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Scarred Roses - RakShak Series Book 1: Teenaged Detective Duo Rak-Shak are up against a Spine Chilling Mystery

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The sweet fragrance of roses. The dark shadow of death.

Teenage sisters Raksha and Shakti (Rak-Shak) arrive at the historical city of Jodhpur with their aunt and foster grandfather to receive their late mother’s bequeathment. But the timing of their visit couldn’t have been worse as the city is grappling with a spate of serial murders where the killer leaves behind mutilated roses around the victims. The ghost of a formidable and wronged concubine who lived more than two centuries ago is rumoured to be the perpetrator of the murders and the rumours are further given wind by reports of spectral sightings, along with an inexplicable fragrance of roses and the humming of an old classical song.
Raksha and Shakti receive their mother’s journal and its contents set them upon a trail that leads them to explosive secrets that were buried centuries ago. They lose their grandfather to the diabolical killer and with their own lives and the life of their beloved aunt at stake; the girls will have to unravel the mystery page-by-page, going back in time while racing against it.
In the backdrop of the old city of Jodhpur with its rich history, stepped-wells, grand palaces, and hidden passages, and with nothing but their mother’s journal and their own wit to rely upon, will Rak-Shak be able to battle their own demons and save their family and the entire city from the clutches of this terrifying killer or will they end up with scarred roses of their own?

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2022

3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read

About the author

Preeti Nair-Nayak

2 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for P.B. Flower.
Author 6 books95 followers
December 3, 2023
A mesmerizing tale

What lurks in the shadows cannot be always explained by truth. I had dived into this book with one too many expectations and they were all suitably met. The plotline is mysterious, supernatural, and bewitching. The period terms, of which many are used even today, in the setting of this book gave traditionalistic touch to this engaging story. It carried a haunting undertone that remained mysterious till the end yet lent to the hair-raising feel I got at the turn of every page.

The bond between Raksha and Shakti was exceptional. The brainteasing approach by the writer is commendable. I couldn't guess about the perpetrator behind the serial killing until the author decided to reveal it. All the other supporting cast impart unforgettable impression due to the author's skilled writing.

Preeti has researched and demystified the historical significance around an uncelebrated character, Gulab Rai. Her story was well captured and presented with such grace.

The story flows smoothly and balances the intrigue and engagement superbly for the readers. I recommend this one highly for lovers of mystery, suspense, thriller, and YA fiction lovers.
Profile Image for Prachi Biswal.
165 reviews4 followers
November 4, 2022
Do you love reading thriller mysteries?
Well, I am a big fan of thriller mysteries.
The book, "Scarred Roses" by Preeti Nair Nayak is a thriller mystery and the first part of the Rak-Shak series as well.

The story is about a great lady named Paswan Gulab Rai who gives great efforts and does a lot for the people of Jodhpur but still everyone speaks so ill of her.
The first chapter in the book speaks about the past sacrifices and pain of Paswanji whereas the second chapter and the chapters afterwards speak of the present day.

At the present day, the story is centered on the two sisters-Raksha and Shakti.

The two sisters lose their mother, Sharanya at a very young age who died in a mysterious accident.
This leads to a depressed mental condition in Raksha and a stubborn attitude in Shakti.
But, both the sisters love each other immensely and share an unbreakable bond.

The two sisters reach Jodhpur along with their aunt-Vani and foster grandfather because of a letter from their dead mother which mentions that the sisters have to fetch an unknown thing from the locker of a bank near Jodhpur.
However, things are not really going well in Jodhpur. A mysterious murderer is killing the people very mysteriously without leaving any hint. The police is searching for the criminal while the people say that it's a ghost of Paswan Gulab Rai who is killing people.
Raksha and Shakti are upto find out the sole reason behind these happenings.
What happens next? What is the thing the sisters are to fetch from the bank? Who is killing the people? Is it really the ghost of Gulab Rai? Why is she hated so much after all the good deeds she has done in the past? Will Raksha and Shakti be able to find it out?

