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Happily Murdered
‘Who killed Gulab Sarin?’
The radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police are certain. It could be anyone – the adulterous husband, conniving in-laws, jealous friend and the love struck ex-fiancé.
With an aim to save themselves and incriminate others, it is not long before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab’s death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
The radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police are certain. It could be anyone – the adulterous husband, conniving in-laws, jealous friend and the love struck ex-fiancé.
With an aim to save themselves and incriminate others, it is not long before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab’s death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2014
12 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Rasleen Syal
2 books22 followersRasleen is a mystery addict. When she is not reading or writing whodunits, she is happily playing detective. She can’t resist seeking out intrigue in everyday domestic affairs, unwittingly landing in hilarious situations, much to the angst of her family. Her husband dreads the day she will finally pass on this bug to their baby daughter as well.
An architect with a Masters degree in Business Administration, to make a living she runs her business in Gurgaon.
‘Happily Murdered’ is her first book.
An architect with a Masters degree in Business Administration, to make a living she runs her business in Gurgaon.
‘Happily Murdered’ is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 25, 2014
The author, Rasleen Syal got in touch with me after checking out my reviews on Goodreads. She liked my detailed and honest review and wanted me to review her book. Very well knowing the fact that I dissect every paragraph and every word. I hadn't even heard of her before that, but when I read the gist of the book I wanted to read more. She sent me a copy of the book and I sat down to read it immediately. I finished it in a day and was strangely surprised. Not that I finished reading it in a day. The story surprised me.
Gulab Sarin, the radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police are certain. It could be anyone, the adulterous husband, conniving in-laws, jealous friend and the love struck ex-fiance. With an aim to save themselves and incriminate others, it is not long before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery. Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab's death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
Gulab Sarin wants only one thing from the world. Love. But that is the only thing that she does not get. She is a child of a broken family an is unappreciated by all her cousins who call her 'Weirdo'. Humiliated and lonely, a young Gulab finds refuge in the arms of her friend Sid Mehta, the scion of the Ratnagiri royal family. She even befriends his younger brother Yuvi and his elder brother Vikram. As they grow up, Yuvi falls head over heels in love with Gulab, but Gulab has eyes only for Sid, whom she loved truly, madly and deeply. Mehtas extended family include Vikram's wife Monica and her family the Dullas. Monica's twin siblings Sara and Ned, fall obsessively in love with Sid and Gulab respectively. Sid and Gulab break up due to Sid's adulterous ways, and Sid moved on to Sara and gets engaged to her. Gulab moved away from Ratnagiri to Mumbai to pursue her career and Ned follows her there to pursue her. Just when Gulab is about to accept Ned's proposal, Sid is back in Gulab's arms leaving behind a depressed Sara and an angered Ned.
Soon Sid and Gulab are married much to the angst of the Mehtas and Dullas. But on the wee hours of the next day after the wedding Gulab is found dead by the maid, and Sid is found sedated. All the clues point towards Sara, and the Mehtas are hell bent upon having her convicted to save the glory of their own family. But things are not how the way it seems. Almost everyone has a motive to kill Gulab. Is it Biji, the head of the family who always wanted Sara to be Sid's bride? Or is it KD Mehta and his wife Tina, Sid's parents, who hate Gulab for offering a business partnership to Vikram? Or is it Vikram's wife, Monica, who hates Gulab for taking the place of her sister as well as being the support for her husband? Or is it Ned, who loved Gulab obsessively? Or is it Sara, who wants to be with Sid at any cost? Or is it Yuvi, Gulab's loyal friend who has always loved her without her acknowledging it? Or is it Sid, her husband who still has the hots for Sara?
The story flows brilliantly and I soon realize that the author is a huge fan of Agatha Christie whom she has thanked in the acknowledgements. I could see traits of Agatha's writing throughout the book and that is not the only reason why this book is a fantastic read. Mystery holds the book together, but the soul of the book remains an emotion. Love. Although I guessed the climax half way down the book, there is not other way I would have wanted this book to end. The search and yearning for love by Gulab, makes you pity her and your heart aches for her. If I would have written this book, I would have written it exactly the way Rasleen has. The quest for love stands out for Gulab, both in life and death. A brilliant protagonist, who stays in your heart even after you have finished the book.
Although this book is almost perfect, there are a few things that I could not digest. Gulab forgiving Sid each time he cheats on her, was too hard for me to take. The rebellious Gulab, who fights her cousins with ease, gives in completely to Sid and his antics, forgiving him time and again only to be heartbroken again and again. Also, Gulab's friendship with Sara bothered me. Even though Gulab knows that the love of her life has had an affair with Sara, and is still continuing to woo her irrespective of being engaged to her. This was disturbing. How can two women, in love with the same man, get along beautifully and to dangerous extents that is revealed in the climax? Apart from this, there is nothing that I would change. Apart from two typos in the entire book, the language is flawless and it was hard to believe that this actually was the work of an Indian author. Agatha Christie would be proud, if she read this.
Verdict: A brilliant read, woven around the most sought over emotion in the word.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Gulab Sarin, the radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police are certain. It could be anyone, the adulterous husband, conniving in-laws, jealous friend and the love struck ex-fiance. With an aim to save themselves and incriminate others, it is not long before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery. Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab's death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
Gulab Sarin wants only one thing from the world. Love. But that is the only thing that she does not get. She is a child of a broken family an is unappreciated by all her cousins who call her 'Weirdo'. Humiliated and lonely, a young Gulab finds refuge in the arms of her friend Sid Mehta, the scion of the Ratnagiri royal family. She even befriends his younger brother Yuvi and his elder brother Vikram. As they grow up, Yuvi falls head over heels in love with Gulab, but Gulab has eyes only for Sid, whom she loved truly, madly and deeply. Mehtas extended family include Vikram's wife Monica and her family the Dullas. Monica's twin siblings Sara and Ned, fall obsessively in love with Sid and Gulab respectively. Sid and Gulab break up due to Sid's adulterous ways, and Sid moved on to Sara and gets engaged to her. Gulab moved away from Ratnagiri to Mumbai to pursue her career and Ned follows her there to pursue her. Just when Gulab is about to accept Ned's proposal, Sid is back in Gulab's arms leaving behind a depressed Sara and an angered Ned.
Soon Sid and Gulab are married much to the angst of the Mehtas and Dullas. But on the wee hours of the next day after the wedding Gulab is found dead by the maid, and Sid is found sedated. All the clues point towards Sara, and the Mehtas are hell bent upon having her convicted to save the glory of their own family. But things are not how the way it seems. Almost everyone has a motive to kill Gulab. Is it Biji, the head of the family who always wanted Sara to be Sid's bride? Or is it KD Mehta and his wife Tina, Sid's parents, who hate Gulab for offering a business partnership to Vikram? Or is it Vikram's wife, Monica, who hates Gulab for taking the place of her sister as well as being the support for her husband? Or is it Ned, who loved Gulab obsessively? Or is it Sara, who wants to be with Sid at any cost? Or is it Yuvi, Gulab's loyal friend who has always loved her without her acknowledging it? Or is it Sid, her husband who still has the hots for Sara?
