The Cosmic Clues - Review

Sonia Samarth couldn't have predicted it. It had only been a day, but her first advertisement had drawn dozens of responses. In the bustling city of Pune, with its winding alleys and exotic customs, Sonia has launched a brand new business – private investigation guided by Hindu astrology. Her unique brand of investigation might raise eyebrows but before long, she seems to have found her niche.

When a cat leads Sonia to her very first investigation, she uses astrology to unmask the killer. Suddenly, clients begin streaming in – a persistent, handsome TV personality; a terrified bride-to-be; a missing husband with suicidal tendencies. These cases initially seem like isolated experiences, but Sonia soon finds that they are bound by an invisible thread. Very soon she will have to look closely at her own stars: a notorious international criminal has just crossed Sonia’s path – and he has his own plans for her future!

About The Author

Manjiri Prabhu lives in Pune, India. She’s been a  filmmaker and television producer for several years and a writer of two romances, two mystery novels and a non-fiction book on Hindi films. She is currently putting the finishing touches on The Astral Alibi – the next book in the Stellar Investigation series.

Whenever I think of a Detective Series, the one name that instantly flashes in my mind is ‘Sherlock Holmes’. I think harder, and smile at the thought of Agatha Christie’s brilliant characters – Miss Marple and Poirot. I knock my brain a bit more, and instantly the adventures of Feluda by Satyajit Ray come calling to me.

Reading good detective fictions are always a pleasure. You can laze around on your bed, tucked under a warm blanket, in a frosty rainy evening, imagining yourself to be one of the characters in the stories. A crime is committed, and your intuition targets the suspects, as you start forming your own personal opinions regarding the mystery. This is true for all good detective stories, and quite gladly enough, this works quite well with ‘The Cosmic Clues.’

‘The Cosmic Clues’ by Manjiri Prabhu brings forward India’s First Astro Detective (yes, that’s highlighted on the cover). I have read and heard of detectives solving cases through careful observation and precise deduction, but never by reading horoscopes. That’s exactly what Sonia Samarth does, and does it pretty well. Sonia, along with her able assistant Jatin, runs Stellar Investigations, a detective agency, where they combine investigation with a study of horoscopes of the people involved. Isn't it unique?

It’s the distinctive plot that initially grabbed my attention, and I couldn't wait to read about the cases that they solve using astrology. The book narrates the progression of Sonia, from a nobody to a house hold name who has a penchant to crack open mysteries with her unique reading of horoscopes. Though this is what makes the book different from others, it also makes it vulnerable.

Not everyone can read horoscopes, and thus find it intriguing. A lot many people do believe in it, and trust the words of the astrologers. Isn't that the reason why most of us glance through the horoscope section in the morning dailies?

Sonia uses her power to deduct human characteristics through horoscopes to solve cases. It all looks great initially, but as she begins to unearth the modus-operandi and identifies the criminals all-too-perfectly, the conclusions of subsequent cases appear to be mere formalities. Her reading of planetary positions is often difficult to comprehend for a layman, and me being one, with completely no clue about horoscopes, ‘Cosmic Clues’ does leave me clueless at times.

However, Manjiri Prabhu provides us with a book that can keep us engaged and urge us to read further. I liked the cases, and though often I found them solved too easily with the means of horoscopes, I honestly admit that I wouldn't mind picking up the next book in the series. There is a compelling lucidity in the language, something that you can read and find soothing. The smooth flow and the clever link between the different chapters also add to the fluency of the book. And yes, I enjoyed the conversations between Sonia and Jatin - light-hearted and humorous.

If you too want to have a go at this book, enticed by its attractive cover and blurb, do pick up a copy. It’s definitely a one-time read. It doesn't disappoint, rather Manjiri Prabhu does a real good job with the genre. However, a bit more of ground research by the detectives to solve the cases (and not merely through the reading of horoscopes) could have made me rate the book higher.

Nevertheless, there is always a next chance, and am really looking forward to ‘The Astral Alibi’ – the sequel.

Title: The Cosmic Clues

Author: Manjiri Prabhu

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genres: Fiction, Detective, Mystery

No. of Pages: 324

Price: Rs 299

My Rating: 3/5

Clouds

is that a rabbit

or an elephant running

drawing shapes in clouds

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Heights - Clouds.

Tea

long lost friends

relive memories of youth

over warm tea

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Tea.

Ivory

those ivory dolls

adorn our brightened drawing rooms

post killing forests

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Ivory.

8.3

he should have

cried

but he refused

smiling away the pain

that threatened to leap

out with his tears

those salty streams

that wound across your cheeks

and flatten the heart

8.3, they said

just a number, perhaps

(when the earth shook, violently)

he laughed

at the golden wreck

he once called

home

scales measure the quake

but never the ache

This Poem is shared with Imaginary Garden With Real Toads.

Spying In High Heels - Review

High Crime meets High Fashion+J52
L. A. Shoe Designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion.
But when she stumbles upon the work of a brutal killer, her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. And things only get worse when her boyfriend disappears along with $20 million in embezzled funds and her every move is suddenly under scrutiny by the LAPDs sexiest cop. 
With the help of her post menopausal bridezilla of a mother, a 300 pound psychic and one seriously oversexed best friend, Maddie finds herself stepping out of her stilettos and onto the trail of a murderer. But can she catch a killer before the killer catches up to her.

About the Author
Gemma Halliday, author of the High Heels Mysteries, has received numerous awards, including a Golden Heart, a National Readers Choice award and three RITA nominations, as well as hitting both the New York Times and the USA Today bestseller list. She currently lives in San Francisco Bay Area where she is hard at work on several new projects including more books in the Maddie Springer Stories.

What made me pick up this book?

First of all, the title – “Spying in High Heels” – sounds cool and different, like a female version of James Bond, spying and hunting down criminals, Charlie’s Angels type. Secondly, the tagline resonates of a promising plot “High Crime meets High Fashion”, something that reminded me of Sidney Sheldon books (I so loved them). Finally, the genre did it for me – Mystery Fictions, how I love reading them!

And am so glad I decided to give it a read.

‘cause it was the very first line that mesmerized me, and glued me to the pages. “I am late” – yes, that’s how the first chapter opens, and before you think that the protagonist is probably late for some party or an invitation, comes the subsequent lines. She is late late, and so she, Maddie Springer, believes that she must be pregnant with her boyfriend’s Richard’s child.

Not something too worrying if the child belongs to the man you love, right? But what if the same man suddenly disappears one fine day, leaving no traces behind, wouldn't that be unnerving? You bet? Well, I agree, but not as scary as you knowing that your boyfriend, the father of your would-be-child (if in fact the late late was really a result of pregnancy) is running away from law, and is a prime suspect of two cold blooded murders.

Now, this certainly makes it one hell of a fascinating read. Maddie is a shoe designer (for kids) and is crazy about fashion. However, life takes a complete flip when the above happens to her, and she, stuck between loyalty towards her boyfriend, Richard, and the doubt that keeps creeping in her mind regarding his dishonesty, knows not what to do. However, she puts up a brave front, and with the help of Ramirez (read: LAPD’s sexiest cop), she decides to find out the truth. What happens next is an exciting joy ride of deception, infidelity, deceit … and finally the much awaited revelation.

The author, Gemma Halliday, does a great job in bringing about the twists whenever you think that you have nailed the killer. No buddy, you don’t get it so easy, and the sharp pace of the book ensures that you don’t give it up either. Such is the beauty of her storytelling that even with several subplots, you don’t find the flow slacking. You are always there, attached to the words, quickly gobbling through the chapters and solving the whodunit.

Ask me what I loved the most about this book, and I would reply – “Dialogues.” Yes, they are as crisp and witty as it can get, specially the conversations that happen between Maddie and Ramirez. The high intensity of passion notwithstanding, Maddie tries her best to be cold to the prying detective, and fails time and again. That’s what makes it sweet, and spicy.

The other characters complete the story – Dana, Maddie’s best friend, Maddie’s Mom who is all set to get married, Mrs. Rosenblatt, the No – Neck guy, and Sasha. They all add the fun quotient to the book, and that’s why you do not miss the main action when the subplots comprising these characters come up. You will love each and every word of this book, trust me.

If you are a fashion lover, or a mystery lover, or even if you are none of these, do pick up this copy. You wouldn't really mind being a spy in high heels with Maddie and Ramirez.

Title: Spying In High Heels

Author: Gemma Halliday

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

No. of Pages: 260

Price: ₹ 299

My Rating: 4/5

Vision Quest

bright torch

shines over cloudy gravels

sun shows the path

sun shows the path

through honey covered dewdrops

sweet promises

sweet promises

resonates with my dreams

a vision quest

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Vision Quest.

The Road To The Clouds

photo by Mark Haley 

Today we tread along

The road to the clouds

That speak of rain, and

Joyous bliss, encased in

Honey droplets, that kiss

Our lips, caress our tongues

A nest I would make

From twigs that grow

On the pathway green

Now dark with thunder

Oh, where are the lights?

The barren trees

Witness the change

Silently, mute.