My rating:-4/5
A mysterious thriller fiction with simple language and writing style that kept me so engaged in the book.
Waiting eagerly for the next part of the series !! 😍
Profile Image for Aditi Bhowmick.
262 reviews11 followers
November 6, 2022
The book "Scarred Roses" is the first book of the "Rak-Shak series". The story is revolving around Raksha and Shakti, two sisters, who lost their mother Sharanya at a very young age due to mysterious death. Now, they live in their foster house. Sharanya left a letter for Raksha and Shakti which mentions that the two sisters have to fetch an unknown thing from the locker of a bank near Jodhpur. When the sisters reach Jodhpur along with their aunt Vani and foster grandfather, a mysterious serial killer is murdering people. The police are not successful to find the criminal. Everyone in Jodhpur thinks that the ghost of Paswan Gulab Rai killing People. Paswan Gulab Rai was a great lady who lived more than two centuries ago. She was a nice woman but people always misunderstood her. In Jodhpur, Raksha and Shakti received their mother's journal which contains some explosive secrets that were buried centuries ago.
What happened next?
Do they find the killer?
Who is Paswan Rai?
Does the ghost is the real killer?
It is a book which contains a story with a thriller with a pinch of history and mythology. It also beautifully described each place of Jodhpur which will give you a clear picture of Jodhpur's palaces, rich history, stepped - wells, hidden passages, alleys etc. The mystery and suspense are written perfectly to keep the readers hooked till the end. Overall, I love it.
381 reviews8 followers
November 13, 2022
Scarred Roses by Preeti Nair Nayak
After reading the first chapter I knew I was in for a ride, it had plenty of spooky mystery, action, historical backdrop and plot twists and most importantly endearing teen sister duo detective Rak- Shak which made it a perfect brew for good mystery.

The highlight of the book was the masterful world building ,the whole setting of serial murders where the killer leaves behind mutilated roses around the victims and Raksha and Shakti's ordeal against the evil make the story a gripping compelling tale!

Preeti Nair Nayak has a knack of infusing dread with everything she writes, I feel this penned by her retain the power to drag the reader of into the story. Not everything about this tale was scary, but it was filled with mystery, danger, doom, evilness and and clever twists that kept me up for hours.

The writing is spine chilling and storytelling left me feeling unsettled at same time fascinated me to delve deeper that's a rare balance to achieve. As i barreled towards the end, it was oh so worth it!

I highly recommend this beautiful captivating read to all Young Readers .
Profile Image for Achu Aswathi.
422 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2022
The Scarred Roses is a mystery thriller and the first book of the RakShak series and I loved the story of Paswan Gulab Rai. Raksha and Shakti are two sisters on an adventurous journey after reading their mother's journal after her death, which she left in a bank locker in Jodhpur. There are a lot of characters in the story Raimas, Suma, Meera, Vani, Ajay, GK, Kabir and a lot more.

The character's characterization and background were perfectly built and the narrative was so good. You love the way each mystery is revealed and the way they find out. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story till the end and after reading the epilogue am waiting for part 2.

The way the author wrote a story connecting with history and some fiction was so good I loved Paswanji from the beginning of the story really felt bad how the haters can ruin one's name after they left the world since the one has done a lot of schemes to improve the living of the normal people. Overall you will love the story. The way they remember the treasure hunt played as a family and how a knot describes the meaning and how to find the clues from the cryptic poems and content from their mother's journal.
Profile Image for Review with Sohini.
147 reviews4 followers
November 3, 2022
Scarred Roses is about a series of serial killings in the city of Jodhpur that has its links with an injustice that was committed five centuries ago and how it falls on two teenaged girls to get to the bottom of it.
First things first, it's a well written and edited book. There's a lot of information that the reader has to get acquainted with but it never feels like ab exposition dump. The use of a journal to give out most of the information to the main characters as well asbthe reader is a masterstroke and the explanations are well balanced with action and drama that keeps one hooked to the narrative. It's also a very descriptive book and each place of the city of Jodhpur is vividly described that gives a sense of taking a tour of the city along with the characters. I especially loved the characters of Ajay and Kabir apart from the lead duo of Raksha and Shakti as well as the almost omnipresent Gulab Rai. I'm not a history buff and don't like books that gives a history lesson in the name of plot points and this book thankfully doesn't do that. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read and I would suggest it to anyone who likes reading thrillers with a pinch of history and mythology thrown in. Go for it.
Profile Image for Shining bibliophile.
313 reviews4 followers
November 7, 2022
Book name :- Scarred roses

Author :- Preeti Nair Nayak

GENRE :- murder mystery thriller

To be honest, I wasn't expecting this much potential in the book and its story line because I rarely enjoy murder mystery thrillers, but this is an exception and has lived up to it.

