The Devotion of Suspect X, Keigo Higashino- Book Review

Well crafted story telling of a murder and the complex dynamics that follow between the suspects and the investigators. The plot is unusual, because it’s not about the whodunnit but more about how-dunn-it and the curiosity the reader faces on seeing what will happen to the suspects, how will the investigation unfold. 

It’s a story where the reader is in on the secret from the very beginning, and like the suspects, is waiting to see if they get caught and how. The reader, in fact, almost feels like (s)he IS one of the suspects and goes through the anticipation and anxiety of getting caught, through the book. And perhaps, that is the biggest un-put-downable aspect of this novel.

But, apart from this, as a crime novel or a murder story, the book has not much to offer. It does not have too many surprises or mysteries to unravel. It’s a relatively flat telling of a series of events that happen quite logically one after the other. There aren’t any heart-stopping moments or many emotional highs or lows. The characters are built quite plainly. Perhaps the only exception is the characters of the two genius professors (one of physics and one of maths) and how they are pitted against each other during the course of the investigation.

Definitely worth a read for its unique story line, but keep your expectations low. Don’t expect an Agatha Christie or even a Stieg Larsson.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2334927855

Deadpool2 - Movie Review

#shocknawe
that’s what a Deadpool movie is all about, isn’t it.

Deadpool 1 was an absolute riot when it came out in 2016. Back then, it was a refreshing break from the predictable staid fare that Marvel was doling out (Ultron, Fantastic Four, X-men Apocalypse).

Deadpool shocked us, stunned us, disgusted us, but most importantly he made us LMAO - not only at him, but at ourselves for taking our super heroes so seriously.

We love Deadpool because he is such a bad-ass. (Unlike every other super hero we know). He smokes, he swears, he fucks, he says fuck and some more. And like the mosquito bite on your skin that you dig your nails into for pleasurable pain, Deadpool never goes away. 

So DP2? Well, it has everything you expect to see in Deadpool. The blood and the multiple mutilations are there. The one liners are there. The 80s music is there. The many insider jokes are there. He takes off on DC, X-men, Thanos, all the Avengers, and on himself as Ryan Reynolds in the older movies. And the jokes ARE really funny that have you chuckling throughout the movie.

But unlike DP1, in DP2 you see them all coming. His clever remarks to the camera. His getting destroyed and then coming back again and again. His adolescent-rebel conversations with Colossus. His extended brat pack with Blind Al (the old lady), Weasel (bar man) and Dopinder (the desi taxi guy). Even the hilarious re-growing of body parts (this time it’s his lower half.. I know! But one of the funniest scenes in the film)

The other missing piece is an engaging storyline. While in DP1 we didn’t really care about the story because we were just so taken in by the ride that it was, DP2 needed a story, especially after the novelty has faded. The new characters in Domino, Cable (Josh Brolin BTW, aka Thanos), Juggernaut and the central character New Zealand boy Firefist don’t really make an impression or add to the experience.

But for all of us who loved DP1, Deadpool 2 needs to be watched. It’s got the jokes, the spoofs, and it has Ryan Reynolds. Just don’t expect any #shocknawe