Official Review: Rama's Bridge by Ray Smithies

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 22 Sep 2019, 17:13

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Rama's Bridge" by Ray Smithies.]

4 out of 4 stars

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In Rama's Bridge, written by Ray Smithies, readers follow an Italian mobster, Michael Fontana, as he searches for a valuable relic. Two other criminal organizations are also searching for it: Poppy Madras (based in India) and the Cinnabar Cartel (based in France). The Setu is an ancient artifact made of solid gold, cast in the shape of a bridge that links India to Sri Lanka. The site is considered holy by the Hindu, and the Setu was supposedly buried there by the Nazis, in 1944.

The action begins when Michael’s wife, Maria, gets kidnapped by the Cinnabar Cartel during the couple's honeymoon in Switzerland. The French antagonists believe the Italian mobsters know the whereabouts of the Setu and use Maria to try to force Michael to speak up. Unfortunately, he is as clueless as they are, and Maria gets killed. What follows is a skillfully spun yarn of twists and turns that readers find in good books of this type.

The imaginative plot twists are the great strengths of this novel, in my opinion, and the author successfully creates a good deal of them. Page after page, the narrative revels in the cat-and-mouse chase as the three criminal organizations race each other all over the world. The author pulled me in by balancing dialogue, action, and narration very well. To name an example, "Eight Men and a Leaky Boat" was an excellent chapter.

The characters were also well-developed. Michael’s sidekicks – especially Rita Romano and Cufflinks – had interesting, multilayered personalities that added to the story. I could easily imagine Cufflinks – an exotic tall man of Indian descent “with a broad grin and a gold front tooth,” wearing a blazer with enameled buttons and spinning roulette-wheel cufflinks.

But most of all, I particularly liked how the action takes place in diverse settings and spans several countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, Italy, Germany, and Turkey. The author is a meticulous storyteller, and the book seems well-researched. Smithies achieves an imaginative combination of historical facts, ancient myths, and faraway places. For instance, the involvement of Sister Monica of the Benedictine Order, in Germany, was well woven. I also enjoyed the third clue, with elements of advanced astronomy (telescopes and laser machines) and ancient astrology.

Finally, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was a fun read, and there was nothing I disliked about it. Also, it seemed professionally edited, for I only found a few minor errors. I recommend Rama's Bridge to readers who enjoy adventure and mystery thrillers.

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Rama's Bridge
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Brendan Donaghy · Post by **Brendan Donaghy** » 24 Sep 2019, 13:34

With all its different locations, together with the twists and turns in the plot, this book sounds like it's destined to be turned into a movie! I enjoyed your review, might have to give the book a try now.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 24 Sep 2019, 19:07

I love plot twists and great characters. I want to learn more about this Setu. All in all, it sounds fabulous. Great review; it definitely made me want to read the book. Thanks.

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 24 Sep 2019, 19:39

Thank you for your review. Rama's Bridge sounds like a fun and exciting read. Great characters, location, and plot, what more could a reader ask for! Thank you for your recommendation.

Deepa09k · Post by **Deepa09k** » 25 Sep 2019, 00:05

Weaving history and fiction is always interesting if done right, and from your review, it appears the author has done an amazing job.
Will definitely want to read this one. Thanks for a nice recommendation-review.

Post by **Ngozi Onyibor** » 25 Sep 2019, 03:00

This sounds like a book I will like to get lost in. The diverse characters makes it all the more interesting. Beautiful review, as always.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 25 Sep 2019, 12:07

This book has so many positive aspects for readers. I love the history, the settings, and your descriptions of the characters. This one can't wait. Great review!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 25 Sep 2019, 12:58

Brendan Donaghy wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 13:34 With all its different locations, together with the twists and turns in the plot, this book sounds like it's destined to be turned into a movie! I enjoyed your review, might have to give the book a try now.

You're right -- this book would make a good movie. Thanks for commenting!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 25 Sep 2019, 13:01

kandscreeley wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 19:07 I love plot twists and great characters. I want to learn more about this Setu. All in all, it sounds fabulous. Great review; it definitely made me want to read the book. Thanks.

In that case, I think you would enjoy this book! Thank you so much for commenting. I appreciate it.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 25 Sep 2019, 13:01

KDJ wrote: ↑24 Sep 2019, 19:39 Thank you for your review. Rama's Bridge sounds like a fun and exciting read. Great characters, location, and plot, what more could a reader ask for! Thank you for your recommendation.

Thank you for reading and commenting!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 25 Sep 2019, 13:04

Deepa09k wrote: ↑25 Sep 2019, 00:05 Weaving history and fiction is always interesting if done right, and from your review, it appears the author has done an amazing job.
Will definitely want to read this one. Thanks for a nice recommendation-review.

I also enjoy the mix of history and fiction. Thanks!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 25 Sep 2019, 13:05

Michelle Fred wrote: ↑25 Sep 2019, 03:00 This sounds like a book I will like to get lost in. The diverse characters makes it all the more interesting. Beautiful review, as always.

Thank you for the comments!

Sangeetha+Narayan · Post by **Sangeetha+Narayan** » 25 Sep 2019, 18:55

The concept of Rama's bridge is something very close to my heart. In fact, it js very close to any Indian's heart who grew up reading about these stories. And to read a fiction surrounding this concept is definitely a big yes on my side. I love multi-layered personalities and hope I get to read this book. A very good job on a wonderful review!!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 26 Sep 2019, 07:57

kdstrack wrote: ↑25 Sep 2019, 12:07 This book has so many positive aspects for readers. I love the history, the settings, and your descriptions of the characters. This one can't wait. Great review!

The author did develop interesting and ambiguous characters in this one. I often found myself rooting for this charming Italian mobster!