The story may appear a little confusing while reading because we are witnessing two different backgrounds, but the author pulled it off flawlessly.

The first chapter of the story begins with Paswan Gulab Rai and her past connection with Jodhpur, establishing the connection and backstory.

We meet sisters Raksha and Shakti (Rak-Shak) in the second chapter. And because of a series of events, they must travel to Jodhpur, where a mysterious murderer is killing and leaving roses in their wake; how will they become involved in this, and why are these murders occurring? You'll have to get the book to find out.
Profile Image for Ankita.
238 reviews7 followers
July 20, 2023
This book was on my tbr for quite some time and I finally got around to reading it last week. If I have to find one adjective for this book it would be enthralling. I was totally enthralled by the plotline and it kept me guessing till the very end. Raksha and Shakti are terrific characters, written and described wonderfully well but it's the supporting players who according to me are the real backbone of this book. Every single character from Shivanya to Ajay to Raimas to Suma and even, Vidyut, and especially Kabir was so well etched out that reading about them felt like an joy. The different storylines all converging together and the climax that clearly leaves a lot of scope for a sequel were all perfectly done and executed. Overall, Scarry Roses is one of the most perfect, thriller books that I have read and I'm not exaggerating on that at all.
Profile Image for Nidhi Paralikar.
Author 4 books4 followers
November 24, 2022
This is the kind of book I would devour in one sitting, but that would be an injustice to the book, the author, and even to the reader within me. I had to restrain myself and enjoy this book by sitting with it. And it was worth every moment.

One of the major highlights of this book for me is the fact that Raksha and Shakti speak and act their age. While most contemporary authors write with their own voices, Preeti has managed to embrace the way a teenager's mind works and gives them both their own individual voices.

Another thing that I loved about this book is the fact that it explores grief so well. Preeti does an outstanding job of showing that no two people grieve the same way.

I am so looking forward to the next instalment of this series!
Profile Image for Jenny Writes.
1,346 reviews21 followers
November 5, 2022
A wonderful and well written work alongwith well-crafted characters and an engaging story made this book a complete entertainment for me.

As we know every genre have its own beauty and charm,in this book dedicated to suspense and mystery,the author has done a commendable job.

The story is set in the magnificent and historical rich city of Jodhpur. Raksha and Shakti (Rak-Shak) are in the town of Jodhpur at a very uncertain and crucial time,because the city is surrounded by unpredictable murder series lingering around alluring secrets.

Death and life come altogether. But how will one overcome the deaths which ain't natural???So here we have the Indian detectives on the lose to connect all the dots and bring the truth into limelight!!!

Read this tale of these strong,powerful and determined girls who'll break the code and bring back peace and solace in the city ...
Profile Image for Soundarya Tiwari.
526 reviews13 followers
December 26, 2022
Scarred Roses is a book which has very unique title and hence it attracted me a lot to read this book. Well the front look of the book was so scary but it was beautiful.

As everyone knows Raksha means Protection, so as it has same meaning in the book. The protagonists of the story, two brave Sisters Raksha and Shakti are super women of the book. The novel has best thriller story which really amazed me .

The story has total of 65 chapters but the end part is my favourite one. Happy ending is the best ending ever and most importantly knowing all the secrets at the end was so fun. The content of the book is best thriller crime fiction.

Thank you.
1 review
November 4, 2022
Absolutely brilliant & Gripping

This is a must read for everyone and anyone who loves thriller, horror and suspense.. keeps you awake at night 😁
Profile Image for Chandrayan Gupta.
Author 11 books18 followers
December 12, 2022
Scarred Roses is, above all, an engrossing tale. It's based on a fascinating woman, a piece of lost history. The amount of research it must have taken to write this book is staggering. Based on a quick internet search, extremely limited data is available on Paswan Gulab Rai and her comrades. The history, the mythology, and the supernatural elements all combined to make Scarred Roses as close to unputdownable as a book can get, as evidenced by the fact that I read it much quicker than usual, often putting the real world on hold just for a few pages more. The atmosphere, the historical recreation, and the mythological expertise alone were potent enough. The supernatural themes were an icing on the cake.

