What Kitty did by Trisha Bora

Kitty , whose real name i almost missed in the book unless i realized , she was Ketaki ( i thought she was trying to give a false name :|) is the only daughter of a successful creative lady and an adorably dotting dad who is a professor. With some amazing friends , roommate , ex-bf , and a current love interest , this story is a fun read for most parts. Reading Kitty's survival and mis-adventures across different Delhi parts gives the reader a good idea of this city - both the high and low of it . Since, I am from the city and having seen most of it , the stuff was a little cliched but endearing in its own way. More than that , I loved the way Kitty has a thing to say for everyone and mostly herself. She is not too flattering about anyone , but in a real sort of way , her dialogues and reactions were witty and spot on. Also, I had a little issue with the way she wasn't a responsible person when drunk , nor her friends too keen to address that any time or be aware of it. That felt unlike friends.

What Kitty Did , though appears to be a thriller from the blurb , the thriller part is actually the reason this book falls a little short of the wow factor.The whole cast and plot for the mystery section of the book looks incomplete and hurried. the multitude of  characters do not allow even one of them to be explored and presented in detail - not even the victim. Why Kitty gets involved in it , might be understood but how she figures it all out and why the murder happened , is still not too clear to me.

The writing is fresh , breezy and definitely honest. The book, has some real good observations and quotes on life and friends , my favorite being-

What you need in life is a set of friends. Loyal as dogs, frothing-at-the-mough-to-stic-up-for-you friends. Without that , you're a goner.

My rating : 3.5/5

Deceiving Bella by Cate Beauman

This is the third book by Cate Beauman that has landed in my inbox for a review. While many author's style and books become repetitive , I can not say that for Cate atleast.

First thing , the plot and the thrill was much more in this book than the last two I read. I definitely loved the story in this one. And some how , this was a little away from a perfect characters and setting.

Bella has finally laid to rest , her past and the stigma associated with it. But she can not stay away from trying to locate his father and when she does that , she is not ready for either the truth or the dangers she has knocked the doors of. Reed , after a near death experience walks away from his job and settles in LA to a good job and a house next to Bella. Never did he think that the answers he been seeking all his life would be so close to him yet to hard to get once he is involved with Bella.

The chemistry between the two is very casually built and based on being friends , something that I liked. The other cast in the book is given good space and time to develop and be known to the readers as we close in on the final. The romance is a little off the mark compared to the other books I read but one will totally appreciate the way it is build up and handled in a very natural manner. As both Reed and Bella come to terms with their truths , the feelings expressed are very heartfelt.

I like the "Bodyguards of LA"series and so far , I will readily read the other books that I have missed in the series.

My rating :3.5/5

Findung Lyla by Cate Beauman

Finding Lyla is the second book I read from the bodyguard series by Cate. While the first book I read was good on the romance , this one scored a lot on the story. This for me is a good political thriller , a story of circumstances that govern a person's life even across continents.

Lyla is an accomplished ballet dancer , the much loved celebrity of Russia because of her mother being a legend there. Her life revolves around making appearances and doing things that are expected of her.

On this visit , the political environment in Russia is very volatile and dangerous for her due to her dad's posting as the ambassador from USA. Lyla is no fan of security and to give the people reassurance that she can function alone and like always, she agrees to take a bodygaurd along her. Collin is a no pretention, charming yet tough guy who instantly sees the chemistry with Lyla. But he also choses to wait and let things take their course unless it hurts any one of them. I liked the way this story develops slowly and in a way i could relate to it. It gives a vety fair picture of each of their carrear and the need to find some one who understand our masks.

Good writing , good characters and a decent thriller till the end. I liked this one.

My rating : 3.5/5

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

REBECCA

Author: Daphne Du Maurier

Published by: Avon Books-An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Synopsis: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” So the second Mrs. Maxim de Winter remembered the chilling events that led her down the turning drive past the beeches, white and naked, to the isolated gray stone manse (mansion) on the windswept Cornish coast. With a husband she barely knew, the young bride arrived at this immense estate, only to be inexorably drawn into the life of the first Mrs. de Winter, the beautiful Rebecca, dead but never forgotten…her suite of rooms never touched, her clothes ready to be worn, her servant-the sinister Mrs. Danvers- still loyal. And as an eerie presentiment of evil tightened around her heart, the second Mrs. de Winter began her search for the real fate of Rebecca…for the secrets of Manderley.

Excerpt: “Why is the buoy there in the little harbor place?” I asked.

“The boat used to be moored there,” he said.

“What boat?” I asked.

“Her boat,” he said. A strange sort of excitement was upon me. I had to go on with my questions. He did not want to talk about it, I knew that, but although I was sorry for him and shocked at my own self I had to continue, I could not be silent.

“What happened to it?” I asked. “Was that the boat she was sailing when she was drowned?” “Yes,” he said quietly, “It capsized and sank. She was washed overboard.”

“What sort of size boat was it?” I asked.

“About three tons. It had a little cabin.”

“What made it capsize?” I said.

“It can be squally in the bay,” he said.

I thought of that green sea, foam-flecked, that ran down channel beyond the headland. Did the wind come suddenly, I wondered, in a funnel from the beacon on the hill, and did the little boat heel to it, shivering the white sail flat against a breaking sea.

My review: This is the story of a young girl working as a companion to an old, quite bossy, lady. She meets the charming Mr. De winter in Monte Carlo, who is just out of grieving for his lost first wife. She falls in love and they get married in haste…he never voices his own feelings aloud. Going to his beloved estate ‘Manderley’ she finds that Rebecca, his first wife, still has an eerie hold over the household. Everybody she meets compares her with the vivacious, beautiful and generous Rebecca until she can take it no more. This is when the mystery of Rebecca’s death resurfaces and her world is thrown into chaos. She learns of the true nature of the much-revered Rebecca, her relationship with her husband and much more. Will she finally learn her husbands true feelings? Is he really the person she fell in love with? Do read the book to find out J

This story is written in the old English style with names and characters to suit! Typical long winding sentences, subtle romances, lengthy descriptions-you have it all! One might get bored somehow, of long descriptions of sceneries. But when I voiced my opinion about this, my mom quietly explained, “Since they had no TV or internet at that time, writers gave long and detailed descriptions of characters, scenery and clothing to fuel the reader’s imagination.”

The story is slow to start but catches pace quickly, gripping the reader’s attention. You will nearly be as curious as the lead character to know the mystery of Rebecca. The story is also mysterious in a way that the female lead’s name is never disclosed throughout the book. Remarks are passed about how it is so unusual and beautiful, that I had this urge to call up the author and ask her what name she had in her mind!

This book is a complete must read. One of the best books the author wrote.

The book also has a movie based on it. But I haven't seen it so I can't comment on it.

Price: U.S. $7.99