India’s Most Haunted-K. Hari Kumar

Book: India’s Most Haunted: Tales of Terrifying Places
Author: K. Hari Kumar
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Have you ever had any scary encounter?

In India’s Most Haunted, K. Hari Kumar brings you the terrifying tales of some of India's most haunted places -- including Bhangarh Fort, Malabar Hill's Tower of Silence and Jammu and Kashmir's notorious Khooni Nala. Spanning the length and breadth of the country, the stories explore not just the paranormal, but also the fact that the living can be sometimes be more scary than the dead. Whether you read them at night or in daylight, these stories will remain with you long after you've turned the last page.

The book was a very different experience than the other books in the genre I have read. There are no ghosts appearing out of the blue or the classic late night sounds. Each of the story is told in a crisp manner and the storytelling is tightly focused on the narrative. While the stories would give goosebumps as it takes a turn, but the chills are measured and as a reader one begins to understand the other point of view. What I loved about the book is that the author has sourced the stories from across the country and they focus on events rather than the hauntings. Being short stories, it can act as a leisure read, to be read as a paced book, or for people who eat books (looks at self), the book is a one long journey across the country as we experience the events. Another aspect that Hari brings to light is that while we think that the paranormal beings are scary, sometimes humans can be scarier, and this is precisely the point he focuses on in a few stories. The climax of the stories is something that is extremely well crafted. The manner in which the feelings, emotions and imagination bind together is something quite surreal.

The characters in the stories seem drawn from real life, and are people like you and me. The characters are not the usual ones one thinks of finding in this genre. There are no damsels in distress or knights in shining armor, but local people that believe the local legends and how it influences them. Another thing I loved was the visual descriptions of the places where the stories are set and almost are a part of the stories as an independent character, which I feel is the true essence in this genre. Creaking doors and howling winds are described so intricately that one is transported into the scene.

Overall, a definite recommendation if you love to have chills run down your spine many times over. The book gets 4.75 spooks out of 5.

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The Killing Hills-Chris Offutt

Book: The Killing Hills
Author: Chris Offutt
Publisher: No Exit Press

Mick Hardin, a combat veteran now working as an Army CID agent, is home on a leave that is almost done. His wife is about to give birth, but they aren't getting along. His sister, newly risen to sheriff, has just landed her first murder case, and local politicians are pushing for city police or the FBI to take the case. Are they convinced she can't handle it, or is there something else at work? She calls on Mick who, with his homicide investigation experience and familiarity with the terrain, is well-suited to staying under the radar. As he delves into the investigation, he dodges his commanding officer's increasingly urgent calls while attempting to head off further murders. And he needs to talk to his wife. In The Killing Hills, Chris Offutt has delivered a dark, witty, and absolutely compelling novel of murder and honor, with an investigator hero unlike any in fiction.

The plot of the book is quite unique in the way it is planned. The story focuses on the characters as much as it does on the crime. The storytelling is quite interesting and holds the interest of the reader. The plot is well planned and the story arc has some very interesting twists. The thing that Loved about the book was the natural flow and ease with which the plot flows. The story seems realistic in the manner it is sketched. The descriptions are quite vivid and helps the reader piece together the events as they occur. The book, however, lacks depth in the suspense as it unfolds almost two-thirds into the plot. There are also a few events that take place haphazardly which cause the middle part of the story to derail for a bit. The climax is interesting and brings the story to a close nicely.

The story’s characters are well sketched. I liked Mick’s character specially for the way he has been created with the positives and negatives. Another character I likes was that of Linda and her role as the Sheriff handling the case and the fallout of the events. The other characters are well written as well and support the plot excellently.

Overall, a wonderful story and I would definitely recommend it to lovers of crime fiction. The book scores a 4.19/5 for me.

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Equations-Shivani Sibal

Book: Equations
Author: Shivani Sibal
Publisher: HarperCollins India

What is your take on the societal divide in the Indian Context?

Equations by Shivani Sibal traces the journey of Aahan Sikand and Rajesh Kumar from the 1980s to 2016. Despite been brought up under the care of the same woman and living in the same house, they have starkly different realities - Aahan is the only son and heir of the fabulously wealthy Sikand family, and Rajesh is the son of Mr. Sikand's driver. As the years pass by, both of them realize that their friendship is coming to a close as they become aware of their places in the world. It is a story of aspiration and social change, of individual ambition and family bonds which delves into the secrets of New Delhi politics and business.

