Vicky Rai, the son of a high-profile Minister, has been shot dead by one of the guests at his own party. They are a glitzy bunch, but among them the police find six strange, displaced characters with a gun in their possession; each of them steaming with a secret motive. India’s wiliest investigative journalist, Arun Advani, makes it his mission to nail the murderer. In doing so, the amazing, tender and touching lives of six eccentric personalities unravel before our eyes. Vikas Swarup’s Six Suspects rewinds time and takes us through the events that led up to the eventful night of the murder. Everyone has their motives but do they have what it takes to pull the trigger? The story, besides being unusual, witty and cleverly plotted is along the way an informative satire on Indian politics and values.[break]
Madam Secretary by Madeleine Albright
A national bestseller on its original publication in 2003, Madam Secretary is a riveting account of the life of America’s first woman Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. For eight years, during Bill Clinton’s two presidential terms, Albright was a high-level participant in some of the most dramatic events of our time – from the pursuit of peace in the Middle East to NATO’s intervention in the Balkans to America’s troubled relations with Iran and Iraq. In this thoughtful memoir, one of the most admired women in U.S. history reflects on her remarkable personal story, including her upbringing in war-torn Europe and the balancing of career and family responsibilities, and on America’s role in a changing world. With a new epilogue by the author, Madam Secretary offers an inimitable blend of Albright’s warm humor, probing insights, and distinctive ideas.
The First Person and Other Stories by Ali Smith
From the Whitbread Award-winning author of The Accidental and Hotel World comes this stunning collection of 12 intriguing short stories set in a world of everyday dislocation, where people nevertheless find connection, mystery, and love. These tales are of ordinary but poignant beauty: at the pub, strangers regale each other with memories of Christmases past; lovers share tales over dinner about how they met, their former lovers, and each other; a woman even tells a story to her fourteen-year-old self. As Smith explores the subtle links between what we know and what we feel, she creates an exuberant, masterly collection that is packed full of ideas, humor, nuance, and compassion. Ali Smith and the short story are made for each other. If you’re interested in short stories, consider reading the finely crafted ones in The First Person.
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