The only flaw that prevented this from being a five-star review was the writing itself. The prose. I felt it required a bit more polish. As did the proofreading and the designing on the Kindle. There were often gaps between paragraphs belonging to the same scene, and no gaps when traditionally a divider would be used. The effect was a bit jarring; my immersion was lost sometimes.

Other than that, this was one of the better reads I've, well, read in my life.
Profile Image for Bibliophileverse.
732 reviews45 followers
July 27, 2023
An engrossing page turner that perfectly combines the past and the present................

Scarred Roses, written by Preeti Nair Nayak, is a gripping mystery thriller that delves deep into the lives of two teenaged sisters, Raksha and Shakti, as they embark on an investigation of a series of serial killings. The narrative beautifully intertwines their hunt for a killer with the exploration of their own troubled past involving their enigmatic mother and a haunting concubine from history, Paswan Gulab Rai.

The story immediately grabs the reader's attention with its atmospheric setting and well-developed characters. Raksha and Shakti, despite being young, exhibit remarkable maturity and resilience as they navigate through the intricate web of clues and secrets. The author does an excellent job in portraying the complexities of sibling dynamics, showcasing both love and conflicts between the sisters, thereby giving the story a realistic touch.

The plot is rich in twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout. As Raksha and Shakti delve deeper into their investigation, the connection between the present-day serial killings and the past becomes increasingly apparent. The introduction of the concubine, Gulab Rai, adds an intriguing layer to the story, creating a sense of anticipation that keeps the reader engaged.

The writing style is fluid and descriptive, painting vivid images of the characters, the settings, and the emotions they experience. The book's pacing is well-balanced, allowing the reader to piece together the mystery at a satisfying pace. It is evident that the author has conducted thorough research, as the historical aspects of the story are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding depth and authenticity to the plot.

The exploration of the sisters' past involving their enigmatic mother adds an emotional depth to the story. This elevation of personal stakes enhances the suspense, making the story more engaging and relatable.

Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...


Profile Image for pooja.
486 reviews9 followers
December 19, 2022
Interesting mystery

This story with Raksha and Shakti, who come to Jodhpur for some research because of their mothers, but they don’t know what is going on there and what will happen after their arrival in jodhpur where people already believe there is some ghost who is murdering people lives.

This story is based on the mystery and thriller as the title of the book, it suits the plot line of the story. While they started to dig deeper into the city and what they were looking for, one day Raksha finds out a diary that belongs to their mother. In the diary, there are many things that were connected to this ghost named Paswan and whoever that killed and scaring people in the city.

“Don’t start from the beginning, start from where you are, or from where you want to be. Read all the lines, read between the lines, and read the unwritten. Think and question. What you cannot see, re-look in a new light. Change your perspective. Use a new filter. 
Love, Mamma.”

While reading this, really difficult for me understand the story is what is going on but I really tried slowly and getting to know the characters and where the coming from and what is the actual story and all. For me it's a totally new genre and such a fresh book to me. If you like to read mystery stories then it must be for you. Since it's new, for me I liked the story and it's like an interesting story line because these sisters come to research and there they find a dairy that they need to know and through that they start to solve the case already going there. 

And these two sisters are completely different from each other, whether it's showing affection towards other people, emotions and reactions towards something totally different. I totally say that Raksha is more attached towards her mother than her sister. It will clearly reflect whenever she reads her mother's dairy and the dreams of her mother and all. 

So, yeah, check out this amazing story, you'll like this if you're a fan of the mystery genre. 
Profile Image for Books Review.
99 reviews4 followers
November 22, 2022
WOW, what a great mystical thrilling book is this. From start to end the storyline keeps attractting the thrill till the end. Author has beautifully explored the past and future together. With amazing plot to brilliant narration this book has every aspects at it's perfection. Every characters are well characterized and used properly. Language used is lucid which helps in reading this book easily and understanding it perfectly.

