September Reading …
This month witnessed an increase in travel time to and fro office; this helped me read a bit more. Work load also increased as I was engaged in 3 projects at a time so reading score didn't exactly go through the roof. Once again, it was a mix of the regular 3I, Feluda, Sherlock stories along with a novel and short stories. Reading score was at a satisfactory 15.
Started reading Volume 2 of Feluda and also started another collection of Sherlock Holmes which marks his 'return' after being declared dead in a previous story. I also read the sequel to Evil Genius and finished off reading the short story collection of Jeffrey Archer !!!
1. Feluda: The Mystery of the Secret of the Cemetery by Satyajit Ray
The first story of Volume 2 and I am always happy to pick up the fat volume of Feluda Stories and read through it. The story was complex with several characters under suspicion with practically no one turning out to be what they seem to be expect for our regular trio. Ancient scrolls, misleading illnesses, empty houses, and attacks on people made the story an interesting read.
2. Do Not Pass Go (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
A simple story about a man who escapes from something only to be brought back (almost) into the clutches of the same danger once again after several years … talk of narrow escape.
3. Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks
Having read Evil Genius last month, I decided to take this up. I haven't read a trilogy this year so this could be one.
The story line was decent and there is a nasty surprise coming towards the end of the story. Otherwise, I feel the author was probably forced to change course in the story at some time. Unexpected twist is one thing but to get a twist in the story which almost renders the previous build-up of the story meaningless … that's hard to digest.
Nevertheless, it was a decent effort. I wouldn't rate it very high though. Not bad either.
4. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Empty House by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This story marks the return of Sherlock Holmes (back from the dead) after he was 'killed' in the 'Final Problem'. The return is dramatic but the first case is not really worth talking about.
5. Chunnel Vision (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
This one turned out to be an interesting short story … something that creates a suspense that grips u and u keep reading till the end. The story has a story within which is a thriller. But the real twist comes in the last 2 sentences of the story. Really Good one!!
6. Shoeshine Boy (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
I guess I missed something in here. The end of the story was interesting but somehow I did not quite get the joke.
7. The Three Investigators & the Mystery of the Shrinking House by William Arden
This one was a real good roller coaster with several characters under the shroud of mystery and Jupiter's deductions seemingly falling flat when they seemed to be so close to the truth. In the end, nothing seems to be what it looks like and every character seems to be having a secret.
A twisted tale of a hidden treasure which isn't actually a treasure but invaluable none the less although its value is zilch!!!
8. Not for Sale (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
An interesting story with quite an unexpected end which did not really make too much sense to me; I did not really like it. Felt like the writer forgot to tell me something and the story abruptly ended. Not that I am looking at happy endings, but often there are subtle hints and implied endings which I can easily miss L
9. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Norwood Builder by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A pretty interesting story where our dear Sherlock seems almost stumped and ready to accept defeat
But just then, the criminal tries to play smart by planting 'additional' evidence and thereby leading to his/her own downfall.
10. Trial and Error (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
The first story of the book … read almost the last. A long story of how a man is jailed for a crime he has not committed and then he sets out to commit the crime but it involves the arduous task of finding a man who is for all practical purpose and knowledge 'dead' for the world.
11. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Dancing Men by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This story involved cracking a coded text message … the code being written / drawn in the manner of dancing stick-men. The crux of the story lies in how Holmes is able to decode the message and also catches the culprit by actually using the same code to send a message to him; making him come to Holmes himself rather than Holmes needing to go out in search of him.
12. The Three Investigators & the Mystery of the Phantom Lake by William Arden
This one was a real good roller coaster with several characters under the shroud of mystery and Jupiter's deductions seemingly falling flat when they seemed to be so close to the truth. In the end, nothing seems to be what it looks like and every character seems to be having a secret.
13. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
An interesting story but not too much of deduction here. Even Sherlock is unable to comprehend fully the urgency of the situation leading to the abduction of his client almost right in front of him.
14. One Man's Meat (from Twelve Red Herrings) by Jeffrey Archer
This is the 12th and the last short story from the Twelve Red Herrings series of stories.
A very interesting story with an equally interesting way the story ends. The story has 4 different endings and you have a choice to read any one or all of them. Not all 4 were equally good but it was interesting to read multiple outcomes of the same story line. Makes us realize how our life is shaped by decisions we make as well as things & people that surround us.
15. Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
It is a crime of abduction and the curious unraveling of the same after a few days of the actual event. Although Sherlock manages to pin-point the 'criminal' in this case, the story and motive behind the crime surprises even him.
Series Completion Score (as of 31st Aug 2011):
Three Investigators 19 out of 35
Feluda 19 out of 35
Sherlock Holmes 31 out of 56
Total 69 out of 126
12 Red Herrings 12 out of 12 (Complete)
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