Heart on the Edge

by Novoneel Chakraborty

Naishee Kamaraj has a special bond with her younger brother, Shravan. One day when he suddenly goes missing, everyone tells her perhaps he left of his own volition, but Naishee knew her brother better than anyone else. She fears there has been foul play. And her fears come true when she receives a second-hand phone with a video of her brother being held captive. She needs to perform some horrific activities to save her brother. As time ticks by, Naishee knows she will come out a totally different being by the end of it all . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2022

About the author

Novoneel Chakraborty's books have touched thousands of souls across India. He is a full time author, screenwriter and a blogger.

Reviews

[mewiseidiot · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of my favorite author. Never expected story of this standard comes from him.

[Pramod · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting novel about some of the evil things that happen in our society. Let me be Frank This book altered my perspective about orphan children because what we think as a society is that these children are well cared for, but in reality, that is not true; they are subjected to numerous atrocities. In this book, the author explains how an orphan child was humiliated and how it affected her entire life. I request you to read this book. ( Not all orphan children are subjected to atrocities; there are some cases, but as a society we need to eradicate these evil forces at the root level; otherwise, it is hard to eradicate them )

[Sriram Mangaleswaran · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books by Novoneel. Dude you need to get updated, get down and pave your way, research and write books.

This book has lots and lots of cinema cliche. Women get locked in a container, which is a deserted construction site, and girl get abused again in a deserted area.

The girl gets lost for a month and she lies about that, so the police believes the same woww.

Lot and lots of loopholes. Novoneel after the stranger series you are disappointing us except one or two books.

Please come up with a nice story plot otherwise please refund me back for all your books which I bought.

[gigiireads · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚜️⚜️⚜️
3.5/5 🌟
⚜️⚜️⚜️

This book turned out to be a good one time read for me (although I think that all thrillers are one time reads coz where's the anticipation for the twists when you already know the culprit!?).
The story starts with its focus on the relationship of siblings Naishee and Shravan. Their relationship was very relatable (especially the part of calling each other by names of animals despite having unconditional love for each other 😂🤌🏻)....... But the main plot starts when Shravan suddenly goes missing. The police, his parents and even Naishee at first think that he ran away coz of the fallout he had with his father over his sexuality......but then Naishee receives a package with a second hand phone with a video of her brother being held captive. Fearing the safety of her brother's life and the previous unresponsiveness of the police, Naishee complies with whatever sadistic game the kidnapper wants to play. Side by side, we read in a different timeline, about 2 decades ago..... About the dark turn of events in an orphan's life. Of course these two are connected, or else why would it be mentioned from time to time (it was pretty easy to identify why this sadistic game was being played)..... But the real culprit wasn't the one I was expecting to be..... It ended on a dark note which made me question some stuff. It was a fast paced page turner with a little bit of spice as well. Wanted to read a book by this author coz @what.jo.reads always praised his works and I would definitely like to try reading more of his works!

[Aastha Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW- Kidnapping, torture, child-abuse, death threats, rape, black mailing, stalking, hacking


Family is the one that helps us keep ourselves together and sometimes they are the only ones that break us into pieces we can never join back together.  

Naishee Kamaraj has a special bond with her brother Shravan. When he goes missing, one thing she is sure of is something is wrong and she's proven right when she receives a parcel with a video of her brother being held captive. To free hin off the claws of the kidnapper, she has to do some horrific things.


HEART ON THE EDGE is a well-timed and well-written thriller that keeps you hooked until the last of the pages where you finally understand where it had been leading all along. The pace of the story is rightly executed. Each character is written in such a way you'll feel yourself being a part of them but the fear the storyline instills in you from time to time would make you want to run from it all. Since by now you'll be too curious to know how it would end, you won't be able to stop n


Two parallel timelines are being talked about in the book, connected to each other in the most unfortunate way. Some scenes were really triggering for me. So if you are thinking of picking it up please read the trigger warnings first.


What didn't work for me was how the kidnapper is being revealed and who they turn out to be given the fact they were hardly mentioned throughout the story.


Overall, I liked reading the book. Novoneel's books are always a good choice to pick.

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows the journey of Naishee who loved her little brother Shravan to bits but when he goes missing she is devastated.

Everyone believed that he had run away but Naishee knew that there was more to the story when she received a second hand phone in a parcel.

Naishee was confused as why was she and her brother subjected to the torture until she got to know the dark truth behind the kidnapping.

The author has been one of my favourites and this time also he didn’t disappoint me with his plot. The content is bit triggering and will definitely give you goosebumps.
The characters are good as well as the narration. I was quite intrigued till the end.

