A haunting in the Indian heartland ends with a priest’s violent death.
Enter Samir Grey— fiendishly intelligent, terminally unsociable, and catastrophically human. No divine visions, no lightning shaped scar — just a mind that won’t quit and a tongue sharp enough to draw blood.
To uncover the truth, Samir must descend into a nightmare of uniquely Indian horrors: corpse-eating Vetalas, vengeful Pishachs, ghouls, demons — and the most terrifying of all, bureaucracy and red tape.
Wickedly funny and blisteringly acerbic, The Waking Dead drags urban horror kicking and screaming into small-town India, where folklore and reality bleed together — and the real monsters may be the ones still breathing.
Rohan is an amateur photographer, an open water scuba diver, a mountaineer, an obsessive bibliophile, an intrepid traveler and a highly successful mutilator of Spanish and the French language (often at the same time) and most recently an author.
Among other hobbies, he can also lay claim to half baked cooking attempts (no pun intended), Chess , computer gaming, board gaming , archery,sky diving, bungee jumping, market research , and a string of other very forgettable endeavors.
He lives in Singapore with his wife and son. Shadows Revealed is his latest book
I picked this up for the cool cover but stayed for the absolute chaos. Samir Grey is the most relatable main character ever. He is grumpy and hates people but has to fight literal demons to save his sister. The Indian setting makes the horror feel way too real.
Imagine ghosts you grew up hearing about actually showing up in a small town. It is fast and funny but also lowkey terrifying. If you love sarcasm and dark folklore this is a total win. My sleep schedule is ruined but it was worth it.
In Rohan Monteiro’s The Waking Dead, Indian horror proves that it doesn’t have to look to far-off legends or gothic castles to frighten, it only has to look to a small town, a dead priest, and legends that refuse to stay in the past. What makes this particular novel so interesting is the way it pits ancient legends against modern logic and technology. . The novel centers around Samir Grey, a brilliant but unwilling detective who is pulled into a very disturbing case in a small Indian town where something ancient and monstrous seems to be waking up. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself surrounded by vetalas, pishachs, and ghouls, monsters that have sprung from ancient legend but are now caught up in surveillance, forensic analysis, and modern methods of detection. . The town itself seems to be alive with tension. Secrets spread faster than facts, and rumor travels faster than evidence. Monteiro employs folklore not as decoration but as a living, breathing force that drives the behavior, fears, and accusations of the characters. However, Samir’s commitment to reason and technology repeatedly pulls the story back into the real world, and this is a compelling interplay between myth and method. Samir Grey is a very interesting protagonist, keen, awkward, and equipped with a sense of dry humor that provides a necessary respite during moments of terror. His humor allows the story to breathe, and the terror is strangely enjoyable without losing its bite. . It is the concept that ultimately makes The Waking Dead so strong, the idea that monsters are not simply the province of ancient myth. They live in confusion, denial, and unchecked belief. Whether they spring from myth or from human cruelty, the monsters in this book are just as real. By combining dark Indian mythology with modern investigative techniques and a splash of dark humor, The Waking Dead becomes more than just a horror thriller, it becomes a clever look at how the past affects the present. This entertaining, creepy, and culturally rich book shows that the most frightening tales are often found where tradition and technology intersect.
The Waking Dead by Rohan Monteiro is a sharp, atmospheric novel that grips you from the opening pages and refuses to let go. Dark yet surprisingly playful, the book walks a fine line between horror and humor, blending the supernatural with the deeply familiar rhythms of everyday Indian life.
At the center of the story is Samir Grey, a brilliant but reluctant detective with a grumpy disposition and a dry, self-aware sense of humor. He is drawn into a deeply unsettling case in a small Indian town, far removed from the usual big-city crime settings. Here, something ancient is stirring. As Samir investigates, he encounters vetalas, pishachs, and ghouls—figures born from Indian folklore—but they exist alongside CCTV cameras, forensic reports, and endless paperwork. The result is a fascinating clash between myth and modernity.
What makes Samir Grey a compelling protagonist is his voice. He is intelligent, socially awkward, and armed with humor that lands even in the most chilling moments. Laugh-out-loud lines appear when you least expect them, making the reading experience both eerie and entertaining.
At its core, The Waking Dead is about monsters—but not just the mythical kind. The novel suggests that monsters also thrive in ignorance, denial, blind belief, and human cruelty. Whether they emerge from ancient legends or modern minds, they feel disturbingly real.
By weaving dark Indian mythology into a contemporary investigative framework, Rohan Monteiro creates more than a horror thriller. He offers a clever reflection on how the past continues to shape the present. Set in small-town India, the story feels fresh, culturally grounded, and deeply relatable.
