Susp'ENDED

by Sudha Ramnath

Why did every one hate Sheila? Neighbours... kids… dogs... and even plants?
It is not a whodunit but howdunit. How was the Tanzanite stolen?
What secret past did Ridhima Mashi have connecting her to Dilbahar Hotel?
Each of the 10 stories has endings you would not ordinarily guess. But who knows? Maybe you are good at guessing the susp’ENDINGS???

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2014

Reviews

[Lalitha Ramanathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sudha Ramnath’s Susp’ENDED is a collection of ten short stories that end with twists, hence the word ‘suspense’ in the title. I am a fan of Whodunits, and I read this in one go trying to guess the murderer or the reveal for each tale. In most cases, I wasn’t successful, which speaks volumes about the author’s writing and her ability to maintain an element of unpredictability throughout.
Each story carries a distinct Agatha Christie-Esque flavor and incorporates red herrings. The reader becomes a sleuth and tries to decipher the mystery. This book is a potpourri of different genres- there are elements of conventional thrillers, some magic realism, some paranormal, and the typical murder mystery. It’s hard to pick favorites in this collection, but if I had to shortlist my top three, these would be Mission Failed, Hotel Dilbahar, and the House on Tiger Hill.
Sudha Ramnath is a wonderful writer whose rich travel experiences shine through each story. Her stories take you to Ooty, Coimbatore, Lonavla, and even Africa. The language is simple, and the narrative fast paced. This book is only about 127 pages, making it a quick and entertaining read.
Do pick this one for the thrills and bends along the ride!