When Longing Becomes Dangerous: A Look at Sanjay Tamta’s If Longing Could Kill

 When Longing Becomes Dangerous: A Look at Sanjay Tamta’s If Longing Could Kill

There is something inherently unsettling about a quiet mountain settlement. The mist conceals more than the landscape, isolated cottages seem to hold their own secrets, and familiar faces can become strangers when darkness falls. Sanjay Tamta’s If Longing Could Kill embraces this atmosphere beautifully, creating a historical mystery where the stillness of the hills becomes the perfect backdrop for murder.

Set in Mansuri in 1952, only five years after India gained Independence, the novel takes readers to Ludor Hilltop, a secluded community surrounded by dense forests, steep mountain paths and an old cemetery. Life here appears peaceful, almost uneventful. The residents know one another, routines rarely change, and the outside world seems distant. Yet beneath this tranquillity lie old wounds, personal ambitions and secrets waiting to surface.

The mystery begins with a disappearance.

Sant Ram, the local milkman, notices something unusual about Gopal Dass, the young caretaker of Evelynn Cottage and the adjoining cemetery. For two mornings, Gopal's outhouse remains bolted from the outside, yet the light inside is still switched on. His absence does not feel ordinary, prompting Sant Ram to confide in his friend Nathu Lal, the local shopkeeper.

Their concern eventually brings Andrew Wilson, the owner of Evelynn Cottage, back to Mansuri and draws Inspector Dharamveer Tyagi into the investigation. What initially appears to be a missing-person case soon takes a much darker turn.

From here, Tamta builds a mystery populated by characters whose histories and motivations gradually become important to the investigation. Wilson, a Railway Police Inspector, has a complicated relationship with the young caretaker. Gopal, who arrived at the Hilltop after fleeing a troubled past, has found something resembling family and security at Evelynn Cottage.

But not everyone is happy with the place Gopal has earned in Wilson's life.

Jung Bahadur, the longtime caretaker, resents the trust Wilson places in Gopal. Elsewhere, wealthy realtor Amardeep Chaddha and his companion Devika have their own interest in the property. Ishwar Chand, a local businessman dealing in antiques and semi-precious stones, introduces another intriguing thread involving Wilson's family history and a possible hidden treasure.

And then there are the ghosts of the past.

Gopal's arrival in Mansuri is connected to a painful episode in his village involving love, social prejudice, misunderstanding and revenge. His past eventually catches up with him, adding another layer to a case already crowded with possible motives.

What makes If Longing Could Kill particularly engaging is the way it treats motive. Almost everyone seems to want something. Some characters long for love or belonging. Others seek revenge, wealth, security or possession. These desires do not necessarily make them guilty, but they create an atmosphere in which suspicion can fall almost anywhere.

At the centre of the investigation is Inspector Tyagi, a methodical and perceptive officer who approaches the case without being intimidated by status or reputation. Rather than relying on convenient assumptions, he examines inconsistencies, testimonies and seemingly insignificant details. A key, a bottle, a grave, a movement in the darkness—ordinary objects and events gradually acquire a new significance.

Sanjay Tamta also gives the novel a strong sense of place. The mist-covered mountains, isolated cottages, cemetery and forests are more than scenery. They contribute to the feeling of isolation that runs through the story. The historical setting adds another dimension, placing the characters in a period when society itself was undergoing profound change.

At its heart, If Longing Could Kill is a mystery about desire and its darker possibilities. It asks how far people can be pushed by the things they want—and what happens when longing becomes obsession.

With its atmospheric setting, multiple suspects, buried histories and steadily unfolding investigation, the novel offers readers a classic murder mystery with an unmistakably Indian setting and a strong psychological undercurrent.

Available now in multiple formats on Amazon, Flipkart, and the Notionpress Store

https://mybook.to/iflongingcouldkill

DHI Alchemy: Reset your Body’s Energy Frequency and Transform Your Life by Manjula Pooja Shroff

 DHI Alchemy: Reset your Body’s Energy Frequency and Transform Your Life by Manjula Pooja Shroff

This book simplifies the complex elements of a life well-lived. It attempts to ignite the light hidden in all of us. I enjoyed the practical approach, small, practical steps to solve many issues. This book offers holistic, scientific solutions to real-life problems.

This book draws attention towards the mind-soul connection and how one can improve emotional and mental health as well. The DHI method promotes a holistic and 360-degree approach to life, which emphasises the importance of balancing the mental, physical and spiritual dimensions.