I’ll definitely recommend this to people who like thrillers🫣

[Ramya · Rating 2 out of 5]

WHAT DID I JUST read?? 😩

[Mridupal Sarma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected more tbh.

Loopholes and the antagonist needed more spotlight in the modern day.

[Jainand Gurjar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book: Heart On The Edge
Author: Novoneel Chakraborty
Genre: Crime Thriller
Publisher: Penguin India
Pages: 157

Novoneel Chakraborty is one of the most loved and talked about authors on and outside Bookstagram equally and I always wanted to read his work. And so when I got the opportunity to read Heart On The Edge, I was all in for it.

Heart On The Edge by Novoneel Chakraborty is the story of Naishee Kamraj, who loves her brother Shravan and shares everything with her, the things and secrets that she can't with her parents, and both are secret keepers and support systems for each other. But one day suddenly Shravan goes missing and while everyone believes that he went off by his own will, Naishee didn't. And her instinct got verified when she received a parcel and was asked to do various horrific tasks. But is it just another trick or is something wrong there? Would she be able to put the tasks effectively and save her brother or will the damage shake their life? To know what happened to them, read the book.

The book was very fast-paced and the writing was very engaging. From the first to the last page, the author was able to grab my attention and kept me hooked. Various social issues were raised throughout the book, being the main plot and the sidelines as well. Navigating through two different timelines, the story continues and reaches its destination a little abruptly!

The end was something that kept me in a dilemma for a long time, as I was not able to comprehend what just happened there. Although I am not satisfied from the perspective of the character, which can't be said much without giving spoilers.

So let's come to the final judgement. Was the book interesting? Yes. Was it able to create suspense and hold the mystery till the end? Yes. Was the writing engaging? YES (in capital letters). Am I satisfied? Maybe (Read it as 'somewhere in between'). Would I like to read more by the author? Yes. Would you enjoy this book? It's subjective and completely based on your perception. I'll give it 3.25/5 stars.

P.S. I don't usually write reviews in this format, but the unusual ending of the book motivated me to write this usual end of the review as well! Can't help it 🫣

[Rehana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naishee returns home hoping for a peaceful weekend after work, but all she gets is chaos in the family because some secrets are finally revealed.

A week later, she receives dreadful news that her loving brother is missing, and the police and her parents think he fled the house on his own. But Naishee knows something is wrong. Her doubt turns true when a strange parcel shows up at her apartment with a phone in it.

Later, she keeps getting clues and demands from an unknown person through a new parcel every time with a phone in it, and she can't go to the police because she is being watched. Who could it be, and what is their motive? What does Naishee or her brother have to do with anything? Pick this penguin metro reads thriller for a suspenseful ride.

This book is filled with twists and turns from the beginning to end and is fast-paced, making it suitable for a quick read. The chapters are crisp and short.

I liked how the book had so many emotions packed in it though I might have preferred it to be a little less Bollywood-y. I appreciate the author's research and for staying up to date in various fields, like even speaking about the ovulation kit and its function. Only in some places it felt as if the narrative didn't match the time period it was set in, as receiving birthday bumps 20 years earlier in India is a concept I can't entirely agree with.

I loved the sibling bond and the relationship between Naishee and Ashwanth. The thought process that the author decided to show the female character as sexually dominant was commendable. The ending was intriguing and more gripping as compared to the middle chapters, where I found myself pushing to get past it.

The descriptions of the trauma and assault were in graphic details that I couldn't stomach the goriness and grossness, and I couldn't hold my attention to the blunt, straightforward approach of the characters at times.

Else, this revenge story is worth a read.

My review: 3/5

Thank you @penguinindia for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikhil Talwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another review for one of my favorite author.

HEART ON THE EDGE is a well-timed and well-written thriller that keeps you hooked until the last of the pages where you finally understand where it had been leading all along. The pace of the story is rightly executed. Each character is written in such a way you'll feel yourself being a part of them but the fear the storyline instills in you from time to time would make you want to run from it all. Since by now you'll be too curious to know how it would end, you won't be able to stop.

This book has lots and lots of cinema cliche. Women get locked in a container, which is a deserted construction site, and girl get abused again in a deserted area.The chapters are crisp and short.

If anybody asks me if revenge is right, I don't have an answer to it. An orphan teen girl, going through so much physical and emotional trauma at her teenage, would be scared for life. What can we expect from the scared orphan, with no justice served or none to teach whats right or wrong.

