MY LAST 10 REVIEWS (COURTESY: GOODREADS)

Raju Chacko's favorite books »

When Sir A C Doyle slipped into the shoes of Sherlock Holmes, his world-famous creation, by investigating the George Edalji case

Posted: 14-Sep-2026

When George Edalji (1876–1953), the eldest son of Reverend Shapurji and Mrs. Charlotte Edalji (the former a Parsi of Indian origin, and the latter an Englishwoman, who had settled in Staffordshire, central England) faced unfair accusations of mutilating domestic animals, he approached Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes’s creator) for help. The latter agreed to investigate the case and campaigned on Edalji’s behalf, leading finally to an admission by the British authorities that it was a “miscarriage of justice". The George Edalji case (1903-1907) became famous not only because of Doyle’s association with it but also because, from it, the public became aware that the British legal system (till then perceived as just) had been crushing an innocent man. Doyle’s intervention was critical in saving Edalji from more unfair punishment. Nearly a century and a quarter later, similar miscarriages continue to occur, as in the recent case of Alan Bates vs the British Post Office (roughly 2000-2024), signifying that the British legal system has not yet cleansed itself from the evils exposed by the Edalji case. Consequently, it continues to be under watch by concerned citizens, legal experts, historians, reformers, and the like. This book is a grand compendium of some important books and dramatizations on the George Edalji case. It includes Conan Doyle und der Fall Edalji (German film, 1966), The Edwardians (television series, 1972), Conan Doyle Investigates (radio play, 1972), Conan Doyle and the Edalji Case (radio play, 1987), Conan Doyle's Strangest Case (radio play, 1995), and Arthur & George by Julian Barnes, which appeared as a novel (2005), stage play (2010), and television miniseries (2014). You can form your own opinion of the case by reading it. Go to the review now?

“Forewarned is forearmed”: A captivating story that parts the curtains of the spirit world revealing how evil works in and around us

Posted: 01-Sep-2026

If you struggle to break free from strangleholds that inexplicably bind you, and if you aren’t aware or don’t believe that demonic spirits could be the problem, this book is strongly recommended for you. In the form of a simple story of our times, involving a university student troubled by pornographic addiction, it lucidly illustrates how devils mislead people to danger and crime, starting with one seemingly “innocent” deflection to another from safe lifestyles. They bank on people’s ignorance or denial of their existence, so that by the time a victim notices something is wrong, they’re already in grave danger. View the review now?

Two grisly showdowns: when Sherlock Holmes and his associates pay back the wily actors of Victorian England’s flesh trade their dues!

Posted: 24-Aug-2026

While we look on helplessly, the flesh trade industry takes a toll on thousands upon thousands of poor girls, many of them minors, who are lured, trapped, and sold into a life of shame. Usually, they are forced into exploitation in vice dens. They find their captors too powerful to fight against and prevail. And if threatened, their captors may kill them. This renders them helpless, and because the industry receives tacit support/protection from highly placed persons in governments and law enforcement, it’s practically impossible to root out the flesh trade for good.

However, affected individuals like parents, siblings, and friends cannot sit back—they must fight until they get justice. Outraged by the injustices, some noble souls in the public, not directly related to the victims, also join the fight. In this book, Holmes and his associates fight the wily operatives of the velvet underworld of Victorian England on two occasions to pay them back for their utter wickedness—the first in Cambridge, around 1868, and the second in London, around 1893.

What makes the book stand out is the author’s innovativeness in writing two interlinked mysteries involving the same villain, spaced 25 years apart.

I recommend this book to all fans of Sherlock Holmes worldwide.

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Echoes from the past: reliving American history through the words of U.S. Presidents who spoke them

Posted: 22-Aug-2026

There are quotes about all walks of life and human endeavor. Existing in this collection are certain quotes relating to turning points in history. Kings, heads of state, military commanders, or great thinkers delivered them.

If you traverse them chronologically, going back or forward, you may be able to relive history.

This book traces American political history from 1789, when the first president, George Washington, took office, to the present by a list of quotes they made on historic occasions. Since the U.S. is the world’s foremost nation, some of these quotes affected America as well as other parts of the world, while others had only local impact (within the U.S.).

