From laughter to suspense, and from culture to crime, today’s book has it all, with a protagonist whose nose is sharper than any detective’s mind.

It is an intriguing story where the protagonist's sense of smell plays a crucial role in unfolding the mystery as if smell in itself is a character.

The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by Hemangini Dutt Majumder is a humorous delight, mystery novel that blends Bengali tradition with a touch of Gothic literature.

The story starts with the introduction of the protagonist, Ollie, where the author reveals how she got her name, Olympia Ghoshal Chatterjee. To begin with the life of Ollie, there is chaos, drama, an eerie atmosphere, ghostly appearances (not in real though), and the essence of the smelling sense that made her unique. Often, she landed in trouble because of her strong sense of smell, but in the end, it helped solve a series of murder mysteries by catching the culprit who was creating terror and fear in their ancestral mansion, Neelbari, in Chandannagar, and it even prevented two murders.

"Things are never as they seem." This quote hit home for me, because it’s not just about things; it’s about people and places too.

Have you ever met someone who seemed one way, only to reveal a completely different side… maybe even deceiving you? I’m sure you’ve crossed paths with such people at some point.

The book in focus: Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi.

About the Author:

Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy, which includes The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Talking about her debut novel, The Henna Artist, it immediately became a NYT bestseller, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, & is in development at Netflix as a TV series.

Tune in the full episode.

A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi is a heart-wrenching and compelling thriller novel that transports readers to the lifestyle of Afghanistan, exploring themes such as justice, resilience, womanhood, and turmoil.

Review

The story follows the life of Zeba, a wife and mother of four children, who ended up in Chil Mahtab, a jail for women in Kabul, when she was found with blood on her hands and her husband lay with a hatchet stuck in his skull. Accused of a crime which she might or might not have committed, without throwing any tantrums, she followed the police. She waited for her trial in jail amongst other women who were spending their time in Chil Mahtab for petty crimes like running away with a lover, carrying a baby out of wedlock, and so on. Such was the life of women in patriarchal Afghanistan.

The storytelling takes readers on the journey of Zeba's life, focusing on the judicial system, societal norms in Afghanistan, and the lives of women in a male-dominated society. In this book, the author meticulously and straightforwardly demonstrates the multiple perspectives about Zeba's life (from past and present, her family dynamics), her lawyer's condition in judicial trials because of his origin, and other women she met in jail, allowing readers to feel empathy for the injustice they all faced. It might appear as a whodunit, but there's more to grasp and feel while reading through the book.

In this episode, Prerita and I delve into the rich world of mythological fiction, exploring retellings, reimaginings, and the powerful lens through which mythology mirrors society today. From favorite characters to modern feminist voices, this conversation is a must listen for every curious reader. Plus, Prerita shares her personal reading journey and how books have shaped her worldview.

From Sita’s reimagined voice to gods with human flaws, Prerita shares her thoughts on what makes this genre timeless, relevant, and endlessly thought-provoking. Whether you’re a longtime mythology lover or just myth-curious, this episode is packed with reflections, recommendations, and literary insights.

Host Insta Handle: @prickedinsight

Guest Insta Handle: @thebookcritiques

Youtube Full Episode:

“Some poems don’t end with the last page — they echo in your mind, in every moment you pause and reflect.”

If that sounds like your kind of poetry, then stay right where you are.

Tides of Being — Tides Of Being is a tapestry of 100 verses to take you on an introspective journey. It is a visionary quest of three distinct themes based on self-reflection in poetic form. The book has three themes: Virtues of Life, You & Chaos, and Seeking Solace. Each section will allow readers to question themselves, find answers, and feel the essence of themselves, offering a cozy vibe and warm hug.

Embraces In Ink— A collection of sixty-two poems expressing gratitude to all the things, people, and supporters. From her personal experience and the experiences she gathered in her life, she did not miss anything while penning a thank you note, or more precisely, a thank you letter.

Rhyme Rapture — It is a collection of 100 poems by 10 phenomenal women on 10 different themes each sharing their take on the themes as defined in the introduction of this book. While reading these poems you will be transported in a different world experiencing nature, love, longing, and dreamy vibes. It will allow to pause and live with the verses.

“Are you someone who grew up hearing tales from your grandparents? If yes, here’s your chance to feel the nostalgia and relive your childhood once again. And if you haven’t, don’t miss the chance to experience the essence of grandpa-grandma tales.”

This episode is about an anthology of short stories written by eight authors of the Indie Authors Group across the nation. The title of the book is Whimsical Tales of Whiskers and Wonders, a collection of all time stories not just for kids but for adults to be a child again.

The journey began in December 2024. After attending multiple book fairs and seeing kids flock to book stalls asking for children's books, a hope sparked — that reading is still alive in young hearts. With a shared yet diverse motive to tell stories, eight authors came together to collaborate and curate this book with one common goal: to contribute to children's literature.

Registration link for launch: https://forms.gle/ZWLwDqycPUfqgK727

Follow Indie Authors Group: indieauthors.in

Follow me on Instagram: prickedinsight

“Ever felt your heart race with every page? Or caught yourself thinking about a scene long after you’ve closed the book?”

If that sounds like your kind of read, you’re in the right place.

Until I Find You — Based on the real Jonestown tragedy, this thriller dives into the haunting aftermath of a cult's dark grip and a desperate search for truth.

R&AW Material — Against the backdrop of real events like the Dalai Lama’s escape, the covid 19 pandemic and political tension between countries, this spy thriller peels back the curtain on secrets, loyalty, and high-stakes missions.

Girls Who Stray — Step into the shadowy streets of Noida with a young woman caught in crime, desire, and survival — a raw look at life on the edge.

From meet-cutes to mysteries, Harini Srinivasan walks us through the wonderfully tangled world of Lovestruck and Confused. Expect banter, bookish love, and a little time travel of the mind

Host Handle: Tanvi Agarwal

Guest Handle:  Harini Srinivasan  

Pages and Beyond on Audible: Tune in Here

Once Upon A Beginning by Nalini Ramachandran is a vibrant collection of folklore of the origin and beliefs associated with certain communities across India that will not only turn out educational but will stay with readers for long leaving them in awe of the knowledge it imparts.

Read blog here: Once Upon A Beginning

Introducing Arpit Agarwal, a former TV media professional with nearly 30 years of experience, now stepping into the world of writing as a published author.

This episode will be about his incredible journey through the media industry and his debut book, Raw Material.

Host Handle: https://www.instagram.com/prickedinsight

Guest Handle: https://www.instagram.com/thearpitagarwal

Pages and Beyond on Audible: https://www.audible.in/pd/B0DP5DSVNW

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