High Tide

by Hywel Richard Pinto

Vagator, Goa—the land of sun, sea, surf, drugs, corruption, and over-commercialization—turns into a nightly party of drug-fueled orgies and flowing alcohol.

Sabrina Merchant travels to this sunshine party state to search for her sister, Aishwarya, who has mysteriously vanished, like hundreds of women each year. Alongside her colleague, Vikas, she discovers she must also locate Genevieve Clarkson, who seems to have disappeared deliberately.

Their search leads to the Ave Maria, an ancient Portuguese treasure ship hidden beneath an old house, and draws the ire of ruthless businessman Sharik Seth and the powerful D’Costa family. Aided by politician Kenzo Fernandes and disgruntled cop Rojan Thimpu, can Sabrina and Vikas uncover the truth and rescue Aishwarya?

248 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2025

Reviews

[Lakhan Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hywel wonderfully utilises the literary device of contrast in this novel. You will find a few characters standing ideologically and morally against each other without explicitly doing so. For instance, Kenzo Fernandes’ political manoeuvring shows how corruption operates systematically. His pragmatic approach contrasts with Thimpu’s idealism. I found their dynamic revealing about Goa’s power structures. Political thriller fans will appreciate these insights into institutional complicity. The story understands that true evil often wears a suit.

[Swati Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, conspiracy, past, present, corruption, morality... many things are there in the novel that keep readers engaged and interested. However, one thing that stood apart for me was how circumstances complicate things for those who may or may not... on the seamy side, given the ample opportunities.
Padma Dasgupta faces impossible choices between career advancement and ethical dilemmas. Her complicated relationship with Aazad shows the pressures of their field. I was fascinated by how her ambition blinded her to Seth’s manipulation. For readers interested in morally gray professionals navigating institutional corruption, Padma’s arc offers rich complexity. Her character raises thought-provoking questions about compromise in academia.

[Marc Bulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, action packed and will leave you asking for more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more books in this series

[Rhea Deviprakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just perfect. It has all the elements of an amazing thriller woven around a theme that is rampant in Goa and other beautiful places. Hywel has splendidly brought in the builder and construction lobby that is chipping away the ecosystem of Goa, the local politicians and the lack of any action either due to orders from higher ups or financial support enjoyed by them.
Then there is the prostituting and drug angle that has become a widespread disease in Goa. And yes, there is a Portuguese bit of fictional history also embedded.
But the way that this is all integrated by the author is where the magic happens. While the social issues on ground are easy to integrate, how does one bring in the historical angle? Well, that is done with some creative flair, a unbelievable pair of villains, one who has directly benefitted from the Portuguese treasure and is also a Nazi sympathizer!
Yes, all this and much more has been woven into the 250 odd page thriller that is High Tide, while leading readers onto a whirlwind journey of the beautiful Goa, it's amazing people and suspense even into the Epilogue, keeping it open for another adventure maybe?
I finished this book in 3 days and could really not put it down for a moment!
Truly an amazing masterpiece!

[FunAriri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm keeping the storyline and the pace away (that's why I've given the 5 star rating), but I want to talk about the character ecosystem that High Tide brings. Like other books by Pinto, the supporting characters are not just useless pawns in the overall story. They have depth, their own character and their own upheavals. I liked the seemingly unstable May, the opportunistic Padma and the person who started it all - Hans. The notion of a Nazi seeking refuge in India seems stretched, but what a amazing stretch it is. The notion of a Portuguese treasure ship stranded in caves away from the sea seems far fetched but it has been handled amazingly, so much so that while reading the book, I felt I was part of the team along with Aazad Kulkarni traversing the tunnels beneath Old House.
Whatever I write here, there is no way anyone who has not read this book will treat it as a spoiler because now one can expect what will happen in the story.
A real page turner and a book one cannot put down and once done, it leaves you wanting more.
I really hope that there is a sequel since I know Max's story is not done yet and Sialkot and Henrietta's paths will cross and there will be chaos then!

[Charles C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sunshine state of Goa, where the sun no longer shines. Where outsiders have taken over businesses and the old Portuguese homes and changed the landscape both financially and visibly. This is the reality of the place that I call home, so I was quick pick this book to see what the author could do with it.
And I was not disappointed at all. Unlike other authors who paint a rosy picture of the state, Hywel has laid out the reality, put in a plot that resonates with that reality and thrown in a fictional piece of history. Thrown into this mix are a bunch of villains and a slick and uber rich super villain.
What I really liked out the book apart from the reality, is the fact that one doesn't really know who the real villain is. The pace is quick, the action intelligent and the characters crafted so well that you are literally part of the adventure that is taking part.

[Kritika Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, the novel is full of events, twists and turns that keep readers engaged and invested until the very end of the story. Crime, politics, suspense, thriller, history, past, and more... Well, there is one thing that I would like to highlight here. A journalist, Genevie Clarkson’s investigation costs her everything, yet her work lives on through her recovered laptop. Her doomed romance with Amber adds tragic weight to her character. I was moved by how her death galvanised the other characters into action. For readers who appreciate stories about journalists risking everything for the truth, Clarkson’s arc is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her legacy proves more potent than her killers anticipated.
Do read the novel. You will find it worth your time.

[Rishi Arya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way Hywel Pinto has embedded the Sialkot timeline here. Sabrina Merchant and Vikas Paikunde make a formidable team, blending her determination with his military precision. Their evolving dynamic, from professional cooperation to genuine trust, was a highlight for me. The ferry shootout scene showcases their perfect synergy under pressure. If you enjoy crime stories featuring platonic partnerships where both characters complement each other’s skills, this duo delivers. Their teamwork provides the story’s moral centre.
This teamwork becomes a highlight as the novel enters the web of mysteries and secrets that uncover eventually and readers get to know the truths, long and deep buried. Enjoy the book!

[Samarthya Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hywel Pinto masterfully contrasts Goa’s tourist paradise image with its criminal underbelly. Just imagine the contrast... something beautiful and wanted with things we seldom want to witness even in newspapers. Master thinking about the theme, I should say!

Through Inspector Thimpu’s frustrated investigations, we see how corruption protects monsters like Seth. The setting feels like a character itself - beautiful yet treacherous. I appreciated how the location informed the story’s themes. Readers who enjoy atmospheric crime fiction where setting shapes the narrative will find this particularly compelling. Goa has never seemed more alluring or dangerous. Kudos to the author for such a plot and storytelling that actually gets you. A must-read work!

[Saket Niranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among many things, the novel utilises the world Hywel Pinto created in one of his previous novels, the Sialkot group of quasi-military operatives executing challenging missions around the world, particularly in Asia. In this novel, there is a connection. Sabrina's relentless search for Aishwarya gives the story its emotional core. Their eventual reunion provides one of the novel's few genuine moments of hope. I admired Sabrina's refusal to give up, even when facing Goa's entire criminal establishment. Readers who appreciate stories about familial bonds tested by extreme circumstances will find this relationship deeply moving. Their story proves love can survive even in this corrupt world.

[Manjiri Phulka · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have recently read. It is a masala story but it has all the elements to hook you till the very end. If getting away from reality is what you are looking at then High Tide is the book for you to read. The story is fluid, the details based on reality and the characters are wholesome with each character having a role to play.
All in all, an amazing read from a very underrated author. I have read other works by this author and I must say that I am impressed. The book leaves you with a number of thoughts that linger even after the cover has been closed, and they are not at all about the storyline being incomplete but they are about 'what if' things would really happen as is mentioned in the book.
This is a must read.

[Anupriya Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hywel Richard Pinto brings the Goan coastline alive with a murder mystery that subtly uncovers decades-old family secrets. What begins as a routine investigation slowly builds into a layered tale involving personal vendettas and historical grudges. The pacing is deliberate, allowing each character the space to evolve. Readers who enjoy novels with a tropical backdrop and cultural undertones will appreciate how seamlessly Pinto blends setting with suspense. The story’s strength lies in its ability to offer a crime thriller that does not rely solely on plot twists but rather builds its intrigue through emotion and motive.