To complement the quotations, the book also includes a selection of historic speeches by U.S. presidents after the quotes.

Read, relive, and celebrate history by reading this book!

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I want to write that book, but... er... I doubt if I can! “Yes, you can!” says this encouraging guide.

Posted: 29-Jul-2026

Many of the reasons cited by aspiring book authors for not launching their publishing journeys apparently stem from unwarranted self-doubt. If you’re one, you need to shake off your fears and take the plunge boldly, because all successful authors experienced similar difficulties when they started, says Zach Kristensen, a successfully published author and nonfiction book publishing consultant with over a decade of experience working with more than 100 authors to achieve various goals. “Yes, I can!” you need to tell yourself (if doubt persists) and start your journey. But wait, you’ll need an experienced guide to show you the ropes, because the publishing process is truly complex. You are at risk of meeting disaster if you attempt to go it alone. So, let this book from an expert teach and guide you to personal success! Read the review now?

A Sherlock Holmes novel: when an advanced clock's differing chimes reveal the killer’s name!

Posted: 21-Jul-2026

Talking of the world of Sherlock Holmes novels, I think the plot rarely gets more complex than in this one.

The Clockmaker’s Bequest is a traditional, full-length Holmes story. The plot revolves around the murder of a brilliant clockmaker and technology wizard who creates a highly advanced clock before his death. The chimes consist of unique musical sequences. Coded within the chimes is the killer’s name.

Holmes needs to crack this complex code to find the killer.

I found it enjoyable and definitely worth reading.

Please check it out if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan.

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Overwriting the label of shame associated with her and revealing the true Rahab of the Bible: a beautiful woman of exceptional faith, courage, and character

Posted: 16-Jul-2026

By referring to Rahab as a “prostitute” (or harlot) the Bible may suggest that she was a loose woman and one of low moral standards (Joshua Chapters 2 and 6). Quite the opposite, she was a woman of exceptional moral character. This novel fills in the details of her life, which aren't mentioned in the Bible, to correct that view.

It emphatically seeks to overwrite the label of shame that got attached to Rahab by presenting the factual details about her to us.

Rahab was a woman of exceptional faith, courage, and character who lost her innocence when forced by the king of Jericho. It was a sacrificial act to save her parents and family from the king’s wrath had she refused.

Read this book to discover what’s missing in the Bible that hides her true personality.

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Learn to use AI as easily as 1-2-3 from this 100% non-technical guide for beginners

Posted: 14-Jul-2026

Beginners to AI, here’s some solid good news for you! Learn to use ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, etc.,from a very easy, 100% non-technical guide for beginners.

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The AI paradox: when the robot you buy as a home assistant elevates itself from assistant to master (and holds sway over you).

Posted: 25-Jun-2026

We know the “Arab and Camel” fable very well. Somewhat similar is the situation if you acquire a modern humanoid robot for domestic use. Its power and vast capabilities will unconsciously lure you to use it increasingly (and thus, depend) on it until the point when it may suddenly change from servant to master.

Once you reach that point, it may hold sway over you, and you’ll find it almost impossible to dethrone it.

Given the danger, if you aren’t sure of correctly configuring your home robot and managing it capably, is it wise to acquire one at all?

Take an informed decision after reading this book.

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An expert’s guidance to building ethically compliant AI systems

Posted: 22-Jun-2026

Ethics is all about fairness. However, many issues plague the development of a global AI code of ethics, including the lack of a universally accepted definition of fairness (e.g., American and Chinese laws differ greatly, and something judged as fair in the USA may be absolutely unfair in China). Another issue is the rapid advancement of technology (in which AI dominates today). These advancements leave standards-building organizations like ISO, IEEE, and NIST struggling to keep pace.

Yet, we cannot live without ethically compliant systems, even though we are unable to define a perfect code of ethics.

In the midst of these unfavorable/imperfect circumstances, this book gives valuable, practical guidance for building ethically compliant AI systems, particularly in the USA.

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If Hyde (of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde duo) should wake up in modern America, how would things play out?

Posted: 12-Jun-2026

What if Mr. Hyde (of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde duo) were to resurrect in modern, high-tech America?

Let’s find out from this book.

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