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The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles
OLLIE HAS A SUPER POWER!
Well, kind of. As she remarks tipsily on a hilarious date, ‘I can really smell…You see, in a way, I’m almost like Batman.’
This peculiarity in Ollie’s life—her uncanny sense of smell—she discovers is derived from her oscillating hormones, an unusual symptom of a health condition she has. As it happens, this unique trait serves her well as a rare female wine sommelier and beverage consultant, as she can sniff out and create complex flavour profiles.
Ollie’s life changes quite dramatically when she and her entire family decide to relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar. Strange and mysterious incidents start occurring as soon as Ollie, her aunt, cousin Laura, and their cat, Habey, move in. Is the malevolent spirit of her great-grandmother really haunting Neelbari? And why has their arrival caused so much alarm? What secrets are the walls and gardens of the hundred-year-old estate hiding? Why does no one seem to be telling the truth? Ollie and Laura try to solve these puzzles, only to find themselves in situations fraught with danger. As the finger of suspicion keeps moving, can Ollie sniff her way to solving this whodunnit? More importantly, can she save Fishy before it is too late? Read on to find out!
Well, kind of. As she remarks tipsily on a hilarious date, ‘I can really smell…You see, in a way, I’m almost like Batman.’
This peculiarity in Ollie’s life—her uncanny sense of smell—she discovers is derived from her oscillating hormones, an unusual symptom of a health condition she has. As it happens, this unique trait serves her well as a rare female wine sommelier and beverage consultant, as she can sniff out and create complex flavour profiles.
Ollie’s life changes quite dramatically when she and her entire family decide to relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar. Strange and mysterious incidents start occurring as soon as Ollie, her aunt, cousin Laura, and their cat, Habey, move in. Is the malevolent spirit of her great-grandmother really haunting Neelbari? And why has their arrival caused so much alarm? What secrets are the walls and gardens of the hundred-year-old estate hiding? Why does no one seem to be telling the truth? Ollie and Laura try to solve these puzzles, only to find themselves in situations fraught with danger. As the finger of suspicion keeps moving, can Ollie sniff her way to solving this whodunnit? More importantly, can she save Fishy before it is too late? Read on to find out!
332 pages, Flexiback
First published June 2, 2025
7 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 28, 2025
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles is a story set in West Bengal and I literally devoured the book in two days.
I picked it up because of the cover, and when I started reading, I knew I would like it. It begins with "Mahishasur Mardini" (the killing of the demon by Goddess Durga) playing on TV, and then there’s a character named Fishy (Bengali "pishi", i.e., paternal aunt), which instantly caught my attention. Ollie, one of the main characters, can recognise people by their smell which was such an interesting detail.
The story is narrated by Ollie’s dead mother, which adds a unique touch and makes it even more engaging.
There are so many things a Bengali would relate to. I have to say, I was impressed by the chapter titles like "Robibaarer Bhaat Ghum" and "Kashundi Fishy Fry." I didn’t realise at first that the story would turn into a mystery, but the pace was so smooth that I got completely immersed. I could even picture myself beside the characters and relate to their everyday moments.
I highly recommend the book to everyone and would love to read more works of the author in the future!
I picked it up because of the cover, and when I started reading, I knew I would like it. It begins with "Mahishasur Mardini" (the killing of the demon by Goddess Durga) playing on TV, and then there’s a character named Fishy (Bengali "pishi", i.e., paternal aunt), which instantly caught my attention. Ollie, one of the main characters, can recognise people by their smell which was such an interesting detail.
The story is narrated by Ollie’s dead mother, which adds a unique touch and makes it even more engaging.
There are so many things a Bengali would relate to. I have to say, I was impressed by the chapter titles like "Robibaarer Bhaat Ghum" and "Kashundi Fishy Fry." I didn’t realise at first that the story would turn into a mystery, but the pace was so smooth that I got completely immersed. I could even picture myself beside the characters and relate to their everyday moments.
I highly recommend the book to everyone and would love to read more works of the author in the future!
November 29, 2025
Delightful! A homage to all the things a 90s child growing up in a literary Bengali household would be acquainted with.
Although after the half way point, I could guess who was behind everything that went down, I couldn’t put the book down.
A charming whodunnit reminiscent of P.G. Woodhouse and the Bengali film, Bhooter Bhabishyot. I had a grin on my face throughout.
Although after the half way point, I could guess who was behind everything that went down, I couldn’t put the book down.
A charming whodunnit reminiscent of P.G. Woodhouse and the Bengali film, Bhooter Bhabishyot. I had a grin on my face throughout.
September 6, 2025
Olympia ‘Ollie’, her adoptive sister Laura, their aunt Fishy and cat Habeas Corpus travel to Neelbari, the ancestral home where Fishy’s step-grandmother Labanga Latika lives. Here, amidst all sorts of crazy happenings, Ollie discovers a skeleton hidden in the roots of an ancient banyan, and from then onwards, it’s basically one murder after another…
I get what Hemangini Dutt Majumder was attempting to do here: Bengali gothic combined with humour plus mystery plus a little push for emancipated modern womanhood. To some extent, she succeeds. For instance, Neelbari is definitely a tongue-in-cheek representation of the quintessential spooky mansion, replete with circular room, eerie sounds, wandering ghosts (or living humans pretending to be ghosts), ancient secrets, and more.
Then, the idea of strong, independent female characters: that too gets a big tick. Ollie, Laura, Fishy, even Labanga Latika, Rupa, and Panna’s Ma (not to mention the ‘Squares’, Fishy’s two aunts) are all, in their own ways, powerful characters. They may be whacky, they may be unpleasant, but they all have their own distinct characters and are not to be messed with.
The other theme that Dutt Majumder nails is the Bengali-ness of it all. She is able to portray the ethos of being Bengali fabulously: from the food, to the eccentricities surrounding everything from Rabindranath Tagore’s work (and how it must be intoned) to how children should be brought up, how older people may treat those younger than them (even if the younger person is in her sixties), and so on. The author, in this context, is both amazingly observant as well as delightfully witty.
Where the book didn’t work for me was in the rest of the humour, and in the mystery.
The humour is, till a point, actually funny; but after a while it began to pall. It seemed to me that Dutt Majumder was trying too hard, and resorting more and more to slapstick. There are, for example, several instances of Ollie getting drunk and doing silly things, which got irritating. It came across as too forced after a while (and, frankly, a heroine who is so alcohol-dependent isn’t my idea of a heroine).
The other thing that I wished had been better was the resolution of the mystery(ies). It’s all quite convoluted, the motivations didn’t really ring true, and how people arrived at various conclusions remained a mystery.
Also, one last quibble: why shoehorn Ollie’s long-dead mother into the story as a narrator? Especially since she comes and goes? While this woman occasionally does make some amusing remark or offer an interesting (and pertinent) insight, she is mostly not needed. Plus, the way she seems to be able to read other people’s minds (not just Ollie’s, which may be permissible) was, to me, illogical. Yes, well: how logical is a ghost narrating a story. But, still.
Overall, this didn’t really work for me. Some parts of it were good, but I didn’t enjoy this enough to want to read it again.
