This entire year has been a little daunting, to be honest.
Publishing and promoting two books, THE BLUE BAR and THE BLUE MONSOON has been a challenge, especially when I count what else I’ve done.
Published a book of stories : BLUE MUMBAI STORIES. Edited a book to go out on submission. Wrote and edited a whole other book.
Now, am down with the flu, but hoping to get a ton more done before the end of the year. Planning to take a break from the internet for 2 weeks this time, the last bit of December and the very beginning of January.
In the meanwhile, a TON of gratitude for all the reviews of THE BLUE MONSOON. It is always difficult to promote a sequel, and I couldn’t have done it without the kind souls who have been posting reviews and cheering me on!
Here are a few reviews and features that have boosted my morale in the past weeks as I worked on my next.
“Damyanti Biswas’ writing style most closely echoes that of the noir sub-genre and she is completely on trend by including so many facets of sociological study within her storyline—most especially the unique Caste system and the various ramifications it causes…..Biswas is all about celebrating her culture even if that means not making things easy for non-Indian readers. With a glossary and in-text explanations, Damyanti Biswas makes her work accessible without compromising authenticity.”
“Damyanti Biswas owes me for a night of sleep that I will never be able to collect. I began reading The Blue Monsoon one evening, shortly before going to bed. I finished it around 2:30 the next morning. The frenetic pace of the plot, the fascinating twists, the fully-realized characters, and the epic conclusion deserve to be inhaled, drawn into your mind in one sitting, even if it takes you until the wee hours of the morning to finish.”
The Blue Monsoon is an entertaining crime novel with a complex plot set on the gritty streets of Mumbai.
Lisa Goodmurphy included it in two of her articles:
35 Books Set in India: A Literary Journey
21 Mysteries, Thrillers and Spooky Novels with a Strong Sense of Place
“I have read all three books by Damyanti Biswas and what intrigues me is how well she conceals the culprit in each story and reveals gradually with a trail where each suspect leads to other clues and all pieces finally fall into place like an intricate jigsaw puzzle.”
“If you are looking for a series that really gets into the nitty gritty of life in an Indian city, then Blue Mumbai is definitely for you. I have very much enjoyed the way Biswas blends a gripping crime story with a glimpse of Mumbai life in a way I have not seen before, and I hope that there will be a book three!”
“The Blue Monsoon is an intricately woven police procedural and it’s only at the end, when it all comes together, that I realised just how meticulously plotted it is and just how big a punch it packs.”
The Gloss Book Club: Danielle Urban
“The mystery of who is killing and why, keeps readers like me hooked until the ending where all the details are neatly tied. So many plot twists in this exciting read make it hard to put down. For fans of Sandra Brown, Heather Graham, and Sharon Sala, The Blue Monsoon is a must read thriller.”
“The story is very well-written with a flow that will pull the reader in. The words seem to just flow off the page and into the mind of the reader, painting pictures of the events as they unfold and giving us enough perspective to imagine the characters as they move about or interact. This is truly a masterpiece of storytelling and a book I truly enjoyed despite the themes involved.”
A Little Book Problem
“The Blue Monsoon is not an easy read, it takes concentration and an open mind and a lack of squeamishness but it will pay for the effort in spades.”
Dan Antion from No Facilities hosted a wonderful freewheeling chat about THE BLUE MONSOON. He’s reading the book now and I can’t wait for his review!
Alex J Cavanaugh hosted a post on the Bollywood Horror Inspiration behind THE BLUE MONSOON.
Jacqui Murray from Word Dreams hosted a post on Steps to Plan a Book Launch for her super-engaged audience, and I eagerly await her review!
Have you read The Blue Monsoon, or any of my other books? Posted a review? If the answer is yes, you’re my hero. If you haven’t, and would like to, there’s a cool offer on The Blue Bar at the moment (see below).
As my blurb says, enter the twisted alleyways of Blue Mumbai…if you dare.
My literary crime novel, The Blue Bar is on Kindle Unlimited now. Add it to Goodreads or snag a copy to make my day. The sequel, The Blue Monsoon is on Goodreads, and now out in the world! Signed copies are available in these independent bookstores. And if you’d like to read a book outside the series, you can check out You Beneath Your Skin. Find all info about my books here or on Linktree.
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You have always been a very creative writer and I’m sorry you have the flu. Probably the stress of publishing tells you there is a need to relax and let your mind and body recover for a little while before the next book. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Ian! I agree, I’m looking forward to a bit of rest and relaxation 😅
Damyanti, I have both of your books on my TBR pile. I’m looking forward to reading them. I’m writing a sequel to my debut book. First draft going to the editor mid-January. There’s never enough time to sit back and enjoy reading for pleasure. Your reviews so far are stellar. Hope you are feeling better. 📚🎶 Christine
You’re wonderful, Christine! Thank you so much, I’m so excited for you to read them. Good luck with your writing and publishing process!
Can’t wait to start this book, Damyanti.
Thank you for picking it up, Jacqui!