The story of this book runs around two teenage sisters named as 'Raksha' & 'Shakti'. They at very young age losted their mother to an accident which brought depression in life of Raksha and stubbornness in life of Shakti. One day with their aunt and grandfather they went to historical city of Jodhpur to receive their mother’s bequeathment. But that city was going through some hazardous time as a killer was at loose and performing many serial murders. Killer had one significant thing to do after killing every victims, which was that he leaves disfigured roses around victims. There were many ongoing rumours running around the city that the killer is no one but a ghost of very awful mistress who lived two centuries ago. Many peoples have heared the humming of an old classical song and smelled the mystic fragrance too. Soon both the girls get to their mother’s diary but apart from that they got a trail too which lead them to many secrets which were buried centuries ago. Problems took a new wind for both of the girls as mystical killer kidnapped their grandfather and aunt, and they both have to stop the killer from killing their grandfather & aunt but also had to save themselves too.

Who can say no to a promising thriller book which at time to time can provide goosebumps and surprises. Author should be appreciated for her such an amazing work. So, in the end it's my heartiest wish for all of you to get this book in your reading list now.
Profile Image for Life Changer.
129 reviews
December 7, 2022
I adore reading thrillers and mysteries. I believe my love of well-written mystery/thrillers began when I first read The Girl on the Train. The thriller Scarred Roses will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are many turns and twists, and just when you think you understand everything, another turn is introduced.

Scarred Roses by Preeti Nair Nayak is a mystery thriller novel based in the city of Jodhpur. Raksha and Shakti, two teenage sisters, are the protagonists of the tale. They accompany their aunt and foster grandpa to this historic city to collect their mother's bequest. The city of Jodhpur, however, is grappling with a trend of serial killings in which the killer scatters mutilated flowers about the victims by the time they arrive. All people experience an unfathomable level of fear as a result of these crimes.

Rak-Shak gradually learn about their mother's diary, and the information they learn from it points them in the direction of vulnerable mysteries or secrets that have been kept a secret for a long time. These girls have the guts to take on this wicked killer and work through these perplexing situations.

The family angle and relationships between the sisters is a beautiful addition to the theatrical plot. The story is addictive, and moves at a steady pace. And even though it involves a limited number of characters, it never gets boring.

The author has a great knack of grabbing your attention with an eye-catching synopsis and then she pulls you into the story. You really feel part of the team. As soon as you start to believe you know where this is heading, the action cranks back up and takes you on an unforeseen and frightful roller coaster ride.

This was my first book by the author, it won’t be my last. Overall, I really had fun with this book and would definitely pick up another in this series and by this author.
Profile Image for Bookswithavinish.
1,765 reviews49 followers
October 10, 2024
'Rakshak And The Scarred Roses' by Preeti Nair Nayak is a bewitching novel with a mix of thrill, mystery, architect, history and adventure. It revolves around two teenage sisters named Raksha and Shakti against the rich backdrop of Jodhpur.

As the story proceeds, they have to unravel a centuries old secret buried under the rich history of Jodhpur. On the other hand, the city of Jodhpur is under terror of serial killer, who leaves mutilated roses as grim calling cards. Although, few people claim him to be a vengeful spirit. Moreover, Rak-shak duo soon learn about their mother's secret diary, in which they learn about the true direction of mysteries and secrets that have been kept as a secret for a long time.

With intense environment and engrossing narrative, author invites the readers for a roller-coaster ride filled with unexpected twists and turns that leaves us shocked. Apart from this, the family angle and relationship between two sisters is brilliantly explored making the plotline quite relatable for the audience.

Author has seamlessly blended the historical/Architect elements with intensifying thrill/suspense that keeps the readers interest alive till the end. As soon as you start to believe you know where this story is heading, the action suddenly cranks back up and takes you on an unforseen adventure.

All the characters are well-crafted and developed as they incredibly contributes towards the growth of the story. The pinch of supernatural touch is also given in the story that stirs-up the entire narrative and become one of the major turning point of the story.

In essence, "Rakshak And The Scarred Roses'" is a remarkable read, which I thoroughly enjoyed and I heartily want to recommend it all the thriller/mystery lovers out there.

Must read♥️♥️
Profile Image for Shahitiya Pathak.
565 reviews15 followers
December 21, 2022
📚𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰📚

🔖𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠: Scarred Roses
🔖𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: Preeti Nair - Nayak
🔖𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 4/5

Losing someone causes a lot of grief but it the person leaves you with unfolded mystery and which may lead to loss of more loved ones can be tragic.

Raksha and Shakti are the two main protagonist of the story "Scarred Roses" whenever I've thought of roses they always give me a sense of beauty. This book made me change my perspective towards roses. The reason why this book is titled so, is very scary.

