Skip to main content

Private India - Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson

Ashwin Sanghi and James Patterson team up for the first time to create 447 pages of awesome thriller novel, Private India. The book is yet another installment from the best selling Private series by James Patterson. This time around, the destination as the title suggests Private , the World’s largest investigative organization comes to India.

Jack Morgan has hired Santosh Wagh as the head of Private India, who is a former RAW Agent. Santosh is assisted here by former CIA officer Nisha Gandhe, Dr. Mubeen a forensic expert and Hari the technology geek.

The challenge before the team is a serial killer in Mumbai who is on a killing spree, using a yellow scarf as his special weapon. Who is this person? Why does he specially target women? What's the meaning of all the props he painstakingly displays around his victims? Above all, how are all the murders connected to each other?

Most of all the challenges come from within; all team members are battling the war within, with their past and the present. So much so that running away from the past Santosh has taken up heavy drinking. But it is still of little help as the nightmares return, night after night. The past also haunts Mubeen who terribly misses his child and wife, killed by the neo Nazis in America. It is like the pain of the past is a bond that ties the whole team strongly.

The questions are abound but as bodies keep piling up, Santosh and his team are racing against time. The media has picked up on the scent as all dead are seemingly known personalities, a doctor, a media personality being among dead. With seemingly involvement of religious God man, Mumbai underworld Don, and a top lawyer the story has its twists and turns. Adding to the drama is the terrorist organization Indian Mujahideen who is planning a terrorist attack in Mumbai. But how is a serial murder case connected with a terrorist attack? Who is the intended target? Santosh and the team have to fit out the puzzle with the police reluctantly helping them out, seemingly with their own different agendas in mind. Rupesh, the police guy was once the best friend of Santosh, but with time the gap between them has widened. Now they have to bridge this gap to solve the case.

The collaboration in this book seems quite ideal; Ashwin brings in his usual excellence in religious angle thrillers. On the other hand, James brings in his expertise with thrillers and the Private series.
 Combined together, we have a potent combination and a marvelous thriller.
But the book does get predictable in a while. Halfway through the book, I knew who the killer would be and what the climax could be like. Still the pacy narrative and the writing itself keep you hooked up till the end. The ideas are not exactly new but still presented in a unique way.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at http://www.blogadda.com. Participate now to get free books!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...

Ramayana in Indonesia: A Timeless epic across borders

The Ramayana, an epic saga originating from India, has transcended borders, weaving its influence into the cultural, spiritual, and artistic fabric of Indonesia. Here, Rama becomes a secular icon revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, showing how mythology unites diverse communities. This article explores how the Ramayana journeyed through time, embracing new interpretations while retaining its core values of righteousness, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil. Introduction: Why is Ramayana everywhere, even in Indonesia? When I first heard of the Ramayana thriving in Indonesia, I was captivated. How could an Indian epic be so embedded in a predominantly Muslim country? The answer lies in history, adaptability, and shared human values. The Ramayana's journey from Indian shores to the Indonesian archipelago is a fascinating tale of cultural exchange, adaptation, and enduring relevance. How Did the Ramayana Travel to Indonesia? The Ramayana arrived in Indonesia during the early c...