined to continue Lawrence’s legacy. Francoise really brings out the challenges in running a game reserve like Thula Thula with her account, where your passion to save animals and converse wildlife has to be so strong as to overcome all odds.

While poaching figures in ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ as well, in this book it actually dominates the narrative. Francoise is constantly worried about poachers getting to their animals and knows that despite the security investments, the risk is still high. There are several attempts – snares are laid, cause injuries and young rhino calves are shot. She tries first poisoning the rhino horns and later decides to dehorn the rhinos. And yet there is a gruesome attack causing painful injuries & death to animals. The poaching industry is fell funded and tragically there is demand for animal products such as rhino horns, though science considers this worthless. Poachers also have access to drones to track animals. If a species neutral history of the earth is written someday, I am sure the human treatment of animals, both wild and farm, will be considered the worth of evils on earth.

There are interesting accounts in the book on how a young elephant who loses his way ends up in Francoise’s house and later kitchen, the lovely elephants, rhinos and their behaviours. I love reading about and watching animals, especially elephants, and that is one of many reasons why I loved this book.


View all my reviews

Review: Big Billion Startup - The Untold Flipkart Story

Big Billion Startup - The Untold Flipkart Story by Mihir Dalal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Flipkart is a name we associate with Indian entrepreneurship and ingenuity. I still remember buying books from Flipkart in the early days when it was launched (in fact I was quite disappointed as in the later years books fell off from Flipkart’s priority). This book has very good background and details on the building of Flipkart.

Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal, both from IIT Delhi firm up their plans to start an e-commerce venture when they were at Amazon India. Amazon India at that time was a technology back office for special initiatives. The description of the initial days of Flipkart where Sachin & Binny start by selling books online makes for fascinating reading. They would source the books from bookstores initially after an order was received. Customer satisfaction was a strong philosophy which the founders promoted, and Flipkart made a reputation for itself based on that with very little marketing effort.

The next phase of expansion needed funding and Flipkart was fortunate to get funding from Accel India initially and later Tiger Global. Lee Fixel from Tiger Global continued to very closely involved for long since the early times, additionally providing professional support as required. Sales leapfrogged on the back of good customer service, product expansion and new ideas. Flipkart also found ways to get around the government regulations around marketplaces by creating a new entity for logistics. Initiatives like Big Billion days, exclusive product launches (starting with Motorola with Moto G becoming a best seller) lead the way to high growth. There were also the misses such as attempting to go solely mobile app and shut down the website (a silly step I thought myself at that time), music download and entering too many categories too quickly. I get the impression Flipkart’s founders would have benefitted with mature senior counsel in many instances.

The power struggles between Sachin and Kalyan Krishnamurthy (a Lee nominee) becomes a distraction as well. The complications in the working relationships leads to most of the early employees of Flipkart exiting. The success story culminates in abrupt exits for the founders (both billionaires) for different reasons after Walmart takes over a majority stake.

The author, Mihir mentions that he was not able to speak to senior Flipkart executives for the book. While that is a drawback of sorts, the amount of background he provides in the book is surprisingly very extensive.

A very good read to understand the making of Flipkart.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me a free copy of the book in order to provide a review.


View all my reviews

Review: A View Across the Rooftops

A View Across the Rooftops by Suzanne Kelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A View Across the Rooftops is a very moving book set during the period of World War II in Amsterdam. These are hard times and only love and compassion provides (some) solace.

Josef Held is a professor teaching mathematics, whose life seems to hold no charm after the passing of his wife Sarah many years ago. He finds Hannah Pender at the university charming and yet cannot find the urge to take the relationship forward. The Nazi occupation and their treatment of Jews, brings more pain. His neighbor Mrs. Epstein is killed right in front of his eyes, an old lady who took pleasure in playing the piano. There is also his Jewish student Michael Blum, whose easy ways he finds difficult to relate to. And yet, Josef makes a choice – he helps Michael by hiding him. Michael is in love with Elke (who is not Jewish) and the prevailing situation separates them. There are further complications and risks with his niece Ingrid dating a high-level German officer.

Josef and Michael form a bond over time – at the start without even speaking much with each other. As trust grows, they learn to share their pains and memories of better times. There are several close shaves while Michael is in hiding, and he also falls seriously ill at one time.

This is not a fast paced book, and yet it is very beautiful – a sum total of the characters, their inner feelings, circumstances and the strength of the story. It is a wonderful story of courage, letting go and find purpose in the most difficult of situations.

My rating: 4.5 / 5.

My thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for a free electronic copy of the book for providing a review.


View all my reviews