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That Frequent Visitor
Why are outsiders not allowed on Vypeen Island after sunset? What brought Richard Baxter to the dreaded Clifford Mansion in 1948? Where did Baxter and his wife disappear on the night of Pournami? Who is the visitor that the fishermen fear so much? How do true love and destiny justify their existence? How far will One Man go for the one he loves? Will he go beyond death?
Six decades later, Shiuli Dutta is mysteriously lured into the Mansion, where she encounters the ghost of Richard Baxter. The grieving ghost tells her an incomplete story of its life.
A story that will reveal the darker side of a man’s mind. A story that shall unveil a venomous truth of the past. A story so sinister that it could alter the fate of an entire nation’s future. A story of courage and cowardice, of deceit and insanity.
The Story of THAT FREQUENT VISITOR.
Six decades later, Shiuli Dutta is mysteriously lured into the Mansion, where she encounters the ghost of Richard Baxter. The grieving ghost tells her an incomplete story of its life.
A story that will reveal the darker side of a man’s mind. A story that shall unveil a venomous truth of the past. A story so sinister that it could alter the fate of an entire nation’s future. A story of courage and cowardice, of deceit and insanity.
The Story of THAT FREQUENT VISITOR.
202 pages, Paperback
First published December 26, 2014
39 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
K. Hari Kumar
14 books169 followersK. Hari Kumar is a celebrated author, screenwriter and filmmaker. He has authored 9 bestselling books with HarperCollins, including Daiva, Naaga, India’s Most Haunted and Dakini. He has penned the screenplay of Bhram, E and has appeared as a speaker on popular podcasts like The Ranveer Show, Dostcast, Speaking Tree, HT Smartcast, Aajtak, Radio One, etc. He currently hosts CHATURYA – THE FOURTH STATE, the trending Youtube Channel, where he explores fascinating tales and concepts from Indic Puranas, regional folklore, spirituality and global mythology.
K Hari Kumar's collection of horror short stories, India's Most Haunted - Tales of Terrifying Places, published by HarperCollins India is one of the highest selling horror story books in India. The Times Of India deemed it as a must-read horror book, and it was also listed in HarperCollins India’s hundred best books written by Indian authors. The Malayalam translation of India’s Most Haunted was published as Indiayile Prethalayangal by Mathrubhumi Books in March 2022. The book will be soon translated into Hindi as well.
Hari has been honoured with invitations to speak on his expertise at prestigious events such as Times Literature festival (Bangalore & Delhi), DAV United Literature Festival (Gurgaon & Delhi), Kumaon Literature Festival (Dhanacholi), Lit-O-Mania (Mumbai), and IISc’s Literature Festival (Bangalore). His insights have garnered attention from leading national newspapers, television channels, and podcasts, including the renowned The Ranveer Show that features India's top writers and film personalities.
K Hari Kumar's collection of horror short stories, India's Most Haunted - Tales of Terrifying Places, published by HarperCollins India is one of the highest selling horror story books in India. The Times Of India deemed it as a must-read horror book, and it was also listed in HarperCollins India’s hundred best books written by Indian authors. The Malayalam translation of India’s Most Haunted was published as Indiayile Prethalayangal by Mathrubhumi Books in March 2022. The book will be soon translated into Hindi as well.
Hari has been honoured with invitations to speak on his expertise at prestigious events such as Times Literature festival (Bangalore & Delhi), DAV United Literature Festival (Gurgaon & Delhi), Kumaon Literature Festival (Dhanacholi), Lit-O-Mania (Mumbai), and IISc’s Literature Festival (Bangalore). His insights have garnered attention from leading national newspapers, television channels, and podcasts, including the renowned The Ranveer Show that features India's top writers and film personalities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 8, 2015
The genre that still needs to be discovered truly by the Indian authors and readers is ‘Horror’. ‘That Frequent Visitor’ by K Hari Kumar is one of the decent take over the journey of unknown, the journey of writing ‘Horror’ for the Indian Audience (Though the book is not completely for the Indian audience only because the author presents the same book with a pen name of John Harker for foreign audience as well).
I don’t know why but horror genre excites me a bit and before reading the book, I already had high expectations from the book. The cover of the book is exceptional as it creates the anxiety to pick up the book and start reading it at the very spot.
The story picks up its pace pretty early and the slight hint of supernatural hooks you at the very start of the story. Narrative style of the author is something to look for but the story suddenly starts to lose the attention of reader in the middle section of the story but the suspense will never let you stop reading it further. Thing that annoyed me a bit was that, more than being a supernatural drama, it became a political thriller with a pinch of romantic angle in it.
The book fell a bit short to cope up with the vast plot about which the author had to write. Though the author did great work in the climax part as it was totally unexpected and hit the reader out of blue.
Overall the book doesn’t disappoint you because the plot is excellent but if you are looking for something exceptional over the horror genre, then this book is not written for you. The book does contain the flavor of something unique in it and the promising writing style of author, will not let you leave the book midway.
I don’t know why but horror genre excites me a bit and before reading the book, I already had high expectations from the book. The cover of the book is exceptional as it creates the anxiety to pick up the book and start reading it at the very spot.
The story picks up its pace pretty early and the slight hint of supernatural hooks you at the very start of the story. Narrative style of the author is something to look for but the story suddenly starts to lose the attention of reader in the middle section of the story but the suspense will never let you stop reading it further. Thing that annoyed me a bit was that, more than being a supernatural drama, it became a political thriller with a pinch of romantic angle in it.