The Sister, Naishee was amazing, but can all sisters be Naishee? I don't have an answer to that as well. Every risk she took to save her brother shows how porecious he is to her. She didn't care about her stable relationship, life and society. That made her the second mother to Shravan. Every exam she gave to save Shravan, I should admit, my heart was on edge. The answeres to every question she was tested, explains a different perspective altogether to life and revenge. A perfect witness to her brought up and learnings from her experiences.

Sir, Novoneel raises his own bar with his each story and then outgrows that bar making it rise higher everytime.And undoubtedly he is the best. Thank you Novo for gifting us with one more extraordinary novel.


Definitely recommend this to people who like thrillers.

[Arushi Kulshreshtha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart on the Edge is a Crime and psychological thriller written in a lucid language, full of trigger warnings. Mentioning about the trigger warnings first, read it only If you are okay with warnings like- rape, harassment, child abuse, etc.

The story is about protagonist Naishee, a college going girl whose younger brother, Shravan went missing. Shravan was in 12th standard having his own personal problems in life. Everyone thought that he might have gone for few days in anger away from home but Naishee felt something fishy. Her doubt became true when she started getting weird requests from kidnapper. Will Naishee be able to save his brother? Who might have kidnapped her brother? Or was that all a trap and another twist will be revealed by the author?

For me, this story is full of twists. You won’t be able to believe what might be coming up at ending. Beautiful bond of siblings is shown. The story is about revenge, madness, mind games, justice, trauma and what and all. However, I still find the story plot and characters weak. I was expecting something more from it. The message passed is great but the way it is shown could have been little better. I was hooked by the book till the very end. For me, first part of the book was the best and somehow being aware about typical novo’s writing style, I think I was able to predict some parts in the second half of the book. The topics on which the story is written is dark and mind blowing. However, story plotting could have been improved. I would still recommend this book to all thriller lovers who are okay with trigger warnings.

[Nakul Menon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am someone who tries to go according to series order of the books every author publishes but this time I did it differently because Novoneel had just finished penning a sequel to his romantic thriller. and when this came out I was expecting a lot less of a romantic story but more of a thriller.Thankfully the book was a page turner and finished rather quickly.

Even though the pages were turning fast I was not immersed in the book because there were so many moments that felt forced and superficial. It felt like the author still took inspiration from old hindi movies to construct so many portions of the novel. Like how the police were conveniently brushed aside saying they will not be helpful. Also there is another part where Naishee (The main character)
a woman goes missing for a month and even then the author does not see the need of including police at all in the plot.

Coming to the end of my review, This book could have been something much better, I had huge hopes on the novel after reading the initial couple of chapters the way, the crime was built up was beautiful but sadly the author failed to take the energy of the build up until the climax.

[Srikkanth G · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Heart on the Edge" is an interesting crime thriller by Novoneel Chakraborty. I say "interesting" because the concept isn't unique; it's a revenge crime story, but the plot sounds different. I can't say much without revealing the plot, and hence, I will not dwell on the details.

The writing is crisp, and the book is less than 200 pages, and you can breeze through the story within a few hours. What impressed me the most was the opening line. It was mind-blowing. A philosophical opening to crime fiction? Who would have thought? It's one of the best opening paragraphs I have read to date.

So, why the 3 stars, and what didn't work for me? Firstly, it was easy for me to guess the "twist". Secondly, post the brilliant opening pages, the writing was "average". I say that because the expectations were set high, and consistency was lacking. Thirdly, it felt as if things were happening far too smoothly. A person goes missing for a month right after her brother went missing, and there aren't any repercussions? That didn't feel right.

All in all, the book with its "challenges" is a good read. A simple work of fiction that you can finish in a couple of hours.

[Skye & Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a lot of the same author's works, but this one left me feeling really unimpressed.

Paedophilia, a horrible crime, is the central theme of the narrative. This terrible atrocity is performed on a 12-year-old orphaned teen by her science and history teachers. And it will continue for years to come.

Although I thought the book dealt with a delicate subject, I thought the plot was a little disjointed and illogical.
The former teen, now a woman, returns after 20 years to exact revenge on children (son and daughter) of her history teacher in order to demonstrate that all people are born evil.

The plot of kidnapping, blackmailing, and mental torture, as well as the lack of police involvement, didn't make much sense. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the woman is an expert hacker, however it is yet unclear how.

Overall, I would say that this is not our author's best work.

