What do you think?
Rate this book
Where there’s a Will...
Billionaire businessman, Mr Pratap Sharma, manages to conceal a highly consequential secret in his will, merely hours before his mysterious death. A will, which is unique. A will, written in cryptic verse. A will, which no one can understand... Caught in a web of codes and couplets, detective Pranita Roy, single, talented and extremely attractive, must uncover the truth- Before she loses her will to her heart. And before she loses her soul to a suspect- Rohit Sharma; drop-dead handsome, disarmingly chivalrous, but, potentially dangerous. Is he a link in the puzzle or a mystery by himself? Seven verses. Four suspects. One will. Orchestrated Murder.Poetic Justice. Where life isn't a song, but death is a poem...
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2017
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 12, 2017
3.5/5
Mr. Pratap Sharma, a wealthy businessman is dead under mysterious circumstances. A cryptic will deepens the mystery further. Two sons – A favorite and an estranged. This high profile murder is going to be detective Pranita Roy’s first case. Will she crack the code? Will she let her heart win or the brain? Piorre Hart’s debut novel definitely doesn’t read like a “debut” novel.
Let us talk about the cover first. The mystical, yellow-blue cover makes for a pretty enchanting vision with inky blotches taking shape of various aspects and characters of the book. Commendable creativity! So I am going to make a special mention of the cover-artist Mr. Rohit Kulkarni.
The book is lucidly written and it can make for a very good light breezy reading. The mystery unfolds slowly initially, picks pace by the middle of the book, and pretty much falls quickly in place by the end. The book, during the last few pages, is definitely “unputdownable”. The story is spiced up with a little romance as well as has been sprinkled over with light emotions here and there. It has cryptic poetry and some nice romantic couplets that might make you go “Wah” as well.
Pranita, comes out as a brilliant protagonist – hard-working, intelligent, genuine, committed and I like the fact that her acumen is portrayed significantly more than her appearance. There are appearance references but they do not dominate the protagonist’s identity. The other characters have been overshadowed by the main character, but to be true to my review I would have loved more character development. That would have extended the length of the book, but I would have personally loved reading more about how Pranita got to be this level-headed woman that she was. (Do I hear a ‘sequel’ in the making?... Hush Hush).
There is this little thing about mysteries. The writer has to enter the reader’s mind and think the way their reader would think to ensure the mystery works out well. Piorre has done quite a good job in this department, again considering this is her first book. And here the length of the book works. The length doesn’t allow Piorre to play with the mystery for long, thereby neither boring the reader out nor making them overtly anxious about it. The overall effect is quite satisfactory. I found tiny loose ends in the book but I won’t talk about them much here because it will spoil the book. If you have read it, we can perhaps discuss them in the comments with a “spoiler” header.
If you are looking for a brisk read in the middle of heavy books, I think you can certainly pick up “Where there’s a will” and you’d hardly be disappointed.
P.S.: Now, I am assuming here that Pranita Roy is a Bengali name. I am a foodie. And my childhood buddy was a “Bengali”. I have practically grown-up in a Bengali household. So there is this technical little grouse that I have. In a Bengali “Roy” family, Nilutai doesn’t cook anything Bengali at all. Bengal is flooded with some insanely amazing dishes but Nilutai seems to cook only burgers and sandwiches. Neither does anyone speak any Bengali words. I would have loved a little Bengaliness in the book. Some “Rui Macher Jhol” or “Begun Bhaja” would have sounded so yummylicious. Uhh, okay, I am sorry food always takes me away from the topic. Let me tell you, this little thing DOES NOT in any way affect the essence of the book. It is still a brilliant mystery and these little things that I just spoke about don’t even matter. You can perhaps view this as me appreciating the diverse culinary facets personally.
Mr. Pratap Sharma, a wealthy businessman is dead under mysterious circumstances. A cryptic will deepens the mystery further. Two sons – A favorite and an estranged. This high profile murder is going to be detective Pranita Roy’s first case. Will she crack the code? Will she let her heart win or the brain? Piorre Hart’s debut novel definitely doesn’t read like a “debut” novel.