The book fell a bit short to cope up with the vast plot about which the author had to write. Though the author did great work in the climax part as it was totally unexpected and hit the reader out of blue.
Overall the book doesn’t disappoint you because the plot is excellent but if you are looking for something exceptional over the horror genre, then this book is not written for you. The book does contain the flavor of something unique in it and the promising writing style of author, will not let you leave the book midway.
June 15, 2015
After reading When Strangers Meet by this author, I bought this book with such enthusiasm as the former one never bored me. He is a good story teller and has a great way to reveal things after holding up all the suspense. Reading this book was as good as watching a thriller movie, almost like happening before your eyes. After some time the ghost thing has become a little comforting until the real story started. How things from childhood can alter a man's mind and the people around him were depicted perfectly. Characters were well developed and were defined as much as is needed of them.
Connecting the recent incidents to the plot was really intelligent and made me think constantly about the aftereffects after having completed it about what would happen to the perpetrators of the crime described at the start and end of the book. Shiuli Dutta has a gift, a terrifying gift. Nothing to worry about her, she is already brave. Various references were made in the book about the real people, I suppose and the author was successful in venting out his frustration.
The whole thing is woven meticulously back and forth in time. All the characters and their respective stories made sense even if they are ugly and repulsive. The consequences could have been altered by the better judgment of the conscience. It was a great read. Loved the story.
But I still could not help but wonder why the cover designer or whoever is responsible placed a Half Rupee coin (1945) on the book cover, when the coin given by Lavanya to her husband was during 1942.
Connecting the recent incidents to the plot was really intelligent and made me think constantly about the aftereffects after having completed it about what would happen to the perpetrators of the crime described at the start and end of the book. Shiuli Dutta has a gift, a terrifying gift. Nothing to worry about her, she is already brave. Various references were made in the book about the real people, I suppose and the author was successful in venting out his frustration.
The whole thing is woven meticulously back and forth in time. All the characters and their respective stories made sense even if they are ugly and repulsive. The consequences could have been altered by the better judgment of the conscience. It was a great read. Loved the story.
But I still could not help but wonder why the cover designer or whoever is responsible placed a Half Rupee coin (1945) on the book cover, when the coin given by Lavanya to her husband was during 1942.
January 1, 2015
I read it twice in two days!
That Frequent Visitor is a Paranormal Romance by John Harker (who’s actually Hari Kumar when I checked the fanpage on facebook). I'm beginning to enjoy reading Paranormal Romance and that is exactly why I picked up this book after I found this on goodreads. The book is a self-proclaimed Most Awaited Paranormal Fiction of 2015! Well, here’s what I have to say about it.
For those who are looking for sex and erotic dialogues, this is not the book for you because That Frequent Visitor has neither. It is literally a Paranormal Thriller with an essential Love Story that serves the Romance part decently.
Shiuli Dutta is a sad little girl who lost her mother recently. Her dad is a bestselling Indian author who is not going to write a story and he takes Shiuli and his sister to kerela (described as if it were a lonely planet article). Here Shiuli ends up in a haunted mansion where she encounters the supernatural force. Now, the supernatural factor gives a riddling story to the young girl who has to resolve the mystery with her father and aunt. What follows is thrilling climax that will take the reader’s breath away. Although, it is kind of repetitive in the last part of the book, Hari Kumar has successfully pulled a nerve-clenching climax altogether. Most of the questions that I had were answered convincingly.
I think you will love this story and the mystery that unfolds.
That Frequent Visitor is a Paranormal Romance by John Harker (who’s actually Hari Kumar when I checked the fanpage on facebook). I'm beginning to enjoy reading Paranormal Romance and that is exactly why I picked up this book after I found this on goodreads. The book is a self-proclaimed Most Awaited Paranormal Fiction of 2015! Well, here’s what I have to say about it.
For those who are looking for sex and erotic dialogues, this is not the book for you because That Frequent Visitor has neither. It is literally a Paranormal Thriller with an essential Love Story that serves the Romance part decently.
Shiuli Dutta is a sad little girl who lost her mother recently. Her dad is a bestselling Indian author who is not going to write a story and he takes Shiuli and his sister to kerela (described as if it were a lonely planet article). Here Shiuli ends up in a haunted mansion where she encounters the supernatural force. Now, the supernatural factor gives a riddling story to the young girl who has to resolve the mystery with her father and aunt. What follows is thrilling climax that will take the reader’s breath away. Although, it is kind of repetitive in the last part of the book, Hari Kumar has successfully pulled a nerve-clenching climax altogether. Most of the questions that I had were answered convincingly.
I think you will love this story and the mystery that unfolds.
September 26, 2016
Just finished reading the book and I'm left speechless. It is a great plot and definite page turner.
Thanks to the author Hari Kumar, I'm happy to see books like these coming up that gives an impartial perspective towards politics, media, mind set of Indian youth and activists in general. Big salute for tribute. Without many Richard Baxters this great nation wouldn’t (will not) get people like Lavanya Ghosh Baxter and Shiuli. It is sad that still women have to deal with such devilish acts on them.
I loved all the characters and the way they are portrayed. I can see that great effort has been to put on to balance between the fact and fiction. Thanks for introducing us the great women from all generations (Lavanya, Pakhi and Sooli(Shiuli) :D ).
How apt it was that the great angel Mother Teresa is bring into the picture.
I'd like to know the significance of highlighting 'Q' in the cover. And also wanna know if it is mere coincidence or planned event that a tsunami book like this got released exactly 10 decades after the actually tsunami.