The story flows brilliantly and I soon realize that the author is a huge fan of Agatha Christie whom she has thanked in the acknowledgements. I could see traits of Agatha's writing throughout the book and that is not the only reason why this book is a fantastic read. Mystery holds the book together, but the soul of the book remains an emotion. Love. Although I guessed the climax half way down the book, there is not other way I would have wanted this book to end. The search and yearning for love by Gulab, makes you pity her and your heart aches for her. If I would have written this book, I would have written it exactly the way Rasleen has. The quest for love stands out for Gulab, both in life and death. A brilliant protagonist, who stays in your heart even after you have finished the book.
Although this book is almost perfect, there are a few things that I could not digest. Gulab forgiving Sid each time he cheats on her, was too hard for me to take. The rebellious Gulab, who fights her cousins with ease, gives in completely to Sid and his antics, forgiving him time and again only to be heartbroken again and again. Also, Gulab's friendship with Sara bothered me. Even though Gulab knows that the love of her life has had an affair with Sara, and is still continuing to woo her irrespective of being engaged to her. This was disturbing. How can two women, in love with the same man, get along beautifully and to dangerous extents that is revealed in the climax? Apart from this, there is nothing that I would change. Apart from two typos in the entire book, the language is flawless and it was hard to believe that this actually was the work of an Indian author. Agatha Christie would be proud, if she read this.
Verdict: A brilliant read, woven around the most sought over emotion in the word.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
July 30, 2014
A very well written debut book by the author, whose plot plays out like a spider's web which slowly but surely unravels as the pages go by. Gulab Sarin, her murder, her relationships with the individuals in the Mehta and Dulla households, their motives for liking her and hating her, all of these form a wonderfully woven tapestry of characters and events in this book.
Shades of Agatha Christie, a strong influence on the author by her own admission show up in various places in the book. And what is good is that these influences are wonderfully used by the author in the plot itself.
Detailed review put up at http://mahabore.wordpress.com/2014/07...
Shades of Agatha Christie, a strong influence on the author by her own admission show up in various places in the book. And what is good is that these influences are wonderfully used by the author in the plot itself.
Detailed review put up at http://mahabore.wordpress.com/2014/07...
November 25, 2014
The best and the most unique part of the book is that it doesn't focuses on police investigation or some sharp minded over the top intelligent detective (which is common in every single book). The command in the story is in the hands of the suspects and they are the one who are finding the true murderer among them. The story line is engaging and conspicuous. The language is perfect and so as the flow. I loved the parts in which the soul of Gulab was talking to the readers though it always reminds me of “I am red” which was my first murder mystery but then these are two different books and no comparison.
Read full review here:
http://www.mayankkashyapblog.in/2014/...
Read full review here:
http://www.mayankkashyapblog.in/2014/...
November 14, 2014
Review: http://wp.me/p2J8yh-2EY
What works:
Simple language, with no regional lingo
Pace and details to keep the reader engaged
The case diary presented at the beginning
The idea to turn suspects into detectives
What doesn’t:
Typographical errors here and there
Many characters make it a little confusing at times
Unclear how the final piecing together happens
A delightful debut, can’t wait for her next book.
What works:
Simple language, with no regional lingo
Pace and details to keep the reader engaged
The case diary presented at the beginning
The idea to turn suspects into detectives
What doesn’t:
Typographical errors here and there
Many characters make it a little confusing at times
Unclear how the final piecing together happens
A delightful debut, can’t wait for her next book.
January 26, 2022
Well, I have never witnessed a more challenging story been put up by any debutant author, it's a murder mystery but with a cult style, and I would recommend it to beginners as the language is very easy and the plot very interesting. I enjoyed reading this more than I enjoy reading Agatha Christie,moreover, the author herself is a fan of Agatha Christie.
Go read this .
Go read this .
November 18, 2022
A woman is found poisoned by Cyanide on the night of her marriage. No one was seen entering or leaving the palace compounds. Naturally, the residents of the house become suspects in her murder.
‘Happily Murdered’ has all the elements of an Agathian whodunit- a large palace in a hillside town, families with power in politics and business, patriarchs & matriarchs wielding characters with secrets, prejudices, & biases. And akin to ‘Sacred Games’, two narrative tracks are running in parallel. First is the preset day when the suspects have become amateur sleuths to prove their innocence. And second is the backstory narrated by the spirit of the deceased woman, where she recounts the succession of events that have led to the fateful day. It soon becomes evident that her murder results from a love quadrilateral gone wrong. But is it so?
The book starts well, and the reader is soon sucked into the atmosphere appropriate for such a story. The twists keep coming, and alongside them, the details of the romantic backstory keep getting divulged in bits. The narrative does get prolonged at times, but that is fine too. It is the conclusion that is somewhat unsatisfying. Some readers may even have seen it coming. The reason for the bride getting killed may not be wholly bonkers but will seem slightly odd to people with ordinary thinking. Do people in such situations really think and act that way? Perhaps, psychologists can answer.
‘Happily Murdered’ has all the elements of an Agathian whodunit- a large palace in a hillside town, families with power in politics and business, patriarchs & matriarchs wielding characters with secrets, prejudices, & biases. And akin to ‘Sacred Games’, two narrative tracks are running in parallel. First is the preset day when the suspects have become amateur sleuths to prove their innocence. And second is the backstory narrated by the spirit of the deceased woman, where she recounts the succession of events that have led to the fateful day. It soon becomes evident that her murder results from a love quadrilateral gone wrong. But is it so?
The book starts well, and the reader is soon sucked into the atmosphere appropriate for such a story. The twists keep coming, and alongside them, the details of the romantic backstory keep getting divulged in bits. The narrative does get prolonged at times, but that is fine too. It is the conclusion that is somewhat unsatisfying. Some readers may even have seen it coming. The reason for the bride getting killed may not be wholly bonkers but will seem slightly odd to people with ordinary thinking. Do people in such situations really think and act that way? Perhaps, psychologists can answer.
June 26, 2020
The book is just marvelous. You feel your heart heavy as you finish it. Mystery novels rarely give you this feel.
The novel has everything you want to have in a suspense thriller and even more. It has a sense of belonging. The easy flow of words, and no nonsense practical language, Rasleen's brilliant way of portraying her characters and the settings in which they exist makes the not only believable but also very identifiable.
I was hooked up from the very beginning. The plot is excellent, language is simple, and flow is fast.
Highly recommended to suspense and mystery lovers, undoubtedly it is going to be a best seller.
I liked the cover of the book since it is very symbolic and captivating - blood dripping from the red bridal saree.
Rasleen presents “Happily Murdered” as a delicious dish, one that you enjoy and savour. Her narrating style, with simple English and absolutely no regional lingo thrown in, keeps the reader engaged throughout. There are typographical errors here and there, and sometimes a word is missing or pluralized. It could have been avoided.
Full review here: https://intheclassroomoflife.blogspot...
The novel has everything you want to have in a suspense thriller and even more. It has a sense of belonging. The easy flow of words, and no nonsense practical language, Rasleen's brilliant way of portraying her characters and the settings in which they exist makes the not only believable but also very identifiable.
I was hooked up from the very beginning. The plot is excellent, language is simple, and flow is fast.
Highly recommended to suspense and mystery lovers, undoubtedly it is going to be a best seller.
I liked the cover of the book since it is very symbolic and captivating - blood dripping from the red bridal saree.
Rasleen presents “Happily Murdered” as a delicious dish, one that you enjoy and savour. Her narrating style, with simple English and absolutely no regional lingo thrown in, keeps the reader engaged throughout. There are typographical errors here and there, and sometimes a word is missing or pluralized. It could have been avoided.
Full review here: https://intheclassroomoflife.blogspot...
April 28, 2019
One of the best mystery and an unexpected ending.
June 26, 2020
It was more of a family drama than a murder mystery.
if you are looking for a murder mystery then this book is not for you.
Family drama also seems okay.
There's nothing unique about the book.
if you are looking for a murder mystery then this book is not for you.
Family drama also seems okay.
There's nothing unique about the book.
January 6, 2023
The best novel in thriller
October 30, 2014
http://maniparna5002.wordpress.com/
The festive season is over and as the lights have dimmed and the noise has calmed down, a strange feeling of emptiness is hovering around. Now an empty, idle brain is devil's workshop who has a penchant for mysteries and murders. So my inner devil gets intrigued seeing the title of Rasleen Syal's debut novel "Happily Murdered". A large mug of coffee, my favourite cozy corner and I finished 246 pages at one sitting. And yes, I must say that the book is quite capable of holding your interest till the last page.
Rasleen has clearly confessed in the 'Acknowledgment' section that she is an ardent fan of Agatha Christie and that her muse owes a lot to Christie. So, as I started reading, truly speaking, my expectation was quite high.
Set in the backdrop of a fictitious town Ratnagiri, located at the foothills of The Lower Himalays or Siwaliks, the story opens up as the newly wed daughter-in-law of the Mehta family is found dead on the very next morning of her wedding, still clad in her wedding finery. It comes as a bolt from the blue to the Mehtas and to their chagrin the police conclude this as an inside job. There are ample proofs against a particular member, Sara Dulla, but on a deeper look it becomes clear that someone is trying to implicate her in the crime. The "whodunit" game starts from here and all the nine members become suspicious of each other. The story continues in a style of parallel narration, one exploring the facts and incidents that happened on that fretful night and another is the narration of Gulab's own life-story, in first person.
Just like Christie, Rasleen has portrayed "high society" characters with mainstream appeal. The character of Gulab is well created with an array of humanly emotions, all meddled up due to lack of one thing, LOVE, and for which her quest never is quenched. There are many clues left by the author here and there so that the readers can ransack their own brains to pinpoint the murderer. It could be anyone, the most practical and dominating father-in-law Mr. KD Mehta, the pompous and boastful mother-in-law Tina Mehta, Gulab's husband, the philanderer Sid, who is in dire need of money, or any of the other conniving in-laws who some way or another have played important roles in Gulab's life. In fact, a moment comes when you start even suspecting the octogenarian 'Biji', mother of KD Mehta.
The success of Rasleen's pen lies here. She presents the characters with a psychological introspection and thus revealing the fact that how an unnatural death can drastically change the nature and ambiance of an otherwise normal household. The characters confront each other in their process of becoming sleuths in their own way and many bitter facts surface up. The plot is not so fast-paced but the pleasure remains as the reader unknowingly starts to investigate along with the 9 members. The clever deceptions made by the author to manipulate readers' thoughts and feelings has made it more difficult for them to solve the main mystery.
I'm a nitpick when it comes to thrillers ( I can't help it). So there are certain things that has made the book enjoyable as a one time read only. It's not like classic thrillers which are cherished every single time you go through them even knowing full well who has actually done 'it'.
I fail to understand why Gulab each time succumbs to Sid, when she is aware of his infidelity and is strong enough to raise her voice against other adversities.I would like to share one of Christie's quotes in this regard, "Too much mercy....often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims if justice had been put first and mercy second". Gulab's love for Sara and their friendship too look like a bit made-up. Normal feminine instinct does not let a woman to do so much for another woman who is in love with her own betrothed. Moreover, detection should always be logical and scientific as a process. Somehow I don't find it logical enough.....the process of detection.
The language of Rasleen is a delight. Like a cool breeze blowing slowly though the enjoyment is often marred by typographical errors and even omission of words in at least two places.
However, "Happily Murdered" is a good read over the weekend. I enjoyed the book and is recommending it for all mystery lovers.
The festive season is over and as the lights have dimmed and the noise has calmed down, a strange feeling of emptiness is hovering around. Now an empty, idle brain is devil's workshop who has a penchant for mysteries and murders. So my inner devil gets intrigued seeing the title of Rasleen Syal's debut novel "Happily Murdered". A large mug of coffee, my favourite cozy corner and I finished 246 pages at one sitting. And yes, I must say that the book is quite capable of holding your interest till the last page.
Rasleen has clearly confessed in the 'Acknowledgment' section that she is an ardent fan of Agatha Christie and that her muse owes a lot to Christie. So, as I started reading, truly speaking, my expectation was quite high.
Set in the backdrop of a fictitious town Ratnagiri, located at the foothills of The Lower Himalays or Siwaliks, the story opens up as the newly wed daughter-in-law of the Mehta family is found dead on the very next morning of her wedding, still clad in her wedding finery. It comes as a bolt from the blue to the Mehtas and to their chagrin the police conclude this as an inside job. There are ample proofs against a particular member, Sara Dulla, but on a deeper look it becomes clear that someone is trying to implicate her in the crime. The "whodunit" game starts from here and all the nine members become suspicious of each other. The story continues in a style of parallel narration, one exploring the facts and incidents that happened on that fretful night and another is the narration of Gulab's own life-story, in first person.
Just like Christie, Rasleen has portrayed "high society" characters with mainstream appeal. The character of Gulab is well created with an array of humanly emotions, all meddled up due to lack of one thing, LOVE, and for which her quest never is quenched. There are many clues left by the author here and there so that the readers can ransack their own brains to pinpoint the murderer. It could be anyone, the most practical and dominating father-in-law Mr. KD Mehta, the pompous and boastful mother-in-law Tina Mehta, Gulab's husband, the philanderer Sid, who is in dire need of money, or any of the other conniving in-laws who some way or another have played important roles in Gulab's life. In fact, a moment comes when you start even suspecting the octogenarian 'Biji', mother of KD Mehta.
The success of Rasleen's pen lies here. She presents the characters with a psychological introspection and thus revealing the fact that how an unnatural death can drastically change the nature and ambiance of an otherwise normal household. The characters confront each other in their process of becoming sleuths in their own way and many bitter facts surface up. The plot is not so fast-paced but the pleasure remains as the reader unknowingly starts to investigate along with the 9 members. The clever deceptions made by the author to manipulate readers' thoughts and feelings has made it more difficult for them to solve the main mystery.
I'm a nitpick when it comes to thrillers ( I can't help it). So there are certain things that has made the book enjoyable as a one time read only. It's not like classic thrillers which are cherished every single time you go through them even knowing full well who has actually done 'it'.
I fail to understand why Gulab each time succumbs to Sid, when she is aware of his infidelity and is strong enough to raise her voice against other adversities.I would like to share one of Christie's quotes in this regard, "Too much mercy....often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims if justice had been put first and mercy second". Gulab's love for Sara and their friendship too look like a bit made-up. Normal feminine instinct does not let a woman to do so much for another woman who is in love with her own betrothed. Moreover, detection should always be logical and scientific as a process. Somehow I don't find it logical enough.....the process of detection.
The language of Rasleen is a delight. Like a cool breeze blowing slowly though the enjoyment is often marred by typographical errors and even omission of words in at least two places.
However, "Happily Murdered" is a good read over the weekend. I enjoyed the book and is recommending it for all mystery lovers.
August 14, 2014
Happily Murdered, a murder mystery by debutant Rasleen Syal, seeks to belong in a genre exploding with stalwarts like Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, et al. To hold one’s own in this space is a huge challenge, especially for a debutant writer. And for some reason, very few Indian authors get the murder mystery right. But Rasleen just nails it with this classic whodunit.
Revolving around the mysterious death of the freshly minted bride Gulab, Happily Murdered places all its pawns right out there where you can see them. The mix has it all – jealous friends, spurned lovers, conniving relatives, lots of money on the line…you name it. The toss-up here is between nine immediate family members, who all have a motive to kill the latest entrant into the rich and mighty Mehta family. And, with each of them trying to expose the ‘real’ killer, unrelated skeletons would stumble out, while the truth keeps getting more and more obscure.
So, who killed poor Gulab, while she was so radiantly dancing in her bridal finery? The injustice of this whole scenario is something that establishes that instant connect, and you would be sucked right in, happily!
First up, the characterization. Each and every one of the main characters of the Mehta and Dulla families, who are joined by matrimony, is etched out with care and remains memorable from the word go. The victim gets slowly penciled in as the plot progresses. Each character’s strengths, and their flaws, are placed on the table, so that the sleuth in the reader can analyze them in detail.
The plot and its pacing are the deal breakers in mystery. Any slackening of pace is almost punishing the reader, and here again, Happily Murdered scores. The pace is near perfect, with every thread neatly followed through and tied up. The plot, and the ultimate resolution, would give even most of the jaded mystery addicts, a pause. And that of course is the best thing that can be said about a mystery! Though I can go on about the plot, I am wary of saying anything for the fear of spoilers.
Oh, and a word about the title itself, and the cover art. Impressive! The blood seeping out of the bridal cloth, the cleverly worded title, all get more brownie points, if any were needed!
I can’t honestly think of any negatives, and the fact is that this book kept me up through the night, trying to read at breakneck (and breakback!) speed. Happily Murdered revels in its overall simplicity, never being presumptuous or taking itself too seriously. The confidence with which the language and the plotting is done, one would forget that this is a debut novel. I am so waiting for the next plot that Rasleen would serve up!
Happily Murdered is a worthy new addition to the Indian mystery space, and Rasleen should be on your watchlist of exciting new authors. Give this one a read, you would enjoy it too!
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
Revolving around the mysterious death of the freshly minted bride Gulab, Happily Murdered places all its pawns right out there where you can see them. The mix has it all – jealous friends, spurned lovers, conniving relatives, lots of money on the line…you name it. The toss-up here is between nine immediate family members, who all have a motive to kill the latest entrant into the rich and mighty Mehta family. And, with each of them trying to expose the ‘real’ killer, unrelated skeletons would stumble out, while the truth keeps getting more and more obscure.
So, who killed poor Gulab, while she was so radiantly dancing in her bridal finery? The injustice of this whole scenario is something that establishes that instant connect, and you would be sucked right in, happily!
First up, the characterization. Each and every one of the main characters of the Mehta and Dulla families, who are joined by matrimony, is etched out with care and remains memorable from the word go. The victim gets slowly penciled in as the plot progresses. Each character’s strengths, and their flaws, are placed on the table, so that the sleuth in the reader can analyze them in detail.
The plot and its pacing are the deal breakers in mystery. Any slackening of pace is almost punishing the reader, and here again, Happily Murdered scores. The pace is near perfect, with every thread neatly followed through and tied up. The plot, and the ultimate resolution, would give even most of the jaded mystery addicts, a pause. And that of course is the best thing that can be said about a mystery! Though I can go on about the plot, I am wary of saying anything for the fear of spoilers.
Oh, and a word about the title itself, and the cover art. Impressive! The blood seeping out of the bridal cloth, the cleverly worded title, all get more brownie points, if any were needed!
I can’t honestly think of any negatives, and the fact is that this book kept me up through the night, trying to read at breakneck (and breakback!) speed. Happily Murdered revels in its overall simplicity, never being presumptuous or taking itself too seriously. The confidence with which the language and the plotting is done, one would forget that this is a debut novel. I am so waiting for the next plot that Rasleen would serve up!
Happily Murdered is a worthy new addition to the Indian mystery space, and Rasleen should be on your watchlist of exciting new authors. Give this one a read, you would enjoy it too!
Originally reviewed at Vaultofbooks.com, a close-knit community of fanatical readers. We are looking for perceptive readers who can write well, and we are eager to provide lots of free books in exchange for reviews. Shoot us a mail at contact@vaultofbooks.com
July 28, 2014
Agatha Christie is a known and respected crime novelist and I have personally followed her. I remember reading her books - Black Coffee, Death on the Nile, the Unexpected Guest, etc. from my school library. A brilliant novelist she is!
Murder is a crime and no one is happy to be murdered. But Rasleen’s book is titled as Happily Murdered. Well, how can one be happily murdered?
Here I am done reading this fantastic crime novel by debut authoress Rasleen Syal.
A murder is reported from the Ratnagiri Palace of Uttaranchal. A wedding takes place in the Mehta family, known to be one of the reputed and rich families. But unfortunately an incident takes place on the wedding night that shakes the family and raises some concerns. Gulab Sarin, the newly wed bride of Sid Mehta is found murdered the next morning.
Police Inspectors reach the spot and proceed with their investigations. They make a note of all the things, a case report is prepared and the police suspect an insider to be the accused in this murder. In the aftermath of the murder, suspicion raises on the family members as some of them have various reasons to murder Gulab Sarin.
One after another, things come to picture and suspicion revolves over Mehta family but finally when the truth dawns, a reader is left aghast and stunned. And once I was done reading the book, ‘Awesome’ was the word that happily spurted out of my mouth.
Over-all: The cover of the book is simple yet suitable. And the title pleads a reader’s consideration. The narration of story is absolutely enthralling and contains power to hold a reader’s attention. I would personally like to compliment Rasleen for her writing style which is again stimulating. The plot, storylines and scenes too are perfect. The story has appropriate features required to make it an appealing one.
The second chapter of the book has the case report of Gulab Sarin’s murder and has explicit information about Gulab’s relatives. I really loved this – for two reasons - one, it gives a fair idea about each and every relative of Gulab to the readers, and second, it prevents incomprehensibility in further portion of the book. Readers, basically do not find difficulty in relating the characters. Speaking about the drawbacks, I did find certain mistakes in the book which obviously could have been avoided.
But to be frank, I could feel an impression of Mrs. Christie’s style in this book. Undoubtedly, I am recommending this book to all my readers. This is surely a best crime novel I have read till date.
Congratulating Rasleen for her work, I am rating her book with 4.25/5. Hope she comes up with more such interesting novels!
Murder is a crime and no one is happy to be murdered. But Rasleen’s book is titled as Happily Murdered. Well, how can one be happily murdered?
Here I am done reading this fantastic crime novel by debut authoress Rasleen Syal.