It showed me how to use the EFV concepts to raise vibrations across the mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions. As I am approaching my forties, it felt like a blessing to know how to reverse my ageing through embracing an anti-ageing lifestyle.  I learnt how to let go of trapped negative emotions in our body that could lead to illness and accelerate ageing.

Quote from the book that piqued me:

👌"Ageing is the accumulation of damage. If we can stop that from accumulating damage, we can stop ageing. We have all the knowledge we need to defeat ageing; the only question is whether we have enough time."

👌" Don't pause until the limitation no longer defines you. Replace limiting beliefs with an open, growth-driven mindset. Look at what can be done rather than what's standing on the way."

👌"Exercise has a dramatic antidepressive effect. It blunts the brain's response to physical and emotional stress."

The author emphasises that failure is reframed not as an end, but as a vital part of the learning curve, an experience that strengthens resilience and brings greater wisdom. Her vivid and easy-to-go-with 'do-it-yourself' approach makes it more accessible and imbibe-worthy.

Overall, it is a life-changing read.

Purchase here.

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Ratno ka Rahasya / रत्नों का रहस्य by Dr. Deepak Singla / डॉ. दीपक सिंगला

 Ratno ka Rahasya / रत्नों का रहस्य by Dr. Deepak Singla / डॉ. दीपक सिंगला

किताब: रत्नों का रहस्य

लेखक: डॉ. दीपक सिंगला

मानव का रत्नों के प्रति आकर्षण कोई आज की बात नहीं है, यह सदियों पुराना है। हम अक्सर अपने जीवन में किसी न किसी रूप में कोई न कोई रत्न पहने ही रहते हैं। जब मेरे मन में इन रत्नों के पीछे की दुनिया को और करीब से जानने की उत्सुकता हुई, तो मैंने सोचा कि क्यों न इस विषय पर कोई अच्छी किताब पढ़ी जाए। इसी खोज के दौरान मेरे हाथ लगी डॉ. दीपक सिंगला की पुस्तक 'रत्नों का रहस्य'।

इस किताब में लेखक ने एक बेहतरीन रचनाकार की तरह विषय की पूरी समझ और गहराई को बहुत ही सुंदर ढंग से पिरोया है। किताब पढ़ते हुए यह समझ आता है कि मनुष्य का रत्नों से परिचय कैसे हुआ और हम इसमें कैसे पारंगत हुए। लेखक ने यह बहुत ही सुंदरता से दर्शाया है कि हमारे ऐतिहासिक और आध्यात्मिक ग्रंथों—जैसे रामायण और महाभारत—में भी रत्नों का स्पष्ट उल्लेख मिलता है। यहाँ तक कि हमारे देवी-देवताओं के चित्रों और मूर्तियों में भी उन्हें विभिन्न रत्नों, आभूषणों और रत्नमालाओं से सुशोभित दिखाया गया है।

अग्नि पुराण, गरुड़ पुराण और देवी भागवत जैसे प्राचीन ग्रंथों में हीरा, माणिक्य, नीलम और पन्ना जैसे कई रत्नों व महारत्नों की उत्पत्ति, उनके स्थान और उनके लक्षणों का जैसा विस्तृत वर्णन मिलता है, उसे इस किताब में बहुत ही सरल तरीके से समझाया गया है।

पढ़ते हुए मुझे रत्नों के कई अनोखे और बहुमुखी प्रभावों के बारे में पता चला। किताब यह स्पष्ट करती है कि रत्नों का भौतिक और औषधीय प्रभाव जहाँ शरीर विज्ञान और आयुर्वेद का विषय है, वहीं इनका सूक्ष्म और आंतरिक प्रभाव ज्योतिष विज्ञान और रश्मि (किरण) विज्ञान के दायरे में आता है।

किताब में नौ महारत्नों, उनके संबंधित ग्रहों और मानव जीवन पर उनके प्रभाव की बहुत सुंदर व्याख्या है। एक बेहद दिलचस्प बात जो मुझे समझ आई, वह यह कि जब एक नवजात शिशु इस पृथ्वी पर जन्म लेता है, तो वह पूरी तरह विकार-रहित और ग्रहों की रश्मियों से मुक्त होता है। लेकिन जन्म लेते ही जैसे ही वह वायुमंडल के संपर्क में आता है, उस पर सभी ग्रहों की किरणों का प्रभाव पड़ने लगता है। जन्म के समय जिस ग्रह की किरणें सबसे ज्यादा प्रभावशाली होती हैं, वही बालक का मुख्य प्रभावी ग्रह बन जाता है, और जिसकी किरणें मंद होती हैं, उसका प्रभाव कम रहता है।

