Mainak Dhar and his fictional character Major Aaditya Sen have got me totally hooked. The 2nd Fugitive is the second book in the series. Do read my review of the first book – Book Review – The 1st Assassin.
Summary of 2nd Fugitive
The action in this book shifts to Dubai. Major Aaditya Sen gets a new task assigned by his boss Srini — to bring back the notorious underworld don Raza, from Dubai to India.
Well the real life Don Dawood Ibrahim is still at large … so like many Indians maybe Mainak Dhar also wants to see him back in India and also to pay his dues. The growing diplomatic relationship between UAE and India has made this possible. The UAE Government agrees to hand over Raza to Indian authorities. Major Aaditya’s task is to bring Raza back alive.
Seems straightforward enough but then at the end of the very first day in Dubai, Maj Aaditya gets into a scuffle with Saudi Royal Guards in his attempt to rescue a stunningly beautiful damsel in distress. Not just her but her young son too…
He also kills two local hitmen in a luxury resort and two Pakistani ISI diplomats on the Dubai roads. Suddenly everyone and their goons are trying to kill Maj Aaditya, Raza and ofcourse Aisha. Russian hitmen, who are former soldiers also are in the mix.
As always Maj Aaditya is the lone soldier fending off all these threats.
Right at the beginning I learnt a new word – “….. Cathisophobia is the fear of sitting at a desk, of being a desk jockey.”
Maj Aaditya has to ensure that Prince Soleiman who is Aisha’s husband is dealt with while making sure that she is able to safely escape to Canada with her son.
It’s quite interesting to see how Maj Aaditya uses the Russians against the ISI and the Saudi Royal guards. Shows the research that Mainak Dhar has done for the book.
This book is also a page turner and the author closes with the promise of another book as Unit 22 is formed again with Maj Aaditya leading it.
I liked the way the Don’s character is showcased – a criminal also has a few spots of goodness and they come in handy as Maj Aaditya tries to keep him alive.
For those who love spy thrillers this one will surely get your attention.
My rating: 5/5