A murder is reported from the Ratnagiri Palace of Uttaranchal. A wedding takes place in the Mehta family, known to be one of the reputed and rich families. But unfortunately an incident takes place on the wedding night that shakes the family and raises some concerns. Gulab Sarin, the newly wed bride of Sid Mehta is found murdered the next morning.
Police Inspectors reach the spot and proceed with their investigations. They make a note of all the things, a case report is prepared and the police suspect an insider to be the accused in this murder. In the aftermath of the murder, suspicion raises on the family members as some of them have various reasons to murder Gulab Sarin.
One after another, things come to picture and suspicion revolves over Mehta family but finally when the truth dawns, a reader is left aghast and stunned. And once I was done reading the book, ‘Awesome’ was the word that happily spurted out of my mouth.
Over-all: The cover of the book is simple yet suitable. And the title pleads a reader’s consideration. The narration of story is absolutely enthralling and contains power to hold a reader’s attention. I would personally like to compliment Rasleen for her writing style which is again stimulating. The plot, storylines and scenes too are perfect. The story has appropriate features required to make it an appealing one.
The second chapter of the book has the case report of Gulab Sarin’s murder and has explicit information about Gulab’s relatives. I really loved this – for two reasons - one, it gives a fair idea about each and every relative of Gulab to the readers, and second, it prevents incomprehensibility in further portion of the book. Readers, basically do not find difficulty in relating the characters. Speaking about the drawbacks, I did find certain mistakes in the book which obviously could have been avoided.
But to be frank, I could feel an impression of Mrs. Christie’s style in this book. Undoubtedly, I am recommending this book to all my readers. This is surely a best crime novel I have read till date.
Congratulating Rasleen for her work, I am rating her book with 4.25/5. Hope she comes up with more such interesting novels!
November 7, 2014
All the characters were amazing in there own way. Initially little Gulab had me in her team immediately out of sympathy, I was really happy when she finds a family but then as the story proceeded I remember cursing her for her actions hating her, thinking it is good that she died and then BAM! came the end which had me in tears for her death.
I really liked Yuvi- her best friend. He is a man of few words and a really sweet and amazing friend. He was a kind of friend who could kill anyone if they hurt his childhood friend. I was shocked the ending that he had I really wished that he had a better ending.
The twins Ned and Sara Dulla had my heart. They are the sweetest and the most supportive people. Ned is a real gentleman who brought back Gulab and pieced back her heart without asking for anything in return. He is also a fiercely protective brother. And as for Sara I am surprised that she ignored her bitter past with Gulab and supported her during her bad time.
As for Sid Mehta you'll have to read the book to know him properly.
All the other characters added a right flavor of spice and sweetness to the story.
The book had two stories going on with alternate chapters for each. One is about the present where everyone is busy fining the culprit and their reactions to Gulab's death and other is about Gulab's entire life which is narrated by Gulab herself.
I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. I really loved Rasleen's writing, the way with which she wrote that Prologue had me awestruck and then the more I read more I fell in love with her story-telling style. I really liked how she intertwined present and past stories and left the clues which left me guessing about who the real culprit was. And that ending AH!!! it was unexpected and amazing (storywise) but it was sad, I really cried when I read that (which happens very rarely).
I was like a movie with a nice blend of innocence, drama, deceit, romance and mystery.
I just have one thing to say if you love mysteries mixed up with nice plot and a blend of varied colors of characters then you really must give this one a chance.
5 out of 5
entire review at: http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogsp...
I really liked Yuvi- her best friend. He is a man of few words and a really sweet and amazing friend. He was a kind of friend who could kill anyone if they hurt his childhood friend. I was shocked the ending that he had I really wished that he had a better ending.
The twins Ned and Sara Dulla had my heart. They are the sweetest and the most supportive people. Ned is a real gentleman who brought back Gulab and pieced back her heart without asking for anything in return. He is also a fiercely protective brother. And as for Sara I am surprised that she ignored her bitter past with Gulab and supported her during her bad time.
As for Sid Mehta you'll have to read the book to know him properly.
All the other characters added a right flavor of spice and sweetness to the story.
The book had two stories going on with alternate chapters for each. One is about the present where everyone is busy fining the culprit and their reactions to Gulab's death and other is about Gulab's entire life which is narrated by Gulab herself.
I was sucked into the story right from the beginning. I really loved Rasleen's writing, the way with which she wrote that Prologue had me awestruck and then the more I read more I fell in love with her story-telling style. I really liked how she intertwined present and past stories and left the clues which left me guessing about who the real culprit was. And that ending AH!!! it was unexpected and amazing (storywise) but it was sad, I really cried when I read that (which happens very rarely).
I was like a movie with a nice blend of innocence, drama, deceit, romance and mystery.
I just have one thing to say if you love mysteries mixed up with nice plot and a blend of varied colors of characters then you really must give this one a chance.
5 out of 5
entire review at: http://gatewaytodifferentworld.blogsp...
August 16, 2014
‘Happily murdered’ is the debut work of Rasleen Syal. Happily and Murdered, both are so different that even Microsoft word can’t bear them sitting back to back but here the debut author has chosen this as the title for her crime thriller.
Not only the name but the cover will also give a hard time to the reader’s brain cells. Bridal attire drenched in blood, how interesting is that and after reading the blurb readers are bound to pick the book.
The book is written in a well-crafted manner. The narrating style perfectly matches the need for this piece of story line. As the author says I can very much relate her style of storytelling with the veteran thriller writer Agatha Christie. I appreciate the author for framing the chapters in such a beautiful way by putting Gulab’s version too.
The story starts with Gulab Sarin, the new bride of Sid Mehta, found dead in the Ratnagiri Palace of Uttaranchal. After the initial investigation police declare, this murder is work of an insider from the renowned Mehta Family. As the story moves on and the family members starts to find clues to save their own back, readers will witness a breath-taking journey. This story is full of surprise elements and the thrilling story line will hook the readers till the very end. I personally feel the success of a crime thriller is, if the author can distract the mind of the reader from the main culprit and in the book I can easily say that Rasleen Syal has been able to do that. As all effective crime thrillers, this book’s end will also make the readers smile at the efficiency of the author.
At the middle of the book I felt the author was getting distracted from the main course. But soon the author made up for this by introducing another twist in the tale. Few printing errors are also spotted. But overall these errors can easily be ignored and this book can be called one great thrilling read.
Final Words: The smooth narrating style and the efficiently framed plot will keep readers hooked until the mystery solves and when it solves, readers will smile with teary eyes.
For reviews click on: www.timidfingers.blogspot.in
Not only the name but the cover will also give a hard time to the reader’s brain cells. Bridal attire drenched in blood, how interesting is that and after reading the blurb readers are bound to pick the book.
The book is written in a well-crafted manner. The narrating style perfectly matches the need for this piece of story line. As the author says I can very much relate her style of storytelling with the veteran thriller writer Agatha Christie. I appreciate the author for framing the chapters in such a beautiful way by putting Gulab’s version too.
The story starts with Gulab Sarin, the new bride of Sid Mehta, found dead in the Ratnagiri Palace of Uttaranchal. After the initial investigation police declare, this murder is work of an insider from the renowned Mehta Family. As the story moves on and the family members starts to find clues to save their own back, readers will witness a breath-taking journey. This story is full of surprise elements and the thrilling story line will hook the readers till the very end. I personally feel the success of a crime thriller is, if the author can distract the mind of the reader from the main culprit and in the book I can easily say that Rasleen Syal has been able to do that. As all effective crime thrillers, this book’s end will also make the readers smile at the efficiency of the author.
