Red Jihad by author Sami Ahmad Khan

Book: Red Jihad
Author: Sami Ahmad Khan
Publisher:  Rupa Publications India
 ISBN : 978-81-291-1987-2

 The author, Sami Ahmad Khan, I must say comes close to being the Tom Clancy of India, with his knowledge of the defence establishment, the latest developments in arms and ammunitions and the missile programmes of India..

This book, Red Jihad, encompasses the military might of India, the Chinese belligerence, the POK, the Kashmir issue, the covert Pak intrusion and extremism, the internal politics of Pakistan, the Left and the Naxalite problem in India, alongwith the lawlessness in politics.

So, the backdrop of the story is pretty vast. Story starts with a covert understanding between the Lashkar operatives and the Naxals. A common task force, between them is trained by Chinese operatives. This task force captures India’s most ambitious missile project set in a base in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. From there the terrorists unleash a missile. The missile hits Pakistan. Pakistan declares war on India. India also reels under political indecisiveness, and eventually is engulfed by a military coup. Pakistan is on the verge of unleashing Nuclear war.

Will the India Pakistan war be averted? How will the war in within Pakistan react to it? How will India react to a military coup?

And what is the twist in the tale with the Indo-Pak joint operation looking for a international terrorist in International waters, where Chinese submarines are lurking.

An interesting war story. 

The Dust Will Never Settle by author Mukul Deva

Book: The Dust Will Never Settle
Author: Mukul Deva
Publisher:  Harper Collins (www.harpercollins.co.in)
 ISBN : 978-93-5029-331-7

 The author, Mukul Deva, has written 4 books in the past, also known as the Lashkar series.

This book, The Dust Will Never Settle, is his latest novel. In my opinion by far his best and a must buy-must read.

The story is set under the backdrop of Israel-Palestinian relations. The acrimony and enimity on both sides. There is a female fidayeen led bomb attack in the most revered of Holy cities, Jerusalem. With a lot of loss of civilian and army personnel lives, the Israelis are able to gun down most of the terrorists, but one escapes.

The story shifts to the murky clammy shores of Sri Lanka, the illegal gun and refugee run into India and the smoldering activities of terrorist group LTTE. From the shores of Sri Lanka a boat reaches the shores of India with its terror cargo.

The story shifts to Israel Palestinian peace talks to be held under the ageis of India. But there are rumours of the escaped terrorist waiting to attack the summit. There are also the ongoing Commonwealth Games. The world powers offer their help and teams to battle terror. The head of the Indian antiterrorist Task Force, Ravinder, is handling his own demons of his past. His daughter from his first marriage, Ruby has returned home. Is he able to take her into his heart and his family. She is an Ex MI6 agent.

With the entire world looking, the Lashkar E Taiba is also straining at the bit to unleash its own terror in this milleu.

Will India be able to host the summit? Will the terrorist strike? Will the Indian ATTF be able to prevent the terror attack? Who is the terrorist?

To find the answer read the book. A must read, a must buy. I have bought this book and it shall be the pride of my collection.

I have read the other books: Lashkar, Salim Must Die, Tanzeem, they shall be reviewed soon.

This book should definitely be made into a movie. WHEN it is made i hope Mukul Deva invites me on as assistant script writer,

Cross country by author James Patterson

Book: Cross Country (Alex Cross Novel)

Author: James Patterson  (www.jamespatterson.com )

Publisher:  Hachette Book Group USA (www.HachetteBookGroup.com)

ISBN: 978-0-446-53630-1

Alex Cross is with the Washington DC Police force. Single father. Melancholic, mulling and contemplative personality. Not a grab, wham, kow pow kind of action action hero. But a regular cop. What is his forte is his tenaciousness with a case and his incisively deductive abilities, coupled with a team that adores him and a family that is his strength.

There is Tiger, a ruthless gang leader of Africans, on the loose in Washington DC. There are one after the other, a string of brutal killings. And these thugs of Tiger make it a special point to defile and mutiliate their victims to absolutely terrify others. When Alex decides to pursue the Tiger, his chase takes him to Nigeria, Africa and absolutely untamed and ruthless mercenaries. Does Alex solve the case? Is Alex able to escape the multiple bids on his life?

Cross Country by author James Patterson for a spine chilling thriller. 

Nothing to Lose by author Lee Child (Jack Reacher Novel)

Book: Nothing to Lose  (Jack Reacher Novel)

Author: Lee Child  (www.jackreacher.co.uk )

Publisher:  Bantam Books and Random House (www.booksattransworld.co.uk and www.rbooks.co.uk and www.randomhouse.co.uk )

ISBN: 978-0-553-81811-6

The hero of this series is Jack Reacher. Lets get it straight at the start of the review. He is a man’s hero and a woman’s dream man. No nonsense, less emotions, less of mushy wooshy stuff.  Tough exterior, good looking in a rugged way. Drifter, who doesn’t have any strings, nor any loose ends. Retired trained Military police, or in his own words: the man who keeps trained killing machines in check and order. Absolute expert in weapons and martial arts. Doesn’t fight often, but when he fights you have to call in the insurance people…. for the place and the people. Do I have your attention?

Jack Reacher is footloose again and stand midway between two Colorado honky tonky towns, Hope and despair. For want of a cup of coffee, Jack picks one town randomly and walks in for his brew. But surprise…. He is picked up by the local law enforcement on charges of vagrancy, booked and gets a ride back to where he started.

When Jack faces a wall, he butts his head against the wall till it gives in.  What is it that the town is so desperate to keep from Reacher?  Why are the locals so furitive and what are they on the edge about? What is with this religious cult and doomsday prophecies.? More intrigue and dark secrets that meets the eye.

A good effort by author Lee Child, not my personal favorite, but an action packed thriller. The book : One Shot is now a major motion picture starring Tom Cruise.