My blog post about this book is at this link. ( )

Even though I technically have been reading this book for almost a week, I actually read it in a very few sittings. It was definitely a fast-paced and intriguing read, especially with the assistance of short chapter.

I liked the cast of characters and felt like they were genuine people; however, my greatest and most disliked part of the book revolved around the paranormal aspect in the plot. Unfortunately, it was an integral element, but not overpowering, so I still enjoyed the book as a whole.

The thriller portion of the book had a few gruesome moments, but on the profanity-front, there wasn't any. I'm curious as to the author's reasoning behind that choice. Not that I wanted profanity, but its absence was undeniable and definitely purposeful. On occasion I thought there was too many adjectives - telling instead of showing, but overall it was a very good debut novel. I look forward to more by Grandhi, especially if it's focus is psychological.

Originally posted on: Thoughts of Joy ( )

I was very interested in this book when my daughter received it to review. I asked if I could borrow it to read it first and she said yes I could. I agree wholeheartedly with her review. ( )

I enjoyed this book! I was hoping for a little more suspense then I got. I had the murders guessed very early on in the book and so it was a little disappointing. It got a little far fetched with some of the elements towards the end but with paranormal such a big hit at the moment it fit. It was a good story and enjoyable characters just some of the plot layout could have been laid out a little better! Overall very enjoyable! ( )

Local police call in FBI help to find a little girl’s murderer. In the same town, a psychiatrist tries to help another little girl with nightmares and sleepwalking. These threads converge as the FBI agent wonders how the doctor knows so much about the crime. Did he do the deed? Or does he have another, more remarkable source of information? But first we must have the usual sexual tension between the investigator and the possible suspect before they can work together to discover the killer.

The first half of the book switches channels back and forth between the medical drama and the police procedural. It’s a common enough technique but carried on a bit too long. I kept wishing I could snatch the remote. It’s clear without reading the author’s bio that he’s a doctor. The medical sections are overly technical and the good doctor gets preachy about his pet peeves like insurance authorization.

Most of this book is pretty standard stuff and, while unremarkable, handled competently. But a Circle of Souls is differentiated and enlarged by Indian spiritual elements. These sections feel more authentic than much of the rest of the somewhat shopworn storytelling.

On the whole, A Circle of Souls is a decent read and a good first effort. The author shows potential. Worth checking on its development in future books. ( )