Author:Sai Sankalap

ISBN: 0595361161

The following review was contributed  by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor of Bookpleasures &CLICK TO VIEW  Norm Goldman's Reviews

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Sai Sankalap’s debut novel, The Kashmir Affair, weaves the story of a young Indian actor, Joshua Borendhi, who immigrates to the USA in order to further his acting career. From the onset, Joshua is portrayed as somewhat of a mysterious character, who conceals his past, as he barely escapes two assassination attempts on his life.

The tension of the plot lies in a secret that remains unrevealed until the reader is very much into the story, wherein we discover that our protagonist is a former terrorist who betrayed his master. Thrown into the mix is our hero's love entanglement with Veronica- born of an Indian father and Jewish American mother, and, who unaware of Joshua's true identity, innocently stumbles into some very dangerous episodes with her boyfriend.

As a result, law enforcement officials Sergeant Hoyden McDonald, Martin Baryon and the FBI are brought in to find out what this is all about and why is someone trying to kill Joshua.

Our saga continues when two of the terrorists are killed in New York in a shoot out with the police, while a third manages to escape to Seattle.

At this juncture the FBI decides to take full control of the case and they kick out Sergeant McDonald, who decides that he will nevertheless travel to Seattle with Joshua in order to pursue the third terrorist.

It is in Seattle where Joshua's full identity becomes known and why someone is trying to kill him.. As a result, in order to avoid incarceration and to redeem himself, Joshua agrees to participate in a secret assignment in Kashmir on behalf of the US Government that would prevent a war between India and Pakistan.

Filled with some fascinating characters, and a constantly twisting adventurous plot, the narrative shuttles back and forth, interweaving Joshua's story with that of terrorists in the USA, Seattle and Kashmir, who have as their prime goal to commit some nasty bombing attacks in the USA.

The novel is occasionally marred by poor dialog and thriller scenes that deliver a great deal of action but very little plausibility.

Moreover, as is the case with many first time novelists, the author often ignores one of the most fundamental rules of successful dramatic writing- showing rather than telling the story. Readers must be able to experience a story through the five senses and perceptions of Joshua-something that is sometimes lacking in several of the scenes of the book.

All the same, The Kashmir Affair, nevertheless succeeds as an action thriller enhanced by an exciting plot and a very surprising ending that will have its readers flipping forward to make sure everything comes out all right. I look forward to reading more from this very promising author.