by Ashish
Malpani
GENRE: Fiction:
Crime
BLURB:
'5 a.m. phone call broke Police Inspector Shivaji Chavan’s sleep
informing him that local jeweler Anil Kokate, was found hanging from a tree on
the banks of Pravara River in a small town of rural India. Although the signs
point to an open and shut case of suicide, Chavan suspects foul play. While
trying to find the missing pieces of the story he finds more hidden skeletons
and comes across astonishing & cruel past of the victim. What begins as a
routine investigation quickly turns darker, ruthless and pressing. Can Chavan
handle the pressure of his superiors, local media and frightened masses? Can he
navigate the system to reach the killer? Can he solve the moral dilemma when he
comes face to face with the killer?
Excerpt:
On
the first day of Navratri, the Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga,
Inspector Shivaji Chavan is woken up by a phone call informing him about the
public suicide of Anil Kokate. Kokate was found hanging from a tree on the
banks of Pravara River. After inspecting the crime scene, Chavan has reason to
believe that it may not a suicide case. But little that he knew that this was
just the beginning, a routine investigation was about to turn into something
that is darker, more deadly and pressing. Trying to navigate through the
system, Chavan relies on his own instincts, hoping to find the truth- and a
killer who is terrorizing the town.
Guest
Post:
I have travelled to over forty countries around the world
and still there is a long list of things that I want to experience. I was
always a history and nature buff. As a kid I was fascinated with grandeur of
pyramids and Abu Simbel, the intricate carvings and paintings of valley of
kings and beliefs of ancient Egyptians about life and after life. Even after
spending two weeks in Egypt, I will love
to go back there again. The snow clad Andes, sacred valley and Macchu Picchu
and dense Amazonian forests ensure Peru a place on my list of top ten places to
visit as well. My protagonist in ‘Ten Days in October’, inspector Shivaji
Chavan shares the love for exploring new places with me.
The Alhambra in Grenada, Mezquita in Cordoba, the
bustling La Ramblas and Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, the colors and
flamenco of Seville, the serenity of the Mediterranean Sea and the liveliness
of Madrid earns Spain a spot on the list too. Looking at the beautiful La
Sagrada Familia, I wondered about the motivation of Gaudi while designing and
building the cathedral. I had the same feeling when I visited Sri Lanka. Even
after years of civil war the country was very welcoming and the people were
happy to get on with their life. The ancient Buddhist capital cities of
Anuradhapura and Pollonurwa, intriguing Sigriya and chaotic Colombo put Sri
Lanka on my list too. Even in everyday life, I like to put myself in others’
shoes to understand what drives people. That is another trait I believe my
protagonist has in common with me.
Mystical and spiritual feel of the Jerusalem air,
weightless feeling of the Dead Sea, access to Palestine and the rich history
makes me want to visit the city and Israel again. Making everyone who visits
the place forget about their daily struggles in search of something more adds
Varanasi in India to the list. The Kingdom of Bhutan that measures the
happiness rather than GDP is very intriguing indeed. Although I don’t consider
myself very spiritual, I do believe that the faith helps you find the peace. My
portrait of Madhuri in the novel is a reflection of that belief.
Kecak dance on a backdrop of setting sun in Indian Ocean,
embracing waters around Tanah Lot temple and beauty of Bali, the religious
harmony in Java and giant dragons of Komodo Island make me want to visit
Indonesia again. As a kid, I have witnessed the Hindu-Muslim riots in Sangamner
and I definitely think the world can learn a lot from Indonesia when it comes
to adapting and respecting each other. My protagonist in the novel does
demonstrate restraint and respect even when he has the power that makes others
in his position behave with arrogance.
Finally, how can I forget the town I grew up in back in
India? In fact the story of ‘Ten Days in October’ is based in Sangamner. Pravra
River, the town and the people are dear to my heart and I couldn’t picture any
other setting for my story. I am up for visiting Sangamner anytime.
AUTHOR BIO:
Ashish Malpani is an Indian-American freelancer and blogger. Born in Sangamner, a small town in rural India, he spent much of his adult life in Austin, Texas. A technology product marketer by trade, Ashish earned his MSE from Purdue University and MBA from the University of Texas.
Ashish fell in love with reading and traveling at a young age. As a kid he had two dreams in life: to write a novel and to travel around the world. Thirty eight countries and counting, Ashish has explored various cultures and captured the world through the lens of his camera with his wife Samta and son Ayan.
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4 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Who are your favorite romantic couple and why?
Thanks for sharing :)
An interesting bio. 38 countries is impressive.
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