Book Review — Only The Good Die Young: And I’m Not A Saint by Akash Verma

Only The Good Die Young: And I’m Not A Saint by Akash Verma

Publisher: Penguin Metro Reads; Penguin Random House India
Pages: 240
Price: Rs. 199 INR(Paperback), Rs. 122 INR(Kindle edition)
ISBN: 978–0143450122
Buy here: https://amzn.to/32vSYd7

My take on the book:

Anuradha left her job at C&M as Dhruv chose his wife Saritha and their kids over his love for Anuradha. Anuradha finds a new job and life in Mumbai and assumes she left behind her past. A chance encounter with Dhruv at an awards function brings Dhruv back into her life, although only as a friend. Soon, a new project that she is assigned with a high-profile client Aman helps her grab a posh residence.

As Anuradha rejoices that she found new friends, beautiful house and great work in Mumbai, unexpected things start happening to the people around her. While she mulls if it is coincidence or a warning from her past, things only get murkier, leaving her shocked. What secrets does Anuradha’s past hold and will she be able to stop further destruction forms the rest of the story.

This is the sequel to You Never Know and the author gives a brief recap of the story from the earlier part at the beginning. All through the current book, author makes sure to elaborate on the story that is being referenced from the earlier part, so even those who did not read the earlier part can pick this one without hesitation. I haven’t myself read the earlier part but reading the first part will add to understanding the characters better.

The story is dark, all characters flawed with grey shades or character traits that are not readily likeable. The revenge theme for a thriller is impressive which immediately draws the reader’s interest. For major part of the second half, author keeps the reader guessing on the real identity of the culprit, with ample twists and turns.

However, as the story progresses, the women sound dumb and naïve, though they are supposedly young, successful, independent women working in corporates. The author chose a wonderful story but falters in execution of building a taut sequence of events. Though the story starts off with a bang, it loses direction especially in second half with logic missing and the author taking too much of fictional liberties.

Pick this one if you are a fan of thriller genre and wouldn’t mind a dark thriller.

My rating:

3/5.