Official Review: Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala
Posted: 19 Dec 2020, 06:04
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Shalimar Gardens" by Christine Mangala.]
Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala is a book about romance, murder, and terrorism. Chamki, an exquisite dancer and singer, finds her lover, benefactor, and master stabbed to death through the heart. The murder weapon is her kitchen knife. She can’t remember what transpired as she was tipsy when she went to bed the previous evening, leaving “Dada Abbas” alive and well. This murder incident is just a small portion of a very complicated and bitter relationship between the cultures in Shalimar city.
Hindus and Muslims in Shalimar share a lot and have intertwined for centuries. The close socioeconomic relationship that exists between the cultures gave rise to moderate and extremist views. Cultural rifts and religious conflicts between Muslims and Hindus in India have existed for a long time. This book also highlights the main issues surrounding the cultures’ different practices.
Regarding the murder, Inspector Yakob, a meticulous level-headed detective, is leading the investigations. The plot thickens when Yakob discovers that the stabbing was probably staged, and something profound is the cause. His pursuit of the killer unveils a sinister plan to terrorize the city.
The author did an outstanding job of developing the characters. She is a shrewd writer with an elegant writing style. She even provided a glossary as some words are Indian and thus may confuse some readers. Furthermore, her choice of words made scenes come alive with all the aroma and colors imbued in them. The structure of the story is what I liked most about this book. The author made sure that the timing was right, the logic of every character fit perfectly, and the scenery represented the values, history and identity of the society itself.
I encountered very few errors signifying that the book was professionally edited. It is a perfect book for mystery lovers and those readers who would love to learn about different cultures and beliefs. Any reader can enjoy this book. I didn’t find any content or intent to offend a particular faith or its followers. However, if you feel you may be offended because a situation portrays extremism of a religion you like or are affiliated with, please stay away from this book.
There is nothing that I disliked about this book. I am even looking forward to the next one as the cliffhanger ending signifies continuation. Despite the errors I encountered, the quality of the narrative is still intact, in my opinion. Therefore, I rate Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Shalimar Gardens
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala is a book about romance, murder, and terrorism. Chamki, an exquisite dancer and singer, finds her lover, benefactor, and master stabbed to death through the heart. The murder weapon is her kitchen knife. She can’t remember what transpired as she was tipsy when she went to bed the previous evening, leaving “Dada Abbas” alive and well. This murder incident is just a small portion of a very complicated and bitter relationship between the cultures in Shalimar city.
Hindus and Muslims in Shalimar share a lot and have intertwined for centuries. The close socioeconomic relationship that exists between the cultures gave rise to moderate and extremist views. Cultural rifts and religious conflicts between Muslims and Hindus in India have existed for a long time. This book also highlights the main issues surrounding the cultures’ different practices.
Regarding the murder, Inspector Yakob, a meticulous level-headed detective, is leading the investigations. The plot thickens when Yakob discovers that the stabbing was probably staged, and something profound is the cause. His pursuit of the killer unveils a sinister plan to terrorize the city.
The author did an outstanding job of developing the characters. She is a shrewd writer with an elegant writing style. She even provided a glossary as some words are Indian and thus may confuse some readers. Furthermore, her choice of words made scenes come alive with all the aroma and colors imbued in them. The structure of the story is what I liked most about this book. The author made sure that the timing was right, the logic of every character fit perfectly, and the scenery represented the values, history and identity of the society itself.
I encountered very few errors signifying that the book was professionally edited. It is a perfect book for mystery lovers and those readers who would love to learn about different cultures and beliefs. Any reader can enjoy this book. I didn’t find any content or intent to offend a particular faith or its followers. However, if you feel you may be offended because a situation portrays extremism of a religion you like or are affiliated with, please stay away from this book.
There is nothing that I disliked about this book. I am even looking forward to the next one as the cliffhanger ending signifies continuation. Despite the errors I encountered, the quality of the narrative is still intact, in my opinion. Therefore, I rate Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Shalimar Gardens
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
