- The Drowning: A Submerged Truth. A Resurfaced Fear | From the bestselling author of That Night

The Drowning by Nidhi Upadhyay had me hooked from start to finish. Even when I was not reading the book, I found myself caught up in the spooky atmosphere and suspenseful state of the story. I really loved this book, it's the type of thriller that comes right into your mind and doesn't let go. It masterfully intertwines crime, superstition, and the supernatural. The story is about Viji, she has learned to maneuver and get through the dirt of sorcery and secrets, bad and inexplicable tragedies. The story centers her, as she is devastated by the loss of her twins, who finds herself accused of her best friend’s baby’s mysterious death. The book will take you to a sinister world of black magic, an ancient ritual that defies logic and her reunion with her first love lefts her wandering back to the roads of her past, which very quickly turns into a nightmare for her. Strange things keep happening and she is bound to face her past and evils which are related to her ghostly power in the present. The plot integrates psychological horror with lores and traumas, thus giving it an edge of the spine chilling yet deeply emotional race. One big thing that goes in favor of the book is its immersive writing. The suspense is built up with precision, leaving the reader grasping it on each edge throughout. The characters have been constructed in detail and, with their fears and relationships, add to the haunting mystery. The amalgamation of the Indian folklore and black magic brings out something unique in this thriller. The pacing is perfect, never fast enough to lose details but also never slow enough for boredom to creep in. All-in-all, The Drowning is exceptionally penned and engagingly horrific thriller fiction. It is disturbing, thought-provoking and addictive enough to not let one lay it down. If you like psychological thrillers with a supernatural twist then read this book.

This was one hell of an amazing and creepy/spooky book. At some point, I just wanted to toss it aside. I had my mind blown because I just couldn't help but feel an unsettling creepiness. This is a psychological thriller unraveling a murder mystery hinting at paranormal practices. It has that eerie, supernatural edge to it that keeps you hooked throughout. Starts with a straightforward story of Viji and her twin daughters' death but soon it gets far more sinister. ASP Kanika's character was so relatable, everytime the paranormal, creepy things were talked about in the book, I had the same reaction as hers. This is a very thought-provoking book that lingers long after finishing it. Every character becomes a part of suspicion and the dual timeline makes it even more engaging and keeps you guessing till the end. The writing is immersive with fast pace and short chapters, which make it impossible to put it down. If you love books that give you a dark and wild ride, then this one is definitely for you!

A story that stirred my soul… From the very first page, I was in tears. The pain of losing your twins simply because of society’s obsession with skin colour and gender is something that hits harder than words can express. And when you’re an orphan with no one to console you — it’s beyond heartbreaking. Vijayalakshmi, the central character, is so beautifully written that I actually forgot she was fictional. I imagined her as a real person, someone I wanted to hug and comfort. Her suffering began the moment she was born and continued throughout her life, starting with her being abandoned at an orphanage. Then comes Ankit, who loves Viji deeply but lacks the courage to stand up against his mother’s cruel judgments — her taunts about Viji’s complexion and for giving birth to twin daughters. His silence speaks volumes about the societal pressure and internalized prejudice still prevalent today. Vikram, also known as Siddhartha, lost his parents in an accident and was raised in the same orphanage as Viji. Their bond slowly turned into love — a beautiful yet tragic journey that led to Viji becoming pregnant. But before their story could fully unfold, they were separated by fate. Meanwhile, Kanika, Vikram’s wife, was living a parallel tragedy — losing her unborn child and facing her own emotional turmoil. Among all this, there’s a spark of light — Amanpreet, who brought a much-needed dose of humour with her innocent misuse of English vocabulary. Her presence added a touch of relief in an otherwise intense and emotional narrative. This book weaves together black magic, tantra, crime, suspense, and raw emotion, keeping you hooked at every turn. The plot is layered and engaging, and the author’s writing style flows effortlessly. ✨ Final Thoughts: A powerful, emotionally driven story that sheds light on issues like colourism, gender bias, social inequality, and personal loss — all wrapped in a gripping plot. I truly admire the author’s storytelling skills and can’t wait to read more from her.