Let us talk about the cover first. The mystical, yellow-blue cover makes for a pretty enchanting vision with inky blotches taking shape of various aspects and characters of the book. Commendable creativity! So I am going to make a special mention of the cover-artist Mr. Rohit Kulkarni.
The book is lucidly written and it can make for a very good light breezy reading. The mystery unfolds slowly initially, picks pace by the middle of the book, and pretty much falls quickly in place by the end. The book, during the last few pages, is definitely “unputdownable”. The story is spiced up with a little romance as well as has been sprinkled over with light emotions here and there. It has cryptic poetry and some nice romantic couplets that might make you go “Wah” as well.
Pranita, comes out as a brilliant protagonist – hard-working, intelligent, genuine, committed and I like the fact that her acumen is portrayed significantly more than her appearance. There are appearance references but they do not dominate the protagonist’s identity. The other characters have been overshadowed by the main character, but to be true to my review I would have loved more character development. That would have extended the length of the book, but I would have personally loved reading more about how Pranita got to be this level-headed woman that she was. (Do I hear a ‘sequel’ in the making?... Hush Hush).
There is this little thing about mysteries. The writer has to enter the reader’s mind and think the way their reader would think to ensure the mystery works out well. Piorre has done quite a good job in this department, again considering this is her first book. And here the length of the book works. The length doesn’t allow Piorre to play with the mystery for long, thereby neither boring the reader out nor making them overtly anxious about it. The overall effect is quite satisfactory. I found tiny loose ends in the book but I won’t talk about them much here because it will spoil the book. If you have read it, we can perhaps discuss them in the comments with a “spoiler” header.
If you are looking for a brisk read in the middle of heavy books, I think you can certainly pick up “Where there’s a will” and you’d hardly be disappointed.
P.S.: Now, I am assuming here that Pranita Roy is a Bengali name. I am a foodie. And my childhood buddy was a “Bengali”. I have practically grown-up in a Bengali household. So there is this technical little grouse that I have. In a Bengali “Roy” family, Nilutai doesn’t cook anything Bengali at all. Bengal is flooded with some insanely amazing dishes but Nilutai seems to cook only burgers and sandwiches. Neither does anyone speak any Bengali words. I would have loved a little Bengaliness in the book. Some “Rui Macher Jhol” or “Begun Bhaja” would have sounded so yummylicious. Uhh, okay, I am sorry food always takes me away from the topic. Let me tell you, this little thing DOES NOT in any way affect the essence of the book. It is still a brilliant mystery and these little things that I just spoke about don’t even matter. You can perhaps view this as me appreciating the diverse culinary facets personally.
November 27, 2017
Book - Where there's a will
Author - Piorre Hart
Ratings - 4 stars.
When I saw Pune international literature festival hosting the launch of 'Where there's a will' I decided to attend the event. Somehow I missed the launch. But luck had something else in the store and I ran into its launch in a most surprising way, at another venue.
Where there's a will is a mystery book written in the first person from a lady detective, Pranita's pov. Since she's not a veteran detective, the story is unlike most of the detective stories. It has blended the shades of her character as a caring sister, a detective in progress, and a confused lover. But most prominent is the voice of a young lady which I could relate to. She's a girl next door with determination and "a will". Ahem.
The story revolves around a will of a wealthy businessman who had been murdered in mysterious way. The family finds his will in the form of a poem written in cryptic mode and nobody has a clue how to decipher it. It's Pranita's first case and her boss has some plans for her in order to resolve it. She meets the deceased's handsome and charismatic son who is also a prime suspect and finds herself attracted towards him. Torn between her heart and her mind, Pranita cracks the code, to find yet another puzzle waiting for her.
