The Va Dinci Cod-Not the film tie in version

This hilarious parody by A R R R Roberts writing as Don Brine is a must read for all Da Vinci Code lovers. This book is so small and can be read within an hour and it makes so much fun of Da vinci code that even though you are a fan of Da Vinci Code you cannot help having a good laugh. Danglon Anagrammologist, I hope the spelling is right, is called to help with a muder investigation in the National Gallery in London. While Dan Brown describes Paris, Brine makes a good description of London. There is Nudivue and Teabag who join Danglon in this adventure to unravel the greatest conspiracy against mankind. There is also a small twist in the end. This is definitely for all those who have heard about Da Vinci code whether they have read it or not, whether they liked it or not, you can read this book and have a good laugh.

N for Noose

Kinsey Millhone, the PI from Santa Teresa who is twice divorced and at present single who still lives in 80’s and types her reports in typewriter rather than use computer and does not know what a cell phone looks like, on her way back to Santa Teresa after looking after her not so well boyfriend, Dietz. On her way Dietz puts her on a case. Tom Newquist’s widow Selma Newquist wants to know what was eating into her husband’s mind during the last few months of his life. Tom Newquist who works with the Law enforcement died of heart attack in his truck on the sided of the road. While there is no foul play about his death, there is the question what was bothering Tom Newquist? Kinsey starts asking questions and most of them feel it is better to leave as it is. Tom’s book of notes on his investigation is missing. Kinsey is brutally attacked and she moves to Santa Teresa to unravel the case from there. What was worrying Tom? Should Selma have left things as it is and not bothered to investigate? All the people in that place seem to be working for law enforcement. Sue Grafton leads us one way all along making us guess it is one person throwing clues to us and finally throws a surprise. Moral of the story “Don’t start digging you may unearth skeletons”.

London Bridges by James Patterson

I picked up the book at the airport shop on my way to London. While it does feature Patterson’s detective Alex Cross, it does not take long to realize that this is not Patterson’s typical police story. Alex Cross is promoted to FBI plays an important role in the anti-terrorist squad, do not ask me what role. This is a typical after 9/11 story. A former Russian Agent from the cold war era, who has moved over to NATO’s side, threatens to cause major devastation in various Capital Cities throughout the world. So how does Alex Cross stop it? That is the story. I don’t think he does much to stop it. And after the initial attack in US why doesn’t the FBI and whoever is in charge increase their vigilance on various important —- in other countries. You want to know what the dash is. It is the name of the book. Much of a surprise is it? And there is Weasel the serial killer who in one of the earlier books takes Cross’s girlfriend as victim, when Cross is not smart enough and keeps looking for him elsewhere. There are a few twist and turns in the ending. While not really bore, you can guess what is happening, it is more of a chase story than the typical Patterson. It reminds you of all the other writers in the genre than Patterson himself. While writing a totally different book why stick to the same characters, why Cross? Why not a new hero fit enough for the anti-terrorist, war over terror stuff?