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Can You See Me Now
From Trisha Sakhlecha,Can You See Me Now? is a gripping psychological suspense thriller about a young Indian woman, now a government minister, whose past secrets are about to reverberate into the present and shatter her life. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Erin Kelly.
Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs.
But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her.
Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying
buried . . .
Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs.
But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her.
Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying
buried . . .
403 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2021
31 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Trisha Sakhlecha
5 books324 followersTrisha Sakhlecha grew up in New Delhi and now lives in London. She works in fashion and is a graduate of the acclaimed Faber Academy writing course. In the past, Trisha has worked as a designer, trend forecaster, and lecturer. Your Truth or Mine? is her first novel.
Learn more about Trisha on trishasakhlecha.com or on Instagram @trishasakhlecha
Learn more about Trisha on trishasakhlecha.com or on Instagram @trishasakhlecha
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 13, 2021
Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs.
But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her.
Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying buried . . .
This is a really well written plot. The atmosphere for the entire book is set from the first page and it is maintained right till the end.
The description and the development of each of the characters was so good. There is a suspense or a hidden agenda in almost each and every event that takes place in the lives of all the three main characters. The inclusion of some of the serious topics and issues prevalent in the Indian political system added the additional element.
Everything ties up together to make for a shocking and spectacular twist at the end. All in all, the secrets, lies, struggle for power and twists are what make this book an excellent and thrilling read.
Thank You NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC!
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs.
But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her.
Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying buried . . .
This is a really well written plot. The atmosphere for the entire book is set from the first page and it is maintained right till the end.
The description and the development of each of the characters was so good. There is a suspense or a hidden agenda in almost each and every event that takes place in the lives of all the three main characters. The inclusion of some of the serious topics and issues prevalent in the Indian political system added the additional element.
Everything ties up together to make for a shocking and spectacular twist at the end. All in all, the secrets, lies, struggle for power and twists are what make this book an excellent and thrilling read.
Thank You NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC!
August 16, 2022
Unpredictable, gripping, and dark!
Can You See Me Now? is a compelling, dual timeline thriller set fifteen years ago, as well as present-day that takes you into the life of successful government minister Alia as her world is about to be turned upside down when the past collides with the present and all the destructive behaviours, inexcusable actions, and long-buried secrets involving herself and her two best friends from school, Sabah and Noor, are finally unearthed.
The writing is intense and tight. The characters are self-involved, secretive, and insecure. And the plot using flashbacks and a back-and-forth, past/present style intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a sinister tale of lies, deception, drama, jealousy, obsession, competition, secrets, revelations, mayhem, and manipulation.
Overall, Can You See Me Now? is a cunning, disturbing, edgy whodunit by Sakhlecha that does a wonderful job of delving into the complex dynamics that exist between friends and family members and highlights just how toxic and parasitic some of those relationships can truly be.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Can You See Me Now? is a compelling, dual timeline thriller set fifteen years ago, as well as present-day that takes you into the life of successful government minister Alia as her world is about to be turned upside down when the past collides with the present and all the destructive behaviours, inexcusable actions, and long-buried secrets involving herself and her two best friends from school, Sabah and Noor, are finally unearthed.
The writing is intense and tight. The characters are self-involved, secretive, and insecure. And the plot using flashbacks and a back-and-forth, past/present style intertwines and unravels effortlessly into a sinister tale of lies, deception, drama, jealousy, obsession, competition, secrets, revelations, mayhem, and manipulation.
Overall, Can You See Me Now? is a cunning, disturbing, edgy whodunit by Sakhlecha that does a wonderful job of delving into the complex dynamics that exist between friends and family members and highlights just how toxic and parasitic some of those relationships can truly be.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2023
Thrilling
January 5, 2021
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Can you see me now?
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Trisha Sakhlecha
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Psychological thriller
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 416
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5 ★
After really enjoying Sakhlecha’s 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦? at the start of the year, I was really excited when I saw this on netgalley. At the start I was a bit unsure as there’s a lot of ‘government’ talk but I got drawn into the story quickly and found myself unable to put it down.
We follow multiple timelines, between Alia and Sabah in the present and the girls fifteen years ago at school- this makes following the mystery as it unfolds easy and I felt like I went through the character development with them. I honestly had no idea where this story was going- Sakhlecha leads you down one path and the twist spins you in an absolute U-turn. WHAT. A. TWIST. I was absolutely not expecting that. I have to say when I realised what was happening, I didn’t think it would be able to be pulled off well but it all wrapped up in the end and I thought it very clever.
A very specific trigger warning for this book is bullying. Unfortunately it was all to easy for me to imagine the situation Noor was in at school and I did find it very upsetting to be taken back to a dark time of my life but that is a very personal perspective so don’t let that put you off the book- I thought it worth mentioning, to go into the book prepared.
Another tiny thing- I’d have loved some footnotes explaining the Indian words as I loved getting an insight into the culture and researching what each word meant. Overall would definitely recommend both this and 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦?
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Trisha Sakhlecha
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Psychological thriller
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 416
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5 ★
After really enjoying Sakhlecha’s 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦? at the start of the year, I was really excited when I saw this on netgalley. At the start I was a bit unsure as there’s a lot of ‘government’ talk but I got drawn into the story quickly and found myself unable to put it down.
We follow multiple timelines, between Alia and Sabah in the present and the girls fifteen years ago at school- this makes following the mystery as it unfolds easy and I felt like I went through the character development with them. I honestly had no idea where this story was going- Sakhlecha leads you down one path and the twist spins you in an absolute U-turn. WHAT. A. TWIST. I was absolutely not expecting that. I have to say when I realised what was happening, I didn’t think it would be able to be pulled off well but it all wrapped up in the end and I thought it very clever.
A very specific trigger warning for this book is bullying. Unfortunately it was all to easy for me to imagine the situation Noor was in at school and I did find it very upsetting to be taken back to a dark time of my life but that is a very personal perspective so don’t let that put you off the book- I thought it worth mentioning, to go into the book prepared.
Another tiny thing- I’d have loved some footnotes explaining the Indian words as I loved getting an insight into the culture and researching what each word meant. Overall would definitely recommend both this and 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦?
March 26, 2025
Interesting listen. Had a busy day and it kept me totally entertained while I puttered.
A young girl starts in a private school in India. She manages to be sucked into the orbit of the most popular girl(s) in school and quickly becomes part of the toxic atmosphere. The book tells of the catty world of teenage girls(but add a layer of wealth and privilege) and the lengths they will go to; to hurt, maim and emotionally destroy each other in self preservation.
While I wasn’t a super fan of the material (honestly gave me anxiety) it was very well written. Even when I thought I had it figured out, I didn’t and that was entertaining.
A young girl starts in a private school in India. She manages to be sucked into the orbit of the most popular girl(s) in school and quickly becomes part of the toxic atmosphere. The book tells of the catty world of teenage girls(but add a layer of wealth and privilege) and the lengths they will go to; to hurt, maim and emotionally destroy each other in self preservation.
While I wasn’t a super fan of the material (honestly gave me anxiety) it was very well written. Even when I thought I had it figured out, I didn’t and that was entertaining.
June 7, 2021
I loved Trisha Sakhlecha's first book, Your Truth or Mine and her second novel is just as intelligently written and tense. Alia meets Sabah and Noor at an expensive private school and is desperate to be part of their privileged clique. Unfortunately, for Alia, her acceptance into their circle ends in horror. Fifteen years later Alia has put it behind her and has become a successful politician, but her secrets are about to come back to haunt her.
A thriller fraught with tension but so sad as well. I loved this thriller and once again enjoyed the insight into another culture.
A thriller fraught with tension but so sad as well. I loved this thriller and once again enjoyed the insight into another culture.
April 4, 2025
4.5/5
this ate. no other words. i love a mystery with an underlying main theme about life and this delivers. my second read by this author but im finding this is something she likes in her novels to give them more depth and make the reveals that much more exciting. this one really gets at the private school experience and i really enjoyed it.
the mystery was well done, not the most thrilling though.
this ate. no other words. i love a mystery with an underlying main theme about life and this delivers. my second read by this author but im finding this is something she likes in her novels to give them more depth and make the reveals that much more exciting. this one really gets at the private school experience and i really enjoyed it.
the mystery was well done, not the most thrilling though.
June 22, 2022
I found this book slow. It went on and on about certain things and was really quite disappointing at the end.
July 20, 2025
The plot line is compelling and kept me engaged throughout the book. I wouldn’t want any of the 3 main characters as friends though!
November 12, 2021
I had been excited to read this book ever since I saw it on Goodreads. An Indian thriller by an Indian author is hard to come across and this blurb had me intrigued. I listened to the audiobook and I was not disappointed.
More than anything, Can You See Me Now? is a book about friendships that are complicated and the sheer desire of human beings and how far they will go to achieve their goals. In the book we meet three best friends - Noor, Sabah and Alia - whose story soon turns into a scandal due to one misstep. Students of the private Wescott school in India, Alia is soon thrusted into the privileged worlds of the two other girls, and for the first time in years, she feels a sense of belonging. But the world of privilege also comes with secrets and compromises, and the bad that others don't see. Soon, it all catches up to Alia.
The story moves between the past and the present from both Alia and Sabah's POV, which makes for a great mystery. As we move forward in the story, we also get to see the unraveling of the events that happened fifteen years ago. It was very interesting to follow the past, really. The author took immense pleasure with the details and gave us all of it.
While the plot was interesting, I also have to say that the writing was equally good. I loved the way that the author wrote the dialogues and how it portrayed emotions. Along with it, there was mention of politics too but it was not overwhelming. I think there was a good balance of government work / life and the personal issues of the main character.
The character sketch as well as the backstory was really really well done. We actually get to witness the tumultuous friendship of these three girls and see their unraveling. It was truly so good. Especially the way it all unfolded and the changes were so subtle that you don't even notice. I love reading about complicated friendships and this was good. Teenagers are wild, really. Lol.
Now, I'm not so sure what I feel about that climax however. I liked it, I was predicting it even, but idk if I feel OMG about it. Like, it was definitely a nice climax and twist, and made not a lot of sense but also made sense. So I'm kind of neutral about it.
But I must say, I absolutely loved the ending. I think it gives such a twisted take on the happy ending and I just loved it. I feel it tried to portray what loneliness can sometimes push a person towards as well as a hunger for power. Powerful people are always sketchy, be them of any gender, and they are always doing some sketchy shit. The ending was intense and this book was a fun read and I'm so happy to have found this book!
More than anything, Can You See Me Now? is a book about friendships that are complicated and the sheer desire of human beings and how far they will go to achieve their goals. In the book we meet three best friends - Noor, Sabah and Alia - whose story soon turns into a scandal due to one misstep. Students of the private Wescott school in India, Alia is soon thrusted into the privileged worlds of the two other girls, and for the first time in years, she feels a sense of belonging. But the world of privilege also comes with secrets and compromises, and the bad that others don't see. Soon, it all catches up to Alia.
The story moves between the past and the present from both Alia and Sabah's POV, which makes for a great mystery. As we move forward in the story, we also get to see the unraveling of the events that happened fifteen years ago. It was very interesting to follow the past, really. The author took immense pleasure with the details and gave us all of it.
While the plot was interesting, I also have to say that the writing was equally good. I loved the way that the author wrote the dialogues and how it portrayed emotions. Along with it, there was mention of politics too but it was not overwhelming. I think there was a good balance of government work / life and the personal issues of the main character.
The character sketch as well as the backstory was really really well done. We actually get to witness the tumultuous friendship of these three girls and see their unraveling. It was truly so good. Especially the way it all unfolded and the changes were so subtle that you don't even notice. I love reading about complicated friendships and this was good. Teenagers are wild, really. Lol.
Now, I'm not so sure what I feel about that climax however. I liked it, I was predicting it even, but idk if I feel OMG about it. Like, it was definitely a nice climax and twist, and made not a lot of sense but also made sense. So I'm kind of neutral about it.
But I must say, I absolutely loved the ending. I think it gives such a twisted take on the happy ending and I just loved it. I feel it tried to portray what loneliness can sometimes push a person towards as well as a hunger for power. Powerful people are always sketchy, be them of any gender, and they are always doing some sketchy shit. The ending was intense and this book was a fun read and I'm so happy to have found this book!
March 3, 2021
Oh wow! What a wonderfully crafted plotline. The author has a dangerous mind no doubt about it.
The build up of characters is so clear cut and as a Delhite from India I could see three of the friends in my mind especially if one has lived in South Delhi and studied in Delhi Public Schools across South Delhi.
The three characters are as teenagers are relatable as the author picks on the tiniest detail and I am surprised I didn’t pick this book sooner.
The author explores themes of radicalism,breaks stereotypes of Muslim families and still is able to raise the questions of killing girls in the name of family honour.
This is a full-fledged Thriller which doesnt just writes about what happened but the story starts from the beginning and is a brilliant ride in this twisted thriller-drama
The author covers aspects of how sometimes in life our teenage ghosts follow us and don’t leave us.
You wouldn’t be able to keep the book down. Enjoy this because this one is gripping, leaves you wanting for more and want you can call the perfect thriller
The build up of characters is so clear cut and as a Delhite from India I could see three of the friends in my mind especially if one has lived in South Delhi and studied in Delhi Public Schools across South Delhi.
The three characters are as teenagers are relatable as the author picks on the tiniest detail and I am surprised I didn’t pick this book sooner.
The author explores themes of radicalism,breaks stereotypes of Muslim families and still is able to raise the questions of killing girls in the name of family honour.
This is a full-fledged Thriller which doesnt just writes about what happened but the story starts from the beginning and is a brilliant ride in this twisted thriller-drama
The author covers aspects of how sometimes in life our teenage ghosts follow us and don’t leave us.
You wouldn’t be able to keep the book down. Enjoy this because this one is gripping, leaves you wanting for more and want you can call the perfect thriller
April 5, 2021
After reading Trisha’s debut Your Truth Or Mine? I had been eagerly awaiting her next book, and I can safely say that it was certainly worth the wait!
Can You See Me Now? is set in Delhi, India, and this is where we meet Alia – our 31 year old protagonist who is currently running for election as an MP. The political party in which Alia is a part of was originally started by Javed Qureshi, a man who has not only been her mentor over the years, but was also the father of one of Alia’s best friends Noor who killed herself at the age of sixteen. Following Javed’s recent death, Alia is more determined than ever to prove herself. When Alia makes the decision to support a woman who was murdered following gang rape, by one of the most elite men in Delhi, she quickly becomes a target, and her chances of winning the election are put at risk, along with her life – and the awful risk of a secret she has kept for many years being brought to light could cost her everything.
Then we meet Sabah, who completed the trio of best friends including Alia and Noor. Sabah is now a documentary maker who explores cold cases, and has found herself in the rather unfortunate position of being broke whilst starting a new life for herself in London, desperately hoping to escape her troubled past. When Sabah receives an email from an unknown address, she is left questioning whether there was more to Noor’s suicide than they first thought.
This book was completely captivating from the start. The way in which the story was told through a dual timeline, alternating between the past and present tense, really added so much depth to this incredible story. The characters were well developed and each of them were given their own unique voice. The plot was perfectly structured, with the perfect amount of tension and suspense building up as the story began to unfold. The storyline was well driven throughout and had so much attention to detail, you could picture the scenes playing out vividly in your mind. This author really does have the most marvellous writing style and really makes the reader feel fully immersed in not only the story but the characters lives throughout.
Chilling, and utterly captivating, this is undoubtedly one of the must read books of 2021
Can You See Me Now? is set in Delhi, India, and this is where we meet Alia – our 31 year old protagonist who is currently running for election as an MP. The political party in which Alia is a part of was originally started by Javed Qureshi, a man who has not only been her mentor over the years, but was also the father of one of Alia’s best friends Noor who killed herself at the age of sixteen. Following Javed’s recent death, Alia is more determined than ever to prove herself. When Alia makes the decision to support a woman who was murdered following gang rape, by one of the most elite men in Delhi, she quickly becomes a target, and her chances of winning the election are put at risk, along with her life – and the awful risk of a secret she has kept for many years being brought to light could cost her everything.
Then we meet Sabah, who completed the trio of best friends including Alia and Noor. Sabah is now a documentary maker who explores cold cases, and has found herself in the rather unfortunate position of being broke whilst starting a new life for herself in London, desperately hoping to escape her troubled past. When Sabah receives an email from an unknown address, she is left questioning whether there was more to Noor’s suicide than they first thought.
This book was completely captivating from the start. The way in which the story was told through a dual timeline, alternating between the past and present tense, really added so much depth to this incredible story. The characters were well developed and each of them were given their own unique voice. The plot was perfectly structured, with the perfect amount of tension and suspense building up as the story began to unfold. The storyline was well driven throughout and had so much attention to detail, you could picture the scenes playing out vividly in your mind. This author really does have the most marvellous writing style and really makes the reader feel fully immersed in not only the story but the characters lives throughout.
Chilling, and utterly captivating, this is undoubtedly one of the must read books of 2021
March 6, 2021
The book starts with a brilliant prologue introducing the reader to three girls ‘One girl dead, one lost and one on the run’.
Alia moves from London to India to live with her grandparents in Delhi because her parents are working in Turkey. She’s never had many friends or even close friends but finds herself drawn to Noor, Sabah and their group of friends on her first day at Wescott, an exclusive private school. Alia is the outsider from the outset but quickly becomes immersed into Noor and Sabah’s world of teenage life filled with privilege, wealth, jealousy and power.
The story is told primarily from the perspective of Alia, now a government minster and the story flits between the present and the past. The past explores Alia’s time at Wescott, her friendship with Noor and Sabah and the scandal that rocked Wescott and the students that would infamously become known as the Wescott Four.
Some of the actions of the characters in this book can only be described as mean and bullying was prevalent in the storyline. The viciousness in their actions towards each other was unrelenting and carried out without a second thought or any remorse for their actions. One minute the characters are close, not letting anyone into their inner circle and the next they are imploding from within trying to do whatever they can to get one up on each other. This described teenage life in such a realistic way. The way the characters interacted also kept me guessing as to which girl was dead and what secrets would emerge throughout the story and who they involved
I was transfixed from the first page. The story was well constructed and the characters were written in such a way that at times you sympathised with them but at times you couldn’t help but not like them. This was a book that gave me Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars vibes from the outset.
The scandal at the school was portrayed realistically and sensitively especially as it was based on a scandal that took place at the authors high school. This was one aspect that attracted me to the book. The way the storyline portrayed the scandal itself was interesting especially because in the book it is the female that is vilified over the male who appears to walk away from the scandal unscathed. Unfortunately, in some instances and cultures this still happens today.
The ending was shocking with an unexpected twist I wasn’t expecting or see coming. If you like psychological thrillers based around school friends and exclusive prep schools then I’d highly recommend this.
I received a gifted copy for an honest review.
Alia moves from London to India to live with her grandparents in Delhi because her parents are working in Turkey. She’s never had many friends or even close friends but finds herself drawn to Noor, Sabah and their group of friends on her first day at Wescott, an exclusive private school. Alia is the outsider from the outset but quickly becomes immersed into Noor and Sabah’s world of teenage life filled with privilege, wealth, jealousy and power.
The story is told primarily from the perspective of Alia, now a government minster and the story flits between the present and the past. The past explores Alia’s time at Wescott, her friendship with Noor and Sabah and the scandal that rocked Wescott and the students that would infamously become known as the Wescott Four.
Some of the actions of the characters in this book can only be described as mean and bullying was prevalent in the storyline. The viciousness in their actions towards each other was unrelenting and carried out without a second thought or any remorse for their actions. One minute the characters are close, not letting anyone into their inner circle and the next they are imploding from within trying to do whatever they can to get one up on each other. This described teenage life in such a realistic way. The way the characters interacted also kept me guessing as to which girl was dead and what secrets would emerge throughout the story and who they involved
I was transfixed from the first page. The story was well constructed and the characters were written in such a way that at times you sympathised with them but at times you couldn’t help but not like them. This was a book that gave me Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars vibes from the outset.
The scandal at the school was portrayed realistically and sensitively especially as it was based on a scandal that took place at the authors high school. This was one aspect that attracted me to the book. The way the storyline portrayed the scandal itself was interesting especially because in the book it is the female that is vilified over the male who appears to walk away from the scandal unscathed. Unfortunately, in some instances and cultures this still happens today.
The ending was shocking with an unexpected twist I wasn’t expecting or see coming. If you like psychological thrillers based around school friends and exclusive prep schools then I’d highly recommend this.
I received a gifted copy for an honest review.
February 18, 2021
I absolutely adored this book and the author has done such a brilliant job of creating a story that is full of intrigue and mystery.
The story is told in two different timelines. One is the present the other is 15 years ago while three girls were at a prestigious school in Delhi. The girls are Sabah, Noori and Alia. Alia is the newest member of the group and for the first time in her life, she feels that this is a group to which she should belong.
The past is one that builds a picture of school life for the girls and shows the dynamics between the three of them. Building on their characters and personality traits, the author gradually weaves in an air of mistrust and jealousy. Close friendships are only close when secrets and trust are kept intact, but when a comment is let loose then cracks start to form.
In the present, Alia is a politician, a position she has worked hard to for over the years, Sabah is a documentary filmmaker wanting her next story. There are things in the past that have never been fully revealed. Yet there are some things that are starting to surface.
This is such a brilliantly addictive read. I really enjoyed the dual timeline format of this story. The author used it to great effect, providing links and also reasons for mistrust in the present. The mystery behind an event in the past was one that was gradually teased out. There were several little subplots that gave more suspicions and doubt and it wasn't until much later int he story where things were finally brought to a conclusion.
Very enjoyable from start to finish. Gripping throughout and one I think readers of crime, mystery thrillers would enjoy. One I would definitely recommend.
The story is told in two different timelines. One is the present the other is 15 years ago while three girls were at a prestigious school in Delhi. The girls are Sabah, Noori and Alia. Alia is the newest member of the group and for the first time in her life, she feels that this is a group to which she should belong.
The past is one that builds a picture of school life for the girls and shows the dynamics between the three of them. Building on their characters and personality traits, the author gradually weaves in an air of mistrust and jealousy. Close friendships are only close when secrets and trust are kept intact, but when a comment is let loose then cracks start to form.
In the present, Alia is a politician, a position she has worked hard to for over the years, Sabah is a documentary filmmaker wanting her next story. There are things in the past that have never been fully revealed. Yet there are some things that are starting to surface.
This is such a brilliantly addictive read. I really enjoyed the dual timeline format of this story. The author used it to great effect, providing links and also reasons for mistrust in the present. The mystery behind an event in the past was one that was gradually teased out. There were several little subplots that gave more suspicions and doubt and it wasn't until much later int he story where things were finally brought to a conclusion.
Very enjoyable from start to finish. Gripping throughout and one I think readers of crime, mystery thrillers would enjoy. One I would definitely recommend.
April 13, 2021
Can I start by saying that I really enjoyed the debut novel from this Author, Your Truth or Mine? It certainly fits into my psychological thriller genre perfectly and I’m especially open to Authors globally.
At the start I was a bit unsure as there’s a lot of ‘government’ talk in which I felt a little bit out of my depth if I’m being completely honest.
Fifteen years ago, three 16-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India. Two are popular and the third, Alia feels her happiness depends on being accepted.
We follow multiple timelines, between Alia and Sabah in the present and the girls fifteen years ago at school but I also found this quite difficult as each personality felt so different from when they were young.
I didn’t know where this story was going as the Author leads you down one path and the twist spins you in an absolute U-turn. But the twist was explosive. I certainly didn’t expect that. When I realised what was happening, I didn’t think it would be able to be pulled off well but it all wrapped up in the end and I thought it very clever.
Whilst I found the book very well written, it did feel hard to connect and I wasn’t didn’t feel the sadness you can experience when I got to the end of it. I’ve tried to analyse why, but it’s something I just can’t put my finger on. It could be something as simple as the impact and love I had had for ‘Girl A’ which I’d read the week before.
At the start I was a bit unsure as there’s a lot of ‘government’ talk in which I felt a little bit out of my depth if I’m being completely honest.
Fifteen years ago, three 16-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India. Two are popular and the third, Alia feels her happiness depends on being accepted.
We follow multiple timelines, between Alia and Sabah in the present and the girls fifteen years ago at school but I also found this quite difficult as each personality felt so different from when they were young.
I didn’t know where this story was going as the Author leads you down one path and the twist spins you in an absolute U-turn. But the twist was explosive. I certainly didn’t expect that. When I realised what was happening, I didn’t think it would be able to be pulled off well but it all wrapped up in the end and I thought it very clever.
Whilst I found the book very well written, it did feel hard to connect and I wasn’t didn’t feel the sadness you can experience when I got to the end of it. I’ve tried to analyse why, but it’s something I just can’t put my finger on. It could be something as simple as the impact and love I had had for ‘Girl A’ which I’d read the week before.
August 2, 2022
This is the authors second book, her first being Your Truth Or Mine, which I also read and quite liked. I think this book is a little more assured than her last, and it’s quite a nice entry in it’s genre.
I really liked the Dehli setting. I haven’t read many books set in the social world of that city, and it felt a little familiar from friends descriptions of life in India, but also a very different and fresh world than the one we often get in this genre. The lives of the girls at the school and the importance of their relationships with each other and their reputations made for a great deal of tension. Their social status and competitiveness, their meanness and love-hate friendships are very realistic and it made me glad I’m not that age anymore. Drama is life or death at that age, and it makes for great reading in this book. In the adult world, we see the same competitiveness, social climbing and manipulation, the same fears of betrayal.
On the whole, this was a good read. It’s paced well and the characters are rounded and keep you invested. You’re never sure who to trust and what really happened. No one is all that nice, though they are quite sympathetic and real. If you’re looking for your next domestic thriller, this might be it.
Thank you to the publisher for the copy of this book for review.
I really liked the Dehli setting. I haven’t read many books set in the social world of that city, and it felt a little familiar from friends descriptions of life in India, but also a very different and fresh world than the one we often get in this genre. The lives of the girls at the school and the importance of their relationships with each other and their reputations made for a great deal of tension. Their social status and competitiveness, their meanness and love-hate friendships are very realistic and it made me glad I’m not that age anymore. Drama is life or death at that age, and it makes for great reading in this book. In the adult world, we see the same competitiveness, social climbing and manipulation, the same fears of betrayal.
On the whole, this was a good read. It’s paced well and the characters are rounded and keep you invested. You’re never sure who to trust and what really happened. No one is all that nice, though they are quite sympathetic and real. If you’re looking for your next domestic thriller, this might be it.
Thank you to the publisher for the copy of this book for review.
February 28, 2021
One of the risk factors of being both a crime, thriller and suspense fiction fan and an editor of said drama is that I spend all day reading the same material as that I read to switch off at night. So, at times, I can be quite a hard reader to shock with a twist. However, Trisha Sakhlecha's new novel, CAN YOU SEE ME NOW? certainly delivers on the twist department.
Set at a exclusive high-school in Dehli, the usual teenage dramas are escalated to a fatal level, and fifteen years later, those involved try to unpick what really happened in those dark years. The writing is awash with strong characters and vivid description, and although there is a lot going on in the manuscript, Sakhlecha never fails to keep you hooked with elegantly timed reveals and twists. This is a fantastic thriller that will have you reading to the early hours as it twists and turns, and at times is deliciously dark. I'd recommend this for ardent pyschological and crime thriller readers, but also fans of true-crime documentaries such as Making a Murder (or even Tiger King), because the narrative is just as compellingly addictive, you'll want to binge-read this too!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set at a exclusive high-school in Dehli, the usual teenage dramas are escalated to a fatal level, and fifteen years later, those involved try to unpick what really happened in those dark years. The writing is awash with strong characters and vivid description, and although there is a lot going on in the manuscript, Sakhlecha never fails to keep you hooked with elegantly timed reveals and twists. This is a fantastic thriller that will have you reading to the early hours as it twists and turns, and at times is deliciously dark. I'd recommend this for ardent pyschological and crime thriller readers, but also fans of true-crime documentaries such as Making a Murder (or even Tiger King), because the narrative is just as compellingly addictive, you'll want to binge-read this too!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2021
This is a book and a half! It consumed me the whole time I was reading.
Alia joins Westcott school in India late in the day; friendships are already formed and she is desperate to fit in. Managing to get in with the 'it' crowd of Sabah and Noor, Alia finds herself in a world of privilege so far unknown to her, but the rich don't always play within the rules. Fast forward fifteen years and Alia is a government minister hoping to advance her career - but will the past come back to haunt her?
In the beginning I thought this was a coming-of age story, but that was just the beginning of this intriguing tale. There is so much packed into these pages and each one drew me in further. Before long I realised that there was an unsolved mystery in the midst of all the teenage angst and adult reflections. Several times I considered I had it all worked out, but I was so wrong! The surprises just kept on coming and trying to sort it all out in my head didn't help. When the answers came, I was blown away! This is such a great read; skilfully created, expertly planned and I recommend it to all lovers of a bloomin' good thriller! Trisha Sakhlecha is most definitely an author to watch. Highly recommended and so worth a full house of stars.
Alia joins Westcott school in India late in the day; friendships are already formed and she is desperate to fit in. Managing to get in with the 'it' crowd of Sabah and Noor, Alia finds herself in a world of privilege so far unknown to her, but the rich don't always play within the rules. Fast forward fifteen years and Alia is a government minister hoping to advance her career - but will the past come back to haunt her?
In the beginning I thought this was a coming-of age story, but that was just the beginning of this intriguing tale. There is so much packed into these pages and each one drew me in further. Before long I realised that there was an unsolved mystery in the midst of all the teenage angst and adult reflections. Several times I considered I had it all worked out, but I was so wrong! The surprises just kept on coming and trying to sort it all out in my head didn't help. When the answers came, I was blown away! This is such a great read; skilfully created, expertly planned and I recommend it to all lovers of a bloomin' good thriller! Trisha Sakhlecha is most definitely an author to watch. Highly recommended and so worth a full house of stars.
February 3, 2021
Can You See Me Now? - Trisha Sakhlecha
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley.
From Trisha Sakhlecha, Can You See Me Now? is a gripping psychological suspense thriller about a young Indian woman, now a government minister, whose past secrets are about to reverberate into the present and shatter her life. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Erin Kelly.
Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Set in New Delhi with multiple timelines to follow; Sabah and Alia in the current time and Alia, Sabah and Noor 15 years previously whilst they were all students at Wescott.
Whilst I found this to be a well-written novel, with easy to follow perspective changes and many twists, I struggled to connect with the book.
Rating 3/5
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley.
From Trisha Sakhlecha, Can You See Me Now? is a gripping psychological suspense thriller about a young Indian woman, now a government minister, whose past secrets are about to reverberate into the present and shatter her life. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Erin Kelly.
Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India.
Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance.
Set in New Delhi with multiple timelines to follow; Sabah and Alia in the current time and Alia, Sabah and Noor 15 years previously whilst they were all students at Wescott.
Whilst I found this to be a well-written novel, with easy to follow perspective changes and many twists, I struggled to connect with the book.
Rating 3/5
February 4, 2021
Another great book filled with twists and turns by Trisha Sakhlecha.
Set in Delhi and covering two time frames, I loved how the story was so atmospheric and narrated in such a fantastic way that it felt I was there.
I really enjoyed to read the development of the characters and couldn’t stop reading so I could find out what would happen to Alia. Reading about Noor brought me some not so good memories and I have to confess it was the parts that were most difficult for me to read.
I felt it was quite fast paced and loved how it dipped into the Indian culture. Overall, another great book by the author and cannot wait to see more of her future work
I would like to thank Netgalley and PanMacmillan for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
Set in Delhi and covering two time frames, I loved how the story was so atmospheric and narrated in such a fantastic way that it felt I was there.
I really enjoyed to read the development of the characters and couldn’t stop reading so I could find out what would happen to Alia. Reading about Noor brought me some not so good memories and I have to confess it was the parts that were most difficult for me to read.
I felt it was quite fast paced and loved how it dipped into the Indian culture. Overall, another great book by the author and cannot wait to see more of her future work
I would like to thank Netgalley and PanMacmillan for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
March 3, 2021
I really enjoyed can you see me now by Trisha Sakhlecha , I found it intriguing and it had my attention from the very start.
I really enjoyed how it went from past to present in the story, I really enjoyed the authors writing style and found it easy to follow between the different characters.
The character development and the plot was so good and kept me guessing till the very end , every time I though I was close to figuring this book out I found out I was wrong. I found it gripping from the very start, they are many twists and suspicions that keep you guessing and the build up was worth it.
This was my first book reading from this author and I can’t wait to see what she brings out next.
I really enjoyed how it went from past to present in the story, I really enjoyed the authors writing style and found it easy to follow between the different characters.
The character development and the plot was so good and kept me guessing till the very end , every time I though I was close to figuring this book out I found out I was wrong. I found it gripping from the very start, they are many twists and suspicions that keep you guessing and the build up was worth it.
This was my first book reading from this author and I can’t wait to see what she brings out next.
June 26, 2022
This was a decent enough thriller/mystery, with a twist I definitely did NOT see coming, but I found it dragged a little bit at times for me. I’m not sure why; perhaps all the catty girl bullying in the high school chapters. I know this type of behaviour happens but it’s so unlike my own high school experience, I can’t really relate to it. There also just seemed to be a LOT of peripheral characters and names that I found confusing at times. I also thought it would have been a nice touch to have notes at the back that explained the many Indian words that were used. Not that you need to know their exact meaning in order to understand the story, but it just would have been nice to have a bit of insight into their meanings and to learn more about the culture.
December 23, 2020
An intriguing book, definitely an entertaining read, one that I would recommend. I particularly enjoyed the setting, though I was mystified how folks were sending each other voicemails in India, something I'm not sure providers support. The author's decision to make one of the main characters a politician is a brave one, and the antics of upper-class brats in their fancy school even more so (was the school modelled on Modern School in Delhi?!). The mystery is pretty top notch too, though it drags in the first half, and you wonder if the reveal, when it comes, is going to be a let down. To be honest, it is a bit, but the story makes up for that later on.
(Review copy from NetGalley)
(Review copy from NetGalley)
February 28, 2021
Can You See Me Now?, by Trisha Sakhlecha, contains multitudes. At its heart, it’s a mystery novel, as Alia and Sabah try to find out exactly what happened to their friend Noor one fateful night in their final year at school. But it also features a lot of political intrigue, and you get a glimpse into the life of a documentary-maker too, both of which I found really interesting.
Sakhlecha captures teenage life and friendship in all its intensity, brutality, and viciousness - I have no idea how anyone survives it! I could really relate to the teenage Alia, who has always felt like an outsider and grabs her one big opportunity to join the ‘in crowd’. Luckily, I didn’t go as far as Alia, who creates a whole new persona, betrays her personal values, and ignores warning signs about the falseness and fragility of her new friendships in her bid to fit in.
While the themes of power, privilege and the difficulties of being a teenager are universal, the novel’s Indian setting added something new for me. As a school, Wescott comes across as quite westernised in its culture, yet many of its rich students see nothing wrong with having servants and treating them like part of the wallpaper. Noor in particular is pulled between the permissive attitudes of her peers, and her family’s expectation that, as a Muslim girl as well as the daughter of an elite politician, she should behave in a certain way or risk bringing shame upon all of them.
I was really interested to read about the issues Alia is passionate about fighting for as an MP, such as justice for rape victims and the provision of refuges, as well as the way the electorate is largely divided along religious lines, but the different parties have to work together in order to command a majority (hints of Borgen there, I felt!). The themes of corruption, nepotism, and male entitlement also captured my attention.
The big event that changes everything has a long build-up, and while you know throughout that Alia and Sabah aren’t directly responsible for what happened, little details about their culpability are revealed as you go along. As for who’s directly responsible, you don’t find out until right at the end of the book - and there are many twists, red herrings, and bits of information that might or might turn out to be significant!
Can You See Me Now? is intense, interesting, and very twisty.