The mystery stories have a lot of cryptic messages but this is the first one I came across where it's hidden in a poem. The author herself is a poet and some of the couplets in the book are very beautiful. The most important thing is there's no fancy gadgets, combats, shrewd villain supplementing the plot and yet the story doesn't lose the charm. I felt the pace is bit slowed down by a subplot of her sister but in a way, it helps in later part to clear misunderstandings.
The end has a surprise element which is only hinted and not told and one can't help but nod at the genius of the script. The title serves as a double-entendre and when I got its real context, I smiled at the apparent disguise. The cover is done equally brilliant in water colors, depicting a theme of the story. With under 200 pages and it's flowing prose and whodunnit curiosity, it makes sure that you won't rest till it's over.
Author - Piorre Hart
Ratings - 4 stars.
When I saw Pune international literature festival hosting the launch of 'Where there's a will' I decided to attend the event. Somehow I missed the launch. But luck had something else in the store and I ran into its launch in a most surprising way, at another venue.
Where there's a will is a mystery book written in the first person from a lady detective, Pranita's pov. Since she's not a veteran detective, the story is unlike most of the detective stories. It has blended the shades of her character as a caring sister, a detective in progress, and a confused lover. But most prominent is the voice of a young lady which I could relate to. She's a girl next door with determination and "a will". Ahem.
The story revolves around a will of a wealthy businessman who had been murdered in mysterious way. The family finds his will in the form of a poem written in cryptic mode and nobody has a clue how to decipher it. It's Pranita's first case and her boss has some plans for her in order to resolve it. She meets the deceased's handsome and charismatic son who is also a prime suspect and finds herself attracted towards him. Torn between her heart and her mind, Pranita cracks the code, to find yet another puzzle waiting for her.
The mystery stories have a lot of cryptic messages but this is the first one I came across where it's hidden in a poem. The author herself is a poet and some of the couplets in the book are very beautiful. The most important thing is there's no fancy gadgets, combats, shrewd villain supplementing the plot and yet the story doesn't lose the charm. I felt the pace is bit slowed down by a subplot of her sister but in a way, it helps in later part to clear misunderstandings.
The end has a surprise element which is only hinted and not told and one can't help but nod at the genius of the script. The title serves as a double-entendre and when I got its real context, I smiled at the apparent disguise. The cover is done equally brilliant in water colors, depicting a theme of the story. With under 200 pages and it's flowing prose and whodunnit curiosity, it makes sure that you won't rest till it's over.
October 2, 2017
Thanks to SRRs I came across this book and the Author. SRRs are surprisingly credited even by the Author too in the book, thats terrific. Again I heard of this book from Pune Litfest which I somehow missed even after being in town :(. Hence no Author signed copy this time around. Finally got my copy and got an opportunity to read it yesterday. I started it in the afternoon and by the time it was my office time, I was done with 40 odd pages and was in no condition to stop and go out. Right then got a call from my HR informing me that there was some issue in office and I will be required to work from home :) Can you believe that? And as predicted it was over before I could call off my shift from home at 3.30 AM, such was the pace and the story that I just couldn't let it stretch any longer. Another good thing was that a day or two prior to reading this I had finished "Feluda (Part 1)" by legendary "Satyajit Ray" as that book too contained some dozen odd detective stories, I must say this felt like a continuation of sorts. As all Ray books and stories have, this too had a heart and books with a heart never fail to amaze me as its story although fiction is so convincing that I actually felt as if I knew quite a few characters in their co-incidentally one of the lead characters was my namesake :) that even added the fun element for me and gave me a grin from ear to ear throughout.
