Could We Talk About Something Else?: A must read suspense, thriller, crime fiction Novel

by Rahul Anand Bist

COULD WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE?- A HEART FLUTTERING SUSPENSE, THRILLER, CRIME FICTION PAGE TURNER NOVEL WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE STRONG SOCIETAL MESSAGE THAT WILL COMPEL YOU TO THINK.
***REALLY MATTERS***IN ABEYANCE CONCEPT***INDIOSYNCRATIC***CAPTIVATING SUSPENSE***

"Jason’s death was A MURDER."
"Tanay's death was A MURDER."
"Zansi's death was A MURDER."
AN ANONYMOUS PERSON CHANGED EVERYTHING.

Azaad never imagined that ONE ANONYMOUS PERSON could turn her life UPSIDE DOWN , pulling her into a DEADLY WEB OF SECRETS AND BETRAYAL. As she uncovers TERRIFYING PIECES OF HER PAST , she inches closer to a truth more HORRIFYING than she ever imagined. Azaad navigates a world where trust is a liability, SECRETS ARE DEADLY , and the answers she seeks might destroy her.

SOME LIVES NEED JUSTICE.
NOT UNTIL IT'S YOU. A MUST-READ AND PERFECT FOR THE READERS OF SUSPENSE-THRILLER NOVELS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FANS OF THE ALCHEMIST, THE SILENT PATIENT & GONE GIRL.

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2025

Reviews

[Sukhman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Azaad has finally bagged a good job - stable income, nice colleagues, and a decent boss. Jason wants to marry her. Kind, sweet Jason. Things are finally looking up.
And then the anonymous notes start pouring in, threatening her newfound happiness.
Tanay commits s*icide, and then Jason loses his life to an accident, but is that all there is to these incidents? Perhaps there is more than meets the eye-to the deaths, and to the people that died.

The first part of the book takes the reader through a journey where it's hard to connect the dots. The second part delivers even more, introducing the reader to Daiwik and Zansi, who have an important part to play in this web of lies and deception. The third part neatly brings everything together.

✨PLOT THEMES: The novel is a thriller/murder mystery, yet it explores way more:
- how young people struggle with identity crises while their families refuse to understand them
- issues regarding self-acceptance
- familial issues + found family
- a deep dive into the lives of trans youth, and the issues they face growing up, amid family, and after

✨CHARACTERS: LGBTQIA+ representation. I'd talk about it more but that would give way to spoilers. The characters are memorable- Azaad and Zansi being my favorites.

✨PACE & WRITING: The book is split into 3 parts + an epilogue. The writing is fast-paced, with one event unfolding right after the other, keeping the reader engaged. The author has done an amazing job at giving subtle hints that are hard to catch on, making the book quite unpredictable. It keeps you on your toes as you try to make sense of what's happening.

✨OVERALL READING EXPERIENCE: I usually don't read murder mysteries for I find them quite predictable, but not this book. I'm glad I read this book, for it paints a sad yet true picture of plenty of things:
a. the way the society treats the trans community
b. the utter refusal of families to accept their children as they are
c. the abuse. I can't touch on this without dropping multiple spoilers, so I'll stop here.
It is eye-opening. I commend the author for bringing complex issues to light through this book.

Thank you so much, Rahul, for giving me a review copy of the book.

[Sneha Baidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping thriller !!
The plot and the characters are so well written.. The author has beautifully touched a very sensitive topic .
The ending leaves you speechless. If you love thrillers you should read this one

[Varma Shagun · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"He didn't know it would be the last time he'd see her, and his words of longing would remain unfulfilled."

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
It was the title and synopsis that first drew me in—there was something mysterious that made me curious to dive in.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The cover is striking and beautifully complements the suspenseful tone of the story. The title, too, is perfectly fitting for the narrative’s emotional depth and underlying mystery. The title takes me back to the intense yet cute conversation between Zansi and Daiwik.

𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The narration strikes a fine balance between fast and slow, making the pacing feel natural. The storytelling is immersive and engaging, with lucid language that makes it easy to follow while still emotionally evocative. It held my attention effortlessly from beginning to end.

𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓This is one of those rare stories where your perception of the characters evolves dramatically as the plot unfolds.
✓The narrative spans two timelines. One follows Azaad, who begins a romantic relationship with Jason, the owner of the café where she works—only to be haunted by anonymous notes hinting that her boyfriend’s death in a car crash may not have been an accident. The second timeline follows Daiwik and Zansi, a queer couple grappling with the weight of their past.
✓The twists and revelations make the story increasingly gripping. I was so hooked I finished the entire book in a single night.
✓While I found some aspects of the ending slightly predictable, the execution and emotional intensity made up for it.
✓The book bravely explores themes like gender dysphoria, queer love, and the darker sides of human nature—lust, greed, and vengeance—all handled with nuance.
✓The character development is exceptional. Every single character has purpose and depth, and none feel out of place.
✓I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Azaad and Jason—it was authentic and touching.
✓In all honesty, I loved this crime fiction novel. It’s gripping, emotional, socially relevant, and very accessible. With short chapters, a well-structured plot, and clean narration, it’s a great pick for beginners too. Highly recommended!

[Neeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍀Book- Could we talk about something else
🍀Author - Rahul Anand Bist

🍀Plot-
The book opens with Azaad, a café worker who falls in love with her boss, Jason. Their peaceful world is shaken when Jason’s cousin Tanay is found murdered. While they’re both being questioned by the police, Jason suddenly dies in what appears to be an accident. But soon after, Azaad receives a mysterious note suggesting it was murder.

The second part introduces Daiwik and Zansi, two strangers brought together by fate, both escaping their pasts. Daiwik’s painful struggle with gender identity and Zansi’s fight for survival add depth to the story. Just when they start to find some peace, tragedy strikes again.

How are these stories connected?
Was Jason’s death really an accident?
And who is hiding the truth?

🍀Review:
The book has a very interesting storyline. To connect all the characters and events, the author divides the story into three parts. The first two parts focus on the characters’ lives, while the third ties everything together and completes the puzzle.

I found both the writing style and narrative well thought out. They help the reader stay connected to the story. Initially, the second part may feel confusing, as you wonder why new characters are introduced. But by the end, everything becomes clear — and that’s one of the book’s biggest strengths. The suspense is maintained till the very end.

The book also touches on sensitive and important themes like identity crisis, acceptance by family and society, and other social issues. The plot is unique and keeps you engaged. However, there are a few moments where connecting the dots becomes difficult.

While the suspense is strong, I personally felt the ending didn’t quite match the excitement and pace of the earlier parts.

The language is smooth and easy to understand, making it accessible to all readers.

[readwithaishwarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Everyone believes it was an accident but Jason was murdered.”

Could We Talk About Something Else
Author: Rahul Anand Bist

The story unfolds across two timelines. We first meet Azaad, whose romantic entanglement with her cafe boss, Jason, is abruptly cut short by his death in a car crash—a death that anonymous messages darkly suggest was no accident.
Simultaneously, a second timeline explores the struggles of Daiwik and Zansi.

Slips about Jason are mysteriously appearing for Aazad. Is it a clue, a warning, or a trap—and who's leaving them??

With every step closer, Azaad unearths "alarming facets of her past," pushing her toward a grim reality that surpasses her worst fears.

The book features multiple mysterious deaths, with the repeated phrase "Jason's death was A MURDER," "Tanay's death was A MURDER," and "Zansi's death was A MURDER" hinting at connected crimes.
The twists and turns of the story are absolutely mind-blowing!

This novel is more than just a thriller or murder mystery. It is a deep exploration of how young people grapple with identity crises when their families don't understand them.

This book boldly explores subjects like gender dysphoria and queer love, alongside the more shadowy aspects of the human psyche—lust, greed, and vengeance.

As a debut, this book is remarkable! It is filled with thriller, suspense, action, and numerous societal taboos, making it a complete package.

The author has beautifully filled each line with mystery and thrill. The plot is interesting and keeps the reader hooked. The book aims to convey a strong societal message, compelling readers to think about issue lgbtq community faces.

It is a thought-provoking suspense thriller that not only entertains but also prompts readers to reflect on significant societal issues, the darker aspects of human nature, and the importance of justice and understanding diverse perspectives.
Some thrillers build up slowly—this one throws you straight into the fire.

[Pallavi Shukla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is super exciting from start to end! It’s got surprising twists and thrilling action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The author builds suspense perfectly, making you eager to know what happens next. You’ll be guessing till the very end!

This book is action-packed and unpredictable! The writing style and narrative are well-crafted, keeping you engaged with the story!

This book tackles important themes like identity, family acceptance, and social issues. The plot is unique and engaging, but sometimes it’s hard to follow. Despite that, it’s a thought-provoking read! The book features LGBTQIA+ characters and has memorable personalities, especially Azaad and Zansi!❤️

The book has three parts:- The beginning is puzzling, with many unanswered questions.The middle introduces new characters, Daiwik and Zansi, who play a key role in the story’s web of lies. The end ties everything together neatly!

Must-read! Thank you so much sir for this review copy!🖤

[Arya Senapati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly thrilling book. Extremely captivating writing. Plot twists and storyline is unique and holds the attention of the reader till the end.