Wednesday, February 1, 2023

IWSG Day: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 ~ "The Blue Bar" by Damyanti Biswas, a Talented IWSG Member

  




It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.






To visit the IWSG website, click here.

To become a member of the IWSG, click here.

Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are Jacqui MurrayRonel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and, Gwen Gardner!

I hope you have a chance to visit today's hosts and thank them for co-hosting.
I'm sure they would appreciate a visit and an encouraging comment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.

Or, the question can inspire members
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.

Remember the question is optional.
This month's featured question is: 
If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy February, Everyone!  
I hope this is a creative and love-filled month for you.

I am passing on this month's question.  
Designing a book cover is still in the future for me.

But I do have some things to say about an excellent book
just released on January 1st 
by talented IWSG member Damyanti Biswas.

An Amazing Cover


This thriller kept me guessing from beginning to end
as I raced through it in in a few late and bleary-eyed nights.
What's not to love in this intense and literary noir ~ 
the twisting, surprising plot, 
the compelling characters, the gorgeous tight writing,  
or the gritty underworld and glittering aristocracy of Mumbai?

Underworld Mumbai
The Dharavi Slum





Glittering Mumbai ~  Sachin Baikar


The twisting, surprising plot:
As Police Inspector Arnav Singh Rajput races to a grisly crime scene, 
he has no idea that this new case will upend his life.
A horrific serial killer is responsible for decapitating and dismembering women,
and Arnav can't keep away from cases of missing or dead women.

Arnav is haunted by the disappearance of Tara Mondal fourteen years ago,
the mysterious girl-woman he loved who danced to Bollywood songs
in the smoky, flashing, colored lights of The Blue Bar.

Not only must Arnav hunt for an elusive killer, 
he must navigate the ambitions, politics, and corruption
of the leaders of the Mumbai police and Mumbai society.
Someone will go to any length to sink his investigation.

Just when I thought I had something figured out,
an unexpected twist would flummox me.

 ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª

The compelling characters:
The characters in Damyanti's novel don't let you go.
She weaves a story that is both an authentic police procedural 
and an unpredictable romance.

Arnav is dogged in his quest to find the killer, 
a creepy gruesome slayer with a murderous obsession,
before Tara becomes the next headless, handless, footless woman
buried in muck with a scattering of blue sequins.

Tara has a life-changing secret, someone she must protect with her very life.
She risks returning to Mumbai and the Blue Bar as an instructor and performer
in an attempt to secure her financial future and realize her goals.

This a sampling of the unforgettable characters who inhabit Damyanti's book:
Bilal, a loyal family servant who cleans up the bloody messes 
and arranges for the disposal of the bodies by an underworld Bhai or gang boss;

the wildly successful Virani brothers, Bollywood heartthrobs 
who have captivated India's impressionable young women for years;

the unflappable Dr. Meshram, the coroner who will use his own time and money
to autopsy the brutalized bodies of the unknown and forgotten;

Sita Naik, Arnav's tireless assistant, 
a smart and professional assistant sub-inspector
who will do anything to help Arnav solve the case;

and Rahul Taneja, a ruthless real estate tycoon
famous for his fabulous wealth and lavish parties.

Autopsy Instruments
Flikr ~ Ed Uthman ~ License

 ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª


The gorgeous tight writing:
I already knew that Damyanti was an excellent writer,
because I had read her chilling debut novel You Beneath Your Skin.
Her writing is fresh, evocative, and eloquent, seemingly effortless.
But Damyanti is a writer who admits that for her, writing is a slog. 
She progresses slowly, word by word, on her computer 
through multiple drafts and revisions,
but she writes because she must.
Her fellow IWSG members understand this so thoroughly! 

 ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª

The gritty underworld and glittering aristocracy of Mumbai:
To a Canadian American like me, Mumbai is exotic.
But Damyanti's ability to bring Mumbai alive is engrossing.
Before long, I forgot about exotic Mumbai, as I was drawn into this kaleidoscopic city.

Damyanti constructs a Mumbai that is so absorbing you are there, period.
The novel opens at rush hour in Borivali Railway Station,
swarming with jostling noisy people, 
and the book transports readers to Mumbai's hectic nightlife,
to its stinky marshland and mangroves, 
to sultry Madh Island on the magnificent Arabian Sea, 
to its crowded beaches, busy police stations, and dangerous alleys.
It is unforgettable!  

Borivali Railway Station, Mumbai


 ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª


I highly recommend this gripping mystery, The Blue Bar,
which I suggest you quickly follow up with You Beneath Your Skin.

The sequel to The Blue Bar is scheduled to be released on October 24, 2023.
Tentatively titled Blue Black Hair, the sequel is set in Mumbai
and Inspector Rajput returns to tackle the hair industry, caste, and castration.  The Big Thrill

Update:  I just read Damyanti's blog post for IWSG Day:  
"Does a Stunning Book Cover Ever Inspire You to Purchase the Book?"
Her title for her new book is now The Blue Monsoon.
The cover for The Blue Bar is striking!

Enjoy IWSG Day.  Stay happy and safe.



Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be on Friday, February 3rd.  ðŸ¤ž



 ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª ðŸ”ª


Terry and I are enjoying our time in Waikiki;
but, just for the record, it isn't always sunshine and balmy breezes. 
So as I write this, we are enjoying Sunday playoff football 
and are not feeling guilty about wasting a day of beautiful weather.

A Rainy, Chilly, Windy Sunday #1
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
January 29, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved



 

A Rainy, Chilly, Windy Sunday #2
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
January 29, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

61 comments:

  1. Damyanti's work was already on my to be read list - and you have just nudged it up several places. Thank you/drat you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL ~ Sue, my husband would totally agree with your comment! Have a great day!

      Delete
  2. Damy will be thrilled you enjoyed her book so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't told Damyanti that I've reviewed her book. I like to surprise people when I do a review, says the person who loves surprises! Enjoy your visits today. I'm going to start visiting around shortly. Hawaii is so far behind he world in time. Take care!

      Delete
  3. Damyanti's book sounds gripping. And I love the cover. Glad you had a great trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! How did I miss this, Natalie! Damyanti's book is gripping. I've read it twice. It's fun to go back having read it once and notice all the clever things she did with the plot. Have a great day, Natalie!

      Delete
  4. You must really love her book!

    My best friend sent me a sweatshirt from Hawaii and said yes, it really does get cold there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really loved her book, Diane! Yes, it does get chilly here, but it's al relative. I'd rather be chilly here that in Colorado right now. I hope you've had a fun day!

      Delete
  5. Replies
    1. I love a good thriller, Debra! Have a great day!

      Delete
  6. I love a book that keeps one guessing from beginning to end! Thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I need to read that book! Have fun in Waikiki. Hugs from cold, wet and windy Germany! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Valerie! Terry and I are having lots of fun. Stay warm ~ Curl up in a warm blanket and enjoy a good read! Take care!

      Delete
  8. I haven't had a chance to read this latest book, but I enjoyed her first one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy IWSG Day, Lee! I enjoyed Damyanti's first book on so many levels. Have a great day!

      Delete
  9. Damyanti's book was excellent--read and reviewed it--and ties in well with this topic because the cover was amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Jacqui! I enjoyed your review of Damyanti's book. Yes, her cover was amazing. I can't wait to read her next book and yours! Enjoy your day!

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. From what I understand, Anna,, Damyanti's book is doing well! I hope you are having a good day!

      Delete
  11. I have her book on my Kindle app--I need to start reading it. Thanks for the review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy reading, Gwen! It's definitely not a cozy mystery, but it's so good! Have a creative February!

      Delete
  12. Those autopsy instruments make me glad I'm not a coroner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too, Adam! I couldn't handle it at all! Take care, my friend!

      Delete
  13. That's quite a compelling review! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the moving review of The Blue Bar. I've yet to post mine. Damyanti is an inspiration in that her writing seems effortless, but isn't. She is motivated to get the word out and that helps inspire her.
    Enjoy your break! Great pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Denise. I look forward to reading your review! Take care!

      Delete
  15. What a wonderful promo book! You convinced me. I'll get the book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You won't be disappointed, Elizabeth! It's excellent. Happy IWSG Day to you!

      Delete
  16. Transporting review. Nice instruments. It's on my list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great, Adrienne! I could never be a coroner ~ lol! Have a good one!

      Delete
  17. Thanks for the book recommendation! The Blue Bar is on my to-read shelf, and it has a fab cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cover is fabulous, Jennifer! Enjoy the read! Take care!

      Delete
  18. Wonderful review. I love the autopsy instrument image. So chilling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Olga! Chilling is why I chose them. There are definitely chilling scenes in the book! Have a good one!

      Delete
  19. Wow! I'm not much into mysteries, particularly grizzly ones, but the setting alone - being in Mumbai - has piqued my interest. And the cover...ominous with that small splash of blood. Excellent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the cover was brilliant, Bish. Enjoy your day!

      Delete
  20. Fabulous review!! I'm about 1/3 of the way through the Blue Bar and agree that it is such a powerful book. Damyanti is such a wonderful writer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jemi! I'm happy to see her book doing so well. Have a good one!

      Delete
  21. Sounds like an excellent book from an excellent author!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wonderful review of a book that's getting all kinds of great press. Kudos to you both and have a creative day.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I had not realized Damyanti Bizwas had released a new book. I grabbed a copy. Love the review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Juneta! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

      Delete
  24. Ooooh. That does sound good! @samanthabwriter from
    Balancing Act

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oops, I think I commented as anonymous. I just said that Damyanti's book is great and that I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I caught the anonymous, Lynda. I'm glad you enjoyed Damyant's book too!

      Delete
  26. Gotta love when you find a great story that really sucks you in indeed. Covers can catch your eye too, which one does need to make people stop and look. Well it has to rain sometime, even in the nice and warm places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand that you're in the deep freeze, Pat, and going colder. Stay warm and safe!

      Delete
  27. Isn't it a great book? So glad you liked it too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi there! I've been meaning to come by and see what you're up to. Hawaii, huh? Sounds fantastic! I guess rain makes sense or it wouldn't be so lush. It didn't rain the two weeks I was there all those moons ago ;-)
    I thought I might read The Blue Bar - now I'm sure I will!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to see you, Diedre! Terry and I love Hawaii, and we try to escape some of the Colorado weather each winter. Enjoy "The Blue Bar." Take care!

      Delete
  29. Thanks for the review, enjoy Hawaii!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh boy, the collection of autopsy Instruments gave me the chills. I so agree with you, tight writing is the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Lynn. I could never be a forensic pathologist. I've become a much tighter writer over the years, but I continue to struggle with it. It's much easier to correct it in someone else's writing ~ lol. Have a great month!

      Delete
  31. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Thanks for sharing Damyanti Biswas book. Glad you are enjoying your time even in the rain.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.