I have read quit a few Doyle, Christie and Ray stories in the recent past but have never come across a lady detective that too in lead, this was a first for me. But Pranita the detective seriously won my heart that too big time as she is not only gorgeous but damn intelligent too. Even as a Billionaire Businessman's murder mystery is thrown her way by her new boss that too in her very first day of the new job, she takes it in her stride and how she solves the case is the story. As I said this story has a heart that too at the right places. Pranita is no hardcore detective who is all serious and has no emotions. She has her own background and story to tell which develops parallely and is totally amazing. I loved the way Author has developed the characters in the story, may it be over busy father always on trips (there is a reason behind it), or a little sister to be taken care who is about to fly out of her reach sooner, or even the maid who had been filling in for the mother they lost not so long ago. It all falls in the right places in the initial couple of pages and the chase begins to not only find the murderer, but to know the reason behind it and as the title suggests, a lot of "Will's" get tested in the due course. The clues and the decoding are the best part, the way one after another they are revealed and decoded was simply mind-blowing, it kept me in hooks, tried as hard as I could I suspected the wrong person. Even after a handful of suspects right from the very start, my loyalty or shall I say my doubt kept shifting from one to another (prayed my namesake shouldn't be the culprit) the question is not only "Who" but "How" too. And to know how she unravels it, you've got to read the book which is as per me too short but very sweet.
Another thing that I loved about the book is that Author has packed in so much in such a short book that I just couldn't believe it. Also, it is written in such a smart way that a chapter ends every 5-6 pages and the reader is simply hooked to read just one more before taking a break but let me warn you - the break never comes. And before even you could guess the right person who did it all, she unravels it all in superb style. The love angle, thrill, suspense as well as action is so superbly and subtly done that it never goes overboard. I hope and pray that she does writes a sequel as I would love to see Agent Pranita going places to uncover more mysteries.
If you have read this, do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, you've got to read it ASAP. Also, specially for the people who know me a bit better, this guy in the story my namesake isn't he too much like me in real :) barring of-course he is filthy rich ;). Terrific.
I have read quit a few Doyle, Christie and Ray stories in the recent past but have never come across a lady detective that too in lead, this was a first for me. But Pranita the detective seriously won my heart that too big time as she is not only gorgeous but damn intelligent too. Even as a Billionaire Businessman's murder mystery is thrown her way by her new boss that too in her very first day of the new job, she takes it in her stride and how she solves the case is the story. As I said this story has a heart that too at the right places. Pranita is no hardcore detective who is all serious and has no emotions. She has her own background and story to tell which develops parallely and is totally amazing. I loved the way Author has developed the characters in the story, may it be over busy father always on trips (there is a reason behind it), or a little sister to be taken care who is about to fly out of her reach sooner, or even the maid who had been filling in for the mother they lost not so long ago. It all falls in the right places in the initial couple of pages and the chase begins to not only find the murderer, but to know the reason behind it and as the title suggests, a lot of "Will's" get tested in the due course. The clues and the decoding are the best part, the way one after another they are revealed and decoded was simply mind-blowing, it kept me in hooks, tried as hard as I could I suspected the wrong person. Even after a handful of suspects right from the very start, my loyalty or shall I say my doubt kept shifting from one to another (prayed my namesake shouldn't be the culprit) the question is not only "Who" but "How" too. And to know how she unravels it, you've got to read the book which is as per me too short but very sweet.
Another thing that I loved about the book is that Author has packed in so much in such a short book that I just couldn't believe it. Also, it is written in such a smart way that a chapter ends every 5-6 pages and the reader is simply hooked to read just one more before taking a break but let me warn you - the break never comes. And before even you could guess the right person who did it all, she unravels it all in superb style. The love angle, thrill, suspense as well as action is so superbly and subtly done that it never goes overboard. I hope and pray that she does writes a sequel as I would love to see Agent Pranita going places to uncover more mysteries.
If you have read this, do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, you've got to read it ASAP. Also, specially for the people who know me a bit better, this guy in the story my namesake isn't he too much like me in real :) barring of-course he is filthy rich ;). Terrific.
October 6, 2017
Even though this is the debut novel of the author it just doesn't feel like it's her first one. The author has done a fantastic job in writing a detective story and to add to it the protagonist is a female detective which is not regularly seen in detective books.
It's a rivetting read right from the word go.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable read for all those who like mysteries.
Loved the poetry and also that the thoughts of the protagonist are in Italics which gives a seamless flow to the story going on in the pages of the book and in her thoughts.
