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The Stardust Affair
Avinash Pawar, a young, intrepid reporter, works at the Mumbai Sun, alongside his mentor, Hamza Syed, a seasoned journalist who specializes in unearthing secrets about the city’s underworld. At Hamza’s request, Avinash agrees to ghostwrite the memoir of fading Bollywood actress Parineeti Deb Ahuja—but little does he realize how drawn he will be to the charm Parineeti exudes both on- and off-screen.Before he knows it, Avinash has a front-row seat to the glamorous world of Bollywood and discovers more about Parineeti’s complicated relationship with her secretive industrialist husband. As he confronts his own feelings, he finds himself sucked into an intricate web of danger and deceit. What starts out as a straightforward writing assignment quickly turns into a high-stakes game where Avinash is playing for his life. Will he able be to escape unscathed from this murky world of drugs, crime and deception?
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews
September 29, 2021
I came across Bilal Siddiqi after watching the Netflix series ‘Bard of Blood’ based on his book. I chanced upon this book of his, and after reading the summary, had a good idea of how the book would pan out. There are times when I feel the brain needs a break from serious reading, and books such as this are easy reads. Had it been a Bollywood movie (which it potentially can), one would call this an ‘entertaining masala’ flick – meaning with little literary value & forgettable over time.
Avinash is a journalist who is looking forward to publishing a book. His friend Hamza connects him with a publishing house who can help, but they have a condition – he has to first write the biography of actress Parineeti Ahuja, whose fortunes are now fading. Pari’s husband Rocky has a cosmetics business, and she continues to lead a life of luxury. Reluctant at first, once Avinash gets to know more about Pari, he realizes that her story is actually an interesting one, with much unfinished. As expected, a book such as this has drugs, crime, lust and some suspense thrown in.
The story is not entirely predictable but as you read it you will feel it is very usual with no sophistication of plot or writing. A book you can relax with – a good light read which moves fast.
Avinash is a journalist who is looking forward to publishing a book. His friend Hamza connects him with a publishing house who can help, but they have a condition – he has to first write the biography of actress Parineeti Ahuja, whose fortunes are now fading. Pari’s husband Rocky has a cosmetics business, and she continues to lead a life of luxury. Reluctant at first, once Avinash gets to know more about Pari, he realizes that her story is actually an interesting one, with much unfinished. As expected, a book such as this has drugs, crime, lust and some suspense thrown in.
The story is not entirely predictable but as you read it you will feel it is very usual with no sophistication of plot or writing. A book you can relax with – a good light read which moves fast.
February 1, 2020
Book Review: The Stardust Affair
Author: Bilal Siddiqui
What happens when Chayan Bhagat meets Agatha Christie! Well nothing happens. That would be a disaster to even consider both of them in the same frame. Saying so and there is this book.
The Stardust Affair is Bilal Siddiqui's second book. The first being Bard of Blood which was to be honest quite a good read. This however wasn't at all.
Avinash Pawar, a young, intrepid reporter, works at the Mumbai Sun, alongside his mentor, Hamza Syed, a seasoned journalist who specializes in unearthing secrets about the city’s underworld. At Hamza’s request, Avinash agrees to ghostwrite the memoir of fading Bollywood actress Parineeti Deb Ahuja—but little does he realize how drawn he will be to the charm Parineeti exudes both on- and off-screen.
Before he knows it, Avinash has a front-row seat to the glamorous world of Bollywood and discovers more about Parineeti’s complicated relationship with her secretive industrialist husband. As he confronts his own feelings, he finds himself sucked into an intricate web of danger and deceit. What starts out as a straightforward writing assignment quickly turns into a high-stakes game where Avinash is playing for his life. Will he able be to escape unscathed from this murky world of drugs, crime and deception?
The list of things that fail in this book are: -
1) Wafer-thin plot, with laughable twist that are so childish, I wonder the editors at Penguin were sure damn high to pass this book as a thriller.
2) The writing. I had really high hopes for this book. Where Bard of blood was wonderfully written, this book however seemed to be written by a very deprived amateur.
3) The pace. A thriller always keeps you on the edge and makes you try to guess at every point. This hardly made anyone guess, it was there right in front of you all the time.
4) The finale scene. I was kinda hoping at the back of my head that Please let this not be the end, this would sure spoil the already spoiled book.