At the middle of the book I felt the author was getting distracted from the main course. But soon the author made up for this by introducing another twist in the tale. Few printing errors are also spotted. But overall these errors can easily be ignored and this book can be called one great thrilling read.
Final Words: The smooth narrating style and the efficiently framed plot will keep readers hooked until the mystery solves and when it solves, readers will smile with teary eyes.
For reviews click on: www.timidfingers.blogspot.in
October 16, 2014
It's all in a family. A bride murdered, a royal palace, a tight knit bond and many accused of the brutality. What will happen when Gulab Sarin's one night marriage will turn into a life long nightmare for Mehta's, Dulla's and the small town of Ratnagiri? Will her lost soul be able to procure justice or will it remain hidden away for good? That's what the story is all about.
There's an ardent slowness in the story and that's visible from the copybook style of Agatha Christie. The closed spaces, the tight knit set up and no loose ends brings about the same magic back to the mystery land as it was back in the Christie times. The story chugs along a very simple yet circling path and gives momentous victory of sorts but then snatches it away with a baffling revelation. The curiosity kept alive for the entirety and master stoke delivered towards the end. The heavy guess work and colorful characters creates ominous amount of drama and lends life to the story. The purple patch is that readers have to dig deep and dig hard to get to the root of the murder mystery.
The downside of the book is it's pale finish to character building and very out of sorts start to the story. Few characters didn't exude exuberance and looked over the top at times. More involvement of others were required as the story got tangled a bit too much in the male proximity and neglecting the who's who of the family. Also the past developments from Gulab's life couldn't quite tune into the story and looked completely exaggerated and off course.
All in all as a mystery thriller the book manages to pull out all stops and hits the right chord with it's drama and despair outlook. The momentum on it's side but on a sluggish pace it manages to pull out just the right mix to give everyone something to rejoice. The touch polishing of characters and initial outburst would have done wonders but otherwise there are more than happy times in this book as it will make your mind look pale with it's dark side developments and eerie of a suspenseful drama.
There's an ardent slowness in the story and that's visible from the copybook style of Agatha Christie. The closed spaces, the tight knit set up and no loose ends brings about the same magic back to the mystery land as it was back in the Christie times. The story chugs along a very simple yet circling path and gives momentous victory of sorts but then snatches it away with a baffling revelation. The curiosity kept alive for the entirety and master stoke delivered towards the end. The heavy guess work and colorful characters creates ominous amount of drama and lends life to the story. The purple patch is that readers have to dig deep and dig hard to get to the root of the murder mystery.
The downside of the book is it's pale finish to character building and very out of sorts start to the story. Few characters didn't exude exuberance and looked over the top at times. More involvement of others were required as the story got tangled a bit too much in the male proximity and neglecting the who's who of the family. Also the past developments from Gulab's life couldn't quite tune into the story and looked completely exaggerated and off course.
All in all as a mystery thriller the book manages to pull out all stops and hits the right chord with it's drama and despair outlook. The momentum on it's side but on a sluggish pace it manages to pull out just the right mix to give everyone something to rejoice. The touch polishing of characters and initial outburst would have done wonders but otherwise there are more than happy times in this book as it will make your mind look pale with it's dark side developments and eerie of a suspenseful drama.
January 8, 2015
I will have my triumph dance, right now. I was fully prepared at the outset keeping in mind that I had to deal with a person who is ardent follower of Agatha Christie’s writings. That was the first cheat code I used. After reading Agatha Christie’s scenarios of murders, it won’t be hard for a normal person to crack a methodical case of crime. But I must say, she is no ordinary story teller like we have here in India today. Though I mean no offense to the passionate writers who actually try and try hard to solicit some imagination from the reader with the style of writing and the plot of the book.
The book is very good, keeping in mind that this was her first attempt. Attaining this standard in mystery in the first attempt might be arduous, I think. The story is no simple one with limited number of personalities but involves a whole lot of distinctive characters. The story itself is nothing of the sort we can associate to the stories of recent past, I am being prejudiced maybe. The order of intelligence is great with exceptional mastery over steering the story away from speculations of the reader. But from the books of Agatha Christie, I have attained a state of mind where I start with suspecting every single one of the characters and slowly eliminate one after the other depending on the statements and the gestures they make. I avert myself immediately from the side where everyone is interested in and involve myself away from their thoughts to hear the truth. The obvious things are quite often trampled down in the blindness of search for greater clues.
I would not like to reveal anything here not even in the form of spoilers but I must have my victory leap. My speculations, maybe not all of them but some have come out strong. Some clues are deliberately left here and there like bread crumbs, I pecked at them.
This book is not just a straight mystery but also involves many other human emotions which are veiled until the real motive is cast off.
The book is very good, keeping in mind that this was her first attempt. Attaining this standard in mystery in the first attempt might be arduous, I think. The story is no simple one with limited number of personalities but involves a whole lot of distinctive characters. The story itself is nothing of the sort we can associate to the stories of recent past, I am being prejudiced maybe. The order of intelligence is great with exceptional mastery over steering the story away from speculations of the reader. But from the books of Agatha Christie, I have attained a state of mind where I start with suspecting every single one of the characters and slowly eliminate one after the other depending on the statements and the gestures they make. I avert myself immediately from the side where everyone is interested in and involve myself away from their thoughts to hear the truth. The obvious things are quite often trampled down in the blindness of search for greater clues.
I would not like to reveal anything here not even in the form of spoilers but I must have my victory leap. My speculations, maybe not all of them but some have come out strong. Some clues are deliberately left here and there like bread crumbs, I pecked at them.
This book is not just a straight mystery but also involves many other human emotions which are veiled until the real motive is cast off.
August 20, 2014
With Gulab Sarin dead on her wedding night, the needle of suspicion points towards not one or two people at the Mehta Palace but towards all nine of the family members. Each one of them has a motive, means and opportunity to kill Gulab. With family’s public image at stake, the nine turn into detectives with the sole aim of protecting the family, even at the cost of incriminating an innocent person. They have 15 days to do so as that’s the time frame the Police Inspector has to submit the report. Who could kill Gulab when she was dancing with such joy and contentment in her wedding finery? And thus over discussions, blame games, threats, pressure tactics and snooping around, the family members try to solve a whodunnit.
The characterization in the story is done really well. The characters’ personalities and complexities emerge nicely and this makes the characters alive and believable. Even Gulab’s character which is murdered in the very first chapter, is portrayed suitably such that you empathize with her and join the rest of the family in analysing the clues to bring her justice.
The pace of the story is just right and keeps you glued to the book. As a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed Happily Murdered from start to finish. There are no loose threads as all is wrapped up in a neat little bow towards the end. It is definitely a page turner that kept me up late at night examining the clues, evaluating the witnesses and alibis and determining the probable culprit. And the climax simply blew me away.
Caught a few typos in the book, but that did not dampen the reading pleasure.
A very promising debut by Rasleen, Happily Murdered is a recommended read for all crime, thriller and mystery lovers.
http://shilpaagarg.com/2014/08/happil...