Except for little discrepancies here and there, it is a worthy read and I would definitely recommend it.
Goes into my favorites list and my first read of the year… :)
Great message from the book - courage and will are the two great gifts a woman could wish for.
Thanks to the author Hari Kumar, I'm happy to see books like these coming up that gives an impartial perspective towards politics, media, mind set of Indian youth and activists in general. Big salute for tribute. Without many Richard Baxters this great nation wouldn’t (will not) get people like Lavanya Ghosh Baxter and Shiuli. It is sad that still women have to deal with such devilish acts on them.
I loved all the characters and the way they are portrayed. I can see that great effort has been to put on to balance between the fact and fiction. Thanks for introducing us the great women from all generations (Lavanya, Pakhi and Sooli(Shiuli) :D ).
How apt it was that the great angel Mother Teresa is bring into the picture.
I'd like to know the significance of highlighting 'Q' in the cover. And also wanna know if it is mere coincidence or planned event that a tsunami book like this got released exactly 10 decades after the actually tsunami.
Except for little discrepancies here and there, it is a worthy read and I would definitely recommend it.
Goes into my favorites list and my first read of the year… :)
Great message from the book - courage and will are the two great gifts a woman could wish for.
January 9, 2015
A well attributed tribute to women
Plot – 5/5 -- Narration – 4/5 -- Characters – 5/5 -- Climax – 6/5
I am not sure how many of us actually would read a book written by an Indian writer unless it is a Deepak Chopra or Dalai Lama. Maybe that’s why he has gone with this American name that is based on one of the protagonists from the classic ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker. Or maybe he was just making another tribute in this story that is filled with tributes. From actors to writers to social activists to directors, the writer Hari Kumar has not missed anyone. Above all, it is a tribute to woman. Ironically, Hari or Harker has given a strong feminist message despite jotting down a masculine driven plot.
The Story is simple but complicated at the same time. The writer has been critical about English rule in India as well as the social evils of India. He has critically questioned religion while justifying the divine in a different context through the protagonist. The Story begins with a young girl from Delhi entering a Haunted Mansion in Southern India and encountering the ghost of Richard Baxter (The protagonist). What follows is an adventure filled with romance, thrill, mystery and horror across different ages. The Historical placement of events makes this fiction a lot more believable.
Verdict – It’s a classic!
Plot – 5/5 -- Narration – 4/5 -- Characters – 5/5 -- Climax – 6/5
I am not sure how many of us actually would read a book written by an Indian writer unless it is a Deepak Chopra or Dalai Lama. Maybe that’s why he has gone with this American name that is based on one of the protagonists from the classic ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker. Or maybe he was just making another tribute in this story that is filled with tributes. From actors to writers to social activists to directors, the writer Hari Kumar has not missed anyone. Above all, it is a tribute to woman. Ironically, Hari or Harker has given a strong feminist message despite jotting down a masculine driven plot.
The Story is simple but complicated at the same time. The writer has been critical about English rule in India as well as the social evils of India. He has critically questioned religion while justifying the divine in a different context through the protagonist. The Story begins with a young girl from Delhi entering a Haunted Mansion in Southern India and encountering the ghost of Richard Baxter (The protagonist). What follows is an adventure filled with romance, thrill, mystery and horror across different ages. The Historical placement of events makes this fiction a lot more believable.
Verdict – It’s a classic!
January 8, 2015
How far will one man go for the one he loves? I cannot imagine any farther than death and that is exactly what defines this spine-chilling book about an Englishman and his tryst with destiny. It is a weird story in which the author mixes up everything. From forms of narration to genre to elements of humor. At times you feel like it is a children’s fantasy with tid bits of ghost humor and then in the second half you get this bloody nightmare on elm street like menace of a legend with no humor and all violence. I enjoyed these deliberate fluctuations as it played tricks on my mind as a reader.
Hari Kumar has used pleasant and unpleasant imageries to describe situations aptly in this gothic fiction. That Frequent Visitor definitely lives upto the expectation set by the book’s grand trailer. What’s more compelling is the fact that it is a quick read and you want more of it once it is over.
Hari Kumar has used pleasant and unpleasant imageries to describe situations aptly in this gothic fiction. That Frequent Visitor definitely lives upto the expectation set by the book’s grand trailer. What’s more compelling is the fact that it is a quick read and you want more of it once it is over.
February 11, 2015
I myself love the supernatural, it intrigues me, so when I saw that this was free, I had to give it try. I love to read, and if I find a great book, I will sit down and read it from start to finish and not put it down. That was the case with "The Frequent Visitor". What I really loved was how the author creates an adventure filled with romance, thrills, mystery and horror all at one time. So no matter what type of book you like to read, you will like this book. Even at the regular Amazon Kindle price of $0.99 this is well worth it!!
So sit in your comfy chair, grab you a blanket and a settle in for a book that will captivate you to the point that you will not move until the story is over, and leave you wanting there to be more.
So sit in your comfy chair, grab you a blanket and a settle in for a book that will captivate you to the point that you will not move until the story is over, and leave you wanting there to be more.
April 17, 2015
That frequent visitor is a cultural tale of changing times. We definitely have moved away from the practice of burning the widow in the same flames as the deceased but we are still fighting a battle of equality. The author makes this point very clear throughout the plot.
The characters were fully developed, the story-line was captivating, the end perfectly ties up and the bonus of a happy ending!
A worth read!
The characters were fully developed, the story-line was captivating, the end perfectly ties up and the bonus of a happy ending!
A worth read!
February 9, 2015
From para-psychological drama, Hari Kumar graduated to para-psychological thriller. The repeated self references in the story was a bit unnecessary. Some of the observations about current incidents and persons were apt. The story is fresh locally, but not globally. The narration is the page turner. A quick and okay read.
January 8, 2015
One of the exciting and thrilling story I have read. Making a sense that you have to finish the book if you start reading. I like to read various genre of book. Thriller is my fav...
And this one will be all time fav!!
And this one will be all time fav!!
March 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this Gothic romance tale. Amazing story with lots of twist and turns.!
February 17, 2021
That Frequent Visitor : Every face has a darker side a horror attempt by John Harker & Hari Kumar, speaks about a sinister plot, "sinister" because human are much scarier than ghosts, as said by many people. Human are to be scared the most! The story revolves around Pakhi a journalist and her brother Parosh, a writer and his daughter Shiuli.
The story has lots of cinematic twists in it, making it the perfect match to some Indian horror movies, it lacked in originality which disappointed me greatly since I chose this book with great expectation. If you are into horror genres and have read many books and watched many horror movies, especially Indian, then you will feel this story has a lot of connection to the movies or stories which have already been made. This book has some likeness with some other books I've previously read for example the plot where Mr. Clifford saves a women who was going to be burnt with her dead husband, in his own pyre which feels similar to the scene from "Around the world in 80 days", also the same "horror bunglow or mansion " is almost the plot to most horror stories making it similar to an already heard story especially when a politician and corruption comes into picture , it is similar to most horror stories.
As a reader, I expected a much more better story, because I am a fan of horror stories and the title and cover looked so intriguing that I went with this book first from all the books I was planning to read. This plot is similar to many horror story plots, hence it lacked interest and originality as the story progressed because the end was predictable, and not new. But for a person new to horror genre, you may find it a good start.
#thatfrequentvisitor #horror #sinister #corruption #lust #harikumar #johnharker #book #novel #review #novelreview #bkokreview #honestreview
The story has lots of cinematic twists in it, making it the perfect match to some Indian horror movies, it lacked in originality which disappointed me greatly since I chose this book with great expectation. If you are into horror genres and have read many books and watched many horror movies, especially Indian, then you will feel this story has a lot of connection to the movies or stories which have already been made. This book has some likeness with some other books I've previously read for example the plot where Mr. Clifford saves a women who was going to be burnt with her dead husband, in his own pyre which feels similar to the scene from "Around the world in 80 days", also the same "horror bunglow or mansion " is almost the plot to most horror stories making it similar to an already heard story especially when a politician and corruption comes into picture , it is similar to most horror stories.
As a reader, I expected a much more better story, because I am a fan of horror stories and the title and cover looked so intriguing that I went with this book first from all the books I was planning to read. This plot is similar to many horror story plots, hence it lacked interest and originality as the story progressed because the end was predictable, and not new. But for a person new to horror genre, you may find it a good start.
#thatfrequentvisitor #horror #sinister #corruption #lust #harikumar #johnharker #book #novel #review #novelreview #bkokreview #honestreview
September 15, 2019
Nice.
Good book. Not horrifying, as I expected...I picked it up with expectations to feel scared... Predictable, I guessed the relation between the Ghost and Shiuli at chapter 15th.... Basically a mix and match of movie stories.
But what I liked the most was the style of storytelling.. I couldn't rate 3.5 so 4 to the book. However potentials of the author are very clear. Keep it up.
Good book. Not horrifying, as I expected...I picked it up with expectations to feel scared... Predictable, I guessed the relation between the Ghost and Shiuli at chapter 15th.... Basically a mix and match of movie stories.
But what I liked the most was the style of storytelling.. I couldn't rate 3.5 so 4 to the book. However potentials of the author are very clear. Keep it up.
January 9, 2015
One of the best books in recent times!
That Frequent Visitor is a different book. The story is unusual. It is set in a far away land (India) in two different eras.The protagonist is a man from England. The book has been divided into three parts and each part has a different style of narration. The first part is the introduction and moving in to the story line gradually second part will be interesting as it becomes a gothic romance which soon merges into an Indian horror folklore. Then there is nail biting third part leading to the climax that is mind blowing.
Most of the books these days don’t have a good ending, this book doesn't have an ending at all! Though the story of the visitor is wrapped up beautifully by the author but only after sowing the seeds for an even more mysterious sequel. Its s damn good and i loved every one but my favorites were shiuli, baxter and iyer.
It is a classic tale of love, death, mystery and horror.
That Frequent Visitor is a different book. The story is unusual. It is set in a far away land (India) in two different eras.The protagonist is a man from England. The book has been divided into three parts and each part has a different style of narration. The first part is the introduction and moving in to the story line gradually second part will be interesting as it becomes a gothic romance which soon merges into an Indian horror folklore. Then there is nail biting third part leading to the climax that is mind blowing.
Most of the books these days don’t have a good ending, this book doesn't have an ending at all! Though the story of the visitor is wrapped up beautifully by the author but only after sowing the seeds for an even more mysterious sequel. Its s damn good and i loved every one but my favorites were shiuli, baxter and iyer.
It is a classic tale of love, death, mystery and horror.