5) Indian writers formulatic writing. I have nothing more to say.
Bilal Siddiqui showed a lot of promises in his debut book but totally failed in his second book.
A single star for The Stardust Affair.
🌟
Author: Bilal Siddiqui
What happens when Chayan Bhagat meets Agatha Christie! Well nothing happens. That would be a disaster to even consider both of them in the same frame. Saying so and there is this book.
The Stardust Affair is Bilal Siddiqui's second book. The first being Bard of Blood which was to be honest quite a good read. This however wasn't at all.
Avinash Pawar, a young, intrepid reporter, works at the Mumbai Sun, alongside his mentor, Hamza Syed, a seasoned journalist who specializes in unearthing secrets about the city’s underworld. At Hamza’s request, Avinash agrees to ghostwrite the memoir of fading Bollywood actress Parineeti Deb Ahuja—but little does he realize how drawn he will be to the charm Parineeti exudes both on- and off-screen.
Before he knows it, Avinash has a front-row seat to the glamorous world of Bollywood and discovers more about Parineeti’s complicated relationship with her secretive industrialist husband. As he confronts his own feelings, he finds himself sucked into an intricate web of danger and deceit. What starts out as a straightforward writing assignment quickly turns into a high-stakes game where Avinash is playing for his life. Will he able be to escape unscathed from this murky world of drugs, crime and deception?
The list of things that fail in this book are: -
1) Wafer-thin plot, with laughable twist that are so childish, I wonder the editors at Penguin were sure damn high to pass this book as a thriller.
2) The writing. I had really high hopes for this book. Where Bard of blood was wonderfully written, this book however seemed to be written by a very deprived amateur.
3) The pace. A thriller always keeps you on the edge and makes you try to guess at every point. This hardly made anyone guess, it was there right in front of you all the time.
4) The finale scene. I was kinda hoping at the back of my head that Please let this not be the end, this would sure spoil the already spoiled book.
5) Indian writers formulatic writing. I have nothing more to say.
Bilal Siddiqui showed a lot of promises in his debut book but totally failed in his second book.
A single star for The Stardust Affair.
🌟
March 17, 2020
Aside from the first 2 chapters, the entire novel was the same average bollywood movie which has mediocre plot with a few loose ends and a lot of kissing and sex scenes.
It really seemed like a perfect page turner with a gripping story till first 2 chapters then it slowly and steadily looses its charm and lingering starts.
Twist in the end was something that was completely out of nowhere but it didn't last longer as the chapters from 3 to 19 were dead boring.
It really seemed like a perfect page turner with a gripping story till first 2 chapters then it slowly and steadily looses its charm and lingering starts.
Twist in the end was something that was completely out of nowhere but it didn't last longer as the chapters from 3 to 19 were dead boring.
February 27, 2020
Not recommended for anyone looking for thriller.
I reached the 153 page yet I didn't find any thriller. It failed to grasp my interest.it was more like a bollywood movie.
I reached the 153 page yet I didn't find any thriller. It failed to grasp my interest.it was more like a bollywood movie.
November 20, 2017
Must Read Book
November 20, 2017
brilliant
November 20, 2017
its a best book ever
May 12, 2019
A book which keeps up its mystery till the end manages to keep the readers engaged into the story.
Avinash a journalist and a author by heart is struggling with the job and wants to quench his thrist to publish a book of his own gets an offer to get his book published in return of writing a biography on an actress who is not in limelight nowadays.
He being least interested in Bollywood couldn't refuse this offer and agrees to it.
He start writing the story but turns out this biography has lot more to tell.
A book full of mystery awesome twist and turns which leaves a reader happy and contended at the end of the day.
Avinash a journalist and a author by heart is struggling with the job and wants to quench his thrist to publish a book of his own gets an offer to get his book published in return of writing a biography on an actress who is not in limelight nowadays.
He being least interested in Bollywood couldn't refuse this offer and agrees to it.
He start writing the story but turns out this biography has lot more to tell.
A book full of mystery awesome twist and turns which leaves a reader happy and contended at the end of the day.
June 18, 2025
Seriously it has ugly hardcover, but had to pick this because my heart insisted. My utmost fetish is to hav few books and novels by Indian authors in my hand while leaving the store. A pleasure to visualise something written by our people feels summit. Typical bollywood film in book version but where this story stood apart is the way it penned. Second twist in the climax took me by surprise. 💕💥 (31/68)
June 12, 2026
A journalist who was assigned to ghost write a book for a fading bollywood actress Praneeti Deb Ahuja, they both fell for each other and it ended as a tragedy. The story is set in Mumbai and revolves around underworld activties like drug dealerships (which is common in Mumbai). The twist was unpredictable, even so I'm rating it 3.5 ⭐
This book comes under my 'slow-paced-reading' category and the character building is only for Praneeti is appreciatable.
This book comes under my 'slow-paced-reading' category and the character building is only for Praneeti is appreciatable.
September 26, 2018
Exciting, kept me spell bound. As a writer myself I learnt a few tricks of the craft of writing.
To hold the reality till the end and only reveal at the end is a tough intellectual task and I think Siddiqi did a fine job in that.
To hold the reality till the end and only reveal at the end is a tough intellectual task and I think Siddiqi did a fine job in that.
February 4, 2025
Fun read.
The narrative style resembles that of a movie. I can just imagine scenes where the cut happens at the end of an actor’s subtle hint at some new thrilling information.
Not much of a surprise when you realise the author is from the film industry.
The narrative style resembles that of a movie. I can just imagine scenes where the cut happens at the end of an actor’s subtle hint at some new thrilling information.
Not much of a surprise when you realise the author is from the film industry.
November 20, 2017
Its amazing.. i love this one!!
November 20, 2017
Awesome
November 20, 2017
Totally awesome book a must read for everyone
November 28, 2017
Easy and quick read. A fast paced thriller.
March 15, 2018
One of the best fiction I have read in a while!
February 1, 2019
Story is very engaging,few things didn't match up here and there but overall a very good book. Characters were sketched very well..every character however small had a story.
July 1, 2019
The Stardust Affair by Bilal Siddiqi, was a good and interesting thriller. Enjoyed reading it.
August 1, 2019
An easy though an interesting read
November 15, 2024
Wasn't expecting the twist after twist.. although the twist was a little misleading. It's a nice light read sort of thriller and you can read in one go.
October 27, 2019
I have been a long-time admirer of books that depict both romance and mystery in one place. All mystery book is usually about who-killed-whom or maybe who-could-it-be type stories. And young adult books are more like is that person finally going to fall for him/her. And to be honest I like romantic books with a slight twist of thriller and mystery anBilal Siddiqid it's just unusual for a book to find both characteristics. I am not saying that today's book consists both of them but it certainly does contain one of them, and that is the thrilling mystery.
'The Stardust Affair' published in 2017 written by Bilal Siddiqi turns out to be one of the thrilling and ever going mystery stories I have read. The book had me confused at the moments and good-kinda confused. I mean it initially started off by showing the birth of emotions between the protagonist and the Bollywood actress but it turned into a thriller within the last few pages. I guess I was glad to read this book because it was short and the moment of "surprise surprise" was not a long way from the pages. Okay so let's talk characters.
Avinash Pawar, a journalist of Mumbai, dreams of being an author someday and start writing his books. Hamza, A senior of Avinash, is aware of his dedication to work and articles and tries to help Avinash out by fixing him a meeting with a known publishing house. Thrilled by the debt owed to him Avinash later learns that in order to get his book published he has to write a biography of a very famous but now hazy star, Parineeti Ahuja.
The second character is Parineeti Ahuja herself. She was famous earlier in her days for her work but now that she has been married to a powerful business tycoon she has seemed to lose most of her fame.
So the plot somehow goes by Avinash finding it hard to resist the delicacy of such a powerful woman presented before him. And the more time he spends with Parineeti, the more engrossed he seems to be with his feelings for her. As he learns about her future and past, Avinash gets dragged unnoticeably into the world of drugs and criminals. Avinash has written about these things a lot but he doesn't know how to fight against the drugs, or most importantly how to save Parineeti. Leaving them to face their own fate.
I found it hard to get more in-depth details of Avinash, as I couldn't get to know more about his past or his style I couldn't care less of the character. It was a little odd for me to not know much more about Avinash, even though he is the protagonist. And coming to the other characters there were more than little details that could have guided me to their construction. The Author vaguely shows past life glimpses of Parineeti but not of others which I found a little upsetting but was also hooked to other characters as they were shown interestingly in the present. And the way the Author presented the personality of each character was extremely relatable and intriguing. Goons were of course shown harsh and bad, Avinash was shown productive and intelligent, and Parineeti was shown, well she was shown as a rude character at first like a bad girl but then later turned into a rich bad girl.