[Gudiya Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

When demolition at Seth’s “Old House” reveals a hidden cave system, it sets off a chain reaction. Archaeologist Aazad Kulkarni’s discovery of a Portuguese shipwreck connects directly to Sabrina Merchant’s mission to find her sister. The way Pinto weaves these threads together is masterful. I found myself equally invested in both the historical mystery and modern crime drama. For readers who enjoy stories where past and present collide with dangerous consequences, this delivers in spades. The archaeological elements add fascinating depth to the thriller plot.

PS: Don't miss the Sialkot connection! :)

[Kavita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henrietta D’Costa’s revelation as Hans Muller’s daughter transforms the entire story. Her children, Max and May, are involved in Seth’s operations, showing how corruption spans generations and eventually erodes legacies. The scene where Henrietta coolly commits an act rather difficult for us to imagine... well, it will keep me randomly awake for a few nights, to be honest! This exploration of inherited evil fascinated me. Recommended for those who appreciate complex family sagas with criminal undertones. The D’Costas might be the most compelling crime family I’ve encountered in recent fiction.

[Guddu Paswan · Rating 5 out of 5]

High Tide brilliantly connects 16th-century Portuguese loot with modern crime. Brás de Albuquerque’s decision to hide his father’s treasure sets off a chain reaction, leading to Nazi conspirator Hans Muller and, ultimately, the ruthless D’Costa family. Sharik Seth’s nightclub empire masks human trafficking, while archaeologist Aazad Kulkarni uncovers the truth. The pacing is relentless, blending history with thriller elements. I was hooked by the moral decay surrounding the treasure. Fans of historical mysteries and crime dramas will love this. Highly recommended for those who enjoy multi-layered conspiracies.

[Adarsh Jha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than the crafty style of narrative that keeps you engaged, you will surely like the way this novel opens up and brings new dimensions to the fore. Beginning with the prelude on a sinking ship and dodgy treasure that sets up the fortunes for a few, the novel moves into the political, administrative and moral values and their depreciation. Goa comes alive... days and nights. There are intertextual connections that regular readers of Hywel Pinto's fictional universe may relate to... and find extremely exciting as well.
It is thriller, adventure and mystery merged together. A must read book for contemporary literature readers.

[Rami Shaun Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want offbeat stories, breakneck pace and thrills at the end of every chapter then read this story. According to me, this is one of the best stories by the author all the more because I can relate as to what is happening on ground in Goa.
The characters are crafted well and the chapters are short. Overall the entire book is a quick read.
And although, I don't normally judge a book by it's cover, this one is truly awesome and eye catching from the outside as it is amazing from the inside.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book and I am quite surprised that I've missed out on reading this author. The storyline is amazing, filled with up and downs; the thrills and pace like a rollercoaster. It brings alive the issues that the state of Goa is facing while still being worthy of being adapted as a Netflix show!
The character creation is awesome and in depth. There is so much passion while writing this book that comes up in the storyline. Yes, there are gory and bloody scenes filled with violence, but that's what makes a good fiction novel.

[Ashish Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, High Tide feels like stepping into a forgotten corridor of Goan history. The old mansion, the hidden clues, and the layers of betrayal kept my mind occupied long after I’d closed the book. Like his previous books, Pinto has once again built a narrative where the past and present walk side by side. The characters are fleshed out with flaws and ambitions, and the setting is so vivid it feels like you’re standing in the middle of it. This is not just a mystery; it is a plunge into the moral ambiguities of human legacy.

[Deepak Chaudhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading High Tide by Hywel Pinto. Have read his works in the past as well. Hywel Pinto has a distinctive style that he brings to his stories and plots. It is interesting... intriguing and compelling to read, for sure!
The role of the coastal storm is symbolic and literal. As it builds in the background, so does the tension in the family. Pinto draws a subtle parallel between nature’s fury and the emotional tempests within the characters. By the time the storm hits, so does the climax of the novel, both with startling consequences.

[Abhishek Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many things in this story that readers will appreciate, relate to or like reading. However, I liked the way how Hywel Pinto has been able to link different plot elements. I was moved by Clara’s storyline. Once a vibrant artist, she’s now dealing with memory loss, but in her fragmented recollections lies a clue that ties the past and present together. Pinto writes her scenes with tenderness and restraint. She may not be the central figure, but her impact on the story is quietly profound.

[Ambika Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

High Tide presents a story deeply rooted in human emotion and personal history. Inspector Ameya Deshpande, who leads the investigation, is not just another officer but a man carrying emotional burdens of his own. His choices affect the pace of the story and lend it a sense of realism. Readers looking for crime fiction where characters are more than their professions will find this book satisfying. It strikes a rare balance between mystery and introspection, ensuring that it lingers on the reader’s mind long after the final page.

[Amit Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the novel takes a classic stance, pitting the evil against the good forces in the society, there are many things you may appreciate about the novel. Kan the auto-rickshaw driver and Kray the computer expert prove crucial to the investigation. These supporting characters add texture to Goa's criminal landscape. I enjoyed how ordinary people become instrumental in taking down powerful villains. Readers who appreciate stories where unlikely helpers play key roles will find these characters memorable. They demonstrate that heroes come in many forms.

[Rohan Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like always, Hywel Pinto has given the present novel his best imagination, astute sense of his understanding of human nature and twists that keep you engaged. On a humane level, Henrietta’s twisted devotion to her father’s ideology explains her children’s corruption. The family dynamics are Shakespearean in their tragedy. I was chilled by how efficiently she covers up their crimes. Fans of dark family sagas will find the D’Costas fascinating. Their dysfunction makes for compelling psychological drama.

[Amar Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the beaches, Pinto reveals Goa’s underworld through Sharik Seth’s High Tide club, a hub for drugs, prostitution, and worse. When a sinkhole exposes a shipwreck, archaeologist Padma Dasgupta takes charge, but her ambition blinds her to Seth’s influence. Meanwhile, Sialkot operative Sabrina Merchant searches for her trafficked foster sister, Aishwarya. The contrast between Goa’s beauty and its rot is chilling. A must-read for crime thriller lovers who enjoy corruption tales with a strong sense of place.

[Jagdish Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though the novel is always enjoyable and many dimensions are there in the story, I liked the Sialkot connection... it almost reads like a movie playing out with many characters who are interlinked. Sabrina, posing as an IT worker, turns out to be a Sialkot operative hunting her missing sister. Her partnership with ex-Navy Vikas Paikunde leads them into Seth’s trafficking ring. Their dynamic, professional yet personal, adds heart to the darkness. I rooted for them fiercely. Recommended for readers who love strong, morally grey protagonists.

[Alvaro Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing rollercoaster set in beautiful (and now abused) Goa. The author has once again crafted a thought provoking storyline while peppering it with masala in the form of fiction. The characters have depth and some can really hold their own, especially Sabrina. After long, I've truly loved a character like this.
I look forward to more adventures of Sabrina and of course some awesome books by Hywel Richard Pinto.
Highly recommended and value for money!

[Devendra Babu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the story unfolded reminded me of peeling an onion. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, another layer was revealed. Hywel Richard Pinto’s writing has both elegance and an urgent pulse that kept me turning the pages late into the night. Goa is not just a backdrop here; it’s almost a character. The way the tides influence the mood is poetic. A compelling read for those who appreciate intricacy in plot and depth in storytelling.

[Vidyananda Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel surprised me. I expected a beachside mystery, but what I got was something far more layered and emotionally charged. The author does a remarkable job interweaving familial conflict, local culture, and a dark historical mystery. It’s hard to describe the novel in one word because it offers so much. The ending was particularly satisfying, not only because of the resolution but because it stayed emotionally honest. A brilliant blend of crime and conscience.

[Saloni Ranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a mystery doesn’t rely solely on shock value but grows through characters. In High Tide, Pinto lets each relationship and revelation breathe, which makes the suspense that much more organic. The interplay of secrets and their consequences is handled with skill. At times, it feels almost cinematic in how the scenes unfold. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a thoughtful yet gripping mystery.