Devi Nair
The children are taken to a museum for a field trip and no one can contain their excitement. All the Egyptian history and the mummies and the ornaments of ancient Egyptian kings are too much to resist and every one is enjoying themselves. Even Jessica, Hannah, Kiera, Oliver and William are enjoying watching and learning. But when William comes across a live mummy who has lost an amulet given to him for safe keep, things start to go south and the adventure begins. Who has stolen the amulet? What does that amulet do? How does the villain intend to use it? Although these are very important questions to be answered for the werewolves, their primary concern happens to be the mummy, who has been asleep for so long that the new world is a bit too fascinating for him. Do the kids manage to find the amulet? Or would the mischievous mummy be a bit too much to handle?
Jessica and her friends are back again with yet another interesting adventure in the Case of the Mischievous Mummy. The villain too returns with equal mystery and secrets. The story is, as usual, crisp and to the point. There is enough punch to keep the interest alive and short as to ensure that the story is offer before the tiny readers get bored.
With the short attention span of kids, books like these are a boon to help develop the reading habit among children. Robert does a wonderful job yet again with Jessica and her friends, which keep you wanting to get more of the action
The book definitely deserves a five star, like all its precedents.
The last book in the series, The Case of the Terrible Truth makes you feel sad, not because of the story but because you realize that you have to finally say good bye to the lovable characters in the book.
The Secret is finally about to be revealed. The Werewolves are close to figuring out who is the villain all through the series who were troubling the children and the people in the town. They are about to unmask the mystery. But would they like what they are seeing? Is it, after all, a good thing to know everything? Or should somethings be kept hidden?
The final book is a very mysterious novel, right from the start. A very nice action packed ending to an awesome book series. Jessica and her friends would sorely be missed. I sincerely hope Jackson-Lawrence come up with another series soon. Looking forward to reading more of his books
About this author
A fan of writing since he could first hold a crayon, R Jackson-Lawrence has had a tortuous path before reaching this point in his life. In between working in a supermarket, care home and hospital, and having a family, it took nearly twenty years for his first book to be finished.
There is a ghost in the farm which is scaring all the cows. That is causing the cows to give lesser milk. The children find this out when they are on a field trip to the farm. The image of the disturbed cows and the helpless farmer troubles the werewolves and they decide to take matter into their own hands. And what happens next is another adventure for Jessica, Kiera, Hannah, Oliver and William.
Jessica and her friends are back again with another adventure. Although the title says “Ghost”, there is nothing that would be too scary for the children. The ghost is very similar to Casper and is friendly. Also the mysterious villain is still to be found and that is bothering the werewolves a lot.
Robert has created another masterpiece with the seventh part of this book. Another awesome read for the kids and a beautiful addition to children's literature. A fun read before sleeping and can be made interactive if required too. Personally loved it.
About this author
A fan of writing since he could first hold a crayon, R Jackson-Lawrence has had a tortuous path before reaching this point in his life. In between working in a supermarket, care home and hospital, and having a family, it took nearly twenty years for his first book to be finished.
Bella aka Ana Steal is a student who is forced to go take an interview of the millionaire Edward aka Chris Gray. Ana is a girl with a bit of a twisted mind, seeing dual meaning in everything. Chris is a prankster who is full of pranks to do and is super generous. (There is a scene where Chris aka Edward gives a homeless man a hundred thousand dollars just because they dashed into him. Another case where he takes a helicopter to go from one place to another place, which is basically ten feet distance from each other). There is also Ana's best friend Jin aka Jacob. Jacob, unfortunately, is not a werewolf, but is just another person who wants to get into Ana's pants. Ana, however, wants Chris to get into her pants. And Chris is just simply happy the way he is and just enjoys playing practical jokes (like keeping an electric buzzer in the palm while shaking hands) and to make extra ordinary expenditure.
The entire novel is a hilarious parody of Fifty shades of Grey and Twilight. The way Ana and Chris are described is funny and Andrew Shaffer has put considerable imagination into the book. The parody is beautifully written and yet, not stretched so long as to make the reader lose interest. Kudos to the author
Source - www.shvoong.com/writers/dnair
Received an ebook directly from the author in return of an honest review
Eight year old Jessica is a werewolf. Yes, she actually changes from a girl into a wolf every full moon. Her parents know of this and adjust accordingly. She had an entire backyard forest to run around when she turned into a werewolf. But all good things has to come to an end. They are shifting to the city. Here there is not much forest to run, only a park. And, as usual, new schools are scary. But Jessica soon finds new friends.
But there are secrets around her here. What are those sounds she hears in the park where she runs as a wolf? What are her friends hiding from her? Why are so many of her classmates becoming sic suddenly? And what is on with the new Head master? Join Jessica in her adventure to uncover all these secrets in The Case of Horrifying Headmaster, written by Robert Jackson - Lawrence.
The Case of the Horrifying Headmaster is the first in the 8 book series of The Adventures of Third Grade Werewolf. Jessica is the lead character, an eight year old kid, who is a werewolf in a new city. The other characters in the book are her friends Kiera, Hannah, Oliver, and William, along with the teachers, and the parents.
Robert is a wonderful author and Pups is a wonderful book for kids. The flow of the story is steady and the language is simple. You can relate very easily to the characters and the innocence of 8 year olds are beautifully captured. There is not a single thing that I would want to change in the book. The book, although is only 80 odd pages, is a capturing book with not even a single useless word. A perfect book for the kids, as it is small and adventure packed. I am sure every single kid would love to atleast listen to the adventures of Jessica the werewolf.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series
Source: www.shvoong.com/writers/dnair
Received the book directly from the author in exchange of an honest review
Gy lives among elves who get to add letters to their names based on their achievements for courage or knowledge. He longs for a longer name. He knows he does not have courage, but knowledge is something he has in abundance and also ever increasing due to his constant reading of The Book. The Book is like a holy bible for the elves and Gy knows everything about it. And suddenly he comes across Mister 1, who has such a long name that even if all the stars in the sky were letters, would still not be enough to name him.
What does Mister 1 want from Gy? Does Gy get to add more letters to his name? And who is the girl and the bear just outside Oneira? Gy: A Short Story by Peter Lean is truly, as the title says, a short story. You finish the book almost as soon as you start it.
Although a very interesting book and a really interesting and fun story line, the story ends on a very abrupt note. You are left wanting for more, by the time you finish the book. I sincerely hope this is just a part of a series and not a complete book in itself. There are a lot of unanswered questions that the reader feels by the time the book is completed.
However, the story is very crisp and sweet. The language is nice and fluid and would be a good read for children. The fantasy is nicely portrayed and the characters are just right for the concept. Just because of the abrupt ending and feeling of longingness in me, I give it a 3.5 star
Looking forward to read the next book to know what happens to Gy.
Check my review on my blog http://www.shvoong.com/books/children-and-youth/2432646-gy-short-story/
Received directly from the author as ebook in return of an honest review
Honestly I was never a fan of romance books and tried my best to stay away from them. However, when I came across the summary of Target for Terror, I got intrigued and decided to break my rule for a change. And boy, wasn't I surprised and pleased to have done that! Target for Terror is a book, the likes of which I have never come across in this genre.
Natalia Sokolova is a Critical Care nurse and has obtained a prestigious opportunity to treat the Prime Minister of Russia. The Prime Minister is shot at a close range and during treatment, he tells her that an FBI agent has shot him. Now Natalia is not sure if the Prime Minister is in his senses or is blabbering because of the drugs given for surgery. However, even before she could ascertain any of the facts, the Prime Minister is dead and she is the next target. What has she done that she became the next target? Who is targeting her?
An ex-FBI Agent Sloan Dreyer, takes it upon himself to protect Natalia under any circumstances. He was assigned the task of protecting the Prime Minister and he is determined not to make the same mistakes twice. However, Natalia is confused as to whether to trust him or not. And even against her better judgement, she is drawn towards him. Very soon, Natalia finds out that her entire family is at risk. But what is it that they have done? What then follows is a major web of conspiracies and a major terrorist attack on the United States of America. Will Natalia and Sloan be able to avert this catastrophe? Will their relationship last? Or will it all be just the end of everything?
A very interesting and gripping novel, which you just cannot take a break from. Right from the start, the story takes you on to a full fledged roller coaster ride full of twists and turns until the very end of the book. Iding has done a wonderful job with the novel. The story never falls slack. The characters are strong and not someone who you would pass by. Every single character in the novel has a unique talent and has the common sense to use it to their advantage. In spite of the way it is portrayed, Natalia is not a damsel in distress. In fact, she comes out equally as strong, if not more, as Sloan or any other FBI Agent mentioned.
The novel has changed my concept of romantic thrillers and has opened up a whole new genre of books for me. I would definitely give it a five star
Source: www.shvoong.com/writers/dnair
The idea that there are other living beings apart from us in the Universe is a much discussed topic. We are always in the look out for other living things, maybe more intelligent than us, out there. However, what if, suddenly some such beings come and capture the human race to be their slaves for eternity? What if all the human beings are kidnapped and transported to some other Universe to be slaves to those living beings whom we were searching for so long?
That is precisely what X-Calibur, by R. Jackson-Lawrence is all about. Earth is attacked by a race of aliens. Only a couple of scientists and their family managed to escape and were left behind. But they succumbed to radio poisoning, but only after the scientists develop a technology which has human like feelings. The technology is left behind alone, and starts waiting for King Arthur to come and re-inhabit the Earth again.
Around 4000 years later, Adam 359 is born to be a slave to the aliens. The slaves are fed a story for generations that they are created by these aliens only for the purpose of slavery and that they do not have any other existence. However, Adam 359 feels a certain pull towards freedom and chances upon the advanced technology, which has named itself Merlin. Is Adam the Arthur that Merlin had been waiting for? Or is human race bound to be slaves for aliens for ever?
Lawrence has a very interesting flair for science fiction and keeps the reader gripped at every stage of the book. There are instances in the book where the history of King Arthur is discussed and it is very nicely woven into the script. The friendship between alien beings and humans are very touching and so is the rebellion of the slaves against their captors, in spite of the punishments that are vetted upon them for rebellion. The book also gives a promise for a sequel with various parts of the story left incomplete and untold at various parts of the novel. It is also ended with a suspense and intrigue for the upcoming sequel.
This is my first novel of Lawrence and I am thoroughly impressed by the story. Although I am sure it is going to be not a short wait, I am eagerly waiting to get my hands on the sequel.
Source: http://www.shvoong.com/books/science-fiction/2432292-calibur-return/
You are in a new place and you suddenly come across a new person your age, but a bit different. What would you do? You would naturally be friends with that person. But what if you found out that such a person does not exist as you know them? Wait... what does that mean?
Chloe has recently shifted from her childhood home to a new house inherited by her step dad. She is not very happy with the shift as all her friends are back home and here she will be the uncomfortable new girl in the block and also in school. She is not at all happy with the change but a fifteen year old hardly ever has any say in such things. So, as she is trying to come in terms with the change and adjustments, she meets Violet, a fourteen year old girl with strange clothes and a very optimistic approach. They become good friends and Chloe even teaches Violet to read, as Violet does not go to school.
Very soon, she adapts to the new environment. She makes new friends at the new school. And then there is Sam, a crush-turned-boyfriend. She is totally smitten with Sam and as she thinks, so is he. But that means less time with Violet, who she has come to be very fond of. However, soon her mom starts saying Violet is just a figment of her imagination and does not actually exist. Chloe is sure Violet exists as she had given Violet her book too. How is that possible? And what is going on with Sam? Why is he in possession of a book which contains a story very similar to her life currently? Sam is keeping secrets. But will they harm their relationship? Or will it make them stronger? Are they meant to be?
Dance of Robin is a definite page turner. It will keep you hooked up until the very end. The flow of the story is really nice and the way the characters are interlinked are beautiful. The relation between Chloe and her mother is really inspiring and I hope all the teenagers who read it appreciate the honesty and beauty in the mother daughter relationship. The honesty and good nature of all the characters are also very appealing and there are times when you feel the world is actually a beautiful place with nice people around us.
The book is in first person, but has got a various characters presented in the first person. Chloe, Violet and Sam takes turns to tell their story. Each chapter has a different person telling story, but there is no specific mention to inform the reader who is the character narrating this particular chapter. There are also some spelling mistakes and grammatical errors at places.
However, the story could have ended so much better. The ending could have been used to give such a beautiful message to the children. Considering this book is for children and teenagers, it could have been used to create and develop a kind and helping mentality among kids. Now with the current ending, I am not sure if a positive message is passed on to the readers. Another point I could not understand is the way the title of the book connects to the theme. I am sure the author meant to relate it in some way but the reason eluded me throughout the book.
But overall, I liked the book. I would have liked it even so much more only if the ending was a bit different. Being someone who gets emotionally connected with the book, I felt a bit sad when the story ended on that note. There were many other alternatives to the ending other than the current.
The novel is a could-have-been fairy tale, which ends by placing the readers firmly into reality and saying, not everything goes the way you would ideally want it to go. I would give it a 3 star rating.
Source: http://www.shvoong.com/books/children-and-youth/2432342-dance-robin/
The Christmas is cancelled. Santa Clause is kidnapped. And the reindeers cannot follow the kidnappers and rescue Santa because they are hurt and cannot move. What to do now? The children around the world would be so disappointed if Christmas gets cancelled and gifts are not delivered. Now only the werewolves can do something to save Christmas. Will Jessica and her friends be able to save Christmas? Or will all the children end up getting disappointed without any presents? And who is the secret villian lurking just around the corner, right out the reach? Who is the person who wants the Christmas to be cancelled? Will they try to harm the werewolves? Read The Case of Cancelled Christmas and enjoy an action packed adventure by Jessica and her friends, written by R Jackson Lawrence.
Only 70 pages thick, this book is a page turner right from page one. There is no moment of slack through out the book. The story starts right from the first page. Enough back ground is given to get the reader through the story properly and absolutely no words are wasted at any point. Jessica, Kiera, Hanna, Oliver and William are growing well together as a pack and have a wonderful team building happening. The entire story is of one night.
A wonderful Christmas themed novel for kids. And the suspense continues with more adventures for Jessica and her friends.
Alzheimer's is a very well known disease these days. After so many movies about Alzheimer's and dementia, and so many articles on people living through it and people taking care of such patients, people have a general idea of what the illness is and what to expect from such situations. However, rarely do we look at people suffering from Dementia and see them similar to us. The thinking is always “This won't happen to us”
This book is a patient who is suffering from Alzheimer's and the story is in first person. Through this, you get a feel of the person who is going through the disease in the first person and it totally changes the way you look at this illness and the patients suffering from it.
The story is about a Punjabi old woman who is recently diagnosed with the A-disease. She is shocked and does not know how to deal with it. The people around her, although care a lot for her and want to take care of her through the illness, are not much looking at how she is taking the knowledge of her illness and how she is coping with it. She is on her own in that. That is when she decides not to let the disease take away everything from her. She decides to write about everything around her and thereby keep her memory on papers. That is how the book comes into picture.
Throughout the book, we are introduced to a Punjabi girl, Kamala, who is brought up in a country which has recently got its Independence. The partition is still fresh and since many a Punjabi families had come from Pakistan to India after partition, there is a bitter sweet atmosphere in the book about the incident. In spite of that, Kamala's father, who is a Judge, takes very good care of his children, even girls, and ensures that they get proper education and culture. Those times are when women did not have much freedom and very few of their decisions were actually listened to, forget about taking into consideration.
She speaks about her education, her life with her siblings, her active nature and further her marriage into another joint family. Although her husband was a very caring person, he was also of the patriarchal generation and she was subdued, even having her name changed as her sister in law was her Namesake. The journey onwards is described very sweetly as Kamala, now Neeru, did not particularly hold any grudge against anyone and took life in its flow. She adjusted to the circumstances and gave the family whatever they wanted at the time they wanted it, even children.
The entire book is placed in Kamala aka Neeru's past and only the first few and last few pages talk about her present. However, you tend to like Neeru as a person and really gel well along with her on the journey through her life. There are times when today's generation might feel puzzled as to how the women at those times were so submissive to the family. But the book still plays on the lighter version of it and the submissiveness is only so much so it can easily be accepted and moved on.
Overall, it is a very interesting read. You get a glimpse at the times our grandparents lived and we feel a renowned respect for them. Although there is not much about the A-word throughout the book, but because the character is introduced as a person suffering from it, it does not easily go from the reader's mind and at various times, you see for yourself where the character first started showing signs of it. A nice Indian book with a nice Indian story. Would give it a 3.5 star rating
Source: http://www.shvoong.com/books/novel-novella/2432100-silver-haze/
*Received the book directly from the author in exchange of an honest review *
And Jessica is back with new adventures, along with Kiera, Hannah, William and Oliver in the second part of the series of Adventures of Third Grade Werewolves. The school has hired a new chef. The food in the cafeteria has become so much more tasty and wonderful. You just cannot get enough. However, soon after that, a peculiar change is observed in all their class mates. What is happening to them? How is it not affecting the werewolves? Who is doing all this?
Jessica and the pack is back with another wonderful mystery in The Case of Loathsome Lunches. Robert has created another magic with this wonderful new book. The plot is another page turner, although, once again a short one, but just right for the kids.
You cannot help but fall in love with the innocence of these kids. They take matter into their own hands when no one can be turned to for help. They turn their werewolf talents into strength and manage to solve the mystery. The flow of the story is smooth and so is the way the characters are presented. The book is a lovable one. Looking on to read the next part of the series.
This book is a definite read for all the kids.
Source: www.shvoong.com/writers/dnair
Yes, the imagination is commendable. The concept of Rats trying to over turn Men in this world is something new. However, not everyone can go through the book and honestly think it would happen. The main point being we do not want it to happen. The concept of robots overtaking mankind and suppressing humans are much more thinkable than rats having a war with men.
The story starts with how rats were forced underground and made to live in a very horrible situations. Over the years, they plot and plan a revolution against men, who had forced them this horrible life. The plotting increases with every bit of harshness they have to face.
Then finally they erupt and have a go at the humans. The rats wage a war against human. They want to have equal rights to live on the land like other mammals. They want to stop living in the dark underground and come to light. They want to succeed. They want world dominance. They want.... freedom.
Do they succeed? Do they get to live on the land as other animals and mammals? Or are they condemned to the life underground again? Read on to find out in “Of Rats and Men - The Last Man's War” by Todor Bombov
The Silent Night, as rightly suggests, tells you the story of Mary and her son Jesus. Being a childrens's book, it is short, sweet and pictorially represented in a very sweet way. Children would love to read the book as it says the story of Baby Jesus, it has a lot of colourful and beautiful pictures and it is short so as to not give enough time for the child to let their mind get diverted.
The story is on a Christmas eve when it is snowing outside and the Snowman is enjoying the cold. Two small children are waiting for their Grandmother to tell them their bedside story. The grandmother usually reads from children's books but today she decides to tell them the story of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus. And that is how the story begins and goes on to tell about Mother Mary as a child, her marriage to Joseph and the birth of Baby Jesus
For a parent, such books would be a boon. Such books encourage reading habits in children, which is a rare quality these days with so many computers and Play stations going on.
Such books would encourage the reading habits in children right from childhood. I would recommend every parent to encourage their child to read this book and similar books
Never before have I read such a book which made me laugh right from the first page till the very end. Never ever have I got so interested in a book that I got effortlessly transported to a younger version of me who loves fairy tales. Never before.... Oh how many “never before”s can I add here? I am spell - bound by the book (and not at all turned into ice by the cold stare of the princess)
Oh I should not start from the end but from the beginning... But is there any beginning? The only beginning is when you open the book. The main characters in the book are as follows
- An off-beat Princess who swears like a man and very dominating. But she breaks the traditional Princess mold and comes out very interesting and fun to read (although might not be so much fun to be with)
- A drunk warrior hero, who is technically a drunk grandson of a warrior hero. But at times, he gets all Shakespearean and hilarious
- A scared ogre (oh, sorry Oagre) who is too simple and too much of a coward to be actually of any help but still a fun character
- A wizard who is a magic school drop out. All he manages to do is illusions and rarely any tricks
- An elf who looks like a small boy and is very intelligent
- The narrator who tries to manage the story as much as he can and constantly has disagreements with the characters
- The author who is least interested in whatever is happening and only likes to fight with the narrator
- The editor who tries to rein the story once narrator and author are kicked out by the characters
Yes, you have read it right. The narrator, author and editor are also characters in the book. The characters openly talk, argue, fight and kick out the narrator. There are times when the characters take the story forward the way they want to take it.
The other fairy tale characters also make cameo appearances in the story and show their true self, very much different from the way we have read them as children. Even lawyers make their presence known, only to be killed very soon by the warrior hero.
It is not at all a typical fairy tale story but nonetheless, it is so much fun and interesting to read that it is guaranteed to be a page turner for anyone who comes across it. Although not technically for small children, it is a perfect read for teenagers and above.
A light and fun story, I would recommend it to everyone who loves to read
Alex Cross goes to his ancestry and narrates a story for his kids. That is what I read in a review about the book. Yes, this book goes back three generations into Cross ancestry and tells a story about Alex Cross's Great Uncle, Abraham Cross. Alex's grandmother, Nana Mama has told him the story of his great Uncle Abraham Cross and his struggle through the era of Klu Klux Klan.
The story basically follows an attorney, Ben Corbett, who always makes it a point to fight for the coloured people, even at the risk of losing his family and friends. But when the President Roosevelt asks him to go to Missisippi, which is his home town, and investigate the resurgence of Klu Klux Klan, he can't refuse and on he goes to meet Abraham Cross and his charming daughter Moody. Both the Cross help Corbett to understand the other side of the southern town and Ben realises that there is more to Lynching than he had originally thought. The black people used to live in constant fear every day. Ben determines to help the people in the town but when he realizes the true meaning of things in the background, it breaks his heart.
It is a bit slow, and if you do not like history so much, you might not enjoy it a lot. Yes, the mystery is there, but not as would be expected from an Alex Cross novel. It is, at most, manageable, if not slightly boring.
Alex Cross series by James Patterson has always been one of my favorites. I have managed to get my hands on almost the entire books in the series, though not in the order. Although all of them so far has been interesting and fun to read, there are times when I wonder if Alex Cross lacks serious spine in deciding what he wants to do and does not want to do.
It is Christmas and while Alex wants to spend time with his family on the festive season, he is called to assist in a hostage case. Cross does not want to go and he says that clearly when he is called, but minor guilty tricks work on him and he ends up leaving his family alone on Christmas Eve. What I do not understand is how does the Police make him feel guilty so easily and the same does not apply for his own family?
Anyway, the hostage situation cannot end sooner and the second situation arises, that of a national security potential terrorist threat. Again Cross is required and no one else apparently can replace him in this.
Throughout the book, Christmas is going on and Alex Cross is far away from the family as possible, be it physically or emotionally, and his family spends the entire Christmas Eve praying Alex returns home safe and alive. From time to time, he thinks and hopes that his family understands the requirement of his job and they would forgive him. I am not from a police background so I do not understand such things on a personal level. But I feel sad for Cross and his family for having to go through all this.
Even Bree, who is from the police background herself, is not able to identify with his need to be at every possible crime scene and be involved at every possible investigation. If she does not understand that, then that says a lot for me. I just hope this marriage lasts unlike all the other marriages.
Although I want to wish Alex would show a bit more assertiveness, I think that unfortunately would result in reduction of the stories that we enjoy so much.
However, I love James Patterson. Always have and always will
Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling has an interesting, but typical style of writing. By reading “The Cuckoo's calling” and “The Silkworm”, you figure out why Harry Potter had 7 parts to it. She has a way of getting too much into detail of the story and take the readers day by the day into the activity. Yes, it is interesting if you have all the time in the world to read and in the progress, try and figure out the mystery of the book. But for someone who would be impatient, it would be a torture to go through page after page of details.
A controversial writer is missing and the wife approaches Cormoran Stike to find him out. Stike is at the peak of his detective career after Luna Lundry case and therefore is having a lot of high paying cases. However, when the wife says that she does not have money to pay him and that the writer's agent will pay him for his services, Stike gets curious with the case.
But when the writer is found dead in the exact same way as the hero's death is mentioned in the book, the going get suspicious. Stike finds out the book contains characters based on real life and they are all portrayed in complete negativity. That gives a lot of suspects for the writer's death and Strike has no leads. During the investigation, he finds out there was someone who was tailing the writer's house and now that person is not only tailing Strike but also trying to kill him.
In the background, Strike's assistant Robin is about to get married to her long time fiance Mathew but Mathew is not happy with Robin's work. Their friction and Strike getting unknowingly involved in it creates another story line of a friendship and love.
The story is slow and laborious. But if read carefully (provided you have enough patience to last through the book with care) you will find out on your own who the killer is. It is all in the words and the way Strike explains it in the end makes it really easy to have figured out. A lengthy but good read. Try reading it over the weekend, otherwise you would take ages to finish it.
Dorothy L. Sayers’ debut novel, Whose Body?, introduces the world to the legendary detective Lord Peter Wimsey. Published in 1923, this classic Golden Age mystery is a fascinating blend of cerebral investigation, dry wit, and early 20th-century English society.
The story kicks off with a bizarre discovery: a naked body found in a bathtub, with no identification and no clear cause of death. Sayers immediately sets up a puzzle that is equal parts gruesome curiosity and intellectual challenge. As Lord Peter Wimsey investigates, the novel showcases Sayers’ talent for meticulous plotting and clever twists.
Wimsey himself is a delightful protagonist—an aristocrat with a keen mind, a playful sense of humor, and a flair for unconventional detective work. The supporting characters are well-drawn, and the dialogue often sparkles with the witty repartee characteristic of Sayers’ work.
That said, modern readers might find the pacing a bit slow in places, and some of the period details feel dated. But these elements are part of the charm for fans of classic detective fiction. The plot’s cleverness, combined with the introduction of a detective who is both erudite and approachable, makes Whose Body? a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.
Verdict: Whose Body? is a smart, engaging, and foundational mystery that marks the beginning of an iconic detective series. If you enjoy classic whodunits with clever deductions and a touch of British humor, this book is for you.
Originally posted at www.viewsshewrites.com.
The book was sent to me by the author
I normally prefer murder mysteries but when Suren contacted me with the soft copy of his book, I couldn't resist.
It was unlike anything I have ever read before - a fresh, albeit a dark, concept. It was insightful and deep on a philosophical level.
Maybe I am not a fight sequence fan, but I felt the fight sequence were stretched a bit too much. However for people who like to read fights, it would be interesting.
Overall, the story and the concept was fresh and really interesting.
Would look forward to his next book :)
