Frederick Forsyth : Novel : The Dogs of War

Sir James Manson, has come up the hard way in life. Born to nobodies from some place. He has grown to become the Chairman of ManCon, construction and exploration company.
Starting as a mine worker, James Manson realized that money was not made by underground mining workers but by above ground white color guys who invested money. He learnt the skills of mining astutely.
And when he was promoted as director of his company , he quit his job. He realized that he had the potential else he would not have been promoted. After quitting he started his company. Initial days were testing days. But he bid for all small projects and got hold of the nuances of running a company. Slowly but steadily he had built up his company to become one of the largest construction and mining company in UK.
A report on the desk of Sir James Manson had his attention. It was the report of recent exploration work done by one of the consultants that the company hires. The results of the exploration were startling... The Crystal Mountain, located in Zhangaro, a small African county, had the largest platinum deposit ever found.
Zhangaro, virtually unknown country, is being run by a guy called Kimba. Kimba is known to be a very unstable guy who claims he can talk to the gods. The land is dominated by Vidhu tribe. Kimba had forcefully occupied the country and has driven out all his opponents. He virtually controls all the moves of people.
James Manson desperately wants the exploration rights of the crystal mountain and exploit the contents. But it is impossible to do till kimba is around. So he comes up with a dangerous and grandiose idea.

Sir James trusts his 2 lieutenants Martin Thorpe and Simon Endean. They were handpicked by James and groomed to become his trusted juniors. He talks about his plans with Martin and Simon. Simon is assigned the job of finding a mercenary who can carry out the grand plan.
Carlo Alfred Thomas Shannon (a.k.a Cat Shannon) is a mercenary who has fought all types of wars in Africa. He is familiar with the psyche of Africans. He is back in London after his assignment and is loafing around. He wants a new assignment is not sure how to get one until Simon calls him up.
Cat Shannon has trusted partners in Kurt Semmler, Marc Vlaminck, Langarotti and Dupree. They have worked with him in africa. They are the Dogs of War.
Cat Shannon accepts Simon's proposal and starts his preparation.

What follows is an interesting and adventerous story of Cat and his team.

Amazing novel. Frederick at his best, as usual.
I liked the way the story progresses, the way characters are built up. Shannon's methodical prepration is amazing and explained in great detail. However i felt it could have been shortened.
James Manson's character is a great read. Simon and Martin are simple in their characters.
The story revolves around Cat Shannon and his men. Cat comes out as a very interesting man who knows what he can do and does it efficiently.
The story also has characters like Dr. Steinhofer, Swiss banker, Sergei Golon, the under secretary, Charles Roux who has a score to settle with Shannon, Johann Schlinker who supplies shannon with his vital requirements, baker who helps Shannon with other requirements, Lambert who helps with some vital parts, Jack Mulrooney the Surveyor of Crystal Mountain.

However I was not too happy with Julia's character. I felt it was not required. She is there in the picture only for one purpose and that could have been achieved by any other person. A detective agency could have done the job that she does.

Overall an interesting novel. I would give a 7 out of 10 and a must for all Frederick Fans.

Jeffrey Archer : Novel : Kane & Abel

Kane and Abel is a story of two men and their desire to be the best in their field. Until fate crosses their paths.
William Kane is sone of Richard Kane, a second generation banker and the CEO of Kane and Cabot Bank. Richard is excellent at his job and is running the bank with atmost efficiency when a freek accident to the world biggest ship takes his life.
William grows up without his father and only stories of his fathers achievements. He has set a goal that he shall be atleast as successful as his father.
William grows up with his best friend, a Lester. They share a great bonding. William joins the investment banking division of Kane and Cabot with the desire to be at the helm of the Bank.
Wladak, born to unknown parentage, is picked up by a polish family which works for the baron of that area.
Wladak has the ability to pick up things very fast and starts to outsmart boys in his school. Baron who has lost his wife and has a son who needs some compition, picks up wladak and makes him stay with his son. Wladak asks his sister floryetina to come along.
Wladak grows up as an intelligent kid with lots of ambitions. Until Poland is invaded by Russians and they are held captive for 3 years. Then follows a series of mishaps for wladak.

What happens to wladak and what turns does William's life take is the rest of the novel.

Me thinks
=========

This is a typical Jeffrey Archer Novel. The story takes you through the lives of the main characters of the novel right from their birth.
I am impressed with the story telling ability of Archer. Great Novel. You cannot put it down till you have turned the last page.
No wonder that Kane and Abel is treated as great piece of work.

But there were couple of things that I was not happy about..
(1) The war episode was totally unnecessary. William and Abel's connection with the war during the later part was totally out of place. The author wanted to make a point but it was very feeble.
(2) Richard and Floryentina's story is a stereotype story and hinging on it to conclude your book is not what i expected.
I was impressed with the initial and middle section of the book. I did not expect Kane and Abel to behave the way they did. Is it just me or Polish people really behave the way it was portrayed or it was just Able who was the way he was...


