THE CAPITAL TALES BY C.S. RAMACHANDRAN

Title: The Capital Tales

Author: C.S. Ramachandran

ISBN: 9789373353449

Publisher: Evincepub Publishing

The Capital Tales by C.S. Ramachandran is a refreshing and engaging collection of short stories set inside a luxurious hotel in New Delhi called The Capital. The moment you start reading the book, you can feel the hotel come alive—its corridors, its restaurants, its bar, its guests, and its hardworking staff. The stories are woven with humour, suspense, romance, and thrill, making the book feel like a colourful tapestry where every thread adds something special.

The book contains ten stories, each different in tone and mood, but all connected by one thing—the mysterious and charming hotel that acts as the backdrop. The author, a seasoned hotelier himself, uses his real-life experiences to create characters that feel real and believable. As a reader, you feel like you are inside the hotel, watching its many dramas unfold.

A World Inside a Hotel

Luxury hotels often look glamorous from the outside, but this book gives us a look behind the scenes. Here, a hotel becomes a world of its own—a place where joy, heartbreak, mystery, and human emotions take place every day. Through this book, we meet:

• Guests who stay only for a night but carry interesting stories
• Staff members who silently make everything perfect
• Unexpected moments that can change a person’s life
• Secrets hidden behind doors and smiles
• Romantic sparks created by chance
• Mysteries that unfold quietly but powerfully

Each story feels like a story within a story—because a hotel is never just a building. It is a place where people from different backgrounds meet for a short time and leave a long memory.

Storytelling Style

C.S. Ramachandran writes in a style that is very simple, clear, and engaging. His stories do not depend on heavy words or complicated sentences. Instead, he focuses on emotions, human nature, and experiences. The writing has a flow that pulls the reader in. You read one page, and before you know it, you are halfway through the story.

His storytelling is very visual—you can see the hotel bar shining under dim lights, the long corridors, the bustling restaurant kitchen, and even the quiet moments in the guests’ rooms. Because the author has worked in hotels for decades, he brings a natural authenticity to every detail.

The characters are relatable and memorable. People like Kabir, Riva, Sherlock Singh, Vikram, Alisha, Carlos—each one leaves a mark on the reader. Their challenges, emotions, and personal journeys make the stories deeper than simple hotel incidents.

Highlights of the Book

Below are some special elements that make The Capital Tales a delightful and unique reading experience:

1. Blend of Genres

This book is not limited to one theme. Instead, it offers a mixture of:

• Romance
• Suspense
• Mystery
• Humour
• Thrill
• Office politics
• Human relationships

Each story brings something new. For example, “Passion Punch” captures romance and chemistry between a hotel manager and the star bartender. “Enigma – Painting A Tale” is a suspense-filled mystery involving a stolen painting and a fallen detective. “The Long Corridor” bends the boundaries of reality and imagination, making the reader question what is real.

2. Strong, Realistic Characters

One of the best parts about the book is its characters. Even though the stories are short, each character is created with care. They have their own dreams, weaknesses, passions, and fears.

For example:

• Riva, the award-winning bartender, is charming yet emotional.
• Kabir, the young hotel manager, is ambitious but struggles with expressing his feelings.
• Sherlock Singh, once a celebrated detective, now fights to regain dignity as a hotel security chief.
• Alisha, the young salesperson, represents the stress and pressure faced by hotel sales teams.

Their journeys make the stories feel personal and meaningful.

3. Real-Life Hospitality Touch

Anyone who has ever worked in a hotel—or visited luxury hotels—will recognise parts of this book immediately. The tension during weddings, the chaos during conferences, the pressure of guest satisfaction, and the emotional strength needed to work in hospitality are beautifully captured.

The author does not romanticise the hospitality world. He shows the smiles, but he also shows the fatigue behind the smiles. He shows the glamour, but also the struggle to keep that glamour alive.

4. Smooth Interconnection of Stories

Even though each story stands on its own, the characters appear across different stories. This gives the book a lovely, series-like feel. You grow attached to them as the stories progress. When they reappear unexpectedly later, you feel a sense of familiarity.

It feels like watching a well-made web series set in a hotel, with each episode focusing on a different event but all connected through people and place.

Themes in the Book

The book explores many themes through simple and daily situations:

1. Love and Human Connection

Many stories show how love can appear suddenly, unexpectedly, and beautifully—even in a busy place like a hotel bar or a crowded lobby.

2. Redemption

Characters like Sherlock Singh are beautifully written with this theme. He tries to rebuild his identity and dignity after a major fall in his career.

3. Workplace Pressure

Alisha, Manik, and Carlos represent the real pressure that comes with hotel jobs. This book shows the stress, the rush, and the adrenaline involved in hospitality roles.

4. Mystery and Curiosity

The story “The Long Corridor” especially adds a supernatural and mysterious flavour, showing how a hotel can become a place of secrets.

5. Self-Discovery

Many characters learn something about themselves by the end of each story. Sometimes these lessons are funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always relatable.

Character Depth and Emotions

One of the most impressive things in the book is how emotional depth is created in very simple words. The author knows how to express feelings without over-explaining. For example, Riva’s silent longing for love, or Kabir’s admiration that he hides behind his professionalism, feel real and heartfelt.

Similarly, Sherlock Singh’s inner battle, his guilt, his desire to prove himself once again, connects deeply with the reader. You feel sympathy for him, even when he smokes cigarette after cigarette while solving cases.

Vikram’s strange journey into the mysterious corridor shows the mental exhaustion hotel employees face, making the reader question whether what he saw was real or a hallucination.

Why This Book Works So Well

✔ Easy to read

✔ Engaging from first page to last

✔ Short, crisp stories

✔ Real emotions

✔ Light yet meaningful

✔ A perfect mix of entertainment and insight

This book can be enjoyed by:

• People who love short stories
• Hotel professionals
• Beginners who want simple and engaging English literature
• Readers looking for feel-good moments
• Those who enjoy mystery and romance together

About the Author

Knowing the author’s background enriches the experience. C.S. Ramachandran is a hotelier with over twenty years of experience. His understanding of guests, staff behaviour, hotel functioning, and behind-the-scenes stories gives the book authenticity. His love for reading and traveling adds flavour to his writing.

His storytelling is not forced; it flows naturally. You can feel his passion in every chapter.

Final Verdict

The Capital Tales is an enjoyable, heartwarming, and entertaining collection of stories that take readers into the wonderful and unpredictable world of a luxury hotel. It is a book filled with emotions, laughter, mystery, and charm. The characters stay with you long after you finish reading. The writing is simple, smooth, and perfect for Indian readers who want easy, enjoyable English.

It is not just a book of stories—it is a warm invitation to “check in” to The Capital hotel and take a memorable journey through its corridors.

Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9373353446