The plot twists that happened around the book and the incidents taking place at each moment were just enough to sacrifice my sleep for the sake of finishing this book. I particularly didn't like that this book wasn't long enough but the fun I had even at reading when it was a short book was something I didn't expect due to the cover of the book. From keeping me awake since the first page to the last, every word written, every paragraph written was so beautifully thrilling that I found it an exciting and mysterious book. With the mild shocking excitement that was delivered as a drip of glucose to the patient, I felt more concerned about the characters as I was approaching the final plot and I have to say, I really really loved this book from the starting. And it would be no surprise if I see myself picking another book written by Bilal Siddiqi around the same love mystery genre.
So in conclusion, I loved every bit of this book. It had more plot twists in the book than I have in my whole life. Although I couldn't see the characters build up I could ignore it as the premise of the events was enough to cover it. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery with a hint of love. And if you see this book at a bookstore please give this a try, I hope you won't regret it. Until next time then. :)
'The Stardust Affair' published in 2017 written by Bilal Siddiqi turns out to be one of the thrilling and ever going mystery stories I have read. The book had me confused at the moments and good-kinda confused. I mean it initially started off by showing the birth of emotions between the protagonist and the Bollywood actress but it turned into a thriller within the last few pages. I guess I was glad to read this book because it was short and the moment of "surprise surprise" was not a long way from the pages. Okay so let's talk characters.
Avinash Pawar, a journalist of Mumbai, dreams of being an author someday and start writing his books. Hamza, A senior of Avinash, is aware of his dedication to work and articles and tries to help Avinash out by fixing him a meeting with a known publishing house. Thrilled by the debt owed to him Avinash later learns that in order to get his book published he has to write a biography of a very famous but now hazy star, Parineeti Ahuja.
The second character is Parineeti Ahuja herself. She was famous earlier in her days for her work but now that she has been married to a powerful business tycoon she has seemed to lose most of her fame.
So the plot somehow goes by Avinash finding it hard to resist the delicacy of such a powerful woman presented before him. And the more time he spends with Parineeti, the more engrossed he seems to be with his feelings for her. As he learns about her future and past, Avinash gets dragged unnoticeably into the world of drugs and criminals. Avinash has written about these things a lot but he doesn't know how to fight against the drugs, or most importantly how to save Parineeti. Leaving them to face their own fate.
I found it hard to get more in-depth details of Avinash, as I couldn't get to know more about his past or his style I couldn't care less of the character. It was a little odd for me to not know much more about Avinash, even though he is the protagonist. And coming to the other characters there were more than little details that could have guided me to their construction. The Author vaguely shows past life glimpses of Parineeti but not of others which I found a little upsetting but was also hooked to other characters as they were shown interestingly in the present. And the way the Author presented the personality of each character was extremely relatable and intriguing. Goons were of course shown harsh and bad, Avinash was shown productive and intelligent, and Parineeti was shown, well she was shown as a rude character at first like a bad girl but then later turned into a rich bad girl.
The plot twists that happened around the book and the incidents taking place at each moment were just enough to sacrifice my sleep for the sake of finishing this book. I particularly didn't like that this book wasn't long enough but the fun I had even at reading when it was a short book was something I didn't expect due to the cover of the book. From keeping me awake since the first page to the last, every word written, every paragraph written was so beautifully thrilling that I found it an exciting and mysterious book. With the mild shocking excitement that was delivered as a drip of glucose to the patient, I felt more concerned about the characters as I was approaching the final plot and I have to say, I really really loved this book from the starting. And it would be no surprise if I see myself picking another book written by Bilal Siddiqi around the same love mystery genre.
So in conclusion, I loved every bit of this book. It had more plot twists in the book than I have in my whole life. Although I couldn't see the characters build up I could ignore it as the premise of the events was enough to cover it. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery with a hint of love. And if you see this book at a bookstore please give this a try, I hope you won't regret it. Until next time then. :)
November 20, 2017
awesome booj
November 20, 2017
Very nice...
November 20, 2017
superb writing by bilal siddqui
November 20, 2017
its amazing
November 20, 2017
it's awesome
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews