Book: Sixty is the New Assassin

PANKAJ GIRI

Author: Shesh

Publisher: Westland

Sixty is the New Assassin revolves around Ishmael, a retired CEO whose life undergoes a drastic change when he inadvertently learns of his daughter-in-law's rumoured affair at a party. The story then delves into how he takes matters into his own hands, investigating and addressing the issue.

The book gripped me from the first page and didn't relinquish its intrigue and intensity until the final page. It truly was a riveting read. The twists and turns were enthralling, and the marvellous character development—particularly of the protagonist—enhanced the exceptional narrative. I might not agree with certain decisions of the protagonist—they seemed unrealistic and immoral—but purely from an entertainment perspective, I can find no reason to complain.

The characters are outstanding and richly etched. We are made privy to their innermost thoughts and desires, further reinforcing our investment in them. And although certain character sentiments or actions might sometimes seem redundant, they merely serve to amplify our emotional connection with the characters. Moreover, the book impeccably implements the third-person limited POV rule, never wavering in its execution. That essentially eliminates the issue of head-hopping and keeps the other characters' thoughts and intentions a mystery to the reader; they are revealed only at appropriate junctions in the narrative. It is a masterclass in writing.

Moreover, I loved Mr. Shesh's sense of humour. The humour is, admittedly, dark at times, but I frequently found myself laughing out loud at the jokes. I don't remember reading another book containing such hilarity apart from the Dork series by Sidin Vadukut.

The descriptions are vivid, and the language is classy. It is simple, lucid, and yet sophisticated in the right places, without compromising the readability and narrative flow. However, the punctuation, while much better than most Indian authors', is, unfortunately, not flawless. I did find minor inconsistencies occasionally.

Overall, Sixty is the New Assassin is an excellent read, a testament to the author's magnificent storytelling expertise and near-unparalleled sense of humour. I strongly recommend it to any reader craving for a thrilling, funny, and well-written book with beautifully crafted characters.