The characterization in the story is done really well. The characters’ personalities and complexities emerge nicely and this makes the characters alive and believable. Even Gulab’s character which is murdered in the very first chapter, is portrayed suitably such that you empathize with her and join the rest of the family in analysing the clues to bring her justice.
The pace of the story is just right and keeps you glued to the book. As a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed Happily Murdered from start to finish. There are no loose threads as all is wrapped up in a neat little bow towards the end. It is definitely a page turner that kept me up late at night examining the clues, evaluating the witnesses and alibis and determining the probable culprit. And the climax simply blew me away.
Caught a few typos in the book, but that did not dampen the reading pleasure.
A very promising debut by Rasleen, Happily Murdered is a recommended read for all crime, thriller and mystery lovers.
http://shilpaagarg.com/2014/08/happil...
May 30, 2016
Gulab Sarin, the radiant new daughter-in-law of the influential Mehta family dies mysteriously on the very next night of her wedding. The murder is an inside job, the police is certain. It could be anyone, the adulterous husband, conniving in-laws, jealous friend and the love struck ex-fiancé.
With an aim to save themselves, and incriminate others, it is not love before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab’s death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
With the murder of Gulab Sarin on the very night of her wedding, suspicions arise against nine of the inhabitants of the Mehta household, where Gulab was married into. With all the suspects having valid enough motives to gain from the murder, they take the matter into their own hands, conducting amateur investigations to try and unmask Gulab’s murderer, in order to protect their own skin, targeting each other, before the inspector handles it his own way.
Full Review: http://preciousglories.blogspot.in/20...
With an aim to save themselves, and incriminate others, it is not love before these suspects turn into amateur detectives, hunting for clues and delving into hidden secrets only they can unearth. They coerce, pry and blackmail in an attempt to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Will one of these nine unlikely sleuths finally unravel the mystery behind Gulab’s death and avenge it? Or will the truth die as viciously as Gulab?
With the murder of Gulab Sarin on the very night of her wedding, suspicions arise against nine of the inhabitants of the Mehta household, where Gulab was married into. With all the suspects having valid enough motives to gain from the murder, they take the matter into their own hands, conducting amateur investigations to try and unmask Gulab’s murderer, in order to protect their own skin, targeting each other, before the inspector handles it his own way.
Full Review: http://preciousglories.blogspot.in/20...
October 1, 2014
Should not the murderer be happy after easing off the burden from blocked mind? Yes, of course. It is possible because the target has been happily murdered! Read on as Rasleen, the author murders her protagonist right on the first page and leaves you with a mystery filled crime thriller story of a family where everyone is being scrutinized under an eye if suspicion.
A crime thriller or a murder mystery, whatever you say it; but can a female writer really pull off this genre? Of course she can and why not? Yes, she did it. Being herself a mystery addict who happily seeks out a veiled detective behind her tresses in her everyday life, Rasleen digs into a murder of a newlywed – Gulab.
Who the murderer is?
Rasleen shines as a promising author of the times. If this is her level of commitment towards her passion then she has much more to conquer and I am confident that she will be able to do it, easily and with poise.
Not be missed! A powerful script to be enacted as a teleserial. :)
Source: http://booksnewsindia.wordpress.com/2...
A crime thriller or a murder mystery, whatever you say it; but can a female writer really pull off this genre? Of course she can and why not? Yes, she did it. Being herself a mystery addict who happily seeks out a veiled detective behind her tresses in her everyday life, Rasleen digs into a murder of a newlywed – Gulab.
Who the murderer is?
Rasleen shines as a promising author of the times. If this is her level of commitment towards her passion then she has much more to conquer and I am confident that she will be able to do it, easily and with poise.
Not be missed! A powerful script to be enacted as a teleserial. :)
Source: http://booksnewsindia.wordpress.com/2...
August 6, 2014
This is the best suspense and mystery novel I have ever read of any Debut Indian author, a brilliant work by Rasleen Syal. Author has written in acknowledgement that Agatha Christie is the biggest inspiration and a Guru, by reading this novel one can say that Rasleen in perfectly stepping in the shoes of Agatha; it’s an excellent novel for the readers.
I was hooked up from the very beginning. The plot is excellent, language is simple, and flow is fast. What I liked the most is 2nd chapter where introduction or to be precise the relation of every person with the deceased is provided very differently, it’s something new which I have never read in any other book, the narration style is excellent.
Highly recommend to suspense and mystery lovers, undoubtedly its going to be a best seller. We got a new Indian author in the field of suspense, mystery and thriller. Also one thing that I liked the most is the cover of the book designed by Pinaki De, because the cover is very symbolic blood is dripping from the red bridal saree says many things from the beginning.
I was hooked up from the very beginning. The plot is excellent, language is simple, and flow is fast. What I liked the most is 2nd chapter where introduction or to be precise the relation of every person with the deceased is provided very differently, it’s something new which I have never read in any other book, the narration style is excellent.
Highly recommend to suspense and mystery lovers, undoubtedly its going to be a best seller. We got a new Indian author in the field of suspense, mystery and thriller. Also one thing that I liked the most is the cover of the book designed by Pinaki De, because the cover is very symbolic blood is dripping from the red bridal saree says many things from the beginning.
October 20, 2014
Happily Murdered by Rasleen Syal is a murder mystery set in Ratnagiri in the Himalayan foothills. The author has followed the Agatha Christie template in creating a murder mystery, adapting it masterfully to Indian settings.
Gulab Sarin is found dead on the night of her marriage in the pavilion of her in-laws’ (the Mehtas) estate. At the time of the murder, there were six maids and servants who did not have any motivation for the murder. But there were nine relatives in the house and most of them have a motivation. Who committed the murder?
A whodunit in the style of a parallel narrative – one exploring the murder and the other in the voice of the victim relating her story – the book explores human weaknesses in the background of a murder.
With a masterfully crafted plot, the author drives away all apprehensions of this book turning out to be a poor cousin of an Agatha Christie work.
For a more detailed review check out
http://plusminusnmore.rapo.in/happily...
Gulab Sarin is found dead on the night of her marriage in the pavilion of her in-laws’ (the Mehtas) estate. At the time of the murder, there were six maids and servants who did not have any motivation for the murder. But there were nine relatives in the house and most of them have a motivation. Who committed the murder?
A whodunit in the style of a parallel narrative – one exploring the murder and the other in the voice of the victim relating her story – the book explores human weaknesses in the background of a murder.
With a masterfully crafted plot, the author drives away all apprehensions of this book turning out to be a poor cousin of an Agatha Christie work.
For a more detailed review check out
http://plusminusnmore.rapo.in/happily...
December 25, 2015
Having fed on a generous diet of Agatha Christie books, the debut author surprisingly knows how to keep the readers hooked. With every family member becoming a self proclaimed detective to nail the true killer, the story oscillates between flashback and present. The beauty lies also in the way Gulab’s life, hopes and feelings are expressed in her own voice, even though she is dead in the first page. I wondered then, was I reviewing a debut work, for the book has all the elements of a perfect murder mystery! Frequent references to various quotes bring the reader closer to Gulab’s state of mind, and by the time the mystery is unraveled, the reader feels a strong sympathy and pain for her. I would strongly recommend the book if you are looking for a good mystery read. But a word of caution though – chances are, you won’t be able to keep the book down unless you have read till the last page in one go!
Read the complete review on my blog http://shaivikafunda.blogspot.in/2014...