[Rashmi (Midnight Chapters) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review

⭐⭐⭐✨

When Shravan Kamaraj disappeared out of thin air, everyone, including his family, thought he had left on his own accord. But Naishee Shravan's elder sister knows this is the last thing her brother would do. She knows something is amiss, and her doubt becomes true when Naishee receives a secondhand phone with a video of her brother being held captive. To save Shravan, Naishee has to play a horrendous game. Can Naishee save his brother? And what is the motive of the kidnapper?

Heart on the Edge is a mysterious and thrilling revenge story with twists and turns. The book was short, fast-paced and addictive to read. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. There's romance, family drama, violence and abuse. The author also addresses many social injustices and taboos that still exist in society. However, a few things did not make sense to me and were unrealistic. It could have been better.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. The ending was satisfying.

[Bibliophile Talks · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tale traces the odyssey of Naishee, who adored her younger sibling Shravan with all her heart. However, when he vanished, Naishee was shattered. While everyone assumed that he had absconded, Naishee sensed that there was more to the narrative after she received a second-hand phone in a package. The reason behind the torment inflicted on Naishee and her brother was puzzling until Naishee uncovered the sinister truth behind the abduction. And what is the motive of the kidnapper?
The book features two separate timelines that run parallel to each other and are intertwined in the most unfortunate manner.

FULL REVIEW:
https://www.bibliophiletalks.in/book-...

[Nikita Agarwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good twisted book again by Novoneel Chakraborty but I feel it's not complete, there are a lot of things left unanswered.
For instance if both the fathers were involved they why only Naishee and her brother suffered why not Ashwath?

Why did they break up and Naishee didn't tell him the truth.

There was no point making Naishee suffer , the Victim needed to take the revenge from her father and this whole thing that Sharvan was Gay had no meaning in the story it's just an extra topic, doesn't really fit the context.

And the biggest of all.. why did Ashwath was not made aware of his father, y only Naishee?

[Bookish_lady321 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a gripping psychological thriller...🥷

So, there is a one girl👩named Naishee whose younger brother Shravan is missing.

And when she find phone with video showing her brother captive🪢 she is feel horrific.

As time ticks, she's forced into a twisted game where every move costs her piece of herself.
She transforms in a way she never imagined.💭🤔

At last when suspense opened my heart literally skipped a beat... It was fabulous👌

It was fast paced, emotionally intense and filled with twists.🌀

[monsieur_eeshan das · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was yesterday, i just finished the the book by one single sitting... the story itself reveal the main story afterwards. just love the fact that hardcore crime can be done by anyone whether they are unknown or known.. 25years ago a orphaned girl had suffer from the core her life was finished by every corner.. 25 years later that girl took out a dengerous game . revange can be genetic to... blood matters...

[Priyadarshini Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just unputdownable!! I am just amazed how Novoneel is such a flexible and versatile genre ..a shift from his signature style for him is just his cup of coffee sipping away . The story from the begin to the tail filled with twists and turns enough for keeping any readers to an edge cliff fearing of the fall at any moment. Close your eyes and join his hands, travel to a dark world of pain , betrayal and scars . The end would definitely not upset you !!! Always in my heart ❤️.

[Harshita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! this story will keep you at the edge of your seat. The story is dark but the such a fantastic page turner that you would not want to put it down till the end.
This book will make you question how far can you go for your sibling..it is going to make you think how would you react to certain situations.

I highly recommend you to pick this book if you love reading thrillers!

[Kaviiiii Krish · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Pedophilia, Rape, Abortion, Physical abuse, Sexual Harassment

The book kept me on the edge as the title said. Fast-paced read and definitely a book that remains in your heart, as pain and shame on humanity. This doesn't mean to not try the book but do check out the TWs and proceed.

[Gurpreet Kaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 2.5 ⭐

Fast read.

Spoiler:

Though what happened with the girl was really sad and unacceptable, but...
Taking revenge by torturing the children of the culprits.. it simply don't make any sense to ruin or jeopardize or make them feel what she has gone through because of their parents.

[Anamika · Rating 2 out of 5]

A better story line is expected given the previous books I have read of him, this story was pretty predictive. The only Indian author I found good after reading the stranger triology but this book is no where near . I am quite disappointed.

[Helga Lockheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great message. The twist was a good.

[Rajdip Barman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally gave me goosebumps 🤯❤️ Absolutely in love with the story.😊

[Haifah Hifyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story kept me on the edge on every single page.... The plot twist was amazing. But the ending was not that good to me..

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️s

[Bhavana Sagar]

This book is a good read when you are travelling. The right dose of emotions, suspense and tragedy keeps you engaged till the last page