Book Review: Strangers with known faces by Gautam Dutta

Book Name: Strangers with known faces 

Author: Gautam Dutta 

Publisher: Invincible Publishers 

Blurb: 

Rajat, Meenakshi, Sadaaf, Amol, and Shanaya are five University students with nothing in common- who should never have met in the first place. They meet after winning a lucky draw- the prize of which was to take part in a puzzle game. Though the game was engrossing, they were unable to solve the puzzle in the stipulated time. However, this lead to the beginning of a deep friendship between them. Their friendship blossomed. But ego and misunderstanding led to an acrimonious break up. They meet again- two decades later- when Shanaya is murdered, and the other four are suspects. The four soon realize that in spite of being estranged for so many years, there were unknown ties that bound them- ties of treachery, deceit, and subterfuge. Ties that have led them to come together in circumstances that no one could have foreseen. And the game that they had left incomplete two decades back has to be played yet again - on a much bigger canvas. Now they have to trust each other, clear their names, and get to the bottom of the mystery, which threatens not only their lives and relationships, but also the fabric of democratic India. As their travels and travails continue, they discover hitherto unknown facets of the people around them, as well as their own selves. Can they succeed in resolving the puzzle this time? Or is history doomed to repeat itself? As hidden aspects of the human personality are revealed, they realize that no one is what he or she appears to be. For the world comprises of 'Strangers With Known Faces'. 

Review: 

The story revolves around 5 characters - Rajat, Meenakshi, Sadaaf, Amol, and Shanaya. Strangers with known faces, as the name suggests, is about those friendships that are broken and forgotten over time. Also, the title hints towards a crime scene. This amalgamation of crime story and that of broken friendships makes this novel an interesting read. The story talks about the present crime scene and then makes you travel the corridors of the college of the 5 characters. 

The plot and the characters have been thoughtfully crafted. The mystery and the surprise element is one of the driving aspect of this book. The narration is done in third person. I feel that if narration was done in multiple points of view, it would have created a better impact. There has been use of many new words which will enhance the vocabulary of readers. The narration is engaging one. The curiosity of the preceding incidents lingers in the minds of the readers throughout the reading session. 

I rate: 

Cover: 2/5 

Characters: 3.5/5 

Story: 3.5/5 

I rate 'Strangers with known faces' with 3.5/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.