Official Review: Shalimar Gardens by Christine Mangala

Beatus · Post by **Beatus** » 19 Dec 2020, 06:04

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Shalimar Gardens" by Christine Mangala.]

4 out of 4 stars

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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.

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Shalimar Gardens
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Deval Sodha · Post by **Deval Sodha** » 21 Dec 2020, 07:58

The book seems to be full of romance, thrill and mystery.
I will definitely read this book.
Thank you for the wonderful review!

Deval Sodha · Post by **Deval Sodha** » 21 Dec 2020, 07:58

The book seems to be full of romance, thrill and mystery.
I will definitely read this book.
Thank you for the wonderful review!

PeterRabitt20 · Post by **PeterRabitt20** » 21 Dec 2020, 11:41

This sounds like an intriguing book. The fact it is about a different culture and mindset makes it an exciting book to read. Thank you for the review!

Sararob06 · Post by **Sararob06** » 21 Dec 2020, 16:39

This sounds like a thrilling read! I’m always appreciative when an author includes a glossary to help with understanding. I’ll be checking this out. Thanks for your detailed review!

Pluma · Post by **Pluma** » 21 Dec 2020, 18:03

I like that this book incorporates a captivating storyline with the history and politics of the setting. It sounds like a great read. Thanks for the lovely review!

Vannaskivt · Post by **Vannaskivt** » 21 Dec 2020, 22:12

I love it when reviews surprise you. I would have completely thought this had a different plot based on what I saw on the cover. Honestly, I thought it was a kid's book at first glance! I can see it is not, however, I would be interested in this. Thanks for the great review.

Raluca_Mihaila · Post by **Raluca_Mihaila** » 22 Dec 2020, 07:57

I love the name of the book, and it seems like an engrossing read. Thank you for this interesting review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 24 Dec 2020, 02:47

I noticed this novel in the list of books available for review, but the special deadline was impossible for me, so I left it. I see that it's indeed an intriguing mystery that also offers a portrait of a society that mixes different ethnicities and cultures. Thank you for your great review!