Read the complete review on my blog http://shaivikafunda.blogspot.in/2014...
July 15, 2014
Revenge might be a dish best served cold but it only tastes mouth-watering if a dash of jealousy or protectiveness and a sprinkle of animosity and rivalry are added to it. This is a delicacy served by many across the world but few manage to nail the quality and turn it into a gourmet dish with a serving of murder on the side. We have devoured it with a hunger known only to us avid Mystery readers, feeling satiated only when served by the likes of Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark or P.D James. So when a young Indian Author decided to make a foray into this Genre and make an attempt at rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of this world, it made me sit up, smack my lips in anticipation and eagerly take a headlong dive into what I hoped would be India’s epicurean response to the world of mystery writing. And no, I wasn't disappointed. Not really.
Read more at http://www.seetabodke.com/2014/07/boo...
Read more at http://www.seetabodke.com/2014/07/boo...
March 4, 2015
I usually don't read Indian authors. I picked this book up after hearing rave reviews for it. The author in her prologue starts with tributes to Agatha Christie in turn raising your expectations. Is that a big mistake? Probably not, because the book is fantastic.
Happily Murdered starts with the death of Gulab Sarin. It engulfs two families through the book with suspicions on each other. The book is well written. The story is nice and plugs holes to every gap in the last chapter where the mystery is revealed. Best thing about this book is it doesn't disappoint you one bit. It keeps you on edge and tells you to keep reading. Small chapters makes it unputdownable. I was unable to find a single boring phase in the story. I am very happy an Indian author has delivered such a solid book.
I hope Rasleen Syal writes another mystery. May be another book. Because I will read it.
Happily Murdered starts with the death of Gulab Sarin. It engulfs two families through the book with suspicions on each other. The book is well written. The story is nice and plugs holes to every gap in the last chapter where the mystery is revealed. Best thing about this book is it doesn't disappoint you one bit. It keeps you on edge and tells you to keep reading. Small chapters makes it unputdownable. I was unable to find a single boring phase in the story. I am very happy an Indian author has delivered such a solid book.
I hope Rasleen Syal writes another mystery. May be another book. Because I will read it.
May 28, 2015
Win this in the giveaway.To begin with it was a very good read. Has a different plot line..A bride murdered on the night of her wedding. Creepy....
Written dual perspective and absolutely loved it too...
I kind of got very much confused with all the characters in the beginning. Seriously there are a ton of characters but each has their own role to play too..
Really looking forward to your future works.... :D
SPOILER ALERT..
Loved Ned...And at a point hated Gulab for hurting him but soon i have to change my opinion..
Was a little disappointed with the climax though.. It really was a big twist but Gulab's decision to kill herself was a little lame and that too to take revenge on Sid..What if Sid did not realize his mistake? Having got a whole lot of Gulab's money he could return back to his old manners....
But overall loved the book....
Written dual perspective and absolutely loved it too...
I kind of got very much confused with all the characters in the beginning. Seriously there are a ton of characters but each has their own role to play too..
Really looking forward to your future works.... :D
SPOILER ALERT..
Loved Ned...And at a point hated Gulab for hurting him but soon i have to change my opinion..
Was a little disappointed with the climax though.. It really was a big twist but Gulab's decision to kill herself was a little lame and that too to take revenge on Sid..What if Sid did not realize his mistake? Having got a whole lot of Gulab's money he could return back to his old manners....
But overall loved the book....
October 22, 2015
I love murder mysteries and am a huge fan of Agatha Christie's works. I have always believed that there are few, if any, Indian authors who can create a complex and water tight plot that can be compared to any of Christie's works.
I picked up this book because it was highly recommended on Goodreads.
But within the first few pages, I realized I had made a huge mistake.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that the plot itself is not too bad. The events on the night of the death and the person responsible are quite plausible.
But this is the good part. Everything else about the book-from the language, narrative style, characterization, dialogues and settings were tedious, artificial, over the top or unrealistic. It was a real effort to keep reading this, and I skipped some parts in between.
Definitely not recommended.
I picked up this book because it was highly recommended on Goodreads.
But within the first few pages, I realized I had made a huge mistake.
The one good thing I can say about this book is that the plot itself is not too bad. The events on the night of the death and the person responsible are quite plausible.
But this is the good part. Everything else about the book-from the language, narrative style, characterization, dialogues and settings were tedious, artificial, over the top or unrealistic. It was a real effort to keep reading this, and I skipped some parts in between.
Definitely not recommended.
March 25, 2016
When my best friend and book-buddy recommends a book, i read it. period.
This one is a nice little murder mystery but that is not even the best part.
the highlight of the book is the character set. Rasleen has spent her time on character developement and as the reader you begin to understand and empathize with the characters, feeling for them. None too perfect, everyone having their own imperfections being good and bad at the same time with their emotions over-powering them and becoming flaws.
I was indeed able to determine the murderer with reasonable confidence but it was still a delightful read. And i must say, its been a long time since some writer was able to draw out some tears from me. The climax did that to me.
So a 5 star from me Rasleen. Keep writing. Looking forward to your next.
This one is a nice little murder mystery but that is not even the best part.
the highlight of the book is the character set. Rasleen has spent her time on character developement and as the reader you begin to understand and empathize with the characters, feeling for them. None too perfect, everyone having their own imperfections being good and bad at the same time with their emotions over-powering them and becoming flaws.
I was indeed able to determine the murderer with reasonable confidence but it was still a delightful read. And i must say, its been a long time since some writer was able to draw out some tears from me. The climax did that to me.
So a 5 star from me Rasleen. Keep writing. Looking forward to your next.
August 9, 2014
Overall the book was a quick read and I finished it in one sitting. The plot is well-written and well-developed. There are suspects galore, and tons of red herrings, all the characters have something or the other to hide. Basically, everything that makes a murder mystery perfect.
I also loved how the murder victim’s character and personality is brought through her own voice and through the lenses of the different people who knew her and had a motive to kill her.
There is very little gore, so I would classify this book as one of those cozy mysteries. This is a book that can be read even by people who are put off by gory murder scenes.
Complete review on my blog: http://nishitak.com/2014/08/08/happil...
I also loved how the murder victim’s character and personality is brought through her own voice and through the lenses of the different people who knew her and had a motive to kill her.
There is very little gore, so I would classify this book as one of those cozy mysteries. This is a book that can be read even by people who are put off by gory murder scenes.
Complete review on my blog: http://nishitak.com/2014/08/08/happil...
August 13, 2014
As the book advances, one feels that even they are a part of the mystery of Gulab’s death. For once, the authoress can make the readers feel Gulab and at the same time, the authoress makes a great attempt in showing the readers what the family members feel at the current scenario.
There are even points in the story where the readers themselves start to link the points and unearth the mystery and I believe, that’s a very big compliment for any writer. Everyone becomes very eager to reach the conclusion to the book which I am sure the readers would be flabbergasted at.
To know more about the book, click on--
http://vanyasnotebook.blogspot.in/201...
There are even points in the story where the readers themselves start to link the points and unearth the mystery and I believe, that’s a very big compliment for any writer. Everyone becomes very eager to reach the conclusion to the book which I am sure the readers would be flabbergasted at.
To know more about the book, click on--
http://vanyasnotebook.blogspot.in/201...
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