I would give it a 7 out of 10. Great book but the ending without Richard and Floryentina whould have been a much better one. Story was about Kane and Abel and it should have ended with Kane and Abel.

Jeffrey Archer : Short Stories : A Quiver Full Of Arrows

A Quiver Full of ArrowsThis short story collection by Jeffrey Archer has 11 stories bundled up.


Story 1 : The Chinese Statue
Sir Alexander Heathcote rose from an officer in the British foreign office to become an Ambassador. He was deputed to china to represent London. He took great pride in his new assignment because it gave him the opportunity to see a vast and beautiful country. Alexander is a great admirer of Ming dynasty and appreciates the time and life of Ming dynasty.
One day he sets out into the inners of Chinese village, along with his interpreter. He meets a sculptor who is busy going about his job. Alexander is fascinated by the old man's job and expresses so.
The old man, not used to praises, let alone by a foreigner is floored. Out of sheer happiness he takes Alexander inside and shows him a statue from 15th century Ming dynasty.
What follows next is the rest of the story.


Me thinks
=========
This is my first Short Story collection of Jeffrey Archer. After reading his novel First Among Equals, I had great expectations from this book. But I was slightly let down. I was expecting a great punch. An arrow from the Quiver should have shot me through. But nothing of that sort happened. The story started and got over with a small twitch by a needle.
I was saddened that the first story did not start as I had expected.

I would give it a 5.5 out of 10.

--------------------------------------------

Story 2 : The Luncheon
The first person, is an author. The whole story is from the eyes of the Author. He is pleasantly surprised when he sees a lady waving at him and greets him with a hug in a literary guild party. Author is not able to place the lady. In the nick of time he remembers her as Susan whom he had met sometime back.
What follows is the recollection of the past encounter.

Me thinks
=========
I was totally dejected. How can you call this a story. It was a simple narration of an incident. It lacked the punch, the anxiety factory, the aaha factory. I was thoroughly disappointed to say the least.
It also proved my long held notion that "In a short story collection the second story will be a compete disaster". This book simply reiterated my belief and that too with full force.

Should I rate this story !!! anyways I would give it a 2 out of 10.

---------------------------------------------

Story 3 : A Coup
Senhor Eduardo Francisco de Silveira has come to Nigeria on an ambitious project. He is planning to build the capital of Nigeria. It is a very huge project even by Edurdo's standard. He is leaving no stone unturned.
Eduardo's company is the largest construction company in Brazil. However his rival Manual Rodriguez claims his company Rodriguez International is the biggest.
On landing in Nigeria, he heads to his hotel room. When is about to step into the elevator, he freezes in his path when he notices Manual in the lift.
What follows next is an interesting sequence of event that take place in Nigeria.

Me Thinks
=========
This story brought back some color on my cheeks :)
This story felt as if it deserved to be called a story. It had the punch and the strength of an arrow. Though it could not pierce me as I had built a shield of hopelessness. But it did crack the shield.

I would give it 6.5 out of 10.

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Story 4 : Old Love
William Hatchard Philippa Jameson have joined New College under James Blake to study English Language and Literature. Far from being good friends they were bitter rivals who competed ferociously in each and every class, each and every competition.
By the end of first year, every one had a feeling that these two will never compromise on anything. Their rivalry brought out the best out of both of them as they put in all their efforts to be on top.

What follows next is an interesting tale which looks at the lives of both William and Philippa across generations.

Me Thinks
========
I was totally floored by the story. I was completely absorbed in the story.
When the story finally got over, I could not believe that the story actually ended...
I was almost in tears at the end of the story.
Very touching and very hear warming story of two people and their lives.

I would give 9 out of 10

---------------------------------------------

Story 5: The Perfect Gentleman

The first person, journalist and author from London, is in New York chasing a writer for a biography. He meets Edward Shrimpton in the Metropolitan Club which occurred by chance. The journalist and Edward decide to have a lunch the next day.
Late in the evening the journalist meets his father's friend Eric McKenzie at the Metropolitan club. During their dinner the journalist mentions to Eric about his meeting with Edward. Eric gets interested. Eric tells him that Eric was a national champion in Backgammon gave. Edward was an undisputed champion of backgammon until he played the game on that fateful day.
Eric asks him to question Edward about the game as it was still unknown why he lost the game on that day.

What follows is the conversation between the journalist and Edward.

Me Thinks
=========
An interesting story. I liked the story. Not as powerful as "A Coup" and "Old Love" but great read nevertheless.

I would give it 6 out of 10.

--------------------------------------------

Story 6 : Broken Routine
Septimus Horatio Cornwallis has one of the most boring lives. He is an insurance claim settler and his daily routine is fixed to the dot. Right from the time he gets up till he sleeps his life is so monotonous that if you follow him for a week you would know what he must be doing in the next few years.
One fine evening his routine gets broken when his boss asks him to stay little longer and he misses his train. He takes a different train which is completely packed. He gets hold of a seat and settles down only to find a teenager sitting in front of him.

What follows is an interesting non-verbal communication between the two.