Short, fast-paced, and packed with twists, The Waking Dead is perfect for a single-sitting read. It’s a contemporary fantasy with strong plotting, sharp humor, and a unique cultural lens. If you enjoy thrillers that mix folklore, mystery, and modern life, this book is a must-read. Samir Grey’s grumpy detective energy alone is reason enough to dive in—and stay hooked till the very last page.
The Waking Dead doesn’t waste time trying to impress you. It opens with a priest’s brutal death and immediately throws you into a town choking on rumor, fear, and something far worse than superstition.
At the center of the chaos is Samir Grey and he is easily the book’s strongest weapon. He’s not charming. He’s not heroic. He’s abrasive, unsociable, and painfully human. But he’s terrifyingly smart. Watching him dissect lies, dismantle hysteria, and bulldoze through nonsense is wildly satisfying. His sarcasm cuts cleaner than any ritual dagger in the book.
The setting is where this novel truly comes alive. Small-town India feels claustrophobic and volatile. Folklore isn’t decorative it’s weaponized. Vetalas, pishachs, whispers of ghouls the horror feels rooted in soil, smoke, and memory. It’s atmospheric without being indulgent. You can almost smell the incense and decay.
And then there’s the unexpected twist of the knife: bureaucracy. The red tape, the files, the slow suffocation of procedure. It adds a different kind of dread one that feels disturbingly real. The novel balances supernatural menace with institutional absurdity in a way that’s wickedly funny and brutally sharp.
The pacing rarely dips. Every revelation complicates things instead of simplifying them. Just when you think the answer is supernatural, the narrative yanks you back into something even darker human motive.
Is it scary? Yes. Is it clever? Absolutely. Is it predictable? Not for a second. All in a nail biting thriller 4/5
A wickedly sharp, darkly funny horror that feels uniquely Indian.
This book blends satire, folklore, urban legends, and small-town chaos into something that feels both eerie and oddly familiar. What I loved most is how it doesn’t rely on typical jump-scare horror. Instead, it builds dread through atmosphere, cynicism, and biting commentary on society. The protagonist is not your conventional hero flawed, sarcastic, and deeply human. As the story unfolds, we’re taken through layers of Indian mythology, superstition, and very real social horrors. And honestly? Sometimes the bureaucracy felt more terrifying than the ghosts.
The writing is witty, fast-paced, and unapologetically irreverent. The humour cuts through the darkness, but it never dilutes the tension. There are moments that genuinely unsettled me not because they were graphic, but because they felt disturbingly plausible.
If you enjoy horror that is intelligent, culturally rooted, and laced with satire rather than just shock value, this one is worth picking up. It’s not a light read, but it’s definitely an engaging and refreshing take on Indian horror fiction.
Not just about monsters in the dark but about the ones we live with every day.
Funny, spooky book about old Indian ghost stories turning real in a small village. A priest gets killed in a scary way, and Samir Grey, a clever but rude detective, steps in to find out the reason (why),using just his smartness with no magic, while facing monsters like vetalas that eat corpses and pishachas like ghouls. Priest's death that scares everyone in a rural Indian village. Samir shows up, using only his brain and sharp jokes to check clues, talk to scared people, and fight evil spirits plus lazy government workers. The book mixes ancient Indian ghost tales with today's life, like how paperwork can feel more scary thar demons. It happens in small town India, not big cities with lots of humor to make the horror less heavy and more fun to read. Author writes with sharp, laugh out loud humor that hits even during scary parts. He brings horror from city tales right into rural India, feeling new and real.It's short, perfect for quick reading if you like thrillers with culture and surprises. Dive into "The Waking Dead" find out why Samir Grey's grumpy detective vibes have me hooked till the last page read..it's a contemporary fantasy, a delightful read with solid plot and twists,can be read in one sitting, absolutely an amazing read, a must read..
The Waking Dead by Rohan Montero dives deep into Indian horror folklore and brings out a story that's thrilling to its core.
In a small hillside village of Dhagalpur, a priest dies mysteriously inside a church. There had been a few ghost sightings before because of which Sarah Grey— an exorcist was summoned. But when accusations lie on Sarah, she helplessness calls her older brother to help her out of the rut. Enter Samir Grey— a sassy, witty, and asocial human, whose words are sharper than a sword and whose instincts are faster than sound. As Samir Investigates the priest's murder and a few serial killings prior to that, he unravels the world of pishachs, vetalas, ghouls and other demons.
The plot slowly introduces these different demons along the way and it was really unique how Samir Grey kept interacting with these ghouls, smartly dealing with them by either his negotiation tactics or through his sharp tongue. I loved how the story and it's narration tells you about the various folktales revolving ghosts, exorcism and afterlife, not just bound to India but also around the world.
The books hooks you in right from the start and it was an interesting dive into an Indian urban horror premise which we very seldomly come across.
