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Is it Maya ?
"Maya Mukhija is charming, intelligent and enigmatic.She has all the riches and power of the world. Maya loves to overpower men. She is the arm-candy wife of an ageing media mogul. Maya is not a loser.
But one fine morning, Mumbai police knocks the door of her posh apartment and handcuffs her. “You killed Veena, your daughter,” the Police Commissioner declares.
“Veena was my sister, not daughter. And I wished her dead. But I never killed her,” Maya Mukhija replies.
The hunt begins through the shadowy yesterdays of Maya Mukhija.
Love, treachery and a web of lies peel off the dark truth one by one.
Who killed Veena? ls it Maya?"
But one fine morning, Mumbai police knocks the door of her posh apartment and handcuffs her. “You killed Veena, your daughter,” the Police Commissioner declares.
“Veena was my sister, not daughter. And I wished her dead. But I never killed her,” Maya Mukhija replies.
The hunt begins through the shadowy yesterdays of Maya Mukhija.
Love, treachery and a web of lies peel off the dark truth one by one.
Who killed Veena? ls it Maya?"
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2016
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 22, 2017
The book has been inspired by one of the most prominent cases to hit out Media in recent times, that of a solialite arrested for the murder of her daughter / sister. I am pretty sure this will ring bells in the minds of most Indian readers. The story is that of Maya, a Media baroness, who gets arrested for the murder of Veena, her purported sister. Turns out that the sister is actually the daughter, a sordid tale unto itself. Also involved are a literal litany of her ex-lovers, for this Maya has quite a history, a rather purple-coloured history of an achiever who kept morals far away in her rise up the corporate ladder. But, the big question is : is she really the criminal?
The difficulty in writing a fiction book on current events is that reader comparison happens; cynicism also sets in, as there is the tendency to underplay the content and the imagination that goes into crafting a fictional story out of such events. Such books have to quickly set a tone of their own, kindle reader interest pretty fast; and keep the readers interested right through. Second, the plot should be sufficiently different, using the real event only as an inspiration, that is – the story should be individual, not a copy.
Is It Maya quite successfully negotiates most of these challenges. It takes off smoothly, and quickly engages the reader into its content and its pages. The plot has no twists and turns of a major nature; despite this, interest has been maintained through a combination of constant and consistent introduction of new characters into the story, and new facts. Each carries the story forward in some way, each introduces new elements into the story. This keeps interest going.
Read more : https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
The difficulty in writing a fiction book on current events is that reader comparison happens; cynicism also sets in, as there is the tendency to underplay the content and the imagination that goes into crafting a fictional story out of such events. Such books have to quickly set a tone of their own, kindle reader interest pretty fast; and keep the readers interested right through. Second, the plot should be sufficiently different, using the real event only as an inspiration, that is – the story should be individual, not a copy.
Is It Maya quite successfully negotiates most of these challenges. It takes off smoothly, and quickly engages the reader into its content and its pages. The plot has no twists and turns of a major nature; despite this, interest has been maintained through a combination of constant and consistent introduction of new characters into the story, and new facts. Each carries the story forward in some way, each introduces new elements into the story. This keeps interest going.
Read more : https://reflectionsvvk.blogspot.in/20...
February 6, 2017
It feels real good getting back to reading and, most importantly, reviewing. The author of this book has contacted requesting for a honest review. The plot, which sounded so much like the Sheena Bora murder case, caught my attention right away.
I jumped right in and just after reading the first two chapters did I get this strange urge to read into author's bio. Well, from what I had presumed, the author was a first-timer. The writing was so sophisticated that I had to turn back to the author's bio part of the book to learn he is an established author. Not one, not two; he is an author of four other novels. It well impressed me. There are many people I know, struggling to get, at least one of, their work published............................ (Read the whole review on my blog.)
The original review of this book is posted on my blog...
To read the original review of this book, click here...