I get what Hemangini Dutt Majumder was attempting to do here: Bengali gothic combined with humour plus mystery plus a little push for emancipated modern womanhood. To some extent, she succeeds. For instance, Neelbari is definitely a tongue-in-cheek representation of the quintessential spooky mansion, replete with circular room, eerie sounds, wandering ghosts (or living humans pretending to be ghosts), ancient secrets, and more.
Then, the idea of strong, independent female characters: that too gets a big tick. Ollie, Laura, Fishy, even Labanga Latika, Rupa, and Panna’s Ma (not to mention the ‘Squares’, Fishy’s two aunts) are all, in their own ways, powerful characters. They may be whacky, they may be unpleasant, but they all have their own distinct characters and are not to be messed with.
The other theme that Dutt Majumder nails is the Bengali-ness of it all. She is able to portray the ethos of being Bengali fabulously: from the food, to the eccentricities surrounding everything from Rabindranath Tagore’s work (and how it must be intoned) to how children should be brought up, how older people may treat those younger than them (even if the younger person is in her sixties), and so on. The author, in this context, is both amazingly observant as well as delightfully witty.
Where the book didn’t work for me was in the rest of the humour, and in the mystery.
The humour is, till a point, actually funny; but after a while it began to pall. It seemed to me that Dutt Majumder was trying too hard, and resorting more and more to slapstick. There are, for example, several instances of Ollie getting drunk and doing silly things, which got irritating. It came across as too forced after a while (and, frankly, a heroine who is so alcohol-dependent isn’t my idea of a heroine).
The other thing that I wished had been better was the resolution of the mystery(ies). It’s all quite convoluted, the motivations didn’t really ring true, and how people arrived at various conclusions remained a mystery.
Also, one last quibble: why shoehorn Ollie’s long-dead mother into the story as a narrator? Especially since she comes and goes? While this woman occasionally does make some amusing remark or offer an interesting (and pertinent) insight, she is mostly not needed. Plus, the way she seems to be able to read other people’s minds (not just Ollie’s, which may be permissible) was, to me, illogical. Yes, well: how logical is a ghost narrating a story. But, still.
Overall, this didn’t really work for me. Some parts of it were good, but I didn’t enjoy this enough to want to read it again.
August 24, 2025
This is a light-hearted, breezy, cosy murder mystery set in a Bengali household. Fishy along with her adopted daughter, Laura and Ollie, her niece moves to Neelbari to take care of their ancestral property. But strange things start happening in Neelbari, leaving everyone wondering if a ghost is involved. Ollie’s supernatural hyperosmic power comes to everyone’s rescue when she helps locate the murderer and free the innocent.
This book is one of the unconventional whodunnits I have read, owing to the Bengali setting, the additional power that the protagonist is bestowed with and the breezy narrative where murders don’t feel gory but as a part of life. The story is very slow in the beginning, only picking up towards the end. I loved reading about the Bengali culture and cuisine, though there was no need for every recipe to be explained in detail because it was adding pages to the book and not to the story.
Having said that, the book carries some of the most important talks on menstruation, childbearing and a woman’s longing for a non-romantic companionship. I loved Habey; their cat and Neelbari. They had lives of their own. However Ollie and Laura being grown adults, their conversations and activities made the book feel like it was made for a much younger audience.
The book definitely does well as a contemporary fiction with mystery and murders involved. But I wouldn’t say that it’s a classical mystery thriller. You can read the book for Habey, the cat, the Bengali cultural appropriation and the cuisine, Neelbari’s eerie and lively estate, and some period pep talks. What weighs it down is that it is highly predictable, not so scary or gothic after all, and the childlike grown-up talks.
August 6, 2025
The problems between me and this book is -
The first unexpected shock that shattered my energy:
It's not horror story as I assumed from the cover, there's nothing like horror novel rather it's funny, it reminds me another Bengali author Shirshendu Mukherjee. In my teens I was a big fan of his writings.
Still I was enjoying, but then I met huge disappointment:
The narrative has the voice of early teens but all the characters in this book are above thirty..
When above the age thirty, peoples talking like 13 , it doesn't work for me.
You will enjoy it if you are not Bengali:
This book beautifully written and filled with Bengali culture and lifestyle yet only focused on food, exaggerated too much, stretched too much not given space to flourish the eerie atmosphere, IMO.
I wasn't expecting food menu blended in novel, it's mouthwatering but please tell me story:
And too much food food and food didn't work for me, it slowed down the pace and felt unnecessarily embellished the plot and expanded beyond my imagination.
I feel it's a confused book, not for adult readers nor suitable for kids, it doesn't mean to be horror and not fully a fun book.
Didn't work for me.
What is really good in this book is:
Impeccably written about Bengali 's life.
Author's word play is amazing, she is superbly skilled.
The first unexpected shock that shattered my energy:
It's not horror story as I assumed from the cover, there's nothing like horror novel rather it's funny, it reminds me another Bengali author Shirshendu Mukherjee. In my teens I was a big fan of his writings.
Still I was enjoying, but then I met huge disappointment:
The narrative has the voice of early teens but all the characters in this book are above thirty..
When above the age thirty, peoples talking like 13 , it doesn't work for me.
You will enjoy it if you are not Bengali:
This book beautifully written and filled with Bengali culture and lifestyle yet only focused on food, exaggerated too much, stretched too much not given space to flourish the eerie atmosphere, IMO.
I wasn't expecting food menu blended in novel, it's mouthwatering but please tell me story:
And too much food food and food didn't work for me, it slowed down the pace and felt unnecessarily embellished the plot and expanded beyond my imagination.
I feel it's a confused book, not for adult readers nor suitable for kids, it doesn't mean to be horror and not fully a fun book.
Didn't work for me.
What is really good in this book is:
Impeccably written about Bengali 's life.
Author's word play is amazing, she is superbly skilled.
September 17, 2025
‘The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles’ set in Neelbari, a crumbling mansion in Chandannagar. Basanti Chattergé (better known as Fishy), a top lawyer in Kolkata, has just won a protracted battle over her stepmother for control of the ancestral property, and has decided to relocate with her adopted daughter Laura, her niece Ollie and their cat Habey. Neither of the younger Chattergé women particularly wants to move out of the city, yet when strange and seemingly supernatural things start happening in the mansion, they dismiss the idea that the mansion is haunted by the ghost of their grandmother and resolve to get to the bottom of it.
The book is marketed as a cross between a classic whodunnit and a Gothic novel, but it is more than just that. The book paints a portrait of an upper caste, cultured Bengali family, filled all their attendant eccentricities. Even the family surname would sound pretentious to an outsider- Chattergé is a nod to the close multi-generational ties which the family had to France. Daknams (or nicknames) are common among Bengalis of a certain class, but these women have interesting names too- Ollie for instance is Olympia, so named “on her aunt’s suggestion. The inspiration was Edouard Manet’s Olympia, the controversial painting of a nude woman painting to look directly into the viewer’s eyes instead of coyly averting her gaze (as was the practice at the time).” Fishy’s stepmother was named Latika, but chose to call herself ‘Labanga Latika’ after the famous Bengali mishti!