May 21, 2015
A nicely written thrill book. I loved reading it. Story keeps connected. Though at times, I felt why would someone take such step of leaving his beloved wife behind alone when he doesn't have phone (in those times) or particular address for keeping in touch with her. Also seemed some events were put just to give the story a sharp turn otherwise they don't seem much important or even relevant with story but overall it was good. An unpredictable suspense at the end - good one !!
I could visualize whole story (including places, characters, their actions and reactions) as a movie while reading it which made it more interesting and so I think a nice movie can be made on this if directed by a very good director.
I could visualize whole story (including places, characters, their actions and reactions) as a movie while reading it which made it more interesting and so I think a nice movie can be made on this if directed by a very good director.
April 24, 2017
The story takes up interest after the first ten pages of the novel, and then continuous to grab your attention throughout its length. K. Hari Kumar is a talented writer who knows how to weave the words beautifully to create a garland of stories. The story has much to offer, for those who love to dig in the past or have interests in ghosts, architecture or the British Period. I love the little details, and the beautiful words which has managed to capture all the emotions and the upheavals in the minds of the characters. Overall, a very good read. I deduct a star for a few errors I noticed (sorry, but I can't help being a grammar nazi). Haha
March 7, 2016
Book is 202 page long, but story takes off exactly after page 101. Still I'm giving it 4 stars because of the way story goes in second half. First half is generic, clichéd story telling which is just the set up required for the chilling second half. In second half, every chapter leaves a thread hanging loose which gets tied at the final sections. I seriously recommend it if you are into mystery, romance and fantasy genre.
July 4, 2015
Its that kind of book which you start to read and want to finish it on the same day, why? Because the author is a genius and a story teller at heart. 'That frequent Visitor' is a mix of suspense,thriller,paranormal,emotions and all that good s***. Its a must read.
November 30, 2017
Nice one. Cannot match the dots until the end.
I liked the story. Very simple English and interesting one. I like the character structure and author story telling nature.
I liked the story. Very simple English and interesting one. I like the character structure and author story telling nature.
August 1, 2018
Interesting read it was. Thought it is gonna be a creepy horror but it was more of a fairy tale. Nevertheless the suspense was intriguing and the back story was so convincing.
Love the way the dots are connected. Go for it.
Love the way the dots are connected. Go for it.
January 30, 2019
Not a horror story as described but the author knows his way around storytelling. The book is pretty meta in the way it jumps timelines, connects to events past and present and still manages to stitch it all back together in the end. My only grouse is that the ending becomes a bit obvious as we near the end but it was a good read nevertheless.
September 13, 2017
Awesome climax ,and the way how the ghost is narrating the story and Mr Clifford its super
July 6, 2015
www.blogger.com/bookreviewsfromheart !
TRULY SUPERNATURAL BOOK !!!!
After Finishing the book , I Felt reading a true suspense thriller after long time . From Beginning to end it just keep me hooked to a very innocent in beginning but a very thick plot with every turned page .
So what makes me pick this Book is the Opening Quote of the Book which author had dedicated to Nirbhaya ( Delhi Rape Case Victim ) and lines as follows ... " These wounds don't seem to heal ...this pain is just too real . There's just too much that time can't erase " . These lines left me with the memories of that Heinous act and the courage that the Girl shown fighting for her life and how the whole India Stormed in her support .
Beginning with the Cover , I'll give it 5/5 , a cover which i think a thriller must have . Curious enough to let the Reader pick in a go which ofcourse it is .Front Cover is designed in Blood Red Colour , With the Name HARI KUMAR bolted at top , beneath which lies is a impression of a hand over which is framed a silver half rupee coin designed elegantly and clearly imprinted the year 1945 on it .On the lower end of Cover lies is the Name of the Book THAT FREQUENT VISITOR : EVERY FACE HAS A DARKER SIDE .
Back Cover too holds the same blood red colour and holds the image of the coin as on front cover and beneath it is embedded an epitome of the book .
Coming to Writing which is flawless and Author had put some beautiful lines while writing the plot. Whole story is Divided into three parts : The New Arrivals , The Ghost's Story & The Frequent Visitor .
Plot unfolds with depicting one of the Protagonist , Pakhi who's journalist by profession covering the story of the protest going on at India Gate claiming justice for the Delhi braveheart Nirbhaya and epilogue too holds the Scenario of Mass Protest blooming on Rajpath in December of 2012 . Story revolves around a Englishman Ghost Richard Baxter , an Author Parosh Dutta , Shuili Dutta ( Daughter of Parosh ) , Pakhi ( Sister of Parosh ) with timecycle ranging from 1940s to 2012 . The Future PM Of India , MC Jagannatha Varma offered Parosh through Pakhi to write his biography and for the research work , Author sailed out to ancestral town of Jagannatha with his family . Parosh lost her wife an year ago and Shuili meant the world to both Brother and Sister . One night Shuili got missing and found herself at a haunted Clifford mansion which was portrayed with child fantasies as one found while watching Cartoon Network . So Thanks to Author for refreshing the childhood memories and then begin the puzzle webbed story which let the fingers flip the page and gaze struck to the 26 letters which in different combinations patched an outstanding Thriller . Author had depicted very little things which gives a upward curve to your mouth . Beside a Huge applause for Author for
~With Female Protagonist in the plot , Author had succesfully accomplished his duty of giving moral teaching to readers by reminding them of Respecting Women . That a Society will bloom & stay Prosperous if we respect women and Inspite of Surrendering to evil one must fight .
~ Strongly Putting the matter of treacherous Indian Ritual where widowed wife would give up her life by jumping into funeral pyre of deceased husband , which i think is a disgust to the society and should be Completely banned .
~ Beside in end Ghost pronounced " A Man writes his own Destiny and pays for his sins " which I think has housed in my mind forever and Compels me to always walk on the path of Righteous.
So inshort the Book is Must Read Thriller, actually a TRULY SUPERNATURAL THRILLER !!
TRULY SUPERNATURAL BOOK !!!!
After Finishing the book , I Felt reading a true suspense thriller after long time . From Beginning to end it just keep me hooked to a very innocent in beginning but a very thick plot with every turned page .
So what makes me pick this Book is the Opening Quote of the Book which author had dedicated to Nirbhaya ( Delhi Rape Case Victim ) and lines as follows ... " These wounds don't seem to heal ...this pain is just too real . There's just too much that time can't erase " . These lines left me with the memories of that Heinous act and the courage that the Girl shown fighting for her life and how the whole India Stormed in her support .
Beginning with the Cover , I'll give it 5/5 , a cover which i think a thriller must have . Curious enough to let the Reader pick in a go which ofcourse it is .Front Cover is designed in Blood Red Colour , With the Name HARI KUMAR bolted at top , beneath which lies is a impression of a hand over which is framed a silver half rupee coin designed elegantly and clearly imprinted the year 1945 on it .On the lower end of Cover lies is the Name of the Book THAT FREQUENT VISITOR : EVERY FACE HAS A DARKER SIDE .
Back Cover too holds the same blood red colour and holds the image of the coin as on front cover and beneath it is embedded an epitome of the book .
Coming to Writing which is flawless and Author had put some beautiful lines while writing the plot. Whole story is Divided into three parts : The New Arrivals , The Ghost's Story & The Frequent Visitor .
Plot unfolds with depicting one of the Protagonist , Pakhi who's journalist by profession covering the story of the protest going on at India Gate claiming justice for the Delhi braveheart Nirbhaya and epilogue too holds the Scenario of Mass Protest blooming on Rajpath in December of 2012 . Story revolves around a Englishman Ghost Richard Baxter , an Author Parosh Dutta , Shuili Dutta ( Daughter of Parosh ) , Pakhi ( Sister of Parosh ) with timecycle ranging from 1940s to 2012 . The Future PM Of India , MC Jagannatha Varma offered Parosh through Pakhi to write his biography and for the research work , Author sailed out to ancestral town of Jagannatha with his family . Parosh lost her wife an year ago and Shuili meant the world to both Brother and Sister . One night Shuili got missing and found herself at a haunted Clifford mansion which was portrayed with child fantasies as one found while watching Cartoon Network . So Thanks to Author for refreshing the childhood memories and then begin the puzzle webbed story which let the fingers flip the page and gaze struck to the 26 letters which in different combinations patched an outstanding Thriller . Author had depicted very little things which gives a upward curve to your mouth . Beside a Huge applause for Author for
~With Female Protagonist in the plot , Author had succesfully accomplished his duty of giving moral teaching to readers by reminding them of Respecting Women . That a Society will bloom & stay Prosperous if we respect women and Inspite of Surrendering to evil one must fight .
~ Strongly Putting the matter of treacherous Indian Ritual where widowed wife would give up her life by jumping into funeral pyre of deceased husband , which i think is a disgust to the society and should be Completely banned .
~ Beside in end Ghost pronounced " A Man writes his own Destiny and pays for his sins " which I think has housed in my mind forever and Compels me to always walk on the path of Righteous.
So inshort the Book is Must Read Thriller, actually a TRULY SUPERNATURAL THRILLER !!
February 25, 2018
Awesome, Each and every page is interesting
August 21, 2016
After the dip into fantasy genre I’m back to my old time favorite - horror. When I started reading this book I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited to see author is Indian (as from India) and I expected a new wind in this genre. I am not saying I dislike American or English horror, but as far as I could remember this is my first non-English/American author with a horror book so as you can tell I was very excited (am I repeating myself?). The book starts from prologue that is not longer than two pages. It’s short but it settles the main points of the story - it happens in India, an english man wants to buy a house that locals are seeing as haunted. As locals are mainly speaking in Indian in this I’m not very sure of what they were saying in the prologue but it was heavily implied.
The book goes straight to the point right there in prologue with mentioning the books name. The author doesn’t play around, he makes sure that reader is aware of what he’s going to do, but that was only the prologue, only the start.
Right after the prologue we get to follow a journalist around. She’s amazingly beautiful, smart, brave. If this were written by a woman I would say that Ms.Dutti what she wants to be. But author is a man so I can only assume he wrote about a woman of his dreams.
Unbelievingly author talks about himself and on the top of that - he mentions the exact title of his previous book! I do understand that advertisements are expensive but this was just too much. Stephen King mentions his books only when they are relevant to the plot or related to it strongly. K. Hari Kumar appears to be doing this because he simply wants to show off. It really annoyed me even if it shouldn’t have.
Now I have to warn you if you’re going to pick this book and read it. Since story is based in India you will encounter countless words and expressions that you might not be familiar with. I sure wasn’t ready for that but that didn’t stop me from continuing to read it. Just be aware that sometimes it’s hard to understand what author is talking about. Maybe this book wasn’t meant for audience outside of India? Maybe, but that leaves me with a question why this book translated and published in the first place. I’ll probably never know the truth.
Continuing I have to mention (again) that author makes a great effort to make sure that reader knows that Ms.Dutti hates men. Even her own brother. I really didn’t know what to think about it. I just hoped that this won’t turn into a love story like it happens.
