PLOT: 3.5/5
CHARACTERS: 2.5/5
WRITING: 3.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT: 3.5/5
GENRE & THEMES: Horror, Indian Horror, Set in Darjeeling
Looking for a short book to read on my flight from Bangalore to Kolkata, I came across Abhirup Dhar’s Karma in an airport bookstall. Though I ended up buying something else that day, the book lingered in my mind, and after a couple of days, I purchased it. Maybe it was the fascinating cover or the allure of a horror story set in Darjeeling, but I did end up reading Karma not long after I first spotted it at the airport.
What is the story all about?
At under 150 pages, Karma tells the story of two different timelines and two different people. In the year 1985, we meet Ricky, a six-year-old boy, who is living with his parents in a grand vintage bungalow, off the main road and isolated from humanity, nestled in a lonely corner of the town.
As Ricky is left alone with a caretaker one day, his mother and father, being away due to work and other commitments, he experiences an eerie phenomenon in the house that leaves him terrified. Soon after, it is not just Ricky but also his parents who are entangled in the supernatural horror.
Many decades later, in 2016, Karma, a young professor and author with a deep fascination for everything supernatural, moves into the house with his partner, Sakshi. As Sakshi and Karma get on with their routine lives, something in the house begins to shift.
Very soon, they are experiencing the same chilling horrors that Ricky had experienced all those years ago. There are voices of a man and woman arguing, strange whispers being heard, the central piano being played on its own accord, and a mysterious and haunting presence that lurks in a massive vintage mirror.
Before they are consumed by the growing supernatural terror, Karma and Sakshi must uncover the truth behind the hauntings. Who are these restless spirits, and what do they seek? Will the answers bring them closure, or will they unravel a darkness that drives them to the brink of madness?
My thoughts
While the story’s setting is one of its most immediate draws, it is by no means its only strength. The novel is rich in atmosphere, immersing the reader in a deeply haunting ambiance. The house itself is a horror lover’s dream—isolated on a lonely patch of land, far from the bustling crowd, surrounded by lush greenery and an eerie tranquillity. Its old-world charm lingers both inside and out, enhancing the sense of mystery. And then there’s the mirror—an artifact from the 1850s, carrying a past of its own, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding terror.
The characters—Ricky, Karma, and Sakshi—are decent but not particularly memorable. Their development isn’t the strongest you’ll find in a horror novel, yet they aren’t poorly written either. They fall somewhere in the middle, making them serviceable for the story.
Karma isn’t your typical horror novel. It doesn’t rely on extreme horror or cheap jump scares. Instead, it delivers a slow-burn, psychological, mind-bending experience, culminating in a surprising twist. The frequent shifts in timelines and alternating action add layers of mystery and intrigue, keeping the reader engaged and eager for more.
In addition to its psychological horror elements, Karma is packed with drama—romance, heartbreak, emotional outbursts, jealousy, and more. These aspects add depth to the story, making it more than just a conventional horror novel.
Overall, Karma dares to step beyond the typical boundaries of the genre and does so quite well. Pick it up if you enjoy horror stories set in Indian towns or if you prefer a less spooky, more atmospheric kind of horror. It’s a commendable piece of work from an Indian author, and I’ll certainly be looking forward to his future books.
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