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A Hiding to Nothing
DEVIN PINTO, THE YOUNG SON OF NEJA AND RAMESH, IS KIDNAPPED ON A DAY TRIP OUT OF COLOMBO.
NO CLUES. NO DEMANDS. NO POLICE INVOLVEMENT.
In the gilded, claustrophobic circles of Sri Lanka's elite, appearances are everything - and secrets can be deadly. Neja and Ramesh must keep the incident out of the headlines and away from the prying eyes of entitled families, while navigating Neja's fraught relationship with an enemy close to her powerful mother-in-law.
Who would dare take Devin - and why?
Is it the hunk of a swimming coach Neja gets too close to? Could it be the ghosts of their past - the ruthless creditors Ramesh deceived in a Ponzi scheme, now back for blood? Or is it the enigmatic Dr Haksar who helped them have a child? And what of the mysterious woman from the British High Commission, whose probing questions hint at knowledge she shouldn't possess? As the whispers grow louder, one name resurfaces with terrifying Satya Basu. Is she back to settle an old score?
From Colombo's manicured gardens to Durham's cobblestone streets, acclaimed author Chhimi Tenduf-La unravels a suspenseful tale where the truth is elusive - and the cost of uncovering it may be too high to bear.
NO CLUES. NO DEMANDS. NO POLICE INVOLVEMENT.
In the gilded, claustrophobic circles of Sri Lanka's elite, appearances are everything - and secrets can be deadly. Neja and Ramesh must keep the incident out of the headlines and away from the prying eyes of entitled families, while navigating Neja's fraught relationship with an enemy close to her powerful mother-in-law.
Who would dare take Devin - and why?
Is it the hunk of a swimming coach Neja gets too close to? Could it be the ghosts of their past - the ruthless creditors Ramesh deceived in a Ponzi scheme, now back for blood? Or is it the enigmatic Dr Haksar who helped them have a child? And what of the mysterious woman from the British High Commission, whose probing questions hint at knowledge she shouldn't possess? As the whispers grow louder, one name resurfaces with terrifying Satya Basu. Is she back to settle an old score?
From Colombo's manicured gardens to Durham's cobblestone streets, acclaimed author Chhimi Tenduf-La unravels a suspenseful tale where the truth is elusive - and the cost of uncovering it may be too high to bear.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Chhimi Tenduf-La
4 books76 followersChhimi Tenduf-La is half English, half Tibetan and lives in Sri Lanka. Educated at Eton and Durham, he was brought up in Hong Kong, London, Delhi and Colombo. He has had four novels published by the Indian arms of Hachette, Pan Macmillan, and HarperCollins.
'A unique writer…a brilliant collection..’ India Today
'...a fresh and promising new voice on the literary landscape.' New India Express
‘....rapid paced ride…a terrific read.’ Deccan Herald.
'...a memorable and enjoyable work from this talented writer.' Kirkus
'…a masterly evocation of all that is twisted, ominous and terrifying.' Hindustan Times
'A unique writer…a brilliant collection..’ India Today
'...a fresh and promising new voice on the literary landscape.' New India Express
‘....rapid paced ride…a terrific read.’ Deccan Herald.
'...a memorable and enjoyable work from this talented writer.' Kirkus
'…a masterly evocation of all that is twisted, ominous and terrifying.' Hindustan Times
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 7, 2025
I’m not someone who picks books for deep, researched reasons. Most of the time, I go by gut instinct. If the cover looks good, or the title sounds mysterious, or the blurb even slightly hooks me that’s it. That’s all the convincing I need. And when I saw A Hiding to Nothing, I was instantly drawn to it. I didn’t know what I was signing up for, but once I started reading… I couldn’t stop. I finished it in two sittings.
The story opens with a missing child. Devin Pinto is on his way to a kayaking session with his mother, Neja. The morning feels ordinary, except Neja is a little cranky, recovering from a party the night before. But things take a sudden, terrifying turn and in the blink of an eye, Devin disappears. No screams. No clues. Just gone.
And from there, the silence begins. No police reports. No media. Because the family isn’t just grieving they’re actually hiding something.
What starts as a missing child story slowly spirals into something that is much more layered. The book moves through different timelines and cities, from Colombo to Sharjah, Durham to London. And as we progress through the story we begin to see who these characters really are and what they’ve buried along the way. Neja, especially, is such a complex character. You really want to understand her, even when you don’t agree with her choices.
There’s a quiet intensity to this book. It’s not loud or overly dramatic. It doesn’t scream for your attention. It’s subtle, controlled, and that’s what makes this story unsettling. You’re not being shocked for effect but you’re being slowly drawn into the emotional chaos of these characters lives.
I think what stayed with me most is how well the book handles power, reputation, and the masks people wear to protect themselves. The family is constantly pretending to the world, to each other, and even to themselves. Every time a secret unravels, it makes you question what’s real.
The writing is clean and addictive. It doesn’t drag, even when the pacing is gentle. There’s always tension simmering in the background. And because the chapters move across years and places, you’re constantly piecing together what really happened not just with Devin’s disappearance, but with everything that led to it.
Is this a domestic thriller ? Absolutely yes. But it also feels like a portrait of privilege, motherhood, marriage, and grief all rolled into one.
So if you like thrillers that aren’t just about the crime but about why people do what they do, this one is for you. It doesn’t rely on shock value. It just tells the truth and sometimes, that’s more chilling.
A Hiding to Nothing is haunting in its own quiet way. You won’t race through it to find answers you’ll sit with it, feel its weight, and maybe, like me, you’ll carry the story with you for a while after.
Happy Reading !
The story opens with a missing child. Devin Pinto is on his way to a kayaking session with his mother, Neja. The morning feels ordinary, except Neja is a little cranky, recovering from a party the night before. But things take a sudden, terrifying turn and in the blink of an eye, Devin disappears. No screams. No clues. Just gone.
And from there, the silence begins. No police reports. No media. Because the family isn’t just grieving they’re actually hiding something.
What starts as a missing child story slowly spirals into something that is much more layered. The book moves through different timelines and cities, from Colombo to Sharjah, Durham to London. And as we progress through the story we begin to see who these characters really are and what they’ve buried along the way. Neja, especially, is such a complex character. You really want to understand her, even when you don’t agree with her choices.
There’s a quiet intensity to this book. It’s not loud or overly dramatic. It doesn’t scream for your attention. It’s subtle, controlled, and that’s what makes this story unsettling. You’re not being shocked for effect but you’re being slowly drawn into the emotional chaos of these characters lives.
I think what stayed with me most is how well the book handles power, reputation, and the masks people wear to protect themselves. The family is constantly pretending to the world, to each other, and even to themselves. Every time a secret unravels, it makes you question what’s real.
The writing is clean and addictive. It doesn’t drag, even when the pacing is gentle. There’s always tension simmering in the background. And because the chapters move across years and places, you’re constantly piecing together what really happened not just with Devin’s disappearance, but with everything that led to it.
Is this a domestic thriller ? Absolutely yes. But it also feels like a portrait of privilege, motherhood, marriage, and grief all rolled into one.
So if you like thrillers that aren’t just about the crime but about why people do what they do, this one is for you. It doesn’t rely on shock value. It just tells the truth and sometimes, that’s more chilling.
A Hiding to Nothing is haunting in its own quiet way. You won’t race through it to find answers you’ll sit with it, feel its weight, and maybe, like me, you’ll carry the story with you for a while after.
Happy Reading !
November 27, 2025
This book creates such a powerful and layered atmosphere. It isn’t just about a kidnapping it’s about grief, trauma, secrets, and the emotional weight people quietly carry while pretending everything is normal. Every emotion, every moment, ties together beautifully, making the story much richer than a typical thriller where someone goes missing and the search begins.
I loved how the author shaped Neja’s character — a girl who once felt safe with her father, but after losing both her parents to suicide, she withdraws from the world and hides her pain behind silence. The dual timelines add so much depth: the present in 2024, and the past beginning in 2007, taking us through 2009 and later 2015, slowly revealing how each phase of her life shapes the woman she becomes and how she eventually meets Ramesh.
In the present, while driving with her son Devin, Neja witnesses a sudden commotion on the road a couple shouting, a pram being thrown. Acting on pure instinct, she jumps out to save the child, only to find the pram is empty. And in those few seconds, Devin disappears. When she tells her husband and mother-in-law, their calmness feels unsettling, as if they already know more than they let on. So is everything really as harmless as they claim, or is there something far more disturbing hidden behind their silence?
What makes this story stand out is how deeply it shows a mother’s heart. It captures the raw fear, the desperation, and the fierce love of a mother who once longed for a child and then loses him in an instant. Her pain becomes the driving force of the story a mother ready to fight the entire world to find her son.
This book is more than just a thriller; it explores how people protect their public image, how far they’ll go to hide their flaws, and how a single wrong decision can trigger a chain of consequences.
I loved how the author shaped Neja’s character — a girl who once felt safe with her father, but after losing both her parents to suicide, she withdraws from the world and hides her pain behind silence. The dual timelines add so much depth: the present in 2024, and the past beginning in 2007, taking us through 2009 and later 2015, slowly revealing how each phase of her life shapes the woman she becomes and how she eventually meets Ramesh.
In the present, while driving with her son Devin, Neja witnesses a sudden commotion on the road a couple shouting, a pram being thrown. Acting on pure instinct, she jumps out to save the child, only to find the pram is empty. And in those few seconds, Devin disappears. When she tells her husband and mother-in-law, their calmness feels unsettling, as if they already know more than they let on. So is everything really as harmless as they claim, or is there something far more disturbing hidden behind their silence?
What makes this story stand out is how deeply it shows a mother’s heart. It captures the raw fear, the desperation, and the fierce love of a mother who once longed for a child and then loses him in an instant. Her pain becomes the driving force of the story a mother ready to fight the entire world to find her son.
This book is more than just a thriller; it explores how people protect their public image, how far they’ll go to hide their flaws, and how a single wrong decision can trigger a chain of consequences.
August 11, 2025
This book is a gripping, emotional, and intense story that pulls you right into the heart of Colombo’s high society, where secrets are dangerous and appearances mean everything. When Devin Pinto, the young son of Neja and Ramesh, is suddenly kidnapped, their perfect-looking life falls apart – and what follows is a deeply suspenseful and emotional journey.
What makes this book stand out is how well it balances mystery with raw emotions. There are no clues, no demands, no police involved – just complete silence around the kidnapping. Yet, the tension is constant. You feel the fear , the confusion, the guilt, the blame, and the deep secrets that slowly start to surface.
Each character has layers. And just when you think you know what’s going on, the story takes another turn.
The writing is smooth, engaging, and emotional. It doesn’t just a story' , it tells a human story – of love, betrayal, fear, and how far people go to protect their image and their loved ones . This book is a journey full of suspense and emotions. It shows that sometimes, the truth is so dangerous, uncovering it might cost everything.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with strong emotional depth, "A Hiding to Nothing" is definitely a must-read. The language of this book is too advance , I ll not suggesting this book to the beginners. But the story is bang on.
What makes this book stand out is how well it balances mystery with raw emotions. There are no clues, no demands, no police involved – just complete silence around the kidnapping. Yet, the tension is constant. You feel the fear , the confusion, the guilt, the blame, and the deep secrets that slowly start to surface.
Each character has layers. And just when you think you know what’s going on, the story takes another turn.
The writing is smooth, engaging, and emotional. It doesn’t just a story' , it tells a human story – of love, betrayal, fear, and how far people go to protect their image and their loved ones . This book is a journey full of suspense and emotions. It shows that sometimes, the truth is so dangerous, uncovering it might cost everything.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with strong emotional depth, "A Hiding to Nothing" is definitely a must-read. The language of this book is too advance , I ll not suggesting this book to the beginners. But the story is bang on.
August 20, 2025
A suspenseful thriller with lots of secrets and drama. I liked the plot build-up and the emotional aspect of it! The dual timeline added the perfect touch that makes the reader turn the pages. A good, immersive read overall!
September 3, 2025
𝙲𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑
Devin Pinto, the young son of Neja and Ramesh, is kidnapped during a day trip out of Colombo. With no police involvement, how will Neja and Ramesh find their son while maintaining appearances within the gilded, claustrophobic circles of Sri Lanka’s elite?
The book had me on the edge of my seat. The first two chapters felt intriguing and as the story unfolded through dual timelines, one in the past and one in the present, I found myself as confused and anxious as Neja, our narrator. That level of immersion speaks volumes about the author’s writing.
It was fascinating to get a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s high society, with occasional flashes of London life. However, I did feel the ending didn’t tie up every loose end, I still have a few questions. While I managed to guess some twists, the final reveal genuinely surprised me.
Beyond the thriller element, the book explores themes of social image, parental pressure and how crises can either strengthen or shatter relationships.
Overall, this was a gripping and thought-provoking read.
Devin Pinto, the young son of Neja and Ramesh, is kidnapped during a day trip out of Colombo. With no police involvement, how will Neja and Ramesh find their son while maintaining appearances within the gilded, claustrophobic circles of Sri Lanka’s elite?
The book had me on the edge of my seat. The first two chapters felt intriguing and as the story unfolded through dual timelines, one in the past and one in the present, I found myself as confused and anxious as Neja, our narrator. That level of immersion speaks volumes about the author’s writing.
It was fascinating to get a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s high society, with occasional flashes of London life. However, I did feel the ending didn’t tie up every loose end, I still have a few questions. While I managed to guess some twists, the final reveal genuinely surprised me.
Beyond the thriller element, the book explores themes of social image, parental pressure and how crises can either strengthen or shatter relationships.
Overall, this was a gripping and thought-provoking read.
August 17, 2025
This was a terrific read! It's domestic thriller that had me immersed in secrets lies and high society. The plot spans from Sri Lanka to Durham, with twists and turns I didn't expect. I like how the author created the tension slowly: one normal chapter followed by another normal chapter, and then BAM! I'm on to the next one, needing to know what's next.
The writing is smooth and easy to follow, so it makes for a fast read, and the plot is more complex than it seems too. I think that what struck me the most was how "real" the characters felt; it was compelling to feel their emotions, flaws, and situations of keeping secrets from each other to build additional suspense.
For me, and even though I predicted a few things here and there, it didn't affect the thrill. Overall, sharp and suspenseful. For domestic thriller junkies, definitely a good read with plenty of drama and mystery!
The writing is smooth and easy to follow, so it makes for a fast read, and the plot is more complex than it seems too. I think that what struck me the most was how "real" the characters felt; it was compelling to feel their emotions, flaws, and situations of keeping secrets from each other to build additional suspense.
For me, and even though I predicted a few things here and there, it didn't affect the thrill. Overall, sharp and suspenseful. For domestic thriller junkies, definitely a good read with plenty of drama and mystery!
September 13, 2025
What struck me most about A Hiding to Nothing is how beautifully it balances mystery with raw emotions. This isn’t your typical thriller with clues, demands, or police investigations. Instead, there’s an unsettling silence around the kidnapping that makes the story even more haunting.
At the heart of it is Neja, a mother whose son, Devin, is suddenly kidnapped. While we follow the tense and desperate search for him, the novel also peels back the layers of Neja’s life—her childhood, how she met her husband, their marriage, and the journey of becoming parents.
Chhimi Tenduf-La’s writing is smooth, deeply engaging, and packed with emotion. It doesn’t just narrate a story—it tells a profoundly human story, one that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
At the heart of it is Neja, a mother whose son, Devin, is suddenly kidnapped. While we follow the tense and desperate search for him, the novel also peels back the layers of Neja’s life—her childhood, how she met her husband, their marriage, and the journey of becoming parents.
Chhimi Tenduf-La’s writing is smooth, deeply engaging, and packed with emotion. It doesn’t just narrate a story—it tells a profoundly human story, one that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
August 28, 2025
Chhimi's latest book, A Hiding to Nothing is utterly exquisite. He as absolutely nailed this one and his perseverance is clearly paying off with this masterpiece.
He wrong-foots the reader brilliantly throughout with mis-moves, side-steps and dummy passes. All is not what it seems!
In part, it has very serious and worrying themes described with quite some sympathy and compassion.
Yet, as others have commented, there is a lightness of touch and deep dark humour woven within, with great timing and signature mischievous wit.
He wrong-foots the reader brilliantly throughout with mis-moves, side-steps and dummy passes. All is not what it seems!
In part, it has very serious and worrying themes described with quite some sympathy and compassion.
Yet, as others have commented, there is a lightness of touch and deep dark humour woven within, with great timing and signature mischievous wit.
August 16, 2025
This Thriler that is set in different countries.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews