At times the author rambles into discourses on the way governments operate, world finance and global economy. He describes a sort of nether world that is inhabited by creatures with an ethereal mien where people he knows well can transform themselves into cats, for instance. As a result the reader is forced into a position of not knowing what to accept as “fact” or fantasy.

The book is prefaced by a introduction from Chakraborti’s editor whose name is Ellery King. Noting such a moniker, most avid mystery readers will become instantly suspicious. Mr. King explains that the manuscript of Shadow Play was delivered to him in a plain brown envelope as the author had done with his previous works. The manuscript also contained very specific instructions on how the manuscript was to published which included a trip to the local police station with the sealed, unopened manuscript. The police subsequently returned the manuscript and Mr. King proceeded with the editorial tasks through he tried to adhere to specific requests made by the author.

To relate much more of the plot, characters or content of the book would lessen the impact of the tome. Suffice it to say that the book begins slowly and with not a little confusion which may tempt many readers to put it aside. This action would be a grave mistake. This volume has much to offer the reader. There is indeed a mystery. There is the death of an important character in the novel. The death had a significant link to and impact on the author. There are some surprising twists in the end leaving the reader with a great deal to contemplate.

--Andy Plonka