Book Review: The Hunt for Atlantis

Title: The Hunt for Atlantis (Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase #1)

Author: Andy McDermott

I took to reading this book only because its title kept tugging at me. I like to read books filled with adventure and mystery. Atlantis is the perfect combination of mystery and adventure. But this book is less about the real submerged Atlantis. 

The Hunt for Atlantis is literally hunt for Atlantis by archaeologist Nina Wilde and other expeditions which follow after you know about Atlantis. This book keeps you engrossed and you want to turn the pages faster. The book takes various places in search for Atlantis and its other legends. But, each time, the fate is against Nina and the end is kind of catastrophic. There are other sources who are opposed to the finding of Atlantis for reasons unknown at the beginning. But as the story unfolds, Nina realizes that she is on the wrong side but eventually along with her bodyguard Eddie Chase she sets everything right and prevents a worldwide threat. 

The book travels through various historical places and leaves the readers in awe of what is presented before them. The twists in the book are not easy to guess and leave you wondering as you never saw it coming.

About the Author: 

Andy McDermott is a British thriller author, former magazine writer, journalist & a film critic. Under Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase series he has written about 13 books.

Book Review: The Great Gatsby

Title: The Great Gatsby

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Another of "must read" ticked off my list. Every time I read a Classic, it feels like it never reaches me. No clue where the connection gets lost. 

The Great Gatsby is a well known classic written by author F. Scott Fitzgerald. It portrays times of first World War. Gatsby is the writer's neighbor and is very affluent. The story revolves around things Gatsby was unable to do in his past and wanted to amend in current circumstances. But things do not go as he wants them to and everything is left in a mess. People change as per their requirement.

The novel is a one time read.

About the author: 

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an american novelist and short story writer. He has four finished novels and one unfinished novel on his name.

Book Review: The Silkworm

Title: The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #3)

Author: J K Rowling under pseudonym Robert Galbraith 

After reading The Cuckoo Calling, first book in the Cormoran Strike series by J K Rowling, I had to get my hands on The Silkworm, second in the series. And, I did just that.. visited the library and picked up The Silkworm. The size of the book will scare you but you will not realize when the book gets over. You just don't feel like putting it down.

This book revolves around story of a book author who goes missing and is found dead in rather grotesque circumstances which is exactly same as shown in his book. Strike is hired by the author's wife to investigate his disappearance when he stumbles upon his dead body. The case is being researched by Strike's old friend, Richard Anstis but is going the wrong way by arresting author's wife for the murder. But eventually, it was Strike along with valuable help from his secretary Robin who solve the case and bring forward the killer.

As usual, the best part about the book is till you turn the last page, you would not know the killer. Extremely engrossing tale very well written.

The only thing about the book that puts you off is the several references of the book the author is writing is mentioned in the book in extra detail which is difficult to keep a track of. Overall a very good book.

About the author:

What's there to say about the author. Her name says it all. It's JK Rowling, the author of our most loved book series of childhood as well as adulthood, Harry Potter. She writes crime fiction under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. She has released two book under the series of Cormoran Strike, The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and The Career of Evil.

Restaurant Review: Viva Panjim

 Location: Rua 31st January Road, Behind Mary Immaculate High School, Fontainhas, Panaji Goa.

This is the perfect hidden gem that I did not know existed in the very city I lived for about 24 years. 

Viva Panjim is located at Mala near Mary Immaculate School. Its an easy to miss place but the sign board on the road guides you right. A beautiful Portuguese style house is converted into a restaurant. There is outside seating like on a veranda and inside seating. They have nice bar setting and serve delicious drinks. 

I finally got to write a review after 3rd or 4th visit. We visited this restaurant on a Sunday for dinner. 

We settled for fresh lime soda and as usual, for starters, we ordered every kind of fish we could see on the menu. There was Prawns Masala Fry, Squids Butter Garlic, Fish Lollipop, Prawns Cocktail, Mussels Rawa fry. Everything was delicious although it was not a fish season. Squids were awesome and juicy. Fish lollipop was served with schezwan sauce and it was extremely tasty. Prawns cocktail was average. Mussels and Prawns were delicious. 

Prawns Cocktail

Prawns Masala Fry

Fish Lollipop

Mussels Rawa Fry

Squids Butter Garlic

For main course, we ordered Prawns curry rice and chonak rawa fry. The Prawns curry was very tasty and slightly tangy. The chonak rawa fry was tender and nicely fried.

The food is just mid blowing here. But a pleasant surprise you get when you see the bill. The food is very much affordable. Our visit was soon after GST was implemented but no taxes appear in the bill. 

You can order for anything and I'm sure it will be amazing. The service is good. The ambiance is so welcoming that you don't feel like leaving the place.

By the end of our meal, we were so full that we did not think of dessert. 

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4/5

Ambiance: 4/5