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Intermingled
A novella with the quirkiness of Japanese mysteries and lingering suspense that grows with every page.
Paul, Krishna, Gloria, and Varsha have nothing in common. Only that they have time on their hands to take Spanish language classes and are free for an hour after it to hang around in a café. Over the course of three months, the four grow close to each other, sharing the joys and tribulations of their lives. Paul is lonely after his wife’s death and wanders about the city, collecting plants. Krishna is rich, lazy, and spoilt; he is trying to woo Gloria. Gloria has a traumatic past and a penchant for gore. She also has a stalker whose attention she seems to enjoy. Varsha is the cliché of a hassled homemaker, the hour spent at the café a respite from her daily drudgery.
But none of them is ordinary. Each hides a dark secret, and in unexpected ways, gets entangled in each other’s lives. Chaos ensues.
This book is rated R; not appropriate for readers under 17 years of age; contains elements of violence, drugs, and sexual abuse.
Part of the Retribution Series of Novellas
Paul, Krishna, Gloria, and Varsha have nothing in common. Only that they have time on their hands to take Spanish language classes and are free for an hour after it to hang around in a café. Over the course of three months, the four grow close to each other, sharing the joys and tribulations of their lives. Paul is lonely after his wife’s death and wanders about the city, collecting plants. Krishna is rich, lazy, and spoilt; he is trying to woo Gloria. Gloria has a traumatic past and a penchant for gore. She also has a stalker whose attention she seems to enjoy. Varsha is the cliché of a hassled homemaker, the hour spent at the café a respite from her daily drudgery.
But none of them is ordinary. Each hides a dark secret, and in unexpected ways, gets entangled in each other’s lives. Chaos ensues.
This book is rated R; not appropriate for readers under 17 years of age; contains elements of violence, drugs, and sexual abuse.
Part of the Retribution Series of Novellas
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2021
About the author
Smita Bhattacharya
16 books66 followersSMITA BHATTACHARYA writes atmospheric cosy, and psychological mystery fiction. Strong female protagonists and twisty whodunnits are her forte. Her psychological thriller novel—Dead to Them—was amongst the top Crime, Thriller & Mystery books of Amazon India in 2022. It has been optioned for a movie. She has also authored a popular amateur detective series—the Darya Nandkarni Misadventure Series. The first of the series—Kiss of Salt—is in talks to be optioned for a movie.
Smita lives in Mumbai but has solo travelled to over 45 countries. Her stories are heavily inspired by her travels and by those she meets. She has worked in a vineyard, a newsroom, a school, a library, a bank, an advisory firm, and a technology start-up.
You can read her colourful travel and life stories at www.smitabhattacharya.com.
Smita lives in Mumbai but has solo travelled to over 45 countries. Her stories are heavily inspired by her travels and by those she meets. She has worked in a vineyard, a newsroom, a school, a library, a bank, an advisory firm, and a technology start-up.
You can read her colourful travel and life stories at www.smitabhattacharya.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 18, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and this is my own honest review.
I have just finished reading "Intermingled"
This the first of Smita's books I have read. It blew me away. The characters and the narrative, are both, so rich and detailed. Like a story within each chapter. The plot is very clever and although the characters are all worlds apart, they are woven with an invisible thread, intermingled and drawn together expertly.
Very Highly Recommend.
I have just finished reading "Intermingled"
This the first of Smita's books I have read. It blew me away. The characters and the narrative, are both, so rich and detailed. Like a story within each chapter. The plot is very clever and although the characters are all worlds apart, they are woven with an invisible thread, intermingled and drawn together expertly.
Very Highly Recommend.
December 21, 2021
Intermingled is a novella that takes the reader on a journey into the lives of four main characters: Krishna, Paul, Gloria and Varsha. All of them attend Spanish language classes and this is where their bonds start to form. As we discover more about each person, their lives, their habits, different incidents that bring out who they are, an element of mystery gets added that drives the plot. Each character has their own story to tell but the way their lives get tangled together forms the crux of the story.
Smita has crafted a very unique story where the reader has the choice to like or dislike the characters. Though a little slow and sometimes confusing, the story gets better and better as you keep reading as the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have figured the story out, a twist is brought in that once again changes the direction of the story. This is one of the highlights of the story. Secrets have a way of coming out and when they do, they can change the lives of the people involved.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella even though it is dark and somewhat twisted. The writing is magical and considering that Smita has a wonderful way with words, this is definitely worth a read!
P.S.: Take heed of the trigger warnings before reading the book.
Smita has crafted a very unique story where the reader has the choice to like or dislike the characters. Though a little slow and sometimes confusing, the story gets better and better as you keep reading as the plot keeps you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have figured the story out, a twist is brought in that once again changes the direction of the story. This is one of the highlights of the story. Secrets have a way of coming out and when they do, they can change the lives of the people involved.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella even though it is dark and somewhat twisted. The writing is magical and considering that Smita has a wonderful way with words, this is definitely worth a read!
P.S.: Take heed of the trigger warnings before reading the book.
December 15, 2021
I received this novella as an ARC.
Many thanks to the author.
Unfortunately I was unable to ever really connect with any of the characters. This made it difficult for me to become seriously involved in the story.
There are secrets and issues from the past haunting the four characters who regularly meet for coffee after taking a Spanish class. Slowly their lives become entwined and bizarre circumstances result.
End result for me is, some people are definitely NOT what they appear and present to be.
Many thanks to the author.
Unfortunately I was unable to ever really connect with any of the characters. This made it difficult for me to become seriously involved in the story.
There are secrets and issues from the past haunting the four characters who regularly meet for coffee after taking a Spanish class. Slowly their lives become entwined and bizarre circumstances result.
End result for me is, some people are definitely NOT what they appear and present to be.
November 28, 2022
Intermingled is a thriller about four friends who meet up in a café periodically and their relationship as friends. The relationships between the friends are anything but ordinary, and the story evolves as things grow weirder and stranger between the friends.
Krishna (the main character) is a compelling, though sometimes unlikeable character who is trying to get Gloria to notice him as more than friends, though we understand his feelings are more sexual than romantic. Gloria being one of the more likeable characters it is easy to understand why Krishna has targeted her for his feelings. The story only begins here, though as things grow strained between the friends as dishonesty is discovered and mysteries open.
This is a compelling mystery story with horror and thriller elements that one does not usually get from a shorter novella such as this. I enjoyed Intermingled and love how the mystery deepens over time and the 120 pages flies by, but not from lack of depth. The characters are well drawn, and I cared about them even though I did not like them very much. I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with horror elements and a little ambiguity as to whether the elements of the supernatural are real. I will be reading more by this author.
Intermingled easily gets 4 of 5 stars.
I received this novella free for an honest review.
Thank you for your review.
Krishna (the main character) is a compelling, though sometimes unlikeable character who is trying to get Gloria to notice him as more than friends, though we understand his feelings are more sexual than romantic. Gloria being one of the more likeable characters it is easy to understand why Krishna has targeted her for his feelings. The story only begins here, though as things grow strained between the friends as dishonesty is discovered and mysteries open.
This is a compelling mystery story with horror and thriller elements that one does not usually get from a shorter novella such as this. I enjoyed Intermingled and love how the mystery deepens over time and the 120 pages flies by, but not from lack of depth. The characters are well drawn, and I cared about them even though I did not like them very much. I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with horror elements and a little ambiguity as to whether the elements of the supernatural are real. I will be reading more by this author.
Intermingled easily gets 4 of 5 stars.
I received this novella free for an honest review.
Thank you for your review.
January 9, 2022
This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed the twist and turns that kept me turning pages. This is a well written story that is dark in places and could cause some triggers for some. If you can get past the triggers you have a great, engaging story. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the characers as well as enjoyed what they brought to the story. Their growth was great throughout and I also enjoyed the growth of the plot. A story of secrets, drugs and chaos. It is a fast paced, short story that I highly recommend.
January 11, 2022
A thriller-suspense novella with lots of punch. Four strangers? become friends? meeting regularly at a Cafe after their Spanish class. As they get to know each other, things just get stranger and stranger. I enjoyed their stories and was totally fooled by the twists and turns.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews