Book Review: Post Mortem by Patricia Cornwell

Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Richmond, where the crime rates are already skyrocketing, has a new serial killer on the loose. 3 victims have been dead so far and the book opens with the fourth victim's death being called in to the protaganist, Ms. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner, Richmond City. A divorcee career woman, she has been tormented by gruesome stranglings and the fact that the skilled psychopathic killer, thriving on the pain he inflicted on these women increasingly aggressively, roamed the city. To add up, there are certain leaks allegedly from her office to the press, for which she is grilled for, her 10 year old niece visiting, the continuing murders resulting in public outrage and insecurity and the common wealth lawyer she is dating, who might as well be the killer as circumstances reveal. The case starts eating her up. The book captures your attention and holds onto it for long. Though it is hard to relate to a world that runs with no mobile phones, limited development in forensics and computers, the author tries and puts you in the shoes of the character that leaves in such a world and it turns out to be pretty interesting. I expected a little more drama in the climax but I guess that would be just my bollywood genes kicking up. I like the writing, the concept and how the tumultous conflict that goes on in the protagonist's mind has been written when she can longer trust anyone or anything, when everybody is a possible suspect, has been penned down. A good read, especially for beginners in the genre.


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When Ben, I don't know who, sent me naked pictures on Facebook.

Ben Johnson, not my friend, not my anybody, sent me 2 pornographic pictures on Facebook messenger, God knows for what. I thought it would be rude not to reply.

Thursday, 21st April, 2016 - 7.00 pm

Hi Ben

Thank you for the interest and the photos. But it escapes my reasoning why a sane man who doesn’t know me at all would send it to me. But then upon further pondering, I have come to the conclusion that may be you aren’t sane, which is okay. Mental illness is totally treatable and we have great hospitals in the country. You should probably enroll yourself in one.

My dear fellow human being, I first thought of reporting you to Facebook for your terrible idea of an introduction. But then I thought, if I do that, you would just delete this profile and open another one from which you would send these pictures to a hundred accounts, all of which, I am assuming are females you take hours to find on Facebook. Though such tremendous amounts of attention and efforts for us is flattering let me tell you that this is just a waste of a wonderful human resource you can be to the world.

Ben, if at all that is your real name, I am sure you are a wonderful human being. But let me make this clear that these photos aren’t entertaining me nor are they making me uncomfortable as they used to when I was a kid. Now, it just makes me feel bad for you. Your life must really suck, for you have to resort to such cheap measures which are beneath yourself to grab somebody’s attention. For that, you have my sympathy.

I suggest you take up some serious reading as a hobby since you have so much time to spare. Might actually knock some sense of purpose into you.  

The world needs you, Ben. Not for your, I am sure great, collection of erotic pictures. But the protector and visionary you could be if you put the same amount of concern about my sex education into what you are actually capable of.

Don’t belittle this letter by labeling it a befitting, sarcastic reply to your frustration. But I really am concerned, for I feel I should do my part to stop you from growing into an assaulter from a cyber petty criminal.

Extremely concerned  and full of hope

Yours truly

Ardhra Prakash


I did not know at this point what would happen once the guy read it. I somehow had a strong feeling the account was non existent as it may have already been reported by someone and taken down. But about 2 hours later, I found this message in my inbox.

I have no idea if this guy means anything at all that he has typed in the letter above. But I'd like to believe so at least. There is enough hate and distrust in the world already. May be I'm being silly but I would like to believe that people make mistakes and sometimes a tiny knock on the head can make people want to correct themselves. The world sure seems to be a bad place to be in right now. But without faith and hope, there is nowhere to go. I'd like to keep my faith in humanity and hope that today somebody has realized that he is above what he portrayed himself as initially. 

Thursday, 21st April, 2016 - 9.00 pm

"Thanks for being brave enough to apologize, Ben. You sound like a good guy. Good to know you read. Wishes for your future."

Book Review: Marley, a dog like no other by John Grogan

Marley: A Dog Like No Other: A Special Adaptation for Young Readers by John Grogan


A thing I don't really fancy about reading books on which movies I have already seen are based, is that at times it fails to match up to the visual advantage films provide. The suspense is taken away. You know what is going to happen and how. I have seen the movie at least 50 times and had been so sure and puckered up not to cry, but towards the last few pages, I ended up in tears anyway. Just as great as the movie and at times even better. This book is about the world's worst dog by the world's most fulfilled master. For the 4 hours I took to finish reading this light yet gripping narrative of the beginning to the end of an important part of the Grogan family history, you are one of Grogan's guest, laid back in his sitting room, listening to him proudly and fondly remember their eternal puppy, Marley, who is the best dog in the world despite being the worst. Makes me miss Kitchu, my lost tiny feline, real bad. Definitely a goodread though waiting to get my hands on the real deal - Marley and me, life and love with the world's worst dog.


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