I jumped right in and just after reading the first two chapters did I get this strange urge to read into author's bio. Well, from what I had presumed, the author was a first-timer. The writing was so sophisticated that I had to turn back to the author's bio part of the book to learn he is an established author. Not one, not two; he is an author of four other novels. It well impressed me. There are many people I know, struggling to get, at least one of, their work published............................ (Read the whole review on my blog.)
The original review of this book is posted on my blog...
To read the original review of this book, click here...
April 26, 2018
Death in the corridor or love and glory.
This book is a simple thriller of expectable story which you can’t simply put down.
Firstly, I loved and admired Maya's characterization here- a mesmerizing character, wild and bold. Vidya Balan should really do a cinema on this- come on.
Okay, Maya is convicted for killing her own daughter- smell Sheena Bora Homicide here? A spine chilling reminder?
In this book - Is it Maya? the story is a bit like Sheena Bora case but with good amount of thrills along trail of court events following describing the meticulous crime planning. This book is for the racy thriller heart
The cover is beguiling, portraying the crime scene and a sensual face. Blurb is kept humble but gets you the feel of a thriller. Well, you can't put this down.
In the middle, I felt the plot was a bit stretched but If I must fall in love with a character-it must be Maya .
and...I am damn sure she won’t love anyone back (winks).
Come-on Maya- start loving - Love is precious
This book is a simple thriller of expectable story which you can’t simply put down.
Firstly, I loved and admired Maya's characterization here- a mesmerizing character, wild and bold. Vidya Balan should really do a cinema on this- come on.
Okay, Maya is convicted for killing her own daughter- smell Sheena Bora Homicide here? A spine chilling reminder?
In this book - Is it Maya? the story is a bit like Sheena Bora case but with good amount of thrills along trail of court events following describing the meticulous crime planning. This book is for the racy thriller heart
The cover is beguiling, portraying the crime scene and a sensual face. Blurb is kept humble but gets you the feel of a thriller. Well, you can't put this down.
In the middle, I felt the plot was a bit stretched but If I must fall in love with a character-it must be Maya .
and...I am damn sure she won’t love anyone back (winks).
Come-on Maya- start loving - Love is precious
December 25, 2016
Received this book from the author in exchange for honest review.
The story revolves around the protagonist Maya.
Maya was arrested and tortured to confess the truth.
Veena is missing for two years.She was in middle of her graduation course of fashion technology.
Maya is married to David.
The case was further investigated.
Maya kept many secrets.It was not clear whether David was her second husband or 3rd ...
Also earlier she told that Veena was her sister and not her daughter .
Who killed Veena ? There are many things which need to be find out .
A book which kept u biting ur nails at the edge of ur seat.
The plot is full of suspense , twists and turns.
It will totally keep you guessing
The writing style is very impressive.
I WILL RATE THIS BOOK 4 OUT OF 5 STARS.
The story revolves around the protagonist Maya.
Maya was arrested and tortured to confess the truth.
Veena is missing for two years.She was in middle of her graduation course of fashion technology.
Maya is married to David.
The case was further investigated.
Maya kept many secrets.It was not clear whether David was her second husband or 3rd ...
Also earlier she told that Veena was her sister and not her daughter .
Who killed Veena ? There are many things which need to be find out .
A book which kept u biting ur nails at the edge of ur seat.
The plot is full of suspense , twists and turns.
It will totally keep you guessing
The writing style is very impressive.
I WILL RATE THIS BOOK 4 OUT OF 5 STARS.
December 29, 2017
A little predictable but worth the build up of the plot. Totally admired Maya's character.
December 19, 2016
The book traces the story of socailite Maya Mukhija who is arrested for the murder of her sister/daughter Veena Borua. As one can make out from the blurb, the story is based on Sheena Bora murder case. While the main events and characters are taken from the real life case, the writer has given his own spin to the story, making it wholly his own. The story grips you from the start as the police station scene unfolds. As the past and present of Maya is revealed through Maya and Vivek's points of view, it gets more and more interesting.
