Joyrides: Carnival of Creeps (A Fearless Four Paranormal Thriller) | Age 10 +

by Neil D'Silva

The Fearless Four—Riz, Anvita, Tiana, and Palash—are ready for a well-deserved break after their previous terrifying case involving demonic toys. Their destination? Funmania, the grand amusement park on Bongo Island, which is home to the world’s biggest Big Loopy.

But from the moment they arrive, the island seems . . . odd. The Wailing Witch’s eerie cries echo through the night while the island’s inhabitants watch them from the shadows, guarding secrets darker than the four friends can imagine. And then, the unthinkable happens.

Their friend, Cyrus, vanishes. One moment, he’s strapped into Big Loopy. The next, his seat is empty. No trace. No explanation.

With time running out, the Fearless Four must unravel the island’s blood-curdling mysteries before Cyrus is lost forever . . . or before they become the next ones to disappear.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

With 12 books to his credit, Neil D’Silva is a known name in the Indian literary world. His unique stories have struck a chord with a wide range of readers, eliciting praise from various quarters. He is published with leading publishers such as Penguin Random House, Rupa Publications, and Hachette among others, and has won screen adaptation deals on four of his books.

He has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. Considered as one of the forerunners of contemporary Indian horror literature, he has been covered by several leading publications and is invited to speak at prominent litfests around the country.

He was a winner at the Delhi Literature Festival Short Story Competition of 2015. His book Maya’s New Husband won the title of Entertainer of the Year at the Literary Awards 2015 that was co-hosted by Authors’ Ink Publications and Inside Stories.

Reviews

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I'm reading about the fearless four. These teenagers solve a case. So, Funmania is an amusement park on Bongo island where the Fearless 4 go together. They have one of the biggest roller coaster rides there called Big Loopy, and during the ride, one of the children goes missing. Everyone assumes it's just an unfortunate accident, but our gang senses a foul play. They believe there's something strange happening on that island.
There are secrets they want to uncover. There's a Betalia tribe living on the island who hates everything about the theme park. The teens suspect the tribe has something to do with the disappearance. There is also the wailing witch who everyone thinks is a myth. Since one of the Fearless 4 is a psychic, she can see/feel paranormal things which is super helpful when you are trying to find out amidst paranormal happenings right? And ee get to travel with them as they try to figure out who is behind all these eerie events.
As their name suggests, they are truly fearless (I am not!). I loved how each one of them is so different from the other but together they make such a strong(Riz), clever(Palash), brilliant(Anvita), beautiful(Tiana) and fun team.
It was an amazing read, super thrilling that I couldn't stop turning the pages. Now I definitely want to go back and read the first book. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery with a spooky twist.

[Enakshi J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil D’Silva’s ‘Joyrides: Carnival of Creeps’ plunges readers into a spine-chilling adventure inside Devil’s Den, a haunted house that quickly spirals from fun scares to sheer terror. Don’t let the title fool you—Joyrides sounds like a breezy carnival getaway, but this novel is anything but cheerful. What unfolds instead is a spine-prickling horror adventure set in the deceptively delightful Funmania amusement park on Bongo Island. I went in expecting thrills of the rollercoaster kind and came out with the kind that creeps up your spine and nests in your mind. The story follows the Fearless Four—Riz, Anvita, Tiana, and Palash—who are hoping for a break after their last terrifying brush with the supernatural. But when their friend Cyrus vanishes mid-air from Big Loopy, the world’s largest rollercoaster, things take a sharp and sinister turn.

What I absolutely loved is how D’Silva takes familiar places of joy—carnivals, rides, funhouses—and flips them into dark, eerie spaces haunted by secrets. From the chilling cries of the Wailing Witch to the uncanny silence of the island’s residents, each chapter builds the tension masterfully. The pacing is tight, especially for a younger audience. There’s never a dull moment, and the writing is clean, vivid, and perfectly pitched for middle-grade readers who like their scares just intense enough to thrill but not traumatize.

Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...

[Anjali Anil · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 Quick Blurb

A group of 4 friends “The Fearless Four” head to an amusement park on Bongo Island for a break from their lives but when their friend Cyrus vanishes mid-ride, at that very moment everything changes.
Witches, whispers, and island secrets swirl around them in this fast-paced mystery thriller for kids (and grown-up kids).

💛 Why I Liked It ?
• The writing is sharp, suspenseful, and super engaging you’ll not realise but you’ll be flying through the pages.
• I loved how the horror elements were kid-friendly but genuinely spooky because it actually made me scared🤭🤭.
• Each of the four friends has a distinct voice and personality and by the time you reach the end you’ll love them.
• The story beautifully balances adventure, fear, and friendship.

📚 Why You Should Read It ?
• This is a perfect gateway book for kids who love thrillers and ghost stories.
• If you want a fast, exciting read that keeps you guessing then this delivers.
• It’s great for buddy reads or classroom discussions with lots of twisty turns to talk about.
• You’ll read it with the lights on but trust me you won’t want to put it down.


So Happy Reading ❤️