Ollie has an uncanny sense of smell (which serves her well in her profession as a sommelier and beverage consultant because she can sniff out and create complex flavour profiles), and the narrative is punctuated by her olfactory observations. “Tiger Balm. Hibiscus hair oil. Shalimar perfume. Cigar.”, for instance, announces the presence of Fishy. These smell profiles not only add an unusual depth to the characterisations, they often also serve as a detective tool.
The book may be a cosy mystery set in a quaint household, but it tackles a topic that most authors shy away from. Ollie suffers from POCS, and she is subject to the same indifference and lack of empathy from the medical community as almost all other women with a similar condition are. Ollie, like thousands of other young women, had been repeatedly told by doctors that her menstrual problems will eventually right themselves and that in the meantime she should lose weight and adopt a different diet. While talking about this in a book may not itself lead to a change of attitude, it will at least give women who go through this every month feel seen.
The book is also unusual in the choice of narrator. For the first couple of chapters, you are left guessing the identity of the almost omnipresent narrator, but once you know who it is, you start to appreciate the tone of concern and sarcasm she employs. The pace of the book is slow, and it could potentially get exasperating if you are expecting a whodunnit. But if, you allow yourself to read it as a comedy of manners, the book will grow on you.
If you are looking for the gentle humour of a PG Wodehouse, set in modern day West Bengal, with a cast of quirky and formidable women and detailed descriptions of scrumptious meals, look no further than this. You will not be disappointed.
[I received a review copy of the book, and the views are my own.]
The book is marketed as a cross between a classic whodunnit and a Gothic novel, but it is more than just that. The book paints a portrait of an upper caste, cultured Bengali family, filled all their attendant eccentricities. Even the family surname would sound pretentious to an outsider- Chattergé is a nod to the close multi-generational ties which the family had to France. Daknams (or nicknames) are common among Bengalis of a certain class, but these women have interesting names too- Ollie for instance is Olympia, so named “on her aunt’s suggestion. The inspiration was Edouard Manet’s Olympia, the controversial painting of a nude woman painting to look directly into the viewer’s eyes instead of coyly averting her gaze (as was the practice at the time).” Fishy’s stepmother was named Latika, but chose to call herself ‘Labanga Latika’ after the famous Bengali mishti!
Ollie has an uncanny sense of smell (which serves her well in her profession as a sommelier and beverage consultant because she can sniff out and create complex flavour profiles), and the narrative is punctuated by her olfactory observations. “Tiger Balm. Hibiscus hair oil. Shalimar perfume. Cigar.”, for instance, announces the presence of Fishy. These smell profiles not only add an unusual depth to the characterisations, they often also serve as a detective tool.
The book may be a cosy mystery set in a quaint household, but it tackles a topic that most authors shy away from. Ollie suffers from POCS, and she is subject to the same indifference and lack of empathy from the medical community as almost all other women with a similar condition are. Ollie, like thousands of other young women, had been repeatedly told by doctors that her menstrual problems will eventually right themselves and that in the meantime she should lose weight and adopt a different diet. While talking about this in a book may not itself lead to a change of attitude, it will at least give women who go through this every month feel seen.
The book is also unusual in the choice of narrator. For the first couple of chapters, you are left guessing the identity of the almost omnipresent narrator, but once you know who it is, you start to appreciate the tone of concern and sarcasm she employs. The pace of the book is slow, and it could potentially get exasperating if you are expecting a whodunnit. But if, you allow yourself to read it as a comedy of manners, the book will grow on you.
If you are looking for the gentle humour of a PG Wodehouse, set in modern day West Bengal, with a cast of quirky and formidable women and detailed descriptions of scrumptious meals, look no further than this. You will not be disappointed.
[I received a review copy of the book, and the views are my own.]
August 12, 2025
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2025/08/bo...
Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge aka Ollie has a special power to sniff even the faintest smells, due to a hormonal condition. Ollie who was orphaned at the age of six lived with her aunt Basanti Chatterge whom she called Fishy (derived from Pishi — Bengali for paternal aunt). Fishy adopted Ellora (lovingly called Laura) who once worked as a house help in her parents’ house. The Chatterge ladies lived with their adopted cat Habeas Corpus (named by lawyer Fishy) in Kolkata.
After Fishy won a long-fought legal battle for share in her ancestral house Neelbari in Chandannagar, against her stepmother Labanga Lathika, the Chatterge ladies decide to shift to Neelbari. Neelbari already had a handful of interesting residents — Labanga Latika who is a famous classical dancer with political aspirations, her cousin Rupa who ran a fruit and vegetable jam workshop; Shankar a priest in the Chatterge’s temple but had romantic liaisons with Labanga Latika, and house helps who worked for the Chatterge’s for generations.
The Chatterge ladies had to share a section of the house with the hostile Labanga Latika and endure the rumors of the mansion being haunted by Fishy’s grandmother Manibala’s ghost. As Ollie explored their new house and its surroundings, skeletons and dead bodies tumbled one after the other. Will Ollie and Laura be able to find the reason behind this mystery form the rest of the story.
Right from the title to the cover to the character names, this book has a fresh premise and unique writing style of the author which we do not see in Indian novels. Ollie’s ability to sniff is such an integral part of the story that after a point, the reader will be curious to know what Ollie is sensing around her in that particular scene. This heightened sense of Ollie’s ability to smell is the USP of the story. The subtle and sarcastic humor is another highlight of the story.
The Bengali words thrown in generously add to the nativity and the backdrop, so does the food that the Chatterge ladies keep relishing. The main characters are strong but also have their share of vulnerabilities making them relatable to the reader. The eccentric nature of the supporting characters along with the mystery around Neelbari’s mansion keeps the reader’s interest till the end.
The story also deals with prevailing issues like hormonal troubles in young women; superstitions which have upperhand over logic, especially in rural areas and how they are still used in today’s world to instill fear in ordinary people.
However, the pace of the story, especially in the first half, is slow as the author introduces all characters and their back stories and the story only picks pace once the story shifts to Neelbari. While the first half will appeal to those who are invested in the lives of the Chatterge ladies and curious about where the story will lead, for normal readers the story may feel dragged.
Also, readers who regularly read mysteries will be able to guess the perpetrators as the author leaves clues well before the climax and the limited number of characters makes it easy to guess. Danish’s character impresses as long as he is there and has potential which is not explored enough.
If the slow first half can be ignored, the world of Neelbari and its residents will entertain the reader. Pick this one to read a unique story of smells.
Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge aka Ollie has a special power to sniff even the faintest smells, due to a hormonal condition. Ollie who was orphaned at the age of six lived with her aunt Basanti Chatterge whom she called Fishy (derived from Pishi — Bengali for paternal aunt). Fishy adopted Ellora (lovingly called Laura) who once worked as a house help in her parents’ house. The Chatterge ladies lived with their adopted cat Habeas Corpus (named by lawyer Fishy) in Kolkata.