A naive slave

I am tonight

commanded by your passion

I rise and fall

And with each passing breath

That road to the clouds

Take me home

This Poem is shared with The Mag - Mag 88.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - Review

Julian Mantle’s world was always limited to his work, material possession and money. However, his life takes a complete U turn when he is suddenly traumatized with a heart attack. Realization dawns on him and he decides to alter the course of his life. It is then that he decides to give up everything and entail a spiritual journey to the Himalayas in India in search of a more meaningful life.

From the sages of the Sivana in the Himalayas he garners some newfound knowledge and philosophies, which goes on to change his life forever. When he comes back from his spiritual journey from the Himalayas there is a discernible change in him. He narrates his experience to his fellow colleague John and that is how the entire story and experience of Julian Mantle is related to us.

The narratives of the spiritual journey that Julian Mantle undertakes take us on a ride to a profound and different perception of life. The book bestows on us the key to living a great, meaningful, healthy and happy life. We are educated on the Seven Virtues of Enlightened learning, which comprises of the need to master the mind, to follow one’s purpose, to live with discipline, to practice Kaizen, to respect time, to embrace the present and to selflessly serve others.

The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari was an immediate success. It became an International Bestseller with more than three million copies sold worldwide. The book has been translated into a number of foreign languages to reach out to a larger audience.

About the Author

Robin Sharma is an author and lawyer. He has to his credit a number of books; The Leader Who Had No Title, Who Will Cry When You Die: Life Lessons From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, The Saint, The Surfer, And The CEO: A Remarkable Story About Living Your Heart's Desires, Megaliving!, Family Wisdom From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and Discover Your Destiny With The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Born in Canada in the year 1965, Robin Sharma is the Founder, Chief Visionary Officer and CEO of a global consultancy firm, Sharma Leadership International Inc. The company’s clients include GE, FedEx, Harvard Business School, Nike, and many Fortune 500 companies.

He was awarded with the Brand Laureate Brand Personality Award in 2009 and Golden Gavel award in 2011. Robin Sharma did his graduation in law and graduated from Dalhousie University School of Law. He frequents many countries as a speaker. His books have been translated to seventy languages and sold in sixty countries.

‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ – and why would he do so?

The answer is simple. You don’t need a Ferrari to gain contentment and satisfaction in life. You don’t need money to attain peace and fulfillment, nor do you require material riches to feel blessed.

Instead you need to know yourself better, identify the purpose of your life, set a goal, and travel towards it, basking in the glory of the present moment; ‘cause time is priceless, and you need to utilize it properly to gain the most out of it.

This is what Robin Sharma teaches you. Through the words of the protagonist Julian Mantle, Robin, the author, acts as the perfect guide to live a rich and fulfilled life of bliss and harmony.

Julian Mantle is a successful litigation lawyer who has everything going for him. Money and fame are more than his companions, and ideally, it would seem that his life is a real success story. However, his constant hard work also leads to stress, when suddenly, all of a sudden, in the midst of a courtroom trial, he collapses, owing to a massive heart attack. This serves as a wake-up call for Julian, and he leaves behind his career to find out the true value of life.

Julian moves to India and his search leads him to the Great Sages of Sivana, who live high in the Himalayas. He is lead and guided by inspirational teachers like Yogi Krishnan and Yogi Raman, and starts living a life of simplicity, truth, and beauty. He learns to let go of his attachments with the worldly possessions, and focuses on what his soul speaks.

Robin Sharma portrays this transformation superbly, and shows us the way in which we too can live our life with bliss and serenity. Though the characters are supposed to be fictional, we know that they are not so. In fact, Julian Mantle is very much among us. He is you, me, and all the people surrounding us.

Robin imparts wisdom that can really help us to move ahead in life in a positive manner. He talks of skills and techniques that one should follow in order to practice bright living. The best part of this book is that it explains these methodologies in a very simplified manner, and the procedures can be easily followed by any person. The concept is unique, and though it might sound too simple, it does have the power to transform your life.

If you are confused, or worried, or anxious, or happy, or sad, or angry, then this book is for you. It can help you balance your life, and motivate you to bring the much needed change in your dimensions. Basically, this book should be read by one and all. The anecdotes that Julian comes up with from time to time are insightful, and helps you understand the teachings further.

Do not wait. This is just the book you need to read, adopt, adapt, and re-live your life in the best possible manner. Go, and grab a copy for yourself, and also for your loved ones. This is one book you should not give a miss.

Title: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Author: Robin Sharma

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2003

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Self - Help

No. of Pages: 216

Price: ₹ 199

My Rating: 4/5

Eclipse

eclipsed by fate

she sings songs with the moon

lost birds fly home

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Eclipse.