Title: The Hunt for Kohinoor
Author: Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
Publisher: Westland Books
ISBN: 978-93-83260-60-7
Number of Pages: 425
Price [INR] : 295
Genre: Fiction (Thriller)
A spine-chilling ninety-six hour hunt through the world’s most dangerous terrain where history collides with gunfire – will Mehrunisa get out of this one alive?
One morning on her way to work, Mehrunisa gets a call that will change her life forever. The truth about her missing father is at her fingertips – but it will take her on the most desperate chase of her lifetime.
A chase that will pit her against hardened Jihadis plotting the deadliest terror attack on India, that will test her mettle against history’s deep secrets, that will teach her that the price of love can mean bloodied hands …
The Hunt for Kohinoor hurtles from from icy Kashmir to snow-clad Hindukush, from the sinister corridors of a military hospital to the warrens of Peshawar, even as the clock counts down to the impending catastrophe.
The Hunt for Kohinoor is a sequel to The Taj Conspiracy. I had read great reviews of The Taj Conspiracy and when I was asked to read and review The Hunt for Kohinoor, I was a bit reluctant to read it without having read the first book in this thriller series. I was told that the prequel is completely independent of the sequel, just the protagonist and some characters were similar in the 2 books and my doubts were put to rest.
When the blurb of the book mentions that it is 96 hour chase to stop a deadliest terror attack on India, I felt a sense of excitement, so, with great anticipation, I started reading this book.
The books starts with a slow pace as many stories unfold simultaneously in the initial few pages. But it picks up pace soon after and then it is difficult to put the book down. As the story progresses and as the various characters make an appearance in the book, in-depth insights about their life story and their motives are shared. This detailed characterization helps to understand the characters better (though I believe, I read the barbaric ways of Babur Khan thrice in the book at various places!) I really liked how and why the best undercover spy is similar to a snow leopard.
The engaging narration also gives a lot of details of the terrains of North India, Pakistan and Afghanistan where all the action takes place. Also the involvement of CIA, ISI, RAW, KHAD, Al Qaeda, Taliban and various our terrorist outfits in these war-torn areas made for an insightful reading. While reading about the history of the legendary Kohinoor is fascinating, how young boys are brainwashed to become martyrs by acting as suicide bombers is equally stirring. The story helps to understand the point of view from both the sides, that is our side and their side!
The story progresses smoothly and effortlessly as the various plots converge. The language is crisp and clear and paints a vivid description of the scene/plot.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed reading this thriller, I found a few things which I believe fell short of in the story. I felt that the clues were deciphered way too easily. While both the book blurb and the cover showcases Mehrunisa as the protagonist but it is someone else who steals the show in the end. Also, I felt that the ending was a little bit hurried.
Having said that, I loved the thrills along with the twists and turns in The Hunt for Kohinoor and would love to read the first book in the series, The Taj Conspiracy too.
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller which is full of insights, action, adventure and suspense, go for The Hunt for Kohinoor. Definitely a must read.
Rating : 4/5
30 Responses
Seems to be an exciting read. I know I do have interest in such books but its been so long I have actually held a thriller in my hand..lemme see if I can check this out 🙂
THFK is surely a thrilling thriller! Do check it out, I am sure you’ll love it, Kajal 🙂
Now you have me hooked! I adore thrillers and find them the best way to unwind after a long day. Thanks for this detailed review, Shilpa!
I read the second half of the book in one sitting and hated when I had I take a break for lunch! 😀 It surely is unputdownable, Shailaja 🙂
It is hard to come into a series after the beginning. The author will usually assume some knowledge of the first book. But you seem to have found your way through! TBR’d on GoodReads.
Agree with what you mentioned about books in a series. But except for some characters which were there in the prequel, the story was a standalone one and had no links with the first book in the series! Thanks LuAnn 🙂
I love thrillers and like the name Mehrunisa ( another name for Noor Jehan).
A slice of history and this book will make an interesting read.
It sure is, Kalpana! If you love thrillers, you must pick it up! 🙂
The read seems interesting but too many incidents packed in one novel no?
Yes, so many stories and they all culminate in the end so beautifully. Hats off to the author for weaving all these different tracks so well in the book. 🙂
Sounds like it keeps you at the edge of your seat. 96 hours! Wow!
Oh yes, it did, Michelle 🙂
Wow sounds interesting! Too many clues or that you are a great Sherlock yourself! Will try reading!
LOL 😀 No, I meant that the spies solved the mystery way too easily and quickly! Would have loved to see them try a bit harder and thus more drama in the book 😉
Aah… I hv been waiting to read TTC for ages now! The book is at home, in India. I need to bring it with me the next time I go to India. Now this ! I wish I could read both as soon as possible. A very nice review, as usual, Shilpa Ji 🙂
Wow! Then you must try to lay your hands on both ASAP, Sreeja! Thanks. G;ad you liked this review 🙂
I love a good mystery/thriller! Thanks for sharing this..I am lacking on my reading, whereas I used to always, always have a book handy.
I know, we all go through such phases. There was a time when I was reading one book a day which shocked and surprised the local librarian! And then there are days when you dont feel like touching a book. May your reading block gets over soon 🙂
Looks like an exciting thriller…Thanks for sharing Shilpa 🙂
My pleasure, Sheethal 🙂
The title itself is quite intriguing. Nice review Shilpa
The story is great too! Thanks Jayashree 🙂
I love a good page turner and this sounds like it fits the bill! Great review. ♥
Yes, it is pretty engaging thriller! Thanks Kathy 🙂 ♥
I’m picking this one up for sure!! I love thrillers! 😀
I am sure you will enjoy it, Pixie 🙂
A dear friend of mine write a short review for the Taj Conspiracy. Here it is:
PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
This has to be the worst piece of crap I have read in a long long time!
Don’t read it even if someone pays you to!
Just imagine, if Anu Malik, Bappi Lahiri, Ravi Shastri & Nayjot Sidhu collaborate to write a book? Yes, it is that bad! The opening sequence is a straight lift from ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and the language is atrocious. Tenses are all over the place and the vocabulary solely depends on MS Word. Cliches are sprinkled generously, logical jumps loom and metaphors are terrible.
One can even forgive all of the above. The true killer is the so-called plot.
This has to be the handiwork of some loony attached to the Congress party like Digvijay Singh. The protagonist is a historian who is half Persian and half Sikh. She uncovers a plot to convert (or re-convert) the Taj Mahal to a Shiva Temple.
This tired conspiracy theory has been doing the rounds for more than 20 years and the author writes about it breathlessly as if she has just stumbled upon it.
To make things worse, the villains are rabid Hindu fundamentalists, who owe allegiance to a party called, hold your breath, Bhartiya Hindutva Party, led by a guy called Kripalani, who drinks his own urine! Ye Gawd!
Absolute rubbish! How did such shit get published?
Even makes Chetan Bhagat look good in comparison!
I’m glad that the author has learned from her mistakes and produced a better sequel. 😀
Gosh!! That bad eh? This sounds seriously terrible!! 🙄
Reading books takes time and unless the story line is really gripping one fells let down! So is a must read to be taken seriously Shilpa:) A nice review, none the less!!
True that!! Reading an interesting and an engaging story is such a pleasure and a fab experience!! While it takes ages to finish a dull and drab one! Thanks Mr Bhatia!