Sometimes some people are drawing us towards them not because they are sweet but unapologetically shining with their wicked characteristics and humourous idiosyncrasy.
It's a brave and brilliant package of horror blended with humour and wicked smartness. The odious character Samir Grey with his enormous knowledge and classy arrogant mannerisms is sickeningly delicious for readers like me. Author Rohan Monteiro created this audacious Samir like a fine sculpture, a personality that is unforgettable and remarkable in many ways.
This book is a fresh new air in Indian horror and fantasy narrative, a powerful voice that will penetrate your brain. Spellbounding narration style makes it absolutely unputdownable.
If you love exploring new narration styles, want to read something different from conventional horror and fantasy, if you like intellectual character and fine humour, this is your best option, go ahead and don't forget to let me know your thoughts.
The Waking Dead moves beyond conventional horror and leans strongly into psychological and atmospheric storytelling. Rather than depending on sudden shocks or excessive violence, the narrative builds tension gradually, allowing unease to settle in slowly and persist throughout the story.
The small-town setting plays a crucial role in shaping the mood. Familiar surroundings contrast sharply with the growing supernatural disturbances, making the horror feel disturbingly close to reality. The novel explores themes of guilt, suppressed memories, and the consequences of ignored truths, presenting horror as something rooted as much in human actions as in supernatural forces.
The protagonist is portrayed as intellectually gifted yet emotionally distant, far from the traditional heroic figure. The pacing remains deliberately slow, prioritizing atmosphere and psychological depth over rapid plot movement. While this may challenge readers expecting constant action, it ultimately enhances the sense of dread that defines the novel.
This was such a fun, horror novel set in a small town in India. The story cleverly brings together mythology, folklore, superstition, and rational inquiry.
The book begins with the shocking murder of a priest, and Sarah, the exorcist who had come to the church to perform an exorcism is accused of the murder. From there, the story becomes fast-paced and action-packed as Samir, Sarah’s brother, arrives to clear her name.
Samir is a fascinating character: a taciturn, sharp-minded investigator with hints of Sherlock Holmes about him. His dry humor, unsociable behavior, and keen intellect make him an engaging presence throughout the story.
As the investigation unfolds, we encounter elements of the paranormal, from pishachas and demons to eerie local legends, raising the central question of the book - are these events truly supernatural, or is there a very human explanation behind the horrors?
This was a gripping and entertaining horror read that blends mystery, folklore, and suspense beautifully.
The Waking Dead by Rohan Monteiro is a gripping blend of Indian folklore and modern detective suspense, where myth collides with logic in a tense small-town mystery. The narrative feels eerie yet grounded, balancing dark themes with subtle humor.
What makes the book stand out is how it balances myth with method. The protagonist approaches the unknown with reason and technology, yet the narrative constantly nudges you to question whether every mystery can truly be explained away. The atmosphere is tense without being overwhelming, and the dry, understated humor gives the darker moments room to breathe.
If you enjoy a good mix of supernatural intrigue and investigative thrillers, this is a quick, compelling read worth picking up.
The Waking Dead by Rohan Monteiro is a sharp, unsettling blend of Indian folklore and investigative horror set in a small-town landscape where myth bleeds into reality. Through the acerbic and brilliant Samir Grey, the novel navigates vetalas, pishachs, and bureaucratic nightmares with equal bite. Monteiro balances creeping psychological dread with dry, wicked humor, allowing tension to build without relying on cheap shocks. A compelling read for those who enjoy atmospheric terror grounded in reason, culture, and dark wit.
The book is a prime example of hard work trumping talent. A brilliant concept written without nuance, inconsistencies in character description / traits. Uneven pacing. The expectation that a small town in UP would constantly reference Shashi Tharoor.
(TYSM Penguin India and the author for providing me with a finished copy for review!)
Move over, Sherlock—there’s a new snarky detective in the Indian heartland. 🕵️♂️🔥
The Waking Dead took me right back to the supernatural mysteries I loved as a kid, but with a sharp, 21st-century edge. Rohan Monteiro has created a world of pishachs, ghouls, and a protagonist whose tongue is sharper than any exorcist’s blade. I came for the hauntings, but I fell in love with the sarcasm. This was such a surprise fun read that came out of the syllabus for me; especially with the iconic Dr. Samir Grey's wit! The Waking Dead by Rohan Monteiro is a brilliant ride through the Indian heartland filled with: ✅ Corpse-eating Vetals ✅ Supernatural Vengeance ✅ Top-tier snark from Dr. Samir Grey It’s a 4.5-star read that I couldn't put down. Trust me, you need this on your TBR 📚 And can we just already petition this one for the series because Samir and Jazz giving me all the bromance vibes I need to fill my life with!