Terrace of Shadows - Where Art Meets Fear

Terrace of Shadows - Where Art Meets Fear is a novella (mini-novel) I recently completed, blending supernatural suspense, psychological intrigue, and cultural depth. 

The story will be serialized over the next 10 weeks, starting February 11th, as a weekly blog post, offering readers a thrilling journey into mystery and fear.

A brief synopsis is provided below.

If you find the story captivating and can’t wait for the full 10 weeks to unravel its secrets, feel free to send me an email (maheshuh AT gmail DOT com). I’ll send you the complete novella right away.

Dive into the shadows—your next obsession awaits!

Synopsis: 

When Naresh, a retired IT professional, returns to his ancestral home in Dharwad, he hopes to find peace in the slow rhythm of the town and the nostalgic comfort of his childhood memories. But the familiar streets and the sprawling Gulladmath bungalow seem different now—darker, heavier, as if steeped in whispers of stories untold. The once-idyllic town holds its breath, concealing secrets that stir beneath its quiet surface.

Among the shadows of his past emerges Geeta, a childhood friend transformed into a commanding and enigmatic woman. Her presence is magnetic, unsettling, and impossible to ignore. Beneath her flawless composure lies an aura of mystery, her intentions masked by a mix of charm and an unsettling edge. Naresh’s initial curiosity soon turns into something deeper, as Geeta pulls him into a world where reality bends, art becomes a vessel for power, and the past refuses to remain buried.

The Gulladmath bungalow, with its fort-like ramparts and terrace overlooking the town, looms large over the story. Its walls echo with rumors of dark rituals, unspeakable acts, and spirits that never left. The bungalow becomes a character of its own—ominous, foreboding, and central to the tale’s chilling events.

As Naresh reconnects with Geeta, he finds himself drawn into her orbit, compelled by forces he cannot comprehend. A simple request to paint her portrait spirals into something far more sinister. Each brushstroke seems to carry a weight beyond his understanding, and the art he creates begins to reflect truths he never intended to reveal. The boundaries between creation and possession blur, and Naresh feels his grip on his identity slipping.

Supernatural occurrences multiply—dogs howl without reason, shadows stretch unnaturally long, and whispers seem to echo from nowhere. The terrace of the bungalow becomes the stage for an unfolding ritual, where fear, desire, and ancient power collide. The air hums with tension, and Naresh realizes that he may be just a pawn in a much larger, darker game.

In this atmospheric tale of obsession, manipulation, and the supernatural, Geeta’s transformation holds the key—but to what end? Is she a victim of forces beyond her control, or is she their master? And what price will Naresh pay as he edges closer to the truth?

Steeped in Indian folklore and laced with psychological tension, this gripping novella masterfully intertwines mystery, sensuality, and terror. It is a story of shadows—of what we see, what we think we see, and the darkness that lies beyond. As Naresh learns, some doors should never be opened. But once they are, can they ever be closed again?