Sakhlecha captures teenage life and friendship in all its intensity, brutality, and viciousness - I have no idea how anyone survives it! I could really relate to the teenage Alia, who has always felt like an outsider and grabs her one big opportunity to join the ‘in crowd’. Luckily, I didn’t go as far as Alia, who creates a whole new persona, betrays her personal values, and ignores warning signs about the falseness and fragility of her new friendships in her bid to fit in.
While the themes of power, privilege and the difficulties of being a teenager are universal, the novel’s Indian setting added something new for me. As a school, Wescott comes across as quite westernised in its culture, yet many of its rich students see nothing wrong with having servants and treating them like part of the wallpaper. Noor in particular is pulled between the permissive attitudes of her peers, and her family’s expectation that, as a Muslim girl as well as the daughter of an elite politician, she should behave in a certain way or risk bringing shame upon all of them.
I was really interested to read about the issues Alia is passionate about fighting for as an MP, such as justice for rape victims and the provision of refuges, as well as the way the electorate is largely divided along religious lines, but the different parties have to work together in order to command a majority (hints of Borgen there, I felt!). The themes of corruption, nepotism, and male entitlement also captured my attention.
The big event that changes everything has a long build-up, and while you know throughout that Alia and Sabah aren’t directly responsible for what happened, little details about their culpability are revealed as you go along. As for who’s directly responsible, you don’t find out until right at the end of the book - and there are many twists, red herrings, and bits of information that might or might turn out to be significant!
Can You See Me Now? is intense, interesting, and very twisty.
May 4, 2021
Can you see me now is an extremely clever and entertaining book by Trisha Sakhlecha about three young woman who all attend the Wescott, an exclusive private school in India. Two girls Noor and Sabah are best friends and the most popular girls in the school. Alia is a new arrival from England and is desperate to be part of the other girls friendship group. It all changes by the end of that school year and fifteen years later Alia is a minister in the Indian cabinet and an election is imminent.
An interesting storyline of jealousy, friendship, families, love and neglect and how eventually the truth will be told and lives changed.
Highly recommended
An interesting storyline of jealousy, friendship, families, love and neglect and how eventually the truth will be told and lives changed.
Highly recommended
July 24, 2021
Didn’t realise the quotes I kept along whilst reading this book won’t show up on my review. Shame. Something Goodread should fix.
This book surpassed my expectations. Thought it would be just the usual whodunnit but enough twists and psychological background to make it that much more interesting. And the title?! So apt. How many criminals and terrible people in power are here today because of the invisibility they felt when young?
“Nothing more toxic than the combination of steely resolve and self-righteousness.” Debate! As protagonist said, “the world needs ppl who are willing to do whatever it takes to balance the scales” Though, the question is, whose scale?
This book surpassed my expectations. Thought it would be just the usual whodunnit but enough twists and psychological background to make it that much more interesting. And the title?! So apt. How many criminals and terrible people in power are here today because of the invisibility they felt when young?
“Nothing more toxic than the combination of steely resolve and self-righteousness.” Debate! As protagonist said, “the world needs ppl who are willing to do whatever it takes to balance the scales” Though, the question is, whose scale?
January 10, 2021
Can You See Me Now is an unputdownable thriller set in Delhi. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, the sorry is set in two time frames 15 years apart. In the first, Alia, Sabah and Noor, are high school "best friends", trying to make their way through gossips and teenage scandals, as they deal with pasts and problems of their own. In the second time frame, Alia is a Cabinet Minister well on her way up the political ladder. But dangerous secrets from her last keep bubbling up and threatening her entire career.
The author deftly swings the narrative between multiple times and characters, and makes it easy to constantly pick sides and switch sides. The book keeps you guessing and gasping at the twists until the very last page, and the build up is totally worth it.
At it's core, CYSMN is a story about friendship, loyalty, self-discovery and the cushing weight of secrets.
The author deftly swings the narrative between multiple times and characters, and makes it easy to constantly pick sides and switch sides. The book keeps you guessing and gasping at the twists until the very last page, and the build up is totally worth it.
At it's core, CYSMN is a story about friendship, loyalty, self-discovery and the cushing weight of secrets.
February 4, 2021
This is a well told story of secrets and lies and it follows the life of a young Indian girl who grows up to achieve a position of influence in politics, but, is haunted by a childhood secret. It’s well constructed with strong characters, it’s told from different perspectives whilst also moving from current time to the past, when the lead character was at an elite school.
It’s a cracking political thriller, with the unusual backdrop of India and the cultural challenges for women are woven throughout.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.
It’s a cracking political thriller, with the unusual backdrop of India and the cultural challenges for women are woven throughout.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.
December 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Set in Delhi, it is the story of 3 schoolfriends. Sabah, Noor and Alia were pupils at an exclusive school. Alia is now a cabinet minister in the Indian government, but is still haunted by a tragedy that happened at the time, and for which she feels guilty. Told in the 2 time frames, the story gradually emerges, and there is a great twist that I didn't see coming! I really recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
February 3, 2021
After reading Trisha’s debut novel, I was eagerly waiting for the next one. A totally gripping thriller, I finished reading it in one go. There are lots of unexpected twists which keep you captivated till the end and the description of high school life and politics is excellent. I was amazed at the final mind blowing twist (WOW) and had to flip back the pages to look for the clues I missed! Loved it & would highly recommend!
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