To be honest reading about Pakhi didn’t interest me at all. I simply don’t care about female characters, they bore me to death and I didn’t know that a woman will be main character or at least will be main in the start. The prologue intrigued me but after that my mood gradually got worse.
After countless mentioned that Pakhi is an atheist and damn good journalist we get another mention of author himself. By then I couldn’t take it anymore and dropped the book.
I really wanted to like this book, I really did, but it didn’t really gave me anything to hold on to. Too bad it was such a disappointment.
The book goes straight to the point right there in prologue with mentioning the books name. The author doesn’t play around, he makes sure that reader is aware of what he’s going to do, but that was only the prologue, only the start.
Right after the prologue we get to follow a journalist around. She’s amazingly beautiful, smart, brave. If this were written by a woman I would say that Ms.Dutti what she wants to be. But author is a man so I can only assume he wrote about a woman of his dreams.
Unbelievingly author talks about himself and on the top of that - he mentions the exact title of his previous book! I do understand that advertisements are expensive but this was just too much. Stephen King mentions his books only when they are relevant to the plot or related to it strongly. K. Hari Kumar appears to be doing this because he simply wants to show off. It really annoyed me even if it shouldn’t have.
Now I have to warn you if you’re going to pick this book and read it. Since story is based in India you will encounter countless words and expressions that you might not be familiar with. I sure wasn’t ready for that but that didn’t stop me from continuing to read it. Just be aware that sometimes it’s hard to understand what author is talking about. Maybe this book wasn’t meant for audience outside of India? Maybe, but that leaves me with a question why this book translated and published in the first place. I’ll probably never know the truth.
Continuing I have to mention (again) that author makes a great effort to make sure that reader knows that Ms.Dutti hates men. Even her own brother. I really didn’t know what to think about it. I just hoped that this won’t turn into a love story like it happens.
To be honest reading about Pakhi didn’t interest me at all. I simply don’t care about female characters, they bore me to death and I didn’t know that a woman will be main character or at least will be main in the start. The prologue intrigued me but after that my mood gradually got worse.
After countless mentioned that Pakhi is an atheist and damn good journalist we get another mention of author himself. By then I couldn’t take it anymore and dropped the book.
I really wanted to like this book, I really did, but it didn’t really gave me anything to hold on to. Too bad it was such a disappointment.
February 28, 2017
I struggled to finish this book. The plot felt like a cross between Scooby-Doo and Beetlejuice. The characters often had over exaggerated reactions. Maybe it fell short in thr translation. What I enjoyed was seeing some of the culture of India. About three fourths of the way through I started to be drawn in to the plot. I needed to know what happened to Mrs. Baxter and who this Frequent Visitor was. The ending was satisfying though.
December 31, 2014
The book That Frequent Visitor opens rather precariously to awaiting audience of both Horror and Romance fans. The story which is loosely based on a rape case in India is not really about the rape, it is deep dark mystery with equivalent romance and comedy. The majority of the story is set in 1947 and incorporates events from the history of the world with appearances by many known personalities (I wont name them) in important chapters. The book has comic horror violence, no sexual content in the romance part but deeply disturbing elements of rape in the latter half, drug use, language and smoking. Overall, it is an entertainer of a book and rightly the author – John Harker, has dedicated this story to his inspiration- Tim Burton.
That Frequent Visitor is a hilarious movie about an Englishman named Richard Baxter, who is cursed by a legend which never believed. Turned into a ghost, Baxter is locked away in a mansion for six decades. Now, freed by an unsuspecting little girl called Shuli, Baxter finds that this girl is also from his city of Calcutta. He must learn to find the truth about his death so that he can fulfill his fdying wish which has kept him a ghost. The girl along with her journalist aunt, author father and a local fat clown resolve the spine chilling mystery about the ghost’s death. This is my favorite part as the writer has created a mirror image of himself in the writer character from the story. I absolutely loved this plot. John Harker, who keeps the secret of the Visitor under wraps, did fantastic! Johnny is one of my all time favorite writers now (and I am not sure why he has used this pen name when his real name is Hari Kumar).The narration was great because of the gloominess that you will often find in Harker’s stories, but they found a flawless way to thrown in the bright colors of the 50's.
Something that did bother me about the story was the confusion in the first part of the story that looked way to cooked considering that it is a horror story. My favorite character would have to be that daughter of the writer. One; she is an adorable young angel, two; she played a moody, mellow dramatic, angsty girl perfectly, reminded me of myself.
I suggest this book for ages 13 and up because of extreme description of molestation and terrifying narration of the legend of the second half, it really gave me chills the night I read it. I would give this book 6 out of 5 stars because it far surpassed my expectations!
That Frequent Visitor is a hilarious movie about an Englishman named Richard Baxter, who is cursed by a legend which never believed. Turned into a ghost, Baxter is locked away in a mansion for six decades. Now, freed by an unsuspecting little girl called Shuli, Baxter finds that this girl is also from his city of Calcutta. He must learn to find the truth about his death so that he can fulfill his fdying wish which has kept him a ghost. The girl along with her journalist aunt, author father and a local fat clown resolve the spine chilling mystery about the ghost’s death. This is my favorite part as the writer has created a mirror image of himself in the writer character from the story. I absolutely loved this plot. John Harker, who keeps the secret of the Visitor under wraps, did fantastic! Johnny is one of my all time favorite writers now (and I am not sure why he has used this pen name when his real name is Hari Kumar).The narration was great because of the gloominess that you will often find in Harker’s stories, but they found a flawless way to thrown in the bright colors of the 50's.