आगे चलकर कैसे हम अपनी राशि और लग्न के अनुसार अपने लिए सही रत्न या उपरत्न का चुनाव कर सकते हैं, इसका बहुत ही विस्तृत और व्यावहारिक विवरण इसमें दिया गया है। इसके अलावा, रंगहीन पत्थरों और दुर्लभ पत्थरों की भी एक उपयोगी सूची इस किताब में देखने को मिलती है।

कुल मिलाकर, अगर आप रत्नों के पीछे के अध्यात्म, इतिहास, विज्ञान और ज्योतिषीय प्रभाव को गहराई से समझना चाहते हैं, तो डॉ. दीपक सिंगला की यह किताब 'रत्नों का रहस्य' एक बहुत ही ज्ञानवर्धक और पठनीय पुस्तक है।

Purchase here.

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The Cipla Story: A Legacy of Care by Archita Mitra

 The Cipla Story: A Legacy of Care by Archita Mitra

If you have ever picked up a strip of everyday medication in India, chances are high that you were holding a Cipla product. But how did this pharmaceutical giant actually come into existence? That exact curiosity is what makes The Cipla Story such an engaging and surprisingly touching read. Though designed primarily as a book for young readers—complete with simple dialogues, interactive activities, and vivid illustrations—it carries a rich narrative that holds equal value for adults.

The story opens on a wonderfully relatable note. A grandfather, who spent a major part of his professional life working at Cipla, gets an invitation to attend the company's 90th anniversary celebrations. Excited about the milestone, he asks his grandchildren if they would like to tag along. Like most kids today, their initial reaction is lukewarm. They question why anyone would want to attend a corporate function for a medicine company and ask what could possibly be so special about Cipla.

That single question triggers an unforgettable story time. The grandfather takes them back to where it all began in 1935, introducing them to Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied. The narrative paints a clear picture of the immense struggles of pre-independence India, a time when foreign multinational corporations held a total monopoly over the pharmaceutical market. Local Indian ventures received virtually no grants or backing, and getting doctors to trust an Indian-made medicine was a uphill battle.

Despite these hurdles, Dr. Hamied pushed forward. He started the venture out of a small bungalow, rolling up his sleeves and handling half the manual labor himself. The book captures the true spirit of British-era entrepreneurship—asking friends for support, pitching to reluctant medical professionals, and slowly building credibility brick by brick.

As the timeline moves to 1947, readers see how Indian independence brought both fresh hope and new challenges. The narrative highlights the transition as Dr. Hamied’s children joined the effort, scaling up operations from basic painkillers and antibiotics to the bulk manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Later on, leaders like Mr. Amar Lulla—who served as the head of finance and later became Joint Managing Director—stepped in to drive expansion, establishing world-class manufacturing plants in Goa and cementing Cipla’s vision to help India advance in science and research.

What truly elevates this book beyond a basic history lesson is its human heart. When the grandchildren finally agree to attend the event, they see the legacy come alive. They learn how Cipla pioneered affordable inhalers and reliable public information on lung health and asthma, breaking societal stigma along the way. The emotional core of the story rests in the grandfather reuniting with his old colleagues, sharing stories of how their hard work directly improved millions of lives across the country.

"The Cipla Story" turns a complex 90-year journey of science, struggle, and patriotism into an accessible, inspiring tale. It reminds us that behind every household medicine strip lies decades of persistence and a deep commitment to self-reliance. It is an uplifting, informative read that every family bookshelf would benefit from.

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program ".

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Extraterrestrial The Apocalypse Legacy by Dr. Siddharth Sen

 Extraterrestrial The Apocalypse Legacy by Dr. Siddharth Sen

Have you ever thought of reaching in a zone where everything is free of cost but if you don't live properly then your account balance vanishes. In such situation how will you survive. I was stunned by the outline of this pocket book that shares a prophecy in the form of story. 

This book is a mirror and a question that we must answer before it is too late. It lays bare the central truth: the apocalypse wasn't caused by an alien invasion. It was caused by seperation. 

Each chapter unveis the need to save earth. Even in world eco summit, Aarav speaks of infection and not a theory. The team has to fight against time to get things correct. The operation Mirage made it more riveting. 

Dr. Sen has well penned the extraordinary story in Nexu- an alien entity that doesn't conquer with weapons. It harvests our loudest frequency: greed. He clearly depicts that Earth has forgiven us a thousand times. But forgiveness has limits. And silence has meanings. 

I appreciated the way varied timelines gives you a glimpse of future happenings if we, humans do not correct ourselves. 

Overall, it is a mystery story that defies easy categorization and demands our attention. 

Purchase here.

Parallel Heartbeats by Ashritta Saran

Parallel Heartbeats: Like sunflower after dark, some hearts continue carrying the light they once shared by Ashritta Saran

Some relationships blossom in school days. One such romance started in the teens is seen in this book. I find the themes of love, timing, and quiet space between what we feel and what we choose.

The story follows Ash and Aaryan. Ash joins St. Xavier's, a school in Lucknow. She finds him understanding and sensible. She shares with him her fears and journey till then. Gradually they become friends, and soon it changes to something deeper. 

With time, their lives are pulled in different directions by distance. There are a lot of family expectations, career responsibilities, difficult choices, and circumstances that neither of them can simply wash away. 

Aaryan leaves abroad to attain medical residency. Ash tries to rebuild herself and return to her studies and work. Yet, despite the distance, their connection continues through the smallest things like messages and memories. 

I relished the little details of school life when Ash joins the new school. The innocence of whispered confessions and the thrill of young love brought back memories. It felt like revisiting corridors filled with laughter, friendship, and the sweet ache of growing up.

The writing flows gently but powerfully. The characters could be easily felt and seemed relatable. The author weaves recurring symbols like sunflowers, letters, and small suspended moments throughout the narrative. 

What I liked most was how naturally Ash and Aaryan's relationship is portrayed. It isn't only about romantic moments; there is friendship, humour, vulnerability, frustration, and a real sense of knowing each other. Their relationship has an ease to it that makes the emotional moments feel more meaningful.

I also liked that the book gives both characters lives outside their relationship. Ash's journey towards finding purpose again and Aaryan's struggles with his family, career, and the problems surrounding his father's business give the story more depth. The business conflict, in particular, adds an unexpected layer of tension to the later parts of the story.

The writing has a quiet emotional quality that I enjoyed. Some of the most memorable moments aren't necessarily the dramatic ones, but the ordinary details...the messages, the coffee photographs, the waiting, the things left unsaid.

 These moments make the distance between Ash and Aaryan feel real rather than simply being a plot device. Their reunion after months apart is another moment that stood out to me because it carries the weight of everything they have experienced separately.

Overall, it's a hopeful book, even in its darker moments, built on the idea that love leaves behind a light that doesn't fully fade. 

Purchase here.

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Worthless Superpowers by Shaalin Tandon

 Worthless Superpowers by Shaalin Tandon

"Worthless Superpowers" is a dynamic combination of science and spirit. Each spirit is connected with the cosmos and gets what it sows. In this book, the author shares the lives and struggles of seven characters: Lara, Ishaan, Naina, Diya, Neelam, Dev, and Avi. 

The writer divides each character's journey into three recurring segments. This haphazard structure gradually reveals the connections between their lives.  Each character embodies a different struggle, reminding readers that the greatest battles are often invisible.

The philosophical depth lured in the conversations of Ishwar and Atharva helps explore the circle of karma, destiny, and the illusion of free will. It helps the reader to explore the concept of Moksha through their lives and understand the cosmic design, which is beyond our level.  The recurring message to embrace the present instead of being consumed by the future gives the novel a lasting emotional and spiritual impact.

The author chooses to depict human lives over grand sermons and lived experiences over abstract theories. Through characters who stumble, endure, love, lose, and evolve, the novel gently reminds us that the deepest truths are rarely announced; they are discovered, one life at a time.

Each character, Lara, Ishan, Naina, Diya, Neelam, Dev, and Avi, carries a story that feels personal, relatable, and deeply symbolic. Their desires, ambitions, and spark to earn money and not let others pity them at all in any case are their passion and hidden weakness too. They did their best to overcome this and chose a path that leads them to guilt and regret later.

I was incredibly intrigued when these characters discovered that they had only seven days left to live. That single revelation transforms everything. Their priorities shift, relationships evolve, regrets surface, guilt demands acknowledgment, and every decision suddenly carries meaning. The story shifts the dilemma of scaring from death to how people truly begin to live when they understand that time is finite.

Themes of purpose, change, redemption, regret, destiny, and the search for ultimate truth are explored with sincerity. The story constantly asks whether destiny is fixed or whether our final choices define who we truly are.

The ending leaves readers with a comforting thought: perhaps death is not merely an ending but the beginning of another opportunity. Perhaps the next life offers one more chance to grow, to heal, and ultimately to attain moksha.

Overall, "Worthless Superpowers" is a thoughtful exploration of mortality, human relationships, and the quiet hope that every ending may carry the possibility of a new beginning. It reminds us that life isn't measured by how long we live, but by what we choose to do with the time we're given

Purchase here.

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