Death of Mystery

Pages: 246

The film industry has inspired many a trite story,replete with characters that are either innocent victims or shrewd social climbers. Bhaichand Patel’s debut novel, Mothers,Lovers and Other Strangers,is one of them. It leads us from Mumbai’s extravagant Pali Hill and Page Three parties to a not-so-mysterious murder mystery. “The past is a ruthless hunter,” hisses the book’s blurb,a suspense that dissipates with every turning page. It recreates a dark and corrupt world often reflected in Jackie Collins’ dubious titles,with tired tales of ambition,sex and heartbreak.

The shrewd protagonist of the book,Ravi,rises from rags to riches — from lying about being an orphan and sleeping with his homosexual music mentor to becoming a popular film composer. Of course,he gets the most beautiful socialite as his wife,and a beautiful mistress. Just when you’re getting acquainted with Ravi’s story,a sudden flashback takes you to the hills of Himachal Pradesh,to Ravi’s childhood,when his mother ran away with a truck driver,and his father disappeared after his festering,contagious skin disease threatened his only son.

Several meaningless characters make inconspicuous appearances,with names as unimaginative as journalist Michael Souza,Inspector Waghle and Sister Josephine. Patel paints a rose-tinted picture of the life of the upper echelons of the film industry,their lavish lifestyle,parties and excesses. Through the characters,he also notes how fleeting success is in tinsel town. While the world around him appears to be in a tizzy,Ravi himself is a flimsy,hollow sketch.

The mysterious body found in the beginning of the novel and the suspense around it collapses hopelessly. While the narrative is simple,the plot is hackneyed. Patel better look beyond the cliches for his next thriller.