Something that did bother me about the story was the confusion in the first part of the story that looked way to cooked considering that it is a horror story. My favorite character would have to be that daughter of the writer. One; she is an adorable young angel, two; she played a moody, mellow dramatic, angsty girl perfectly, reminded me of myself.
I suggest this book for ages 13 and up because of extreme description of molestation and terrifying narration of the legend of the second half, it really gave me chills the night I read it. I would give this book 6 out of 5 stars because it far surpassed my expectations!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2014
First things first, I bought this book because of the cover. It looked like a creepy horror story and I would not miss such books. But when I started reading, it did not look anything like horror. It had a gloomy element in the beginning and soon there were some fantasy elements, but I was not getting anything horror like until the second half. It’s true, the writer takes a long time in establishing the horror elements, but given the way he has developed the story, I think the timing is worth it. The moment horror begins, the thrill factor simply won’t stop and before you know you are totally on all fours to find out the mystery behind the horror.
That Frequent Visitor is a story narrated by an Englishman’s ghost to a young Anglo Indian girl called Shiuli. This story is set up in the colonial period of British India and we get to see lot of interesting facts about the period ranging from the World War 1 to granting of independence to India. But those are just the backdrop; the real story is about a psycho legend who spells doom upon whoever breaches his property. At times, it is kind of typical plot but then the author hari kumar uses so many varying literary devices and facts that the story hardly seems like fiction. I liked the story and I needed lot of patience to sit through the first fifty or so pages, but after that it’s a tsunami!
That Frequent Visitor is a story narrated by an Englishman’s ghost to a young Anglo Indian girl called Shiuli. This story is set up in the colonial period of British India and we get to see lot of interesting facts about the period ranging from the World War 1 to granting of independence to India. But those are just the backdrop; the real story is about a psycho legend who spells doom upon whoever breaches his property. At times, it is kind of typical plot but then the author hari kumar uses so many varying literary devices and facts that the story hardly seems like fiction. I liked the story and I needed lot of patience to sit through the first fifty or so pages, but after that it’s a tsunami!
December 30, 2014
This book by John Harker is divided into three parts. The first part is called The New Arrivals and it talks about all the different characters who are involved in the story. This happens in modern day city of delhi. There are some anti government protests and all which look totally like the one’s that are happening these days around the world. The second part is called the Ghost’s story. As the name suggests this is the story of a dead man, the author takes to old colonial era. He has been very critical about the English folk who ruled India. The story picks up pace here and suddenly changes from a romantic to a scary nightmare which I loved absolutely. The third part begins with the end of the ghost’s story and slowly all the pieces are put together to solve one murderous puzzle that will give you chills.
I particularly loved the second part because it reminded me of classic gothic romances of Dracula and Frankenstein. But anyone who loves Dan brown or Thomas harris would certainly feel the thrill in the last part. The story doesn’t really end, so I am expecting sequel soon. John Harker may not be one of the best horror book authors of the past, but That Frequent Visitor is definitely going to put him up there.
I particularly loved the second part because it reminded me of classic gothic romances of Dracula and Frankenstein. But anyone who loves Dan brown or Thomas harris would certainly feel the thrill in the last part. The story doesn’t really end, so I am expecting sequel soon. John Harker may not be one of the best horror book authors of the past, but That Frequent Visitor is definitely going to put him up there.
January 6, 2015
Spellbinding narration and tempting plot!
There is absolutely no way I can read this book in even a remotely objective manner, so I won't even try. That Frequent Visitor by John Harker (Hari Kumar) is dark fairy tale, warm and frightening, tender and heart-wrenchingly evil, uplifting and depressing at the same time. The good and bad in humanity are shown in stark relief quite clearly for everyone to see. But in the final analysis, the most important message the book has to offer is this: Love truly does make the world go 'round and redemption and just living to see another day is a kind of victory.
The background of this story is the myth / legend of That Frequent Visitor. An Englishman by the name of Richard Baxter arrives in Southern India on a quest for destiny (which he doesn’t believe in) in the 50s. He is enslaved by his destiny and with the help of a young girl and her family, he has to relieve of his miseries. Will they be able to do so in time?
This does not only make an excellent gothic horror / epic / romantic read, but surely is (in my opinion) a great historical fiction, about love everlasting and the tragedy of a man who is cursed to live forever and roam the confined world of his being alone, for he is feared and hunted by the rest.
There is absolutely no way I can read this book in even a remotely objective manner, so I won't even try. That Frequent Visitor by John Harker (Hari Kumar) is dark fairy tale, warm and frightening, tender and heart-wrenchingly evil, uplifting and depressing at the same time. The good and bad in humanity are shown in stark relief quite clearly for everyone to see. But in the final analysis, the most important message the book has to offer is this: Love truly does make the world go 'round and redemption and just living to see another day is a kind of victory.
The background of this story is the myth / legend of That Frequent Visitor. An Englishman by the name of Richard Baxter arrives in Southern India on a quest for destiny (which he doesn’t believe in) in the 50s. He is enslaved by his destiny and with the help of a young girl and her family, he has to relieve of his miseries. Will they be able to do so in time?
This does not only make an excellent gothic horror / epic / romantic read, but surely is (in my opinion) a great historical fiction, about love everlasting and the tragedy of a man who is cursed to live forever and roam the confined world of his being alone, for he is feared and hunted by the rest.
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