Rupa Mahadevan’s debut psychological thriller, *Nine Dolls*, intertwines the festive spirit of Navaratri with suspense and dark secrets in a remote Scottish manor.
In *Nine Dolls*, Rupa Mahadevan crafts a gripping psychological thriller set against the backdrop of Navaratri, the Hindu festival celebrating the divine feminine. The story unfolds in a secluded manor in Oban, Scotland, where a group of friends reunites to honor the festival. However, what begins as a festive gathering quickly spirals into chaos when a guest is murdered, and the sacred dolls are mysteriously rearranged, each display echoing a dark secret from the past.
Leela, newly married and deeply traditional, joins her husband Dhruv and his circle of old friends for the holiday. As the festivities commence, Leela’s unease grows, and it becomes evident that the cheerful façade of the group conceals deeper fractures. Each night reveals a new secret, raising the stakes as the question looms: which secret is worth killing for?
The tradition of Golu Bommai, which features a vibrant display of dolls and figurines representing gods and daily life, plays a central role in the narrative. Leela insists on bringing her dolls to the celebration, hoping to infuse her Indian rituals into the unfamiliar Scottish setting. However, the dolls soon become harbingers of dread, as they are rearranged into gruesome tableaux that reference unsettling incidents from the friends’ past.
As the storm isolates the group, tensions escalate. The shattering of one of the dolls coincides with the murder of a friend, plunging the remaining guests into paranoia and suspicion. Trapped in the manor, the friends must confront their buried secrets, broken loyalties, and long-held grudges, as someone among them is determined to reveal the truth—no matter the cost.
In an exclusive interview, Mahadevan shared her inspiration for *Nine Dolls*. For her, Navaratri evokes cherished childhood memories of competing with her sister to create the most elaborate Golu display. Even after relocating to Edinburgh, she continues to celebrate the festival, inviting friends to join her in the festivities.
“The structure of the festival—ten days of celebration culminating in nine nights—provides a perfect backdrop for a high-pressure narrative,” Mahadevan explained. “It felt like an ideal match for the story I wanted to tell.”
Readers may notice similarities to Agatha Christie’s *And Then There Were None*, a classic that has influenced Mahadevan’s writing. A self-proclaimed fan of Christie, she sought to blend mystery, suspense, and the unraveling of secrets in her debut novel.
After the pandemic, Mahadevan committed to her writing journey, joining Jericho Writers, a global writing community. Initially, she wrote a novel featuring a white male protagonist, a choice influenced by her admiration for Christie’s characters. However, her writing coach encouraged her to delve into her cultural heritage, prompting Mahadevan to embrace her roots in *Nine Dolls*.
The festival of Navaratri, centered on the sacred feminine, is reflected in the novel through its four strong female narrators. Three of these characters are of Indian origin, while the fourth is Scottish, allowing Mahadevan to explore cultural contrasts and enrich the narrative.
Mahadevan admits that she did not know the identity of the killer until she was well into the writing process. As a “pantster,” she enjoys the journey of discovery that comes with writing, allowing the story to unfold organically.
When discussing the autobiographical elements in her work, Mahadevan acknowledges that she sees aspects of herself in both Leela and Smitha, two characters who represent opposing viewpoints. This internal conflict mirrors her own experiences, balancing traditional values with a more modern, sarcastic perspective.
Mahadevan’s ability to create compelling, flawed characters is a hallmark of her writing. She believes that high-stakes situations reveal the true nature of individuals, making it unrealistic to portray characters as perfect in the face of danger.
Her journey as a writer has been supported by her community at Jericho Writers, where she has honed her craft and learned from others. This network also opened doors to writing competitions, ultimately leading to her publishing deal.
As an underrepresented writer and woman of color in the competitive crime fiction landscape, Mahadevan faces unique challenges. Despite these obstacles, she balances her writing aspirations with a full-time job as a project manager at HSBC and the demands of family life. She writes whenever she can, whether on her commute or in fleeting moments throughout her day.
Mahadevan’s dedication paid off when she won the Joffe Books Prize 2024, the UK’s largest award for crime fiction. This accolade came with a two-book publishing deal, a cash prize, and an audiobook deal, marking a significant milestone in her writing career.
With *Nine Dolls*, Rupa Mahadevan invites readers into a world where tradition and suspense collide, revealing the complexities of friendship and the shadows that linger in the past.
Source: Original article