Maya is a strong woman who is unapologetic about her past and does not shy away from anything to achieve her goals. She considers men as mere pawns in her game and has always got her way with men. While she is a smart, calculating person she is also haunted by her past and trying to run from it.
Other characters like Vivek and David are also portrayed as flawed yet interesting. I like the fact that the story does not divide everyone into black and white. It is the grays that make the characters more real, and you are able to see their point of views even if they are twisted.
Maya is a strong woman who is unapologetic about her past and does not shy away from anything to achieve her goals. She considers men as mere pawns in her game and has always got her way with men. While she is a smart, calculating person she is also haunted by her past and trying to run from it.
Other characters like Vivek and David are also portrayed as flawed yet interesting. I like the fact that the story does not divide everyone into black and white. It is the grays that make the characters more real, and you are able to see their point of views even if they are twisted.
June 19, 2017
This book is one of the best thrillers of 2017. While reading it I could find traces of Indrani Mukherjee’s life in this. I love plot full of suspense, twists and turns and this book had them perfectly. It kept me guessing and the writing is impressive. The story revolves around the protagonist Maya who gets arrested and tortured to confess the truth. I strongly suggest this book to all those who love reading racy fast paced thrillers.
September 3, 2017
Its an unputdownable thriller inspired from real life events. Although the flashbacks at points stall the pace of the narrative the plot never lets you down in its surprises at every turn. The real and fiction has amalgamated in way that all appears true and believable. You can read the full review here Book Review
April 3, 2017
Is It Maya?
By Saikat Baksi
Review By Ila Garg
Is It Maya?, a novel by Saikat Baksi, is published by Frog Books. The cover represents a crime scene with blood indicating a murder or something. A vengeful looking girl on the cover further adds to the mystery. The sub title: Death in the corridor of love and glory… confirms that the story involves bloodshed, a murder most probably or a suicide. It totally intrigued me to flip through the pages quickly.
Saikat Baksi is an author and an artist. His passions include theology, art and the sub-atomic world. He is a Mechanical Engineer by qualification and works in the Sales & Marketing department of an Engineering Multinational. He doesn't find any conflict among his roles as an executive and an author or an artist. He lives his life the way it comes and writes about it. He paints what he sees around himself and in his own mind. For him, the world is full of paintings and stories. He just lays them down on paper and canvas. Over the years, he lived in seven cities and towns spanning from far south of India to the far north. He felt the pulse of each part of the country he lived in. He shares an intense 'love and hate' relation with Kolkata, where he grew up. He does not believe in settling anywhere because in his view, settlement is death and motion is life. He currently stays at Anand, Gujarat and cherishes the idyllic charm of the countryside. He has written several novels before writing Is It Maya?
Read the complete review here: http://www.ilagarg.com/2017/03/is-it-...
By Saikat Baksi
Review By Ila Garg
Is It Maya?, a novel by Saikat Baksi, is published by Frog Books. The cover represents a crime scene with blood indicating a murder or something. A vengeful looking girl on the cover further adds to the mystery. The sub title: Death in the corridor of love and glory… confirms that the story involves bloodshed, a murder most probably or a suicide. It totally intrigued me to flip through the pages quickly.
Saikat Baksi is an author and an artist. His passions include theology, art and the sub-atomic world. He is a Mechanical Engineer by qualification and works in the Sales & Marketing department of an Engineering Multinational. He doesn't find any conflict among his roles as an executive and an author or an artist. He lives his life the way it comes and writes about it. He paints what he sees around himself and in his own mind. For him, the world is full of paintings and stories. He just lays them down on paper and canvas. Over the years, he lived in seven cities and towns spanning from far south of India to the far north. He felt the pulse of each part of the country he lived in. He shares an intense 'love and hate' relation with Kolkata, where he grew up. He does not believe in settling anywhere because in his view, settlement is death and motion is life. He currently stays at Anand, Gujarat and cherishes the idyllic charm of the countryside. He has written several novels before writing Is It Maya?
Read the complete review here: http://www.ilagarg.com/2017/03/is-it-...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews