The
Karachi Deception
By
Shatrujeet Nath
Genre:
Spy Thriller
Available
in different formats
Irshad
Dilawar is an underworld don wanted in several countries including the country
that protects him, Pakistan. Multiple operations are mounted to kill him in the
city of Karachi simultaneously. Who will succeed in getting him or will the ISI
manage to protect him or does he get away on his own? What exactly is the role
of the ex-Intelligence officials of various countries in the war on terror? Shatrujeet
Nath asks and answers this in his wonderful book, The Karachi Deception.
It
has been a long time since I read a good spy thriller and that too based in the
Indian subcontinent without involving US, Europe or Israeli players. The first
50 pages are what you would expect from most spy thrillers but after that, Nath
is in a league of his own.
From
a parking lot in Mali to an apartment in Amsterdam, from homes in India to safe
houses in Pakistan, Nath spins a tale of double intrigue and triple betrayal. I think this is probably the only spy thriller
I have read that doesn’t have the main antagonist make an appearance except for
two lines in the entire book but nevertheless doesn’t fail to thrill. It is a
rare feat to pull off in fiction and especially in this genre and that too for a debut novel. The ending made
me chuckle though Americans would be angered, especially the Democrats
supporting Hillary.
The
style of the author is crisp, engaging and easy to read as the reader is able
to identify with this book on some personal level. To use a cliché, this book
is a page turner.
It
is a pity the author lives in India or this would have made the New York Best
Seller list. To read it was like eating your favourite meal with all your
favourite people in the world joining you.