Me Thinks
==========
Awsome !!!
This time the arrow hit with a bang, and pierced me through. Though I have read about this punch in a different context, in a different story somewhere else but i was not prepared for the ending and it took me by surprise.
Considering that this short story collection was first printed in 1980, I feel this particular punch was created by THIS story and it has been used by others in their stories.

I would give an 8.5 out of 10

--------------------------------------------

Story 7 : One Night Stand
It is the story of Adrian and Michael. who are very close friends and have literally lived together their entire life. They share a perfect bonding until they meet this lady.

Me thinks
=========
A passé story.

I would give it a 4 out of 10.

-------------------------------------------

Story 8 : Henry's HiccupHenry is the son of Pasha of Egypt. The wealthiest person in Egypt.
The story revolves around Henry's live pre and post pasha's death

Me thinks
=========
There was no story here. Except the realization by Henry that life is not the same as he thought it was.

I would give it a 5 out of 10.

---------------------------------------------

Story 9 : A Matter of principle.Sir Hamish Graham runs a construction company and is pretty successful at that. But the downturn has affected his company and one of his managers asks him to take up the Mexican project for which Mexican government has put up advertisement.
The story revolves around the Contract and the discussion between all the stakeholders of the project.

ME thinks
=========
Amazing story with a personal Mexican touch, that Hamish fails to pick up.

I would give it a 7.5 out of 10.

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Story 10: The Hungarian ProfessorThe first person, sportsman is in Hungary to participate in a sports meet where he has a chance meeting with an old man who has great interest in England.
They keep chatting about England, their culture their climate, interesting places.
The old man invites the sportsman to his house for a dinner.
What follows next is an interesting conversation between the two about England.

Me thinks
=========
Awsome !!
I was totally absorbed in the story. The arrow will hit you only if you are careful in reading the last part of the story and keeping the context of the story at the back of your mind.
Brilliant protrayal of the old man.

I would give an 8.5 out of 10

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Story 11: The First MiracleTo say anything about the story would be to give away the story.
Lets just say that history is made up of many interesting twists and turns.

I would give the story an 8 out of 10
( I had to Google around to understand the significance of the story. Great story indeed!!!)



Summary
========
A great collection. A must read.
My Favourites: 4,3,6,10,11,9

Over all I would rate the book at 7 out of 10. It is a must read.

Novel : Agatha Christie : Murder On The Orient Express

An urgent telegram has arrived in the hotel room for Hercule Poirot To return to London. Poirot who is in another location finds it strange as the telegram was unexpected. Nevertheless he asks the hotel staff to book a first class seat.
The only train available immediately is the Istanbul Triestate Calais.
But the coach which goes to london is surprisingly full. This is a strange co-incidence for this time of the year.
M. Buoc who is a director of the company which runs the train, is also travelling on the Train. Buoc is a friend of Poirot and inspite of his influence, he can only get a second class seat for Poirot, with a promise that he will be immediately shifted to first class when the first person gets down at the next station.
On the Second day of the trip the train makes an unexpected stop because of a sudden snow fall. It is also discovered that Mr Ratchett has been murdered the night before. Mr. Ratchett had a room next to that of Hercule Poirot.
It falls upon Hercule Poirot to solve this case.

Poirot decides to interview the first class passengers one after the other to know the whereabouts of each and every passenger at the time of murder.
Starting from the Wagon Lit Conductor Pierre Michel, he interviews Ratchett's Sceretary MacQueen, Ratchett's Valet Edward Masterman.
Daughter fixated Mrs. Hubbard is interviewed, Sweedish lady Gret Ohlsson's details are taken.
Russian Princess Dragomiroff (who is supposedly the ugliest...) is also called in to give her whereabouts at the time of the crime.
Count and Countess Andrenyi, who are on this train are interviewed as well.
Colonel Arbuthnot, who is returning from India, is also quizzed.
Mr. Hardman, a typical american who is returning after a business triep, is also asked about his whereabouts.
26 years old Ms. Debenham, who is a care taker by profession, is also quizzed. Poirot finds her rather aloof and unsmpathetic.
The German Maid of the princess is asked to provide details of her whereabouts at the time of murder.

After interviewing the potential all the passengers, Poirot is confused. They are not able to pin-point the suspect.
The story takes interesting turns towards the end, leading into a dramatic and over the top ending.

Me Thinks
=========
It was an interesting novel. Agatha builds up the story really well. The plot is interesting but unbelievable.
Touted as one of the best by Agatha, it is indeed interesting. One cannot guess the murderer till the end.
But as I said the ending is unbelievable and there are far too many co-incidences.

I will go with 7 out of 10 for the novel. It deserves atleast one reading.

Novel : Agatha Christie : The Mystery Of The Blue Train

Van Aldin is a millionaire. He has achieved lot of name and fame in his profession and is respected and admired all around. He leads a very simple life and does not have desires like the other millionaires.

Ruth is the daughter of Van Aldin. She is an easy going lady who enjoys her life. Van Aldin seems to have some influence on her as she listens to him to an extent (at least that is what Van Aldin Believes). Van Aldin loves his daughter and frequently showers surprises on her which she loves.

Derek Kettering is Ruth's husband. He has not been an achiever in life. He does not have anything to show to the world. Moreover he is in deep debt. Van Aldin Hates his son-in-law and often wonders as to what made him accept Derek as his son-in-law. He wants here daughter to divorce Derek.



Knighton is a secretary of Van Aldin. He takes care of Van Aldin's official responsibilities. Van Aldin is impressed with Knighton's sinceriarity. Knighton also does small errands for Van Aldin when required.

Katherine is a care taker of an old lady called Emma. Emma has passed away and has left all her fortune in the name of Katherine. This has created headlines in newspaper. Katherine who till now led a very simple somber life is bombarded with messages and calls from her relatives whom she had not heard of since ages. She also gets a message from Mary Ann, cousin of Emma to meet her. Mary wants a pie in the treasure left by Emma. Katherine very well understands that.

Lady Tramplin is a relative of Katherine who has heard of the money that Emma has got and she to desires to get a part of the pie. She invites Katherine to her home to stay for some time. Katherine, inspite of knowing the intentions of Lady Tramplin, decides to go to her house. She has booked a ticket on The Blue Train to visit Lady Tramplin's house.

Lenox is Lady Tramplin's daughter who is straightforward and forthright and does not like the way her mother is behaving of late. She is a no-nonsense girl and wishes not to be part of any of Lady Tramplin's plans.

Comte de la Roche is a French guy who is a master swindler. French police have suspicion on him on various accounts but are not able to catch him red handed. Comte de la Roche is good at his job and chooses his prey carefully. Before Ruth got married to Derek, she was madly in love with Comte de la Roche. Her father had taken great pains to prove to her daughter that Comte was a swindler. But of late Van Aldin had got news that her daughter was seeing the guy again. Von Aldin has a feeling that Derek is aware of Ruth's new found closeness to Comte. Von Aldin feels that this might create problems during the divorce.

Mirelle is a dancer. She is good at charming people. Derek has fallen for Mirelle and wants to marry her. But Mirelle is a shrewd lady. She does not want to fall into the trap unless she is going to get something substantial.

Ruth has also boarded The Blue Train on the same day Katherine has taken the train. She has told her father that she wishes to visit the Riviera. However Van Aldin is not aware of the true intentions of her daughter. Derek is also on the same train unaware that Ruth has boarded the train as well.

On the fateful night there is a murder on the train.
What follows is an interesting story.


Me Thinks
=========
TO be frank I got to know the killer halfway through the novel. So the who-do-it suspense was kind of lost. After I went through the end my suspicions were confirmed twice over.

Who-done-it novels hinge one final punch. But if the blow is taken out of the punch, mid way through (not by the author, but by the reader), what follows next is mere corroboration of facts.

Agatha Christie, Earl Stanley Gartner, Edgar Wallace are masters of who-do-it novels. You pick any novel by them, it will be very entertaining.

The Mystery Of The Blue Train is an interesting murder mystery and should be read for the tactfulness and resourcefulness of Hercule Poirot. Hercule Poirot will not disappoint you in this Novel. This is probably my 5th Agatha Christie. I am a big fan of hers and I will be digging more into her Repertoire.

I would give 6 out of 10 and a thumbs up for the novel.
One should read the novel for Hercule's cunningness and occasional Slips.

Novel : Jeffrey Archer : First Among Equals

Charles Seymour was unlucky to be born 8 minutes later to his brother which deprived him of the earl status,a castle in Scotland, 22000 acres of somerset. But Charles had the potential of both the brothers put together, and the desire to succeed in life. He understood early in life that he would have to work that much harder to earn his place in history.

Simon Kerslake was born to a solicitor who did everything possible to get his son educated in the best of schools. Simon was known for his tanacity. He was not one of those who would leave things the way they were. When he applied to Oxford and missed a seat in History, he was determined and waited in front of the Admissions office. At the first opportunity he met the admissions officer and convinced him that the seat left vacent by one of the other students should be given to him as he narrowly missed a seat at oxford.

Raymond Gourd, aka Ray, was born to a butcher. He used to stay with his Grand Mother in a room on the first floor. She was the person whom he admired the most. His father could not afford his education. His mother somehow managed to squeeze him through. The day he gave his first speech in front of the audience he got a standing ovation, the first ever. Every one was so moved that the clapping continued for a very long time. It was the story of his grand mother. And the title of the speech was, the day I become the prime-minister.

Andrew Fraser was a born politician. His father was from teh Conservative party and represented one of the sections of scotland. It was taken for fact that Andrew would one day inherit his father and represet the reagon as a conservative. Little did his father know that Andrew had different plans.



My Impression
=============
I have been reading 30 pages each day for the past 15 days. I was so involved with the novel that I felt as if Charles, Simon, Ray and Andrew had become my second family.
I could easly realte to the characters. I became part of their desires, ambitions, success, failures.
I could feel the happiness, sadness of Louise, Kate,Elizabeth, Joyce, Fiona, Dunkinn, Amanda.
I could appreciate the characters Ronnie, Reynolds.

The Novel effortless moves between the private and public lives of these Conservative and Labour Party MPs. The desires of each of the 4 MPs. The election results which lift or dampen their hopes of gaining a bigger foothold in the British Parliament.

The rise and fall of the First among equally indeed.I was totally Involved with their activities.
I would consider it a fine piece of work by Jeffery Archer. Very Engaging.

I would give an 8 out of 10 and a thumbs up for the novel.

Novel : Arthur Hailey : Airport

Characters:

Mel Bakersfeld (Manager Lincoln International airport)
Cindy (Mel's wife)
Keith Bakersfeld (Mel's Brother who works at the Radar Control)
Tanya Livingston( Trans World Airlines passenger relations manager)
Joe Patroni (Trans World Airlines head of maintenance operations at TWA )
Vernon Demerest (Womanizing Pilot at TWA and brother-in-law of Mel)
Sarah (Vernon Demerest's wife)
Gwen Meighan (TWA Airline stewardess)
D.O. Guerrero (Construction Company head who has lost everything)
Iraz Guerrero
Ada Quonsett (Lady who always stowaways from Los Angeles to New York on TWA flight to meet her daughter).
Danny (Managing the Snow Control Desk)
Harris (pilot of Flight Two, "The Golden Argosy")

Plot
The plot revolves around the fateful night at the Lincoln International Airport.
Mel, General Manager of Lincoln International airport, Chicago, is a very busy man today. There has been an unprecedented snow fall at the airport. This had lead to a Chaos. Many flights have been delayed leading to hours of delay for the passengers who are getting jittery. The runways are getting blocked with snow which needs to be cleared. One Flight skid away from the runway 30 and is stuck in the mud and snow. Clearing of runway 30 is on priority. Because the runway 30 is blocked, runway 25 is being used more frequently. This has lead to huge noise in the Meneawood neighborhood who are not able to have a peaceful sleep. So on top of the existing issues at the Airport, an agitating Meneawood community lands at the Airport. Danny is handling the Snow department today. But Mel needs to be present at the Snow desk to help danny.
Mel has one more problem at hand. He needs to attend a dinner party with his wife for some charity function. Mel is going through a rough patch in his marriage. Cindy had specifically instructed Mel to be present at the dinner party. but looking at the state of affairs at the Airport, it would be impossible for Mel to move an inch from the airport. Mel realizes that if he skips the dinner, it will leads to serious consequences at his personal front. But he is helpless. On top of this, his elder daughter does not act like his daughter. He is worried that their relation is going nowhere. His only solace is his 8 year old daughter who still loves him.

Tanya is busy handing the passengers and solving the problems of the Ticketing staff of TWA. Tanya and Mel are good friends. Infact they are more than good friend. Tanya has divorced once. She has a soft corner for Mel. Mel likes Tanya as well. Though they have never slept together, Tanya feels that the Rumor mill at the Airport would have definitely liked them together and the juicy stories would be floating around.

Keith Bakersfeld works in the radar control section of Lincoln International airport. Keith had been on duty on the fateful day when a small jet collided mid-air with another training flight. Though he was not sitting in the radar room, he had left a young guy at the radar control who messed things up. Keith feels responsible for the accident and is in a state of depression. He is on duty today at the radar control. He has something on his mind today for which he has been preparing for months.

Joe Patroni is the hard, hands-on guy. He handles the maintenance operation at TWA. he has risen from the dust to become the most responsible guy for operations at TWA. He was a mechanic who had a fascination for planes. He had gone back home only to be called back to fix the problem on Runway 30. The plane stuck on runway 30 needs to be cleared. Joe is stuck in the traffic where a huge tanker has slipped onto the road, blocking all traffic. Any delay on Joe's in Joe's arrival will cause lot of problems at the Airport.

Vernon Demerest, is the pilot of TWA. Today he is the co-pilot of Trans America Flight Two, "The Golden Argosy", which is a Boeing 707 and Rome-bound. Vernon has written a scathing report against the Airport Maintenance and has circulated it among the various airline officials. This will hit Mel to some extent. Vernon, though is brother-in-law of mel, does not like mel one bit. Vernon and Mel have had tiffs in the past over various issues like insurance policies doled out at Airports. Vernon is married to Mel's elder siser Sarah. Vernon is a womanizer and has had a series of affairs with stewardess. Right now he has a relationship with Gwen. Vernon and Gwen are on the same flight to Rome today. They will have a 3-day handover in Rome. They plan to have a wonderful time in Rome.

Gwen is an intelligent stewardess, which is one of the qualities that attracted Vernon to her. She has maintained her charm and has been successful in keeping Vernon's attention on her. Today she has an announcement to make to Vernon which is going to shock him. Vernon is busy making plans for the holiday in Rome.

Ada Quonsett is a frequent stowaway. She has a daughter in New York. Very often she gets an urge to meet her daughter and she sets off to New York. Her problem is that she does not have money, so she has devised various mechanisms to skip through the airport staff onto New York bound flights. She prefers TWA flights as she has been successful in snooping in on many occasions. She has been caught on a flight and is being questioned by Tanya.

Guerrero, is a failed businessman. He is broke and is not able to manage his family. All his construction projects have either been scrapped or failed. He is not sure of his future course of action. His wife has taken up a job at a departmental store. But it is not helping much. She is a caring wife but is not able to handle the eccentricity of her husband. Gurrero has bought a flight ticket to Rome on Flight Two, "The Golden Argosy". He has written a letter to her wife that she should expect something exciting from him. His wife is worried and rushes to the airport to meet her husband.

Harris is going to fly Flight Two, "The Golden Argosy" today. He is uncomfortable with the fact that Vernon is his co-pilot. He understands that

The plot revolves around the above characters, their actions during the fateful day.

My Impression
=============

I was impressed with the story telling of Arthur Hailey. This was my first Arthur Hailey. Needless to say that I will be reading many more of his books.
This novel was written way back in the 70s. So the airport setup does not match today's airports. So characters like Ada Quonsett and Guerrero cant be related in today's Airports.

I would go with 7 out of 10 and a thumbs up for the novel.

Novel : Frederick Forsyth : No Comebacks

Last Friday I took membership with the local library. The library aptly called "Just Books" has opened shop recently on the Puttenahalli main road in Bangalore.

Me being Me, The first thing I did was to pick a Frederick Forsyth. This time I pick No Comebacks.

No Comebacks is a collection of 10 stories with a mystery angle in each of them.

No Comebacks:
The books starts with the title story "No Comebacks". It revolves around a British Millionare who is very famous. His stories keep coming in the tabloid every other day. Being a very well known face he is adored (and envied) by many. He lives a typical Casanova life. Women are a daily staple for him. But behind this life is a lonely man craving for the elusive girl. Someone who is not overwhelmed by his success. Some one who does not give a damn and likes him for what he is.
Unfortunately he has not been able to meet such a lady until he bumps into one at a party. He falls madly in love with this lady. Unfortunately there is a twist.
I suggest you read the story after this point.

My Rating for the 1st Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * * *


There are no snakes in Ireland
Harikishan Ram Lal is a final year medical student in Ireland. He hails from Punjab! Within a year he should graduate. But he does not have sufficient money. So he takes up a supplemental job as a construction worker.
In his first assignment he is supposed to demolish a 12-floor tower. He is part of a group headed by Big Billie Cameron. Ram Lal is scared of heights and Big Billie always assigned him tasks that involved climbing. Once Big Billie asks him to break a wall which was about to collapse. Ram Lal does not agree to which Big Billie admonishes him. Ram lal gets angry and bad mouths Billie. Out of anger Billie throws a punch which lands on Ram Lal's face. Ram Lal is hurt. What follows is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 2nd Story:
Story Pace : * * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

PS: Harikishan Ram Lal is not a typical punjabi name unless this guy is a migrant from Uttar Pradesh. I think frederick slipped on this one. But a very minor point though.
What was missing was the suspense factor. Neither was there an aahaa moment in this short story. I was disappointed with this story, to say the least.


The Emperor
Roger Murgatroyd is a bank manager who has landed in Mauritius on a vacation. Mr. Murgatroyd is accompanied by his ever nagging wife. Murgatroyd is uttarly unhappy with his wife's very complaining attitude, but cannot do much about that.
Higgins has also landed in Mauritius on a week long trip which is sponsored by his bank. He was chosen in a lucky draw conducted for selected few budding and young bankers who had shown potential to become great asset for the bank. He had convinced the bank to open bank accounts for the employees of a nearby mill which lead to lot of revenue for the bank and the bank was happy with his performance and offered him this vacation.
Initial few days of the vacation went on smoothly. On the 4th day of vacation Higgins comes to Murgatroyd and informs him that one of the boats which was booked by some tourists is not used because they cancelled their booking. Since 50% amount has already been paid they need to pay only 50% and the boat is theirs for a day. Higgins persuades him to go on a ride the next. With lot of reluctance Murgatroyd agrees.
What follows next is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 3rd Story:
Story Pace : * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

I have always felt the 2nd and 3rd stories of any short story collection are always boring and my feeling is reinforced by this book. I am disappointed again with this story. I could not find any suspense in the story.


There are some days
Liam Clarke is a driver. As usual he was ferrying his truck through the river to the other side of the bank so that the consignment can be driven out and handed over to the purchaser. As the ferry docks at the customs section, he pulls out his truck and gets the customs cleared. This is when the Customs officer notices that the truck is leaking oil. He informs Clarke who calls up his office. The office sends a mechanic who arrives the next day. Clarke spends the night at the dock. The truck is serviced and clarke drives it out of the dock.
Murphy adjusts his binoculars and the truck is in his view. He is happy. He had been waiting for the truck for a long time.
What follows next is the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 4th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * * *

Great story. I was impressed.


Money with Menaces
Samual Natkin as usual took the daily train to his office. He never does this but today he slid his hand in the crack between the two seats. He found a small book between the crack.
On looking at the book his heart stopped for a second. A quick glance showed him that this book was a classifieds of women who were read to provide special service at a price. There were names and phone numbers of housewives in the book. He was shocked and immediately set the book and put it in his briefcase.
What follows is an interesting story.


My Rating for the 5th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * *

Great story. Very Engaging.

Used In Evidence
It is not the task that William Hanley likes to do. But there is no other option. The tiny back-to-back 1 room houses called Gloucester Diamond on the Mayo Road in Dublin, Ireland are being demolished.After 2 years of demolitions there is only one standing house, whose owner Herber James Larkin is not ready to vacate.
A group of people have gathered at the entrace of the house shouting in support of Mr. Larkin.
On a rainy day, Willian Hanley, i charge of the area, has to ge the old man out and demolish the house. Hanley tactfully silences the crowd and pulls out Mr. Larkin from the house. Larkin is a thin, pale old man.
Hanley takes him to a nearby cafe to give him some food. While the old man eats his food, a deputy rushes to Hanley to inform him that during the demolision of the house they found something in the chimney. People think that the police have found the hidden treature that Larkin had stashed in the chimney.
Rest is the story.


My Rating for the 6th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * * *

Privilege
Bill Chadwick was still in his bed on a lazy sunday morning when he gets a call from Henry Carpenter who asks him to read the morning paper. It seems to have some news about Bill.
Curious, Bill opens Sunday courier to find an article written noted journalist Gaylord Brent, about his company which used to marchendise a product which suddenly liquidated. His name was tagged as the offender. Bill was shocked because he was one of the businessman who worked for the company and he himself was cheated.
He is enraged that Gaylord Brent did not bother to cross check with him to get to know the facts, instead he printed the article with wrong facts.
Bill goes to a lawyer to seek advice. Rest is the story.

My Rating for the 7th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * *


Duty
This Short story is in first sentence. The narrator and his wife, bernadette, are on a trip to france and their vehicle simply stops near a hamlet in dorgonge vally. They are wondering about their next step when they see the pastor of the local church who speeks latin. narrator explains his problem and the pastor takes them to a garage where they leave the vehicle. They need to stay at some place for the night. He is taken to the house of Mr. Preece. What follows is the story.

My Rating for the 8th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * *
Content : * * * * *
Overall : * * * * *


A Careful Man
Timothy Hanson is a rich coin collector. He has been told by his doctor that he has cancer and would not live long.
He has a Sister whom he dislikes. She has a husband and a son whom Timothy equally dislikes.
He has to leave his property to someone before he dies. Does he make a will ? whom does he leave all the property and some interesting rides along the way, forms the rest of the story.

My Rating for the 9th Story:
Story Pace : * * * * * * *
Content : * * * * * * *
Overall : * * * * * * *


Sharp Practice

Judge Comyn is off to his work in the train looking at the case file of the cases he is supposed to look into. Next to him is a priest absorbed in his own thought.
There a third guy called O'Conner who is engrossed in his card game. he seems to be very sloppy at his game. Judge Comyn gets irritated with the sloppyness of the guy and starts playing a game with the guy. Rest is the story.

My Rating for the 10th Story:
Story Pace : * * * *
Content : * * * *
Overall : * * * *

PS: Dissappointed with the last story. Very Predictabale.


Summary
Overall a very interesting set of short stories. I was engaged througout the book. Except the 2nd, 3nd and last story, I loved the rest of the stores. Each with their own twist.
I wish Frederick had written more short stories. Very Interesting collection indeed.

Frederick Forsyth: The Negotiator

I could not find much about The Negotiator on the internet. So I did not have any opinions/bias when I started to read The Negotiator.
This was my fifth Frederick Forsyth.
I would say that I was neither dissapointed nor ecstatic reading the novel.
The first half of the novel was gripping and kept me on the edge. But half way through the plot falls flat on the belly. This was a bit of dissapointment. By the end of the novel, it turned out to be like any other story of betrayal by a close aide.

Best Part of the Novel:
The first half where the stage is set for an exciting finish

Worst part of the novel:
The ending. When I put down the novel I did not feel the saddness of the end of the novel, the way I felt when I finishes the fist of God and the Fourth Protocol.

Brief from the back of the novel:
I quote
In the 1990s, the growing world shortage of oil and the imminent ratification of the Nantucket arms reduction treaty, cause two right-wing factions in America to prepare ruthless plan to force the President of the United States out of office. If it succeeds, the president will be psychologically and enotionally destroyed - and the superpowers on the brink of war.

A hostage is taken, and his release is negotiated-by foremost anti-terrorist expert, Quinn. With success in the grasp, events take a new and dangerous turn, putting Quinn-and the world-into mortal danger. Now he must use all his experience to find the traitor, whose position of power threatens the safety of civilisation...
Unquote

My Ratings:
Plot : * * *
Story Telling : * * *
Suspense : * * * 1/2
Over All : * * * *

Frederick Forsyth: The Afgan

Yesterday I completed my Fourth Frederick Forsyth. The Afghan. The novel was on the typical lines of a Frederick Forsyth novel. Mike martin from the Fist of God fame returns back in this edition.

Below is a teaser of the novel from is back cover
I Quote
When British and American intelligence discover a major Al Qaeda operation in the works, they galvanize-but to do what? They have no sources in Al Qaeda, and its impossible to plant someone. Unless...
The Afghan is Izmat Khan, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner and former Taliban Commander. The Afghan is also Colonel Mike Martin, a twenty-five-year war zone veteran enlisted to pass himself off as the trusted khan.
But nothing can truly prepare Martin for the dark and shifting world he is about to enter. Or for the terrible things he will find there
Unquote


My View:
As soon as we say its about Arab land we cannot help but to compare this novel with Frederick's previous Arab encounter. Considering that Mike Martin returns in this novel, it is all the more pertinent to compare this novel with the Fist of God.
To put mildly I would just say that I was disappointed with The Afghan.
I felt that Frederick fell on his own weight of expectation because of his previous novels. I was expecting much more from this novel, considering the drama the suspense that Mike Martin created in the Fist of God.

The novel lacks the gripping feel. It does not bind me to the novel. I could easily put off the novel after reading about 30 pages each day. This was impossible when I was reading Fist of God. I was so engrossed in the happenings in The Fist of God that I forgot my lunch and was totally shut from the world on that weekend. The Afghan did not evoke the same feeling in me.

The novel also lacks the Suspense factor. It is not a novel which will make you sit on the edge of your seat. This was the most disappointing factor. I was never at the edge of my seat. My mind constantly reminded me that this looks like yet another novel. It is not exciting.

I found two things that did not sound rational at all:
1. Mike Martin resembling Izmat Khan. What rubbish. Isn't it so convenient to assume ?
2. The incident in Chapter 14. This is the height of coincidence !!!

My Ratings:
Plot : * *
Story Telling : * * *
Suspense : * *
Over All : * * *

Frederick Forsyth : Icon

I randomly picked this novel as my first novel from Frederick Forsyth's Stable.
Believe me I was totally gripped by the novel. Not for a second did i feel this was a fiction writing. It sounded so realistic that I felt as if the events have actually been narrated as is.

Frederick has a great nak of story telling.
I searched for a small writing about the novel and found the following excerpt from the website: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/edition/?isbn=0593028015

I quote:
It is summer 1999 in Russia, a country on the threshold of anarchy. An interim president sits powerless in Moscow as his nation is wracked by famine and inflation, crime and corruption, and seething hordes of the unemployed roam the streets.

For the West, Russia is a basket case. But for Igor Komarov, one-time army sergeant who has risen to leadership of the right-wing UPF party, the chaos is made to order. As he waits in the wings for the presidential election of January 2000, his striking voice rings out over the airwaves offering the roiling masses hope at last--not only for law, order, and prosperity, but for restoring the lost greatness of their land.

Who is this man with the golden tongue who is so quickly becoming the promise of a Russia reborn? A document stolen from party headquarters and smuggled to Washington and London sends nightmare chills through those who remember the past, for this Black Manifesto is pure Mein Kampf in a country with frightening parallels to the Germany of the Weimar Republic.
unquote

The novel was written in 1996 about Russia in 1999. So this is a pure work of fiction.


Plot : * * *
Story Telling : * * * *
Suspense : * * *
Over All : * * *

Mary Higgins Clark : Daddy's Little Girl

Yesterday Night I finished my first Mary Higgins Clark's Novel: Daddy's Little Girl.

I was slightly disappointed with the Novel. Though it claims to be a Suspense novel, the novel actually lacked suspense, considering the fact that most of the story is revealed at the back of the cover and the rest of the novel explores this fact.

From the back over I quote
Ellie Cavanaugh was seven years old when her older sister was murdered near their home in New York;s Westchester County. It was young Ellie's tearful testimony that put Rob Westerfield, the nineteen-year-old scion of a prominent family, in jail despite the existence of two other viable suspects. Twenty-two years later, westerfield, who maintains his innocence, is paroled. Determined to thwart his attempts to pin the crime on another, Elle, an Investigative reporter for an Atlanta newspaper, returns home and starts writing a book that will conclusively prove Westerield's guilt. As she delves deeper into her research, however, she uncovers horrifying facts that shed new light on her sister's murder. With each discovery she comes closer to a confrontation with a desperate killer
Unquote

My rating:
Suspense : * * ( 2 out of 5)
Unpredictability : * ( 1 out of 5)
Who-done-it factor : 0 ( 0 out of 5)
Story Telling : * * ( 2 out of 5)
Feminism : * * * * * ( 5 out of 5)
Overall : * * ( 2 out of 5)

PS: Not sure if I picked the wrong novel of Mary Higgins Clark to begin with. I Will read few more of her novels before I judge Mary Higgins Clark