A well paced, superbly sketched characters who can be visualised in my mind and a thrilling mystery that you want to desperately reach the end because you want to know the culprit.
I just fell in love with the way the author has written the acknowledgement, very heartfully written.
It's a rivetting read right from the word go.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable read for all those who like mysteries.
Loved the poetry and also that the thoughts of the protagonist are in Italics which gives a seamless flow to the story going on in the pages of the book and in her thoughts.
A well paced, superbly sketched characters who can be visualised in my mind and a thrilling mystery that you want to desperately reach the end because you want to know the culprit.
I just fell in love with the way the author has written the acknowledgement, very heartfully written.
March 10, 2022
I re-read this!!!!!!!
I'm OFFICIALLY a Pranita Roy fan 💖😭
This book is just too good !!!
(re-read it for the 4th time)
I'm OFFICIALLY a Pranita Roy fan 💖😭
This book is just too good !!!
(re-read it for the 4th time)
February 8, 2018
Where there’s a will marks the fantastic debut of Piorre Hart. Mr. Pratap Sharma, a billionaire business is found dead. He has left behind a will with his attorney, with strict instructions to open it only in the presence of all family members. The will is in the form of couplets which make no sense. Pranita Roy is a novice in the detective agency. This is the story of how she discerns the hidden meaning in the will.
There are no flaws in the book. The author maintains a superb pace in her writing and hooks up the reader from the first page. Though this is her debut novel, she knows very well how much to reveal and how much to withhold. The language is error free and the editing is superb. She succeeds in weaving all the suspects in front of your eyes. She makes the plot murkier by drawing Pranita towards Rohit, Pratap's son. Pranita's family is a huge put off in this story. I felt like turning the pages during her insipid conversations with her sister. The couplets remind you of Da Vinci Code, but fortunately all the similarities die there.
As I said earlier this in undoubtedly one of the most impressive debut I have ever come across. I look forward to read more from the same author. This book is highly recommended.
There are no flaws in the book. The author maintains a superb pace in her writing and hooks up the reader from the first page. Though this is her debut novel, she knows very well how much to reveal and how much to withhold. The language is error free and the editing is superb. She succeeds in weaving all the suspects in front of your eyes. She makes the plot murkier by drawing Pranita towards Rohit, Pratap's son. Pranita's family is a huge put off in this story. I felt like turning the pages during her insipid conversations with her sister. The couplets remind you of Da Vinci Code, but fortunately all the similarities die there.
As I said earlier this in undoubtedly one of the most impressive debut I have ever come across. I look forward to read more from the same author. This book is highly recommended.
November 18, 2017
Where there is a will is a good old school mystery
This is a good old school mystery and will be your must read if you have grown up on Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew and The Famous Five. The author's supremely confident is shown in every scene, as she definitively takes her reader through a distinctly well created world of crime, murder and love..
This is a good old school mystery and will be your must read if you have grown up on Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew and The Famous Five. The author's supremely confident is shown in every scene, as she definitively takes her reader through a distinctly well created world of crime, murder and love..
October 26, 2023
Again a book that I was introduced to in the Liventure Fest. I chose to read the book as Piorre introduced herself as a doctor who was following her writing passion. I was intrigued by the plot of the story. The book is an amazing one with a well-narrated mystery with good character development. A Good Read!
December 10, 2017
Fantastic Book.
It's very interesting book with suspens,romance and intelligence.I finished it in 2 days.After a long time this is only book I have read in 2 days.A must read for everyone.
It's very interesting book with suspens,romance and intelligence.I finished it in 2 days.After a long time this is only book I have read in 2 days.A must read for everyone.
October 14, 2017
It's a nice breezy read. Fast and engaging. More little later!
December 20, 2019
This one is a real mystery ; 5 stars and no less
This surely deserves 5 stars and no less...
The story is tightly coupled with several easily overlooking hints
Hats off
This surely deserves 5 stars and no less...
The story is tightly coupled with several easily overlooking hints
Hats off
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews