The Diary by Deepa Vishal is a fast-paced psychological thriller that keeps you hooked. This novella is a breezy unputdownable read and an impressive debut!
Dr. Sushant Vaidya, a psychiatrist, finds a diary in his office with the ominous words ‘Kill Him’. The pages reveal the ramblings of an unhinged mind that make him wonder which one of his patients dropped it there. What follows next is Sushant’s frantic delve into his patient case files to discover possible motives for murder.
Which of his patients is planning to kill someone and why? Is it the stalker, the jilted lover, the teenager with psychopathic tendencies, or the spouse being cheated on? Each one of them has a motive and means. What can he do to stop them? Will he be able to stop them in time or will he be tricked into complacency?
The tension and pace are maintained throughout the novella. Each patient is introduced in a separate chapter. The conversations are realistic and bring to light mental health issues. The book also highlights the multiple roles that mental health professionals play. The reader feels empathy for these patients who are battling demons in their minds.
The reveal is satisfying and ties up all loose ends nicely. I did feel that this plot could be developed into a larger canvas for better character development. I also wanted more light to be shed on the Doctor’s backstory.
The language is simple and apt for a thriller, with crisp sentences upping the suspense quotient. There are also profound ponderings on the nature of hate and how draining the quest for vengeance can be. I hope to see this novella being converted into a full-length novel some day!
If you are looking for a quick read that keeps you guessing, pick up the Diary. It is available a an e-book on Amazon Kindle.
- The World From My Bubble - 12 Dec 2023
- Eye Spy Some Truths and a Lie - 31 Aug 2023
- Reaching for the Moon - 19 Aug 2023