Title: A Proof of Truth
Author: Annapurna Saripalli
Publisher: Leadstart publishing
Genre: Crime mystery, Legal thriller
First Publication: 2021
Language: English
Book Summary: A Proof of Truth
A successful lawyer, a loving father, a doting husband – Ajay Bhargav is leading a serene, happy life in Singapore. When he receives an urgent call from his mother asking him to return to India to attend to his ailing father, Ajay decides to upend his life and move back home.
Upon his return, much to his chagrin, his domineering father thrusts him with an abuse and murder case. The victim is a middle-class college girl and the accused, the son of a famous Bollywood actor and his family’s close friend.
The doors quickly start closing in on Ajay: the ruthless media, the dubious client, new legal system, conflicts with his father, the controversial nature of the case, ticking clock and his inner dilemma about doing the right thing.
Will Ajay win, or will he fall prey to his demons?
Immerse yourself in a roller-coaster ride of love and loss, trust and deceit, truth and lies, and hope and despair as Ajay discovers the absolute and indomitable power of truth.
Book Review: A Proof of Truth by Annapurna Saripalli
Having made it big as a lawyer and bringing his love and passion into his family life, Ajay Bhargav is living a serene and happy life in Singapore. Ajay’s peaceful life goes upside down when his mother calls him asking to return India urgently and take care for his ailing father. Much to his dismay – An abuse and a murder case await him upon his return from Singapore. As for the accused, he is the son of a famous Bollywood actor and the family’s close friend, and the victim is a college girl from a middle-class family.
As Ajay involves himself into the case, his world begins to close in on him. He’s surrounded by the heartless media reporters, the dubious client, the confusing legal system, the conflict with his father, the controversy surrounding the case, the approaching deadline and his inner conflict about doing what is right. It’s more about how the protagonist uses the system & legal maneuvers to get himself out of trouble. And as soon as he became the center of this legal drama, my heart went to him completely. His fear is apparent. He is still smart and strong but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s operating under different county’s legal system and also is a product of a broken family and of an abusive father but Ajay turned out to be great lawyer.
While this thriller book takes awhile to get going, it has great atmosphere and foreshadowing early on. I felt like I was on Ajay’s shoulder trying to whisper in his ear, “Don’t go back!” but he wouldn’t listen. Reading ‘A Proof of Truth’ was like riding the roller coaster up to the top of the giant hill and knowing what’s coming. I liked it perhaps because there is courtroom drama and deep character studies. Also, I like legal thrillers containing at least some dramatic courtroom scenes. However, this book is a straight-up crime thriller involving a lawyer as the protagonist.
Annapurna Saripalli’s writing style keeps you engaged at all times and there are not many dull moments in the book. The detailed plans & strategies she executes, the subplots, the suspense elements keeps you hooked till the end. One of the Strengths of the writing in this book was that it was always something that you would want to keep reading, it was also a book that you can read quickly.
A Proof of Truth is an engrossing story with appealing characters and amazingly thought-out plot. The dialogue sings, there is some decent characterization. Also, I liked how author gave importance to minor characters who become more major later in the book. Author Annapurna gleefully describes the inner workings of a law office while at the same time weaving an exciting tale that ends with a great climax. There are so many details and little intricacies that are woven into the plot built-up like a near finishing game of Jenga. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys mysteries and John Grisham fans would like to read this.
