Other Books:
Each month, the 60 quirky stores that make up IMBA submit their favorite recent reads to a rotating editor who then trims the list to five.
VOLUME I, ISSUE 1, OCTOBER 2004
Cosmic
Clues by Manjiri Prahbu
(Dell, 6.99 paperback 0440241723), recommended by Kathy
Harig, Mystery Loves Company (Baltimore, MD)
Barnes & Noble.com
From The Critics :
Sonia
and her Stellar Investigations Detective Agency star in
this unconventional debut as they solve cases using
psychological insights, intuition, and horoscopes in the
exotic city of Pune, India. This promises to be an
entertaining romp-it even features traditional Indian
horoscopes for readers. Prabhi lives in Pune, India. Copyright
2004 Reed Business Information.
Customer Reviews :
Number of Reviews: 1 Average Rating: 
"Excellent
debut & intriguing start to a unique mystery series."
Most super sleuths
have their very own unique way of solving crimes, and Sonia Samarth is
certainly no different. As Chief Investigator of Stellar
Investigations, Sonia combines her degree in criminology with Vedic
Astrology when she needs a road map for her brain to follow to sort
out various clues and unexplained mysteries. Assisted by her sidekick,
the boyishly handsome Jatin, she places an ad in the paper and makes
ready to solve crime. No one wants to take either the ad or Sonia's
skills seriously at first, including her honorary uncle, Inspector
Divekar, of the Pune, India, police force. However, as she solves case
after case, she wins the respect of not only her uncle, but also of
Mohnish Rai, an extremely good- looking freelance reporter who hosts
various local TV shows.
Using her unique
talent with the aid of music that sets her mind, body and soul free,
Sonia solves numerous cases. This includes murder vs. suicide,
blackmail, bigamy, personal psychoses, missing items and anything else
fate throws her way. Charting and dancing down her chosen path, she's
blessed with the aid of a mysterious stray cat she names Nidhi
(wealth) and an equally mysterious secret admirer. The question is,
can she solve the biggest case yet about The Owl, an unidentified
thief of international renown, or will she remain as stumped as the
police?
This is an
intriguing first book in Prabhu's mystery series. The flavor of her
writing puts the reader in the middle of India getting a taste of the
customs, the food and the people. It's like you are really
experiencing it firsthand with her characters. For those with a taste
toward the unusual, she includes numerous Vedic Astrology layouts.
While the charts don't necessarily explain how it works, it still
lends that air of mystique and enchanted quirkiness, making the reader
feel a part of the story. Each chapter pretty much reads on its own,
and yet each continues to draw you eagerly onward to the next
chapter/case. As Sonia solves each successive mystery, you feel her
grow in confidence, ability and stature. It's a truly unique
experience. Additionally, the reader knows that Sonia is destined for
love, but is left pleasantly dangling as to just whom the lucky person
is going to be. I enjoyed this debut novel immensely and cannot wait
to read the next book in this series, THE ASTRAL ALIBI.
Reviewed
by Anne
Barringer
Link
: http://thebestreviews.com/review23715
Other Links:
http://nripulse.com/Archives/Profile_DrPrabhu.htm
Interview in Indian
Express - http://in.news.yahoo.com/060715/48/65x4b.html
Roundtable
Reviews :
Sonia Samarth is a private
investigator with a difference. As
well as using physical clues and her instincts, she also consults the
horoscopes of the people involved in the crimes and mysteries she is asked
to investigate. In India ,
where the novel is set, everyone has a horoscope and even in the
twenty-first century, people still believe they have the power to reveal
their destiny. As Sonia solves
people’s problems, it seems that this is true because in each case she
handles, this is where she finds the key to the puzzle, no matter how
complicated – or simple – they first appear.
From murders, to stalkings, to missing diamonds…each time the stars
hold the answer.
THE COSMIC CLUES reminded me very
much of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and I enjoyed both books.
Different from a typical mystery, each chapter brings the reader a
different story, a different set of characters.
Also, both introduce you to different cultures.
THE COSMIC CLUES taught me a lot more than I expected about India ,
the general way of life and the mindset of the Indian people.
It was a great read, though I have to admit it took me a couple of
chapters to really get the pace of the book.
Ms. Prabhu’s bio states that she is working on the next in the
series….I for one, will be buying it.
NRI
Pulse – Home of the Indian American family - INterview