The cover features a mousetrap with a mobile inside. You will have to read the book to understand what is happening!
Name: Press 9 for a Crime
Author: Shailendra Jha
Format: Hardcopy
Number of pages: 162
Availability: Amazon (Buy the paperback here)
Rating: 4/5
The title was thrilling enough for me.
The Indian-English and Hindi languages used were simple and easily understandable. There was no fun new word, but if you know Hindi, you will understand why I enjoyed some of Radhika’s words. Hahaha!
The story is about the Anand family, where Mr Anand is an autorickshaw driver. His four kids (two girls and two boys) have different things going on in their respective lives. Atul, his oldest, is all set to go abroad to work, while Aseem, his youngest, is asking for money to open a gymnasium. In the midst of all the family struggles, when Atul gets pulled into a cyber scam hub in Cambodia, you should read how Aseem smartly tries to help get Atul home safe.
*The font was a good size and easy to read.
*The story was straightforward and did not have the reader wondering about what was happening.
*It showed us true sibling love.
*It taught us that many agents can be part of various scams. We need to review them carefully.
*We see how well-brought-up children can think differently, for the welfare of the family.
*It showed us how big and dangerous scamming companies can be.
*We learn that Nitesh could be any one of us, so we need to be alert when we are questioned, even by people who claim to be the police, especially when it doesn’t feel right.
*The story had a good ending.
I don’t recall finding any.
I selected this book to review as the title seemed intriguing. I was happy with my choice as the story was simple and well-written. I took around 3 nights to read this book. Once I was halfway through, I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
18 Comments
The plot is pretty interesting and I love your honest review. Will check this out
This sounds very intriguing… It has entered straight at the top of my TBR list!!!
Loved how you highlighted the simplicity of language and the emotional strength of the sibling bond. The cyber-scam angle makes it timely and eye-opening. It feels like a story rooted in real Indian homes, making the thrill meaningful and relatable.
I liked the way you broke this review down. The review is one of its kind and that is what makes picking this book all the more worth it.
Loved how you broke down the book’s twists without giving too much away. Your review made it sound like a perfect mix of suspense and satire, now I’m genuinely curious to dial in and see what happens next.
Its a my kind book and my favorite genre too. So I am going for it. Thanks for the detailed review which will actually make me buy the book.
I haven’t read the book, but I liked how you have put down points why you like the book. That makes it easy to understand whether one should go for the book or not.
Now I am curious to find out what words Radhika uses! Sounds like an interesting plot.
Such an intriguing storyline and plot! Definitely checking it out!
Sounds like a quick read and has an interesting cover. Certainly the kind of book I’ll enjoy picking up.
I appreciate that your book doesn’t give away much about the story. Press 9 for a Crime seems to be a crime thriller, and it is best to read the book and let it unravel rather than read the full summary in the review.
3 nights means it was gripping enough for a quick-read. I found the plot interesting. Might just pick it up. Haven’t read a family-based thriller in a long time. Thanks for bringing the title to my notice. It is indeed quite catching
Rescuing someone from an international scam racket is not an easy job. Very bold topic.
The scamming companies is a catchy trope, make it interesting and worth picking up. Though, the colloquial terms give the story a local feel, too much of Indian English and Hindi is something I’ve never found appealing. Kept it in my TBR for those simpler days.
I really loved how you broke down the plot mechanics and pointed out what works. TBH never heard this title or the author but as I am always into exploring new names, this book sounds interesting.
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading especially after reading the heavy on pathos and vocabulary ‘The Tiger’s Share’ but tell me who is this Radhika that you referred to in your initial paragraphs – Anand’s wife or daughter or someone else?
Hahaha! Anand’s daughter, you should read the book.
Heard about the book first time through your post. The title and the blurb is indeed intriguing. One thing that caught my attention is that Assem. The youngest actually rescues Atul, the oldest. So your ananlysis of well-brought up children think differently for family welfare is interesting.