The first scenes in the book take place in Jodhpur, one of the locations I absolutely admire. The author's explanation of the events was incredibly lovely, and it helped me picture everything—I could see the streets and the people. Our protagonist travels to Jodhpur with other goals in mind, but soon finds herself involved in a mystery related to her late mother's journal. They began to work on the problem, although it was risky. What will happen to them and the mystery they still haven't solved?

The book is perfect combination of thrill, mystery and suspense, it is going to keep you turning the pages and will make you pace fast with the story. Author has really done a lot of research before putting everything into this story plot. The story includes mythology as well which made the story much more interesting. It'll introduce to a character about whom very little is available on the internet to consume. You're going to love this. I can't wait for the second book of the series.

Thank you
Happy Reading 🌻


Profile Image for Sayan Patra.
7 reviews
November 6, 2022
There's always something exciting about picking up a book written by a debut author. I had no idea of who Preeti Nayak was until I came across a promotional post about this book and picked it up out of sheer intrigue.
I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and getting to know the world that Preeti has created and her characters. It's a complicated story alright but one that needs to be felt and experienced. I will refrain from giving out much description for I don't want to go into spoiler territory but the plot revolves around two teenaged sisters called Raksha and Shakti and how they find themselves amidst a string of serial murders in the city of Jodhpur. There's a lot of historical context to the story as well with Paswan Gulab Rai, a concubine 500 years ago, being the driving force of the story as well as a lot of poignant drama with the girls mourning and coping with their mother's death. It is very much evident that the author has done a lot of research on the book and her efforts show. Would surely recommend it.
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Profile Image for Abhishek Pathak.
525 reviews6 followers
November 9, 2022
Nothing keeps you up late at night turning pages like a gripping criminal fiction thriller. The narrative takes so many turns right away, hooking the reader and taking them on an exciting and intriguing journey.

The main characters of the novel are Raksha and Shakti, who recently travelled to Jodhpur with their aunt. However, a catastrophe occurred when a series of murders took place in the town, with the killers surrounding their victims with disfigured roses. The entire city was trembling, and the two sisters' mother's writings provided some hints. They planned to uncover the secrets, but what will actually happen next in the narrative? Will they be able to set the record straight? The investigation by the sisters is the centre of the story, and they have found many clues that have led to various suspects. What will the narrative's upcoming twist be? Read the book to find out more about the storyline.

Chapter after chapter, the novel gained appeal, and everything was organised effectively. The language used is understandable and clear. Due to character growth and their backstories, you can experience the story from a variety of characters' points of view. The stories kept me guessing for the majority of the book.
17 reviews
November 11, 2022
Scarred Roses written by Preeti gives a gripping investigation story of two sisters Raksha and Shakti. They were destined to trace the murder incidents after their visit to the city of Jodhpur for personal reasons. The book elicits a moving plot by combining the elements of mystery and a series of murder crimes allegedly committed by the iconic ghost figure appearing from history purportedly looming her haunting spirit over the city of Jodhpur. The book is the beginner work of the Rak-Shak series, celebrating two sisters as the kindred sleuths in the novel. The work also presents the city of Jodhpur by using an exquisite and glittery narration making it yearning for the readers to visit the beautiful place. How do the two sisters jointly solve the murders that haunt the city is the driving force of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rekha T.
30 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2022
I got to read an amazing trail of events in Scarred Roses. What starts with a sad note, goes on with a puzzle of solving mysterious deaths and then a hopeful end.
Raksha and Sakhti, sisters who are poles apart, are a team when it comes to solving their mom's last puzzle.
Going through a painful loss, it was stimulating to read how RakShak overcome their own misery by solving an impending case frightening the people of Jodhpur.
I loved the author's poetic creation of puzzles written as RakShak's mom's last puzzle to find the truth behind the mysteries that surrounded the historical figure Paswan Gulab Rai.

An architect herself with a keen interest in such stories, the author gave a good creative fictional spin to real historical events. The characters and the storyline are well sketched.
Will definitely recommend Scarred Roses by Preeti Nair Nayak for a spine-chilling mysteries.
Profile Image for Reshmi Sujesh.
Author 9 books2 followers
March 19, 2023
A well-researched, interesting read

As an author myself, I can only imagine the amount of research Preeti has undertaken on Paswan Gulab rai from Jodhpur to write this book. Hats off to her.
The characterization of the main protagonists' siblings (Raksha and Shakti) is interesting. Out of the siblings, Shakti, the braver, adventurous and more well versed in the martial art form from Kerala - kalarippayattu keeps the story moving. The clues written in their mother's diary are beautifully crafted and keeps one thinking about what it could lead to.

In certain scenes, there were too many characters playing out and had to re-read to understand the plot better but otherwise a great read.

Highly recommend for teens and adults who like thriller-mystery set with a historical background.

Wishing Preeti the very best and looking forward to read more of Preeti's novels.
35 reviews
November 10, 2022
I bought that coz one of my friend recommended i am not that much of a thriller person but the book is just another level, the author managed perfectly the plot and the characters two teenage sisters raksha and shakti as the book called rakshaka series its first book of the series
It's mysterious on every page you can't stop yourself from turning the pages and read more plus it has Little touch of history of Jodhpur Rajasthan,
I personally love the the writing style of the author she described scenes as it will leave every image on your head and you will want more of this thriller
Well teenage detactive girls excite me more
It's rollercoaster ride but beautifully crafted
Recommend. Must read 💥
229 reviews
November 11, 2022
Set up in the city of Jodhpur, this is the first book of the Rak-Shak series.

The book explores past and the future altogether. The crimes taking place in the present are the result of the crimes that took place years back.
The way all the serial killing have been woven is dark and murky which makes the book even more intriguing.

The author has weaved the character together tightly. I loved the way Raksha and Shakti's characters have been portrayed.
The writing style is effective and descriptive and the language is lucid. The chapters are well-structured with a pinch of history.

The book definitely offers a story that actively engages readers in solving the mystery.
Definitely a recommend to all the murder mystery lovers.
Profile Image for Shivani Parkhi.
26 reviews
December 17, 2022
The novel scarred roses is a thriller mystery by Preeti Nair Nayakthat will never let you sit at ease, one after another twist will keep you engage through the last.
The story is about Paswan Gulab Rai who helped and scarifced a lot for people but people speak ill about her.
The novel with two protagonist Raksha & Shakti is based in the Royal city of Jodhpur. Where they travel to learn more about their mother, leading them to secret that was kept hidden for a long time. A bad time has come upon Jodhpur where a mysterious series murder is taking place and roses petals are found spreaded over the dead. What's the mystery here, how the two girls will get to the roots of killings?
Novel is fast paced with ease of language of the author makes it an interesting read.
Profile Image for Parul Jain.
24 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2023
It'll leave you spellbound

I found this book quite by accident and was pleasantly taken aback by how beautiful complex and layered the story was. The two main protagonists Shakti and Rakhsha really kept my attention arrested and I felt a deep connect with them. These two characters were so neatly constructed that you don't have to be a teenage girl to relate with them. You can well be someone in your forties or fifties and yet find a deep connect with the two. Other than that I also liked the characters of Ajay and Vani and I thought Raimas was such an intriguing character as well. And of course, there is Gulab Rai. Cannot say more about her without giving spoilers, but look out for her when you read the book. It'll leave you spellbound. Very much recommended.
Profile Image for Myfictionflakecorner.
15 reviews6 followers
July 23, 2023
Review Title: An amazing experience

I read this book with a very open mind as I didn't know what to expect and found myself pleasantly surprised. It was a very well crafted story with many twists and turns that left me hooked onto it till the very last page. One of the best things that I found here is that the author has not tried to hasten the plot but has taken time to flesh out the story and the characters to give the reader a very immersive experience of reading.
The character of Gulab Rai who's always lurking in the background gives the narrative a surreal feel and the flashbacks way back in time are beautifully weaved into the overall story. Two thumbs up to Preeti Naik for this amazing experience.
Profile Image for Satya Keerthi.
433 reviews5 followers
February 9, 2023
Scarred roses is a beautifully weaved mystery book that'll leave you hanging on tenterhooks. I loved the spunky sister duo of Raksha and Shakti and their longing for their mother is very well described. At times, I felt like watching a suspenseful movie and the fact that this was brilliantly edited just elevated the reading experience. The twists were shocking and the murder premise is scary. I started smelling roses while I was reading and it freaked me out!
Highly recommended for the unusual story and the supernatural elements!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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