An Autograph for Anjali @SundariVenkat

I am delighted to review best-selling author Sundari Venkatraman's latest book, " An Autograph for Anjali", a romantic suspense novel, which I enjoyed tremendously, just as I've enjoyed all her books so far.

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1095 KB
Print Length: 303 pages
Publisher: Flaming Sun (5 March 2016)
Sold by: Amazon Digital South Asia Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B01CM794TG
Goodreads

Book blurb Jayant Mathur is found murdered in his bed, shot at point-blank range with his own revolver. Though she's extremely disturbed by his death, Jayant's wife Anjali is way more upset about something else. Who stands to gain by killing the multi-millionaire businessman? Parth Bhardwaj is a friend and neighbour of the Mathurs. Parth is an author who goes by a pseudonym. He appears more than a friend to Anjali; while he's also on good terms with her son Arjun who lives and studies in the UK. What role does he play in Anjali's life? Jayant's relatives are curious to know. Jayant's brother-in-law Rana is convinced that Parth and Anjali are the murderers. But Inspector Phadke has his own doubts about this theory. In comes Samrat, the private detective who appears as quiet as a mouse. Will he be able to find the murderer? Will Anjali find happiness and peace?

An autograph for Anjali - Book review

What I like about Sundari's books is the focus on the woman's role. In the three books I've read so far, the women appear to be defenseless, but manage to draw upon their inherent inner strength to emerge victorious over the challenges life hurls at them.

This novel was no exception, where Anjali Mathur goes through a roller-coaster of emotional upheavals as she strives to find herself and her true love.

Anjali felt like a bird with clipped wings. Her husband trimmed them regularly, ensuring that she never was free to do things on her own.

One just cannot help falling in love with Anjali for her elegant character and her latent gutsiness and her son Arjun is a treat. I adored Anjali's relationship with her son Arjun. One wishes that every parent-child interaction and equation would take that route and evolve, with honest communication, not holding anything back and being totally supportive of each other. Their conversations are laced with humor and affection.

Not enough can be said for Parth Bhardwaj, the "family friend" who turns out to be Anjali's strength. He is a rock and a good friend from page one of the book, when Jayant Mathur is found dead in his own bed, shot with his own gun, right from putting Anjali's relatives in place to taking care of what needs to be done, while maintaining an air of mystery about him. He has a great profile as a best-selling author who writes under a pen -name and has an emotional backstory.

I just stood up and applauded Sundari for creating such gorgeous heroes - if you read her other novels, you'll know exactly what I mean. They're just perfect and the men of one's dreams. Perfect in every way, authoritative, persistent in their pursuit of the heroine and level-headed, yet quite human.

I have to confess that I felt a teeny bit sorry for Jayant Mathur, Anjali's boorish, insensitive, domineering husband who has no clue what a real relationship is all about. Ah well, it takes all sorts to make the world and it is thanks to Jayant Mathur that the story emerged and nudges Anjali to wake up from her cloistered lifestyle.

An important point in the novel is a focus on why keeping the mind occupied is critical to one's mental health, and that marriage for women is not just about taking care of their husbands and stroking their ego.

The repartee and romance between Sundari's heros and heroines is truly idyllic, and so it was between Anjali and Parth. I could literally visualize the scenes vividly woven throughout the book and enjoyed the flow.

So the case of the husband's death was wrapped up rather hurriedly, with an obvious suspect, but then that's the crime junkie in me speaking. I'd say that it was far more interesting to follow what was happening in Anjali's life than worrying about how her husband died - this was just a loose end to be tied, which was done fairly neatly.

I read the book in one sitting, simply because I found it a great read and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

So does Anjali find peace and happiness? That's for you to find out. Read the book. You'll love it.

And if you're interested in how Sundari became an author, please visit her blog and read this post " Don't place me in a golden cage "

About Sundari Venkatraman

In 2014, Sundari self-published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition); Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven (a collection of romantic short stories).

2015 brought yet another opportunity. Readomania came forward to traditionally publish The Madras Affair - a mature romance set in Madras.

An Autograph for Anjali, a romance with a touch of suspense, is also a self-published novel. Going a step further, the author has published the paperback version through Notion Press.

See a longer version of Sundari's bio here

Connect with Sundari via: Her website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Buy, read and enjoy "An autograph for Anjali"

Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury