The cover has a silhouette of two people near the docks with the Worli Sea Link bridge in view.
Name: The Black Orphan
Author: S. Hussain Zaidi
Format: Hardcopy
Number of pages: 218
Availability: Amazon (Buy the paperback here)
Rating: 4/5
I couldn’t connect the title to the blurb at the back of the book. I was curious about the black orphan.
The English language was very good though there were a few Hindi/Urdu words that non-Indians may not be aware of. Some had the meanings mentioned, but I had to resort to Google for many local words myself.
The word that was new to me plus fascinating was bulwark (in the Author’s Note).
The story is mostly about the operations of the ISI, NIA, IB, Mumbai Police Force, and their members, DIGs, JCPs, CPs, NSAs and the like. In the midst of all the commotion, there is love brewing. The main character here is DIG Ajay Rajvardhan and how he tackles those trying to destroy the country.
*It had a nice story.
*The love story was nicely narrated.
*The flow of the book was really good.
*Though it’s a fiction thriller, there were a lot of true events mentioned in the story. I Googled a lot of information and became more aware of many things that happened in Mumbai and the country.
*There was a lot of information on abbreviations or lingos associated with the police, security agency, ISI, etc. Though the author was a journalist and editor of investigations for many years, I was still amazed at his detailed descriptions of the police force, scientists, terrorists, etc.
*Spotted some negligible typos and missing words.
This is the first book I’ve read by crime writer S. Hussain Zaidi. I got the book thinking it was a love story with a little bit of action here and there, but it is the opposite. There is a lot of action with a little bit of love thrown in there. So, being me, I was quite slow with the reading until I got to Chapter 6. Only then was I interested in knowing what happened next. My guess about the culprit was right so I wasn’t too surprised in the end.
Nevertheless, it’s a good book to know more about what happens around us in India; how the system handles terrorists and why some of us are able to argue with our neighbours about petty things without worrying about our houses getting bombed.
Let me know your thoughts if you have read this book, too.
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“This post is also part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile“
21 Comments
I haven’t read any book by the author. But this seems to be a good read for all crime thriller book lovers. I agree that many people are so busy in fighting for petty things with their neighbours but in reality they know nothing about their own homes.
I read Hussain Zaidi’s Dongri to Dubai and Mafia Queens years back and quite enjoyed them. He does write pacy reads but never expected a love story from him. The book is on my TBR and hopefully would pick it up soon.
I read this book recently, and I liked it. My first Zaidi book, he is a good storyteller. And yes, I was also surprised to find some typos.
I am getting a lot of rec ffor this book and your review is on time to make me pick this one soon
I’ve read his zero day and i got to know about this one. But usually books based on crime stories are not my cup of tea. I absolutely loved your honest review
Thank you, Sindhu!
I haven’t read a single Hussain Zaidi book. Based on what I heard of the author, I had an inclination to get a copy, but after the review, I pulled away from it.
Your review suggests that the book -The Black Orphan will not let readers rest till they reach the last page, and have all the answers.
The book sounds absolutely intriguing! I’m impressed by how the author seamlessly wove together a compelling love story with a gripping thriller plot.
I’m not into such book. , but your review is pretty detailed telling readers all that they can expect from this book
I’ve only heard good things about this author and his books/writing. I don’t why I’ve never been motivated enough to pick up his books though. Maybe I’ll start with this one. Who knows? Your review definitely made me feel I might like it but then you said you predicted the whodunit so I’m in two-minds now.
I haven’t read Hussain Zaidi in a very long time, I think it is time that I picked up one!
Cindy, going by this review, I will be avoiding this book, the title evoked pathos and tragedy and maybe some sinister plotting but it seems it is a very superficial book and probably not thrilling enough for me.
My first Zaidi was Zero Day. I found it to be too much plot and not enough depth. Did you find out who black orphan is? Or was that the name of an operation?
Hahaha, I cannot tell you that. I got to know the black orphan but I didn’t understand why the author used ‘black’….
NIA, ISI, police, love amidst all that … That’s quite an odd mix. Should be interesting.
Ya it is a decent read, but I just wanted more of the love story.
Hussain S. Zaidi is a master storyteller. The readers will not find even a single dull moment in the book. The narrative follows a linear style and includes a few flashbacks. These flashbacks help establish the background of a character or a situation. The story is fast-paced, without any pauses or gaps between events. It enhances the readability of the book considerably. Read My review of the book on my blog, too!
These kind of books… the spy thrillers are usually very fast paced and full of action. I am surprised how the author managed to fit in a love story.
It was my first book by Zaidi as well. I realised that he writes more for the visual medium than the literary, but his books are pacy reads. They do have some shocking facts as well.
True, I agree, Ambica!