BOOK REVIEW: Play To Kill | An Unputdownable Gripping Crime Thriller | Enter the World of Psychological Manipulation and Digital Deception by Puja Mukherjee Khattri

What if you woke up one day…

with no memory of the night before —
but your life was already ruined?

That’s the terrifying question at the heart of Play To Kill — and trust me, once you enter this world, there’s no putting the book down.

This isn’t just a crime thriller.

It’s a chilling dive into psychological manipulation, digital traps, and how dangerous the internet can really be.

ACP Karan Singh Shekhawat and his Urban Crimes team are investigating victims who are drugged and left with erased memories. No clues. No timelines. No proof. Just fear.

And then there’s Anya — a normal woman suddenly pulled into a sinister online “game” where people become pawns in someone else’s twisted plan.

But the most haunting part?
The mastermind called Mataji — a figure who promises help… but controls lives like chess pieces.

The story brilliantly captures modern-day paranoia:
⚠️ digital footprints
⚠️ online manipulation
⚠️ trust issues
⚠️ and the scary idea that someone could be watching, planning, playing you

The pacing is razor-sharp, the chapters end on mini cliffhangers, and the tension keeps building. Every time you think you’ve figured it out — the plot flips.

What I loved most is how real it feels. This isn’t fantasy danger. This feels like something that could happen in today’s Delhi, today’s world, with today’s technology.

It makes you question:
How safe are we online, really?

If you enjoy dark, fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat crime thrillers with mind games and psychological twists — this one is absolutely binge-worthy.

Because in this game…
you’re either the player —
or the target. 🎯

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Srishti Publishers & Distributors
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 10 October 2025
• Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9364118871
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9364118873

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BOOK REVIEW : Whispers of Kalatmak by Sagarika Roy

Some journeys don’t just take you to a new place…

They take you deeper into yourself.

Whispers of Kalatmak begins like a mystery set in a forgotten Rajasthani village, but slowly unfolds into something far more profound — a spiritual and emotional awakening disguised as a haunting tale.

At the heart of the story is Aarusha, a young woman torn between society’s expectations and her inner calling to write. And honestly, that conflict itself feels so real and relatable — the battle between the life we’re told to live and the life our soul longs for.

But when she follows the whispers of Kalatmak — an abandoned village shadowed by curses, deaths, and unsettling folklore — the story turns darker, deeper, and psychological.

What I loved most is how the book blends:
✨ folklore
✨ trauma
✨ self-discovery
✨ and spirituality

It’s not just about a curse in a village — it’s about the curses we carry within us. The silences. The fears. The inherited wounds.

The eerie atmosphere keeps you hooked, but beneath the suspense lies a beautiful message: sometimes reclaiming your voice means confronting buried truths you were never ready to face.

The writing feels immersive and cinematic — you can almost feel the desert heat, the stillness, the whispers in the wind. It’s haunting, yet meaningful.

If you enjoy stories that mix spirituality with mystery and emotional depth — something that makes you think and feel — this one will stay with you long after the last page.

Because sometimes the scariest ghosts aren’t outside…
they’re the ones we’ve hidden within. 🌾✨

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Evincepub Publishing
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 17 September 2025
• Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 185 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9373358456
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9373358451

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BOOK REVIEW: AN OAK TREE IN THE GARDEN by Narendra Murty

“Why did Bodhidharma come to China?”

“An oak tree in the garden.”

Confused?
Good.
Because that’s exactly where Zen begins.

This is my first book by Narendra Murty, and what a fascinating introduction it has been.

The book is a collection of thirty short Zen-inspired stories told from the perspective of monks and masters. But don’t expect straightforward lessons or logical answers. Instead, each story gently shakes your intellect, breaks your need for reasoning, and pushes you toward something deeper — awareness.

What I loved most is how every story feels simple on the surface, yet leaves you thinking for hours. Sometimes puzzled. Sometimes smiling. Sometimes quietly reflective.

 Zen doesn’t explain life.
It makes you experience it.

 Murty’s writing style is crisp, minimal, and beautifully fluid. There’s no unnecessary complexity, yet the meaning runs incredibly deep. The flow keeps you engaged, and just when you think you’ve understood a story, it flips your perspective.

This isn’t a book you rush through.
It’s a book you pause with.

It challenges the constant need to “figure everything out” and instead teaches you to simply be. To observe. To accept. To breathe.

If you enjoy spirituality, mindfulness, or books that question logic and open the doors to inner stillness, this one is a quiet gem.

Because sometimes, enlightenment isn’t an answer.
It’s just… an oak tree in the garden. 🌿

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 175 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8196447949
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8196447946
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Connected Minds: Relationships and Communication by Dr. Mayur Jethva

In a world where conversations never stop, true connection has quietly become rare.

We speak. We scroll. We reply.
But how often do we really feel understood?

Connected Minds: Relationships and Communication by Dr. Mayur Jethva is one of those books that doesn’t shout for your attention—it gently holds it. And then slowly, it starts holding a mirror.

This book dives into the why behind our relationships—the invisible threads that shape how we bond, trust, pull away, or misunderstand each other. Blending psychology, science, and everyday human moments, it explains connection in a way that feels less clinical and more… human.

What stood out to me most is how the book decodes things we experience daily but rarely pause to question:

– Why certain people instantly feel safe
– Why some conversations go wrong despite good intentions
– How attachment styles quietly dictate adult relationships
– How unspoken biases sabotage closeness
– Why empathy isn’t just a trait, but a skill
– And how boundaries can be firm without being cruel

Each chapter flows like a conversation—with stories, examples, and practical takeaways that make complex psychology feel accessible and deeply relatable. It doesn’t just explain people; it helps you understand yourself within your relationships.

What makes Connected Minds powerful is its focus on awareness. Awareness of how we listen. How we react. How we assume. And how often connection breaks—not because of lack of love, but lack of understanding.

This isn’t a book about fixing people.
It’s about bridging gaps.
Between intention and impact.
Between speaking and being heard.
Between being around people and truly connecting with them.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, struggled with communication, or simply wanted deeper, more meaningful relationships—this book quietly guides you there.

Because when you understand how minds connect,
you don’t just communicate better—
you relate better.
And that changes everything.

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Book Review: The Train That Never Stopped by Rahul Patil

 Some stories begin with a scream. Others begin with a laugh that slowly turns uneasy. The Train That Never Stopped belongs firmly to the latter—a genre-blending ride that starts in the familiar chaos of friendship and nightlife, and gradually derails into something far more unsettling.

The novel opens on what feels like an ordinary night at a club, grounding the story in youthful energy, casual conversations, and shared jokes. This sense of normalcy is crucial, because when Rahul, Mohit, and their friends begin noticing strange, silent signals drawing them toward Train 12986, the shift from reality to the unknown feels genuinely disorienting. The author understands that true horror works best when it interrupts comfort rather than replaces it.

Once aboard the train, the narrative leans into psychological unease rather than constant jump-scares. Reality starts to blur—time feels unreliable, spaces behave strangely, and an unseen presence lingers just beyond sight. The creature in the shadows is used sparingly, allowing fear to simmer instead of explode. This restraint strengthens the tension and keeps the reader alert, always expecting something just around the corner.

What truly elevates the story is its balance of tone. Horror is often difficult to pair with comedy, but Rahul Patil manages it with surprising ease. Ujjwal’s comic timing offers genuine relief, not forced punchlines. The humor feels organic—born out of fear, stupidity, and the kind of laughter that only surfaces when people are trying to cope with the impossible. These lighter moments never dilute the dread; instead, they make it more human.

Friendship sits at the emotional core of the novel. As the journey progresses, relationships are tested, cracks appear, and loyalties are questioned. The fear is not just about survival, but about what pressure reveals—who steps up, who breaks down, and who hides behind humor. Amid the chaos, there are subtle traces of love and emotional vulnerability, adding depth to what could have been a purely plot-driven ride.

Stylistically, the book embraces absurdity without losing control of its narrative. The haunted train becomes both a literal and symbolic space—a place where logic pauses and raw instinct takes over. The pacing keeps the pages turning, blending moments of tension, laughter, and emotional grounding with confidence.

The Train That Never Stopped is ideal for readers who enjoy genre-bending stories—those who like their horror laced with humor, their mystery tinged with absurdity, and their thrills anchored in friendship. It doesn’t aim to terrify relentlessly; instead, it entertains, unsettles, and connects.

A clever, chaotic, and engaging mystery-horror-comedy, The Train That Never Stopped is a haunted ride powered as much by friendship and laughter as by fear. Strange, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt, it’s a journey worth boarding—just don’t expect an easy way off.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ StoryMirror Infotech Pvt.Ltd (27 August 2025)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9360706868
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9360706869

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Book Review: Red Cap Reckoning by Pallabi Ghoshal

What if the fear you keep ignoring is actually real?

“Red Cap Reckoning” is a gripping psychological thriller that slowly pulls you into a world where reality and illusion blend in disturbing ways. The story follows Ruma Sarkar, a quiet, introverted professional who begins noticing strange patterns around her, unseen footsteps, repeated rituals, and a mysterious group wearing red caps. No one else seems to notice them. But Ruma can’t look away.

As her fear grows, so does the question: Is she losing her sanity, or is something truly hunting her?

The author builds tension beautifully, making the reader feel Ruma’s confusion, loneliness, and rising panic. Every small detail; sounds, movements, silences—adds to the unease.

When a private investigator enters the story, hidden secrets from the past begin to surface. These secrets are dark, buried, and dangerous, forcing Ruma to confront truths she never expected. The suspense keeps tightening as the story moves toward a chilling reckoning that refuses to stay buried.

What I loved most about this book is how it explores fear, paranoia, and the human mind. The writing is simple yet atmospheric, and the pacing keeps you engaged without overwhelming you. It’s the kind of book that makes you question what’s real long after you’ve closed it.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that focus more on mind games than jump scares, Red Cap Reckoning is worth picking up. It’s dark, unsettling, and quietly intense; perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burning suspense with a haunting edge.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bigfoot Publications (25 August 2025)
• Perfect Paperback ‏ : ‎ 152 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9363473465
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9363473461

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BOOK REVIEW : Shadowbound

Some stories don’t announce themselves loudly—they creep in quietly, like a shadow stretching just a little too far at dusk. Shadowbound is one such novel.

Set in the forgotten village of Kattur, the book builds its world patiently, allowing atmosphere to take precedence over action. From the very first pages, there is a sense that the land remembers more than its people do—and that memory is restless. The author uses this setting effectively, turning Kattur into a living presence rather than a mere backdrop.

At the heart of the story is Kadhir, a withdrawn college student whose desire to remain invisible feels deeply human. His reluctance is not just a personality trait; it becomes a thematic anchor. Paired with him is Surekha—fierce, curious, and unafraid to push against the unknown. Their dynamic works well, not as a conventional hero–sidekick pairing, but as two individuals drawn together by circumstance, curiosity, and courage in different forms.

What truly sets Shadowbound apart is its handling of mythology. The legend of the Nizhalvaazhveeran—the Shadow Protector—is not served as exposition-heavy folklore. Instead, it unfolds gradually through whispers, scrolls, and unsettling events. The line between myth and reality blurs in a way that feels organic, echoing how folklore often survives in real communities: half-believed, half-feared.

The pacing is deliberately slow-burning, which may not appeal to readers looking for constant action, but it works beautifully for the story being told. The tension grows quietly, feeding on unease rather than spectacle. When the narrative finally descends into betrayal, transformation, and tragedy, the impact feels earned rather than forced.

The “superhero” element is handled with restraint. This is not a glossy origin story driven by grand powers and dramatic poses. Instead, it leans into reluctance, consequence, and the emotional weight of legacy. The shadows here are symbolic as much as they are supernatural—representing inherited fear, forgotten history, and the cost of protection.

If there is one strength that deserves special mention, it is the atmosphere. The writing consistently sustains a haunting mood, making the reader feel watched, surrounded by stories that refuse to stay buried. The darker forces never feel abstract; they feel old, patient, and deeply rooted.

Shadowbound is best suited for readers who enjoy Indian folklore, mythological fantasy, and supernatural thrillers that prioritise mood and meaning over fast-paced action. It is a thoughtful, atmospheric novel that explores what it truly means to inherit a legend—and the price one pays for stepping out of the shadows.

A haunting, slow-burning mythological thriller that blends Indian folklore with the origins of a reluctant superhero. Shadowbound doesn’t rush to impress—it lingers, unsettles, and ultimately leaves a long shadow behind.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nikhil Writes Fiction; Standard Edition (18 September 2025)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9334374101
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9334374100
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