Am so glad that Mainak Dhar’s books came up on Kindle Unlimited. This is the first book of his that I am reading and am happy to read a modern day spy “thriller” based in India. The 1st Assassin is a fast-paced, action-packed political thriller that immerses the reader in a world of international espionage and moral dilemmas. Well done, Mainak Dhar.
With Major Aaditya Sen, a former Para who becomes part of Unit 22 we have a Jack Reacher equivalent – just as well built and lethal as the fictional American hero of Lee Child’s books.
Unit 22 and The 1st Assassin
While all the characters in the book are fictional and the plot is fictional, the Special Frontier Force exists and reports to R&AW. It came into existence post the 1962 Indo-Chinese war and its operations are shrouded in secrecy. Some of its exploits are known now – like planting nuclear powered transmitter on top of the 25,645 feet tall Nanda Devi mountain to keep an eye on the Chinese nuclear and missile activity; Operation Meghdoot, which was to capture the Siachen Glacier in 1986.
The SFF has enjoyed a fearsome reputation for taking initiative and fending off enemies. The fictional Unit 22 is named after the SFF aka Establishment 22.
“…The Special Group in which the fictional Major Aaditya Sen served in, is one of the elite elements in the SFF and is often its sword arm for conducting the most hazardous and daring operations.” Excerpt from the book.
The 1st Assassin – Summary
The book follows Major Aaditya Sen, a former Unit 22 leader and a celebrated soldier with a chest full of medals who has turned into desk jockey. He is suddenly thrust back into action when he’s tasked with preventing the US President’s assassination during his visit to India. We get to see the psychological effects of violence and trauma on veterans, as Sen grapples with his own PTSD.
The plot is a complex web of political intrigue and international espionage. Amy Khan and Bethune are the first characters the reader is introduced to from the American side (CIA, mostly). Intelligence Bureau gets involved as well and there are some pages about regular “office” stuff like Major Sen not getting along with the boss Sean etc. The plot starts to thicken as one of the IB’s informer Azfal is killed by a suicide vest and three of the four terrorists who had come to kill him get killed instead by Major Sen.
Amy Khan plays a significant role in the novel, not just as a love interest for Sen, but also as a key player in the plot. As we realise later in the novel, she is grappling with her own moral dilemmas and loyalties. Major Sen starts doubting her but then evidence points to the contrary and he gets more emotionally tangled with Amy.
Once Munaf is apprehended at the airport and dies in IB’s custody, the plot thickens… then Pillai reaches out to Major Sen even after his suspension. Pillai too is killed and it’s made out as suicide. Azfal, Munaf and Pillai getting killed in quick succession puts everyone on high alert and Major Sen knows they are dealing with a deadly enemy with enormous resources.
Major Sen’s mother is targeted, the cultural attache of Iran is killed alongwith Sen’s boss Sean and then Srini, Shukla and Sharma walk into an ambush. Luckily Major Sen and Srini manage to escape with their lives but Shukla and Sharma along with a few policemen are killed. The plot moves into high gear after this with Major Sen flushing out Ravindran, the double agent and finally Charles Walker, the CIA bigwig who appears to be working for America but has his own twisted agenda. As you read the end of the story, you are left wondering if Charles Walker is truly a rogue agent or just following a different agenda. In the political and espionage world, nothing is ever as it seems to be.
Recommendation – for readers who love spy thrillers, The 1st Assassin is up there amongst the best. Follow Major Aaditya Sen, the much celebrated soldier turned desk jockey, as he uncovers the truth behind the complex web of political intrigue and international espionage. Rating – 5/5.
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