Some stories are simply told but they convey the deep reality of life. Equations brings to light the stark difference that exists in our society. The plot follows the life of two people who come together as friends in the unlikeliest of scenarios and then how life changes the equation they share. Another interesting aspect that Shivani takes up in her book is that of marriage and how the relationship between the partners is an equation that needs to be balanced through 3 examples. Shivani also goes on to explore the relationships of social need and how those can alter a person’s circumstances. The storytelling is fluid and easy to understand. The language suits the plot and the characters and gives an authentic feel to the story. I loved the manner in which she explores the different relationships, both from the characters’ perspectives as well as that of the society’s lens as well. While passing no critique or judgement, she puts forth a series of events and how the people embroiled in them decide to react to them. The climax is extremely well done, and I loved the way she played the story to deliver an almost poetic ending to the story.

The book stands on the power of the characters and Shivani’s characters are a force to reckon with. Aahan Sikand’s character as a third-generation elite, born with a silver spoon, sole heir to an empire is well sketched with his strengths and follies. Rakesh, on the other hand, takes his time to develop into the person we see towards the end. I loved how she uses a third character to fill the story gaps so that the character arc is complete and solid. Another character I loved was that of Laxman and how his sheer loyalty is shown across generations through multiple examples. Divya Sikand appears in parts but whenever she is a part of the story, she impacts the characters in a strong manner, especially the incident in the factory and Shimla.

Overall, Equations is a story that shows a mirror to the society that we have become and how relationships are impacted by perceptions and expectations. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

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The Pandora’s Box was Left Open-Dyumani

Book: The Pandora’s Box was Left Open
Author: Dyumani 
Publisher: Self Published

The Pandora’s Box was Left Open by Dyumani is the story of a star detective Om and his protégé Shiv. As they journey through the trials and tribulations of crime-solving, their paths intersect not just professionally, but personally as well. Known to have a perfect track record, there is a secret that Om keeps, and there are skeletons in Shiv’s closet that he would rather not unravel. The question is, would these two be able to keep their secrets hidden?

The idea to explore an Indian detective with an uncanny sense of solving crimes is an interesting one. The book aims to explore the idea and create a pair of formidable detectives which could have been a successful attempt, however the book has, at best, a flimsy plot that moves too fast and the depth of substance is missing. The author started well by setting up the context and a sub-plot as well, but lost the plot somewhere and the book seems hurriedly written. The criminal cases are solved too soon to add anything to either the plot or the characters. Another issue with the book is that of editing and grammar. There are serious editorial issues in terms of language, spellings and sentence construction which further reduce the reading experience. The climax, however, redeems the plot somehow with an unforeseen twist.

Coming to the characters, the book explores primarily 2 people-Shiv and Om. While we see bits and pieces of character arcs emerging, a major part of them is quite flat and not much exploration or development can be seen. Om as a detective with an impressive track record does get some recognition in the plot, but it could have been much better treated. Harish’s character seems important with the climax, but I would have loved to see a bit more of him because going by the current character sketches, he would be almost as good as a new character if he makes an appearance in the sequel.

Overall, a book that held promise but could have been better. The book scores a 2.75/5 for me.

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Insincerely Yours-Manasi Singh

Book: Insincerely Yours
Author: Manasi Singh
Publisher: Self Published

Do you believe that places can be haunted by our past?

Insincerely Yours by Manasi Singh tells the story of Atreya ‘Ray’ Sen, who spent most of her childhood in the USA. When she finally comes to Vishakhapatnam, she befriends Mira and hopes that her life would be a  smooth journey henceforth. When Mira invites her to a late-night adventure with Mira’s boyfriend and his pals, Ray jumps at the chance for some excitement. When one of the boys suggests they take a detour to one of Vizag’s most famous haunted houses, the night takes a turn for the dark. The spirit of a mean old man seems to be following them, killing them off one by one, until a near-death experience makes her realize that she is the one who can release him. With a Victorian-era mansion, a girl with no memories of her past and a spirit with a vengeance, it is a race against time.

This is a story that is filled with twists and turns at every page. The plot of the book is detailed and quite a few aspects have been explored well. The storytelling is quite imaginative, and the descriptions are vivid. The concept of the story is unique in the way it is conceived and executed. The idea to incorporate paranormal along with psychological thriller is a very fine art and Manasi manages to walk that rope very carefully. There are moments when you want to hold your breath as the events that are unfolding are very unique. I loved that the central plot of the book is not revealed till the very end and the secret is very well maintained throughout. The language of the book is easy to understand and the narrative is pretty straightforward as well. The climax at a certain point shocked me, specially when the threads start unravelling.

Coming to the characters, Manasi has brought together a collection of people that is believable, and one would relate with the group of teenagers out on a midnight trip. I liked way Ray’s character is shrouded in that wee bit of mystery right till the end that keeps the reader guessing. Another character I loved was that of Rohan and how his arc pans out throughout the story. Aman as a character did impress me and kudos to the author for keeping his moments in the story which added to the aura that you get while reading it. Lastly, creating a paranormal character is no easy task and to keep that character in the story minus the bells and whistles deserves a mention.

Overall, I would love to recommend this story to anyone who loves a well-crafted psychological thriller, with a side of horror, served on the side! The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book from Amazon India.

When the Wildflowers Bloom-Rupa Bhullar

Book: When the Wildflowers Bloom
Author: Rupa Bhullar
Publisher: Rupa Publications

When are some strangers not strangers enough?

When the Wildflowers Bloom by Rupa Bhullar is the story of Tara Bhullar, who faces public humiliation by her husband one evening, finds herself at a crossroad as she cannot readily go back to the life she once knew, nor can she move forward without a career or life skills to sustain her. To cope with the emotions, she decides to go to her grandmother’s place in the village. Amid the simple joys of rural life, and heart-wrenching struggles of daily survival, Tara unknowingly kindles a spark of hope. A hope that eventually lights her own fire. As she explores her own life, this is a story of hope, love, and the power of dreams.

The book is wonderfully plotted, and I loved how the author decided to keep the plot simple to focus on the characters and their emotions. The storytelling is quite powerful, and it almost magically transports you to the place the story is unfolding in. Be it Kasauli or the village in Punjab, the author has vividly described the scenes to help the reader visualize the events properly. Another aspect I loved was that the story was quite realistic, without any untoward dramatization or irrelevant scenes. The focus was always on Tara, her life and how things change in life once we change our perspective. The message that the author wanted to convey from the story of accepting life as it comes and to always focus on the larger goals is very well described. The climax was interesting and personally, it was something that drove the point home. I loved the fact that it was original and moved away from a movie-like ending.

The characters are well crafted and each of them suffer from their flaws, one that makes them who they are. There is no knight in a shining armor or a damsel in distress. There are normal people, like you and me, in a situation we would have seen or experienced and Rupa has just manifested them in the story. The element of relativity is quite high and that is what impressed me. Tara’s character has an arc that would be a path a lot of us would have thought about at some point in our lives. Dev’s character was the one that could have gone either way, but Rupa manages to balance the thin ice that the character treads on.

Overall, a wonderful book that I would recommend you read for its wonderful storyline and relatable characters. It scores a 4.5/5 for me.

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Tiger in the Portico and Other Stories-Anju Darshini

Book: Tiger in the Portico and Other Stories
Author: Anju Darshini
Publisher: Bluerose Publications

What is your take on assorted collection of short stories?

Tiger in the Portico and Other Stories by Anju Darshini is a collection of 5 short stories that deal with varied human emotions and relationships. The titular story is the story of the encounter of a man-eater by two young girls and how the events unfold. The second story Adhira is the story of how guilt can eat a person from inside. In The Kidnapper, a story of the events unfolding a strange kidnapping is told, one that talks about how people can influence others. The Manor House is a story of friendship, love, and everything in between as Sandeep grapples with responsibilities and emotions. The last story, The Dark Room, is a tale of how feelings can transcend time and how a chance encounter with an intruder makes Paddy relive her past. This is a unique collection of stories that explores various aspects of life.

The stories are well told and each of the story deals with a specific aspect of human life that becomes clear as we read them. The language is simple and easy to understand, with the focus on exploring the minds of the characters, rather than pulling the story ahead. Anju has taken her time to build up the context, and that is precisely the reason why the stories vary in lengths. The titular story is quite short as the idea to explore how deep emotions between two people can stay is told in a fast-paced manner, while Adhira is the longest as it attempts to explore guilt through two different characters and the author has taken her time to set the context so that the true aspect can shine through. Anju has also used poems to accentuate the emotions being explored which make the reading a wonderful experience. The Manor House deserves a mention as it explores friendship and love but the way it is told is quite interesting where the idea of familial responsibilities vs love is explored. Each of the story has a unique ending and very well suited to the style she uses in the stories.

Each of the five stories include a wonderful set of characters and they are the ones who propel the stories forward. The characters are sketched beautifully and are very relevant to the stories being told. From the first story to the last, each story has unique characters and I loved how their strengths and weaknesses are explored and detailed. The minute details are mentioned and each of them are quite relevant to the story at hand.

Overall, a definite recommendation as the stories would appeal to you as they develop out of emotions and relations. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.

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