After Fishy won a long-fought legal battle for share in her ancestral house Neelbari in Chandannagar, against her stepmother Labanga Lathika, the Chatterge ladies decide to shift to Neelbari. Neelbari already had a handful of interesting residents — Labanga Latika who is a famous classical dancer with political aspirations, her cousin Rupa who ran a fruit and vegetable jam workshop; Shankar a priest in the Chatterge’s temple but had romantic liaisons with Labanga Latika, and house helps who worked for the Chatterge’s for generations.
The Chatterge ladies had to share a section of the house with the hostile Labanga Latika and endure the rumors of the mansion being haunted by Fishy’s grandmother Manibala’s ghost. As Ollie explored their new house and its surroundings, skeletons and dead bodies tumbled one after the other. Will Ollie and Laura be able to find the reason behind this mystery form the rest of the story.
Right from the title to the cover to the character names, this book has a fresh premise and unique writing style of the author which we do not see in Indian novels. Ollie’s ability to sniff is such an integral part of the story that after a point, the reader will be curious to know what Ollie is sensing around her in that particular scene. This heightened sense of Ollie’s ability to smell is the USP of the story. The subtle and sarcastic humor is another highlight of the story.
The Bengali words thrown in generously add to the nativity and the backdrop, so does the food that the Chatterge ladies keep relishing. The main characters are strong but also have their share of vulnerabilities making them relatable to the reader. The eccentric nature of the supporting characters along with the mystery around Neelbari’s mansion keeps the reader’s interest till the end.
The story also deals with prevailing issues like hormonal troubles in young women; superstitions which have upperhand over logic, especially in rural areas and how they are still used in today’s world to instill fear in ordinary people.
However, the pace of the story, especially in the first half, is slow as the author introduces all characters and their back stories and the story only picks pace once the story shifts to Neelbari. While the first half will appeal to those who are invested in the lives of the Chatterge ladies and curious about where the story will lead, for normal readers the story may feel dragged.
Also, readers who regularly read mysteries will be able to guess the perpetrators as the author leaves clues well before the climax and the limited number of characters makes it easy to guess. Danish’s character impresses as long as he is there and has potential which is not explored enough.
If the slow first half can be ignored, the world of Neelbari and its residents will entertain the reader. Pick this one to read a unique story of smells.
August 15, 2025
The book is an interesting mix of humour, romance and crime that explores family history, secrets and an old estate. Hemangini’s writing is fresh and keeps you interested in the story as it plays out. The book is heavily reliant on Ollie’s sense of smell and the way each of the characters smells become an important aspect of the storytelling. Every time we see a change in the scene or the entry of the characters, the olfactory notes are mentioned, keeping the reader engaged as you start looking at events (or rather smelling them) from Ollie’s perspective and that forms a very interesting method of telling the story. I liked the fact that the self-deprecating humour has been used unsparingly and it is an essential part of her writing. The humour comes out surprisingly and it is so well written that the chuckles are quite guaranteed. Moving from the olfactory and the humour part of the storytelling, the mystery element in the book is equally well written and you are presented with the ghost of the Chaterges which adds another flavour to the tale of what happened at Neelbari. The needle of suspicion keeps moving from one character to the next as you start learning of the past events in the lives of the residents of Neelbari. I loved how the author does not definitively take you in a single direction, and through the trail of smells, you are entangled in the web that is slowly spinning. The climax has been written quite nicely and explains most of the things that had happened in Neelbari. While I did feel that it was a bit sudden, the overall satisfaction of the completion is there.
The characters are the soul of this book. Each of these characters have been meticulously crafted and there is a wonderful individuality to each of them. From the names of the characters-Olympia, Ellora, Fishy, Habeas Corpus, to the story behind each of the names is what made the story life like. Ollie’s sense of smell and steadfastness is something that I really loved in the book. I also loved how she has this innate ability to come up with quips on the spot that just hit right on the head. Laura’s no-nonsense character was another aspect I really loved in the book. Habey as a cat did steal the show more than once, specially in the climax, where I was truly surprised by its appearance. Pramanik and Halder as the investigating officers were genuinely interesting, even though their presence was in pieces.
Overall, this is a book that is highly recommended for its exceptional writing, bone-tickling humour and an interesting set of mysteries.
The characters are the soul of this book. Each of these characters have been meticulously crafted and there is a wonderful individuality to each of them. From the names of the characters-Olympia, Ellora, Fishy, Habeas Corpus, to the story behind each of the names is what made the story life like. Ollie’s sense of smell and steadfastness is something that I really loved in the book. I also loved how she has this innate ability to come up with quips on the spot that just hit right on the head. Laura’s no-nonsense character was another aspect I really loved in the book. Habey as a cat did steal the show more than once, specially in the climax, where I was truly surprised by its appearance. Pramanik and Halder as the investigating officers were genuinely interesting, even though their presence was in pieces.
Overall, this is a book that is highly recommended for its exceptional writing, bone-tickling humour and an interesting set of mysteries.
August 12, 2025
When I first picked up this book, I was convinced I was stepping into a creepy horror novel. The title and cover had me bracing for a chilling read. But just a few chapters in, I realised it was nothing like I imagined, it’s actually a quirky, light-hearted murder mystery with a generous splash of humour.
The story follows Olympia “Ollie” Chattergé, a sommelier with an extraordinary sense of smell, who moves with her family to their ancestral estate, Neelbari. But Neelbari isn’t exactly the peaceful retreat it appears to be, strange events begin to unfold, hinting at a possible haunting by Ollie’s great-grandmother. With her cousin Laura by her side, Ollie sets out to investigate, using her nose (quite literally!) to sniff out clues. The mystery unravels into family secrets, hidden truths about the estate, and a ticking clock to save Fishy, a character I absolutely adored for her charm and eccentricity.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ollie and Laura. Ollie is sharp, determined, and witty, with her heightened sense of smell giving the investigation a unique twist. Laura, on the other hand, brings her own kind of boldness and curiosity, making her the perfect partner-in-crime-solving. Their banter, combined with the way they complement each other’s strengths, kept the narrative lively and added a warm, familial layer to the mystery.
One thing I noticed was the heavy presence of Bengali food references, phrases, and cultural details. At first, I found myself getting slightly irritated because I wasn’t familiar with many of them, but eventually, I got used to it, and it became part of the book’s distinct flavour. Ollie’s extraordinary smelling ability, with all its detailed descriptions, was interesting but sometimes felt a little over the top for me.
I’ll admit, the start felt a little slow, and I wasn’t fully hooked right away. But once the investigation picked up and the humour started to shine through, I began enjoying it much more. The ending, for me, was predictable, but that didn’t dampen the fun of getting there.
This was also a refreshing change of pace from my last emotionally heavy read. Instead of dark, brooding tension, The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles gave me something playful, witty, and delightfully offbeat. If you enjoy mysteries that don’t weigh you down but still keep you guessing (and chuckling), this one is worth picking up.
The story follows Olympia “Ollie” Chattergé, a sommelier with an extraordinary sense of smell, who moves with her family to their ancestral estate, Neelbari. But Neelbari isn’t exactly the peaceful retreat it appears to be, strange events begin to unfold, hinting at a possible haunting by Ollie’s great-grandmother. With her cousin Laura by her side, Ollie sets out to investigate, using her nose (quite literally!) to sniff out clues. The mystery unravels into family secrets, hidden truths about the estate, and a ticking clock to save Fishy, a character I absolutely adored for her charm and eccentricity.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ollie and Laura. Ollie is sharp, determined, and witty, with her heightened sense of smell giving the investigation a unique twist. Laura, on the other hand, brings her own kind of boldness and curiosity, making her the perfect partner-in-crime-solving. Their banter, combined with the way they complement each other’s strengths, kept the narrative lively and added a warm, familial layer to the mystery.
One thing I noticed was the heavy presence of Bengali food references, phrases, and cultural details. At first, I found myself getting slightly irritated because I wasn’t familiar with many of them, but eventually, I got used to it, and it became part of the book’s distinct flavour. Ollie’s extraordinary smelling ability, with all its detailed descriptions, was interesting but sometimes felt a little over the top for me.
I’ll admit, the start felt a little slow, and I wasn’t fully hooked right away. But once the investigation picked up and the humour started to shine through, I began enjoying it much more. The ending, for me, was predictable, but that didn’t dampen the fun of getting there.
This was also a refreshing change of pace from my last emotionally heavy read. Instead of dark, brooding tension, The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles gave me something playful, witty, and delightfully offbeat. If you enjoy mysteries that don’t weigh you down but still keep you guessing (and chuckling), this one is worth picking up.
August 27, 2025
I came to know of this book through IBC, & there had been a book release invite which I, naturally could not attend, because I live in a small place.
The back cover mentions smell as Ollie's "superpower" ... Thank gawd it is not an actual superpower story... Because that would have been too kiddish for me & that is why I was stalling.
(Some might not know, scratch & sniff is a kind of adverts (used to be) found in magazines, in which a (generally scent) product will be advertised, & a small patch of a special paper will contain that scent)
This book is (the new genre of ) comedy-cum-murder-mystery. I enjoyed it a LOT .
The mystery is ordinary, & by 70%, you guess who the perpetrator is, & it's somewhat sad too...
But the ample humour & borderline absurdism is wonderful, & it's being classified as "super light" read. There are no main protagonists, all the characters in the story are equally important in the story, all back stories are (to an extent) done, & most are their own brand of quirky bordering on eccentric... protagonists & antagonists alike!
Also, smell bundles keep getting mentioned whenever Ollie comes across anyone, or to a new place. ... &, till a long way into the book, I kept expecting for something to happen whenever this was done. Well, a lot happened in the story ... but never following the smell-bundles ... however, I kind of enjoyed this silly mental exercise, & did not feel sort of thwarted when this happened (a lot), as I expected in the beginning, rather I found it funny "again a smell-bundle, & again nothing happened immediately after it"!
BUT, I don't know how enjoyable it will be to someone who is not Bengali. There are immense no. of Bengali words & phrases (all translated & explained) & a lot of customs & practices, which are lot more difficult to explain, or so I think! At the same time, I also think that Ollie & Laura are cleverly named (alongwith the backstories to the names) so that an other-language readership can easily grasp on the the story ... because we all know, foreign names add a lot of hindrance to enjoying a read, as we muddle up the characters in our heads...
The back cover mentions smell as Ollie's "superpower" ... Thank gawd it is not an actual superpower story... Because that would have been too kiddish for me & that is why I was stalling.
(Some might not know, scratch & sniff is a kind of adverts (used to be) found in magazines, in which a (generally scent) product will be advertised, & a small patch of a special paper will contain that scent)
This book is (the new genre of ) comedy-cum-murder-mystery. I enjoyed it a LOT .
The mystery is ordinary, & by 70%, you guess who the perpetrator is, & it's somewhat sad too...
But the ample humour & borderline absurdism is wonderful, & it's being classified as "super light" read. There are no main protagonists, all the characters in the story are equally important in the story, all back stories are (to an extent) done, & most are their own brand of quirky bordering on eccentric... protagonists & antagonists alike!
Also, smell bundles keep getting mentioned whenever Ollie comes across anyone, or to a new place. ... &, till a long way into the book, I kept expecting for something to happen whenever this was done. Well, a lot happened in the story ... but never following the smell-bundles ... however, I kind of enjoyed this silly mental exercise, & did not feel sort of thwarted when this happened (a lot), as I expected in the beginning, rather I found it funny "again a smell-bundle, & again nothing happened immediately after it"!
BUT, I don't know how enjoyable it will be to someone who is not Bengali. There are immense no. of Bengali words & phrases (all translated & explained) & a lot of customs & practices, which are lot more difficult to explain, or so I think! At the same time, I also think that Ollie & Laura are cleverly named (alongwith the backstories to the names) so that an other-language readership can easily grasp on the the story ... because we all know, foreign names add a lot of hindrance to enjoying a read, as we muddle up the characters in our heads...
August 11, 2025
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by Hemangini Dutt Majumdar
I had been eagerly anticipating this book ever since Niyogi Books announced it. It ticked so many irresistible boxes — an old family estate, a ghost, a long-buried family secret, a mix of cozy mystery and horror, a protagonist with a hypersensitive sense of smell, and the promise of a fun, quirky read. Oh, and did I mention it also features a cat named Habey? I’m happy to report that it absolutely lived up to my expectations.
The story follows Ollie, who returns to her ancestral home with her cousin and aunt. Strange occurrences soon unsettle their stay, and before long, dead bodies start to appear. We watch as Ollie’s heightened sense of smell becomes a key tool in uncovering the truth before it’s too late.
One of the things I loved most about this book was its mix of familiar yet rarely-explored themes. From serious topics like menstruation, to the mundane, like salon visits and the universal dislike many women have for bras. These touches made the characters feel wonderfully real. Speaking of which, the cast was memorable, both in name and personality. Often, even if I enjoy a story, the character names fade from memory, but here, each one came with a distinct backstory I won’t forget anytime soon.
And then there’s Ollie herself, refreshingly relatable and ordinary. She isn’t portrayed as a flawless genius or a hidden super-sleuth; she’s just someone you can easily see yourself knowing in real life.
While the story starts off at a gentler pace, once the mystery kicks in at Neelbari, it truly picks up momentum. I devoured the latter half in a single day. I did guess the culprit early on but it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book one bit. The humor was a delightful surprise too. It was not just a momentary smile but genuine laugh-out-loud moments that caught me off guard.
If you’re in the mood for something slightly spooky, full of mystery, and brimming with fun, this is the perfect book to curl up with during these rainy days.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I had been eagerly anticipating this book ever since Niyogi Books announced it. It ticked so many irresistible boxes — an old family estate, a ghost, a long-buried family secret, a mix of cozy mystery and horror, a protagonist with a hypersensitive sense of smell, and the promise of a fun, quirky read. Oh, and did I mention it also features a cat named Habey? I’m happy to report that it absolutely lived up to my expectations.
The story follows Ollie, who returns to her ancestral home with her cousin and aunt. Strange occurrences soon unsettle their stay, and before long, dead bodies start to appear. We watch as Ollie’s heightened sense of smell becomes a key tool in uncovering the truth before it’s too late.
One of the things I loved most about this book was its mix of familiar yet rarely-explored themes. From serious topics like menstruation, to the mundane, like salon visits and the universal dislike many women have for bras. These touches made the characters feel wonderfully real. Speaking of which, the cast was memorable, both in name and personality. Often, even if I enjoy a story, the character names fade from memory, but here, each one came with a distinct backstory I won’t forget anytime soon.
And then there’s Ollie herself, refreshingly relatable and ordinary. She isn’t portrayed as a flawless genius or a hidden super-sleuth; she’s just someone you can easily see yourself knowing in real life.
While the story starts off at a gentler pace, once the mystery kicks in at Neelbari, it truly picks up momentum. I devoured the latter half in a single day. I did guess the culprit early on but it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book one bit. The humor was a delightful surprise too. It was not just a momentary smile but genuine laugh-out-loud moments that caught me off guard.
If you’re in the mood for something slightly spooky, full of mystery, and brimming with fun, this is the perfect book to curl up with during these rainy days.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
August 12, 2025
When I first heard about this book, its title caught my attention and made me attend the launch hosted by Niyogi Books. I bought the book because the plot, which revolves around a protagonist with a hypersensitive sense of smell, an old family estate, a long-buried family secret, and a mix of cosy mystery and horror, seemed intriguing.
The protagonist of the story is Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge, aka Ollie, a sommelier. Her powerful olfactory abilities, which allow her to detect even the faintest smells due to a hormonal condition, make her unique. Being orphaned at an early age, Ollie is adopted by her aunt Basanti Chatterge, who is known as Fishy (derived from Pishi — Bengali for paternal aunt). Fishy also adopted Ellora (also called Laura), who was a house help in her parents' house.
Their life takes a dramatic turn when they relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar. A series of strange incidents occur which get even murkier as Ollie and Laura try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Later, we discover Ollie's heightened sense of smell is the key to unravelling the mystery.
I enjoyed the book for its subtle wit and humour, eccentric character of Fishy, unconventional Ollie and of course, their cute and furry cat, Habey. Initially, the story moves slowly but picks up momentum in the latter part of the book, keeping me guessing until the end as to who the culprit is.
The novel is interspersed with Bengali references and dishes, which add authenticity to the plot. Debutante Hemangini Dutt Majumder has lived up to my expectations, and it is always encouraging to see more women authors coming up in the Indian literary scene.
This is not just a classical whodunnit; it blends Bengali tradition with Gothic flair and lingers on in your memory like a refreshing scent.
The protagonist of the story is Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge, aka Ollie, a sommelier. Her powerful olfactory abilities, which allow her to detect even the faintest smells due to a hormonal condition, make her unique. Being orphaned at an early age, Ollie is adopted by her aunt Basanti Chatterge, who is known as Fishy (derived from Pishi — Bengali for paternal aunt). Fishy also adopted Ellora (also called Laura), who was a house help in her parents' house.
Their life takes a dramatic turn when they relocate to their ancestral estate, Neelbari, in Chandannagar. A series of strange incidents occur which get even murkier as Ollie and Laura try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Later, we discover Ollie's heightened sense of smell is the key to unravelling the mystery.
I enjoyed the book for its subtle wit and humour, eccentric character of Fishy, unconventional Ollie and of course, their cute and furry cat, Habey. Initially, the story moves slowly but picks up momentum in the latter part of the book, keeping me guessing until the end as to who the culprit is.
The novel is interspersed with Bengali references and dishes, which add authenticity to the plot. Debutante Hemangini Dutt Majumder has lived up to my expectations, and it is always encouraging to see more women authors coming up in the Indian literary scene.
This is not just a classical whodunnit; it blends Bengali tradition with Gothic flair and lingers on in your memory like a refreshing scent.
August 12, 2025
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles felt very familiar - and what a heady mix it was: part mystery, part memory, and fully marinated in the unmistakable chaos of a Bengali family. Right from page one, I felt like I’d been dropped into a world that smelled like home — minus the comfort.
Ollie (Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge, if you're feeling formal) is the kind of protagonist who doesn’t beg to be liked — and that’s what makes her fantastic. She's sarcastic, sharp, and emotionally closed off, but with a nose so powerful it practically sniffs out the past. Watching her navigate Neelbari, her family’s crumbling estate in Chandannagar, is equal parts hilarious and haunting.
Then there’s Laura — the earnest, emotionally-overcooked cousin who feels everything Ollie won’t admit to. Their dynamic is golden: push and pull, love and judgement, tenderness buried under layers of passive-aggressive banter. And let’s not forget Ollie’s aunt, who seems like your typical desi matriarch until you realise she’s got entire epics stored behind that stiff gown. Oh — and the cat, Habey, who honestly deserves his own spin-off.
Neelbari is as much a character as the people in it. It creaks with memories and secrets. The house seems to breathe in the background, heavy with things unsaid.
Hemangini Dutt Majumdar doesn’t give us a fast-paced thriller — she gives us something messier and more real. This book is about the politics of smell, of inheritance, of grief we’re not allowed to name. It’s clever, deeply Bengali in texture, and refuses to explain itself — which I adored.
Strange, spiced, and utterly satisfying — like koraishutir kochuri with a twist you didn’t see coming - must read if you are a Bengali and if you are not too
Ollie (Olympia Ghoshal Chatterge, if you're feeling formal) is the kind of protagonist who doesn’t beg to be liked — and that’s what makes her fantastic. She's sarcastic, sharp, and emotionally closed off, but with a nose so powerful it practically sniffs out the past. Watching her navigate Neelbari, her family’s crumbling estate in Chandannagar, is equal parts hilarious and haunting.
Then there’s Laura — the earnest, emotionally-overcooked cousin who feels everything Ollie won’t admit to. Their dynamic is golden: push and pull, love and judgement, tenderness buried under layers of passive-aggressive banter. And let’s not forget Ollie’s aunt, who seems like your typical desi matriarch until you realise she’s got entire epics stored behind that stiff gown. Oh — and the cat, Habey, who honestly deserves his own spin-off.
Neelbari is as much a character as the people in it. It creaks with memories and secrets. The house seems to breathe in the background, heavy with things unsaid.
Hemangini Dutt Majumdar doesn’t give us a fast-paced thriller — she gives us something messier and more real. This book is about the politics of smell, of inheritance, of grief we’re not allowed to name. It’s clever, deeply Bengali in texture, and refuses to explain itself — which I adored.
Strange, spiced, and utterly satisfying — like koraishutir kochuri with a twist you didn’t see coming - must read if you are a Bengali and if you are not too
August 11, 2025
picture yourself being a wine sommelier in bengal, equipped with the nose of a bloodhound, the wit of a slightly tipsy stand-up comic, and the rather unfortunate luck of moving into a possibly haunted ancestral mansion, that’s ollie for you. she literally sniffs her way through life, and to add a twist, her deceased mom is the narrator. no big deal, right?
neelbari (the mansion) is oozing with vibes, think creaky doors, family drama thicker than mustard oil, and a cat named habey who definitely knows more than he lets on. cousin laura is like the ultimate chaos sidekick, and fishy (their aunt) might just become my new comfort character… if comfort means “will roast you while serving luchis.”
there’s a mix of mystery, ghostly rumors, and dangerous secrets, plus random detours for fish fry because, you know, priorities. the writing is steeped in bengali culture, you can practically smell the kashundi through your kindle, and the chapter titles? absolute perfection.
i’ll admit, i docked a star because sometimes the mystery took a backseat to food discussions (totally relatable, but come on, i want the ghost tea, not just the cha), but the humor, the atmosphere, and the wonderfully chaotic vibe? top-notch.
in short, it’s like a cozy, spooky, mustard-oil-scented hug of a book. i’d give it a solid 10/10 if you enjoy your whodunnits with a side of ghosts, gossip, and enough fried snacks to raise a cholesterol alert.
neelbari (the mansion) is oozing with vibes, think creaky doors, family drama thicker than mustard oil, and a cat named habey who definitely knows more than he lets on. cousin laura is like the ultimate chaos sidekick, and fishy (their aunt) might just become my new comfort character… if comfort means “will roast you while serving luchis.”
there’s a mix of mystery, ghostly rumors, and dangerous secrets, plus random detours for fish fry because, you know, priorities. the writing is steeped in bengali culture, you can practically smell the kashundi through your kindle, and the chapter titles? absolute perfection.
i’ll admit, i docked a star because sometimes the mystery took a backseat to food discussions (totally relatable, but come on, i want the ghost tea, not just the cha), but the humor, the atmosphere, and the wonderfully chaotic vibe? top-notch.
in short, it’s like a cozy, spooky, mustard-oil-scented hug of a book. i’d give it a solid 10/10 if you enjoy your whodunnits with a side of ghosts, gossip, and enough fried snacks to raise a cholesterol alert.
August 12, 2025
When I first picked up The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles, I expected a quirky mystery. What I didn’t expect was to be pulled into a world that smelled like trouble—literally.
From page one, I felt like the Indian version of Wednesday Addams, side-eyeing every character, trusting no one, and secretly hoping for chaos to erupt. And chaos did erupt, but in the most peculiar ways—every clue felt like a scented breadcrumb, leading me deeper into a plot that was equal parts bizarre and brilliant.
The book plays with your senses in a way I’ve never experienced before. The “scratch and sniff” element isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a doorway into the atmosphere of the story. You don’t just read about mystery—you smell it lingering in the air like the aftermath of a secret whispered in the dark.
By the halfway point of the readalong, I was completely in detective mode, scribbling theories, crossing names off my mental suspect list, and occasionally questioning my sanity. Every chapter felt like it could reveal the truth—or trick me into following another red herring.
By the end, I wasn’t just reading a mystery. I was living it. And when the final twist hit, I just sat there, staring at the book like it had personally betrayed me in the most delightful way.
If you love mysteries that toy with your mind, characters that keep you guessing, and an atmosphere that clings to you like the faint smell of rain on old paper, you need to dive into The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles.
From page one, I felt like the Indian version of Wednesday Addams, side-eyeing every character, trusting no one, and secretly hoping for chaos to erupt. And chaos did erupt, but in the most peculiar ways—every clue felt like a scented breadcrumb, leading me deeper into a plot that was equal parts bizarre and brilliant.
The book plays with your senses in a way I’ve never experienced before. The “scratch and sniff” element isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a doorway into the atmosphere of the story. You don’t just read about mystery—you smell it lingering in the air like the aftermath of a secret whispered in the dark.
By the halfway point of the readalong, I was completely in detective mode, scribbling theories, crossing names off my mental suspect list, and occasionally questioning my sanity. Every chapter felt like it could reveal the truth—or trick me into following another red herring.
By the end, I wasn’t just reading a mystery. I was living it. And when the final twist hit, I just sat there, staring at the book like it had personally betrayed me in the most delightful way.
If you love mysteries that toy with your mind, characters that keep you guessing, and an atmosphere that clings to you like the faint smell of rain on old paper, you need to dive into The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles.
August 12, 2025
𝔰𝔪𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔢𝔮𝔲𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰
This quirky, witty novel with its mix of complex family dynamics and buried secrets was an absolute treat to read. I was completely intrigued and a little baffled by the introduction of the narrator.
The book plays with your sense of smell in such a way that you almost feel like you’re inside the pages, experiencing everything firsthand. The title is as unusual as the story, and I’ll admit, I picked it up purely because of the cover and the name. I could relate to Ollie’s professional struggles, given that I’m currently in a similar phase myself, and I adored Laura’s character — efficient to the core, the kind of person I’d love to have in my own life. While the story starts off slow, it gains momentum after the narrator is revealed.
The novel is steeped in Bengali culture — from phrases and dishes to subtle traditions — and as someone from Bengal, I enjoyed these details thoroughly (and now have a long list of things I want to try). The narrative fuses the vibrance of Bengali tradition with the eerie charm of gothic literature, set against the backdrop of a complicated ancestral lineage.
While I found the plot a little predictable — perhaps because I’ve read so many mysteries that I can spot clues and red herrings — I still appreciated the way it was tied together, with some witty and satisfying touches in the ending.
If you love culture-rich mysteries with an unusual twist, this one’s worth a sniff!
This quirky, witty novel with its mix of complex family dynamics and buried secrets was an absolute treat to read. I was completely intrigued and a little baffled by the introduction of the narrator.
The book plays with your sense of smell in such a way that you almost feel like you’re inside the pages, experiencing everything firsthand. The title is as unusual as the story, and I’ll admit, I picked it up purely because of the cover and the name. I could relate to Ollie’s professional struggles, given that I’m currently in a similar phase myself, and I adored Laura’s character — efficient to the core, the kind of person I’d love to have in my own life. While the story starts off slow, it gains momentum after the narrator is revealed.
The novel is steeped in Bengali culture — from phrases and dishes to subtle traditions — and as someone from Bengal, I enjoyed these details thoroughly (and now have a long list of things I want to try). The narrative fuses the vibrance of Bengali tradition with the eerie charm of gothic literature, set against the backdrop of a complicated ancestral lineage.
While I found the plot a little predictable — perhaps because I’ve read so many mysteries that I can spot clues and red herrings — I still appreciated the way it was tied together, with some witty and satisfying touches in the ending.
If you love culture-rich mysteries with an unusual twist, this one’s worth a sniff!
August 13, 2025
The book is quirky and realistic—to a fault. The topics covered will resonate with at least every fifth person. The situations are written in the form of satire, which lifts the entire story.
The book is set in Kolkata, capturing the essence of the city so clearly that you may want to visit. The protagonist, Ollie, is unapologetically hilarious, and her daredevil actions are delightful and scary. I still don’t know how she managed to sleep peacefully after finding dead bodies.
The character names are uncommon and funny, but their origins are even funnier. The story mixes folklore and myths in today’s time, showing how people twist them for their own advantage. Ollie’s hyper smelling ability feels like a brand-new, unexplored superpower, and yes, it is a medical condition, and the way it’s incorporated into the plot is very clever. Every new scene is depicted by a new scent, and that makes us think of small smells that we often disregard. The book is little slow but ending is quite pleasant.
Overall, the book is a delightful, fun, and enjoyable read.
The book is set in Kolkata, capturing the essence of the city so clearly that you may want to visit. The protagonist, Ollie, is unapologetically hilarious, and her daredevil actions are delightful and scary. I still don’t know how she managed to sleep peacefully after finding dead bodies.
The character names are uncommon and funny, but their origins are even funnier. The story mixes folklore and myths in today’s time, showing how people twist them for their own advantage. Ollie’s hyper smelling ability feels like a brand-new, unexplored superpower, and yes, it is a medical condition, and the way it’s incorporated into the plot is very clever. Every new scene is depicted by a new scent, and that makes us think of small smells that we often disregard. The book is little slow but ending is quite pleasant.
Overall, the book is a delightful, fun, and enjoyable read.
August 26, 2025
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles" is a wild ride! The story follows Ollie, a girl with an insane sense of smell, as she navigates her family's drama-filled ancestral home. One thing that really stood out to me was the author's seamless weaving of Bengali culture into the narrative. As a Bengali reader, I loved the nods to traditional food, cultural practices, and Bengali phrases - it felt super authentic.
But I can see how it might be a bit much for readers who aren't familiar with the culture. There's a lot of cultural detail packed in, and it might take some getting used to. That being said, the mystery is expertly crafted, with a slow-burning tension that'll keep you hooked. The chapter titles are also pretty genius - "Robibaarer Bhaat Ghum" and "Kashundi Fishy Fry" are just so on point.
The characters are all well-developed, and Ollie's sense of smell is just one of the many things that makes her stand out. The narration by her dead mother adds a cool twist to the story, too.
But I can see how it might be a bit much for readers who aren't familiar with the culture. There's a lot of cultural detail packed in, and it might take some getting used to. That being said, the mystery is expertly crafted, with a slow-burning tension that'll keep you hooked. The chapter titles are also pretty genius - "Robibaarer Bhaat Ghum" and "Kashundi Fishy Fry" are just so on point.
The characters are all well-developed, and Ollie's sense of smell is just one of the many things that makes her stand out. The narration by her dead mother adds a cool twist to the story, too.
August 22, 2025
The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles—Hemangini Dutt Majumder
Let’s sniff and find out the mystery around Neelabari Estate. When the cover was released, I loved it, and the colors in the cover made me want to read this book. Initially I struggled, but then slowly I got the hang of the story.
Set in Kolkata, Olympia, aka Ollie, has been with her Aunt Basanti, aka Fishy. Along with her cousin Ellora, aka Laura, she was adopted by Fishy. Olympia has a high sensitivity to smell. After a struggle, Fishy finally got her ancestral house. They left for Neelabari. Slowly they uncover the mysteries around them. Through Ollie, who can smell everything. That helped her uncover the mystery.
The story was narrated by Ollie’s dead mother. That was so interesting.What I loved about the story is its page-turning mystery but a whodunit that slowly unwraps itself. Those Bengali foods, Pujo. It was tempting to eat while reading. Whenever Ollie smells the anything they were decoded. I loved that how briefly about the smell. The prose was lucid, along with a touch of Bengali words. I felt drawn while solving the mysteries. The ending was the best part.
Go ahead if you want to read something Whodunit.
QOTD : What’s Fav cuisine ?
Let’s sniff and find out the mystery around Neelabari Estate. When the cover was released, I loved it, and the colors in the cover made me want to read this book. Initially I struggled, but then slowly I got the hang of the story.
Set in Kolkata, Olympia, aka Ollie, has been with her Aunt Basanti, aka Fishy. Along with her cousin Ellora, aka Laura, she was adopted by Fishy. Olympia has a high sensitivity to smell. After a struggle, Fishy finally got her ancestral house. They left for Neelabari. Slowly they uncover the mysteries around them. Through Ollie, who can smell everything. That helped her uncover the mystery.
The story was narrated by Ollie’s dead mother. That was so interesting.What I loved about the story is its page-turning mystery but a whodunit that slowly unwraps itself. Those Bengali foods, Pujo. It was tempting to eat while reading. Whenever Ollie smells the anything they were decoded. I loved that how briefly about the smell. The prose was lucid, along with a touch of Bengali words. I felt drawn while solving the mysteries. The ending was the best part.
Go ahead if you want to read something Whodunit.
QOTD : What’s Fav cuisine ?
August 12, 2025
I picked up The Scratch & Sniff Chronicles expecting a mystery I couldn’t put down, with a side of mouth-watering Bengali food and I got half of that.
The story takes you to Chandannagar, West Bengal, where Ollie, a girl with an extraordinary sense of smell, moves into her family’s old ancestral house. Soon, strange events start unfolding, hinting at secrets and maybe even a ghost.
What I enjoyed most was the Bengali culture woven into the story. From the smell of Koraishutir Kochuri in the kitchen to adda over hot chai, and the charm of old traditions, the book has a warm and homely vibe.
However, the mystery did not grip me as much as I had hoped. Some parts felt slow, and I found myself more interested in the food and family moments than the actual investigation.
It is a cozy, cultural read that has its moments, but overall it was an average experience for me.
The story takes you to Chandannagar, West Bengal, where Ollie, a girl with an extraordinary sense of smell, moves into her family’s old ancestral house. Soon, strange events start unfolding, hinting at secrets and maybe even a ghost.
What I enjoyed most was the Bengali culture woven into the story. From the smell of Koraishutir Kochuri in the kitchen to adda over hot chai, and the charm of old traditions, the book has a warm and homely vibe.
However, the mystery did not grip me as much as I had hoped. Some parts felt slow, and I found myself more interested in the food and family moments than the actual investigation.
It is a cozy, cultural read that has its moments, but overall it was an average experience for me.
August 11, 2025
📍 “Chaos ✔
Charm ✔
Confusion ✔
Twists ✔”
📚 “The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by @hemanginiduttmajumder
What I loved most about the book was how it kept me hooked and slightly confused — in the best way. The Kolkata setting felt alive, almost like another character in the story. I loved that it was narrated from someone else’s POV, which made the main character feel even more intriguing. The cast was different and quirky, but my favourite was Haebus — sharp, unpredictable, and unforgettable. And that unique sense of smell? It added such a fresh twist to the plot. The surprises kept coming till the very last page, making this a solid 4.5-star read for me.
Charm ✔
Confusion ✔
Twists ✔”
📚 “The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles by @hemanginiduttmajumder
What I loved most about the book was how it kept me hooked and slightly confused — in the best way. The Kolkata setting felt alive, almost like another character in the story. I loved that it was narrated from someone else’s POV, which made the main character feel even more intriguing. The cast was different and quirky, but my favourite was Haebus — sharp, unpredictable, and unforgettable. And that unique sense of smell? It added such a fresh twist to the plot. The surprises kept coming till the very last page, making this a solid 4.5-star read for me.
August 16, 2025
A debut author with a mature writing style. Hemangini is here to stay. Her writing style offers the reader a fresh experience to this genre. Each character is well thought and portrayed that I could see it all happening in-front of my eyes.
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