In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary crime fiction, Ghazala Rizvi’s debut novel, Majid’s Diary, takes readers on a gripping adventure through the by-lanes of Hyderabad to the rugged terrain of the Pak-Afghan border. Majid’s Diary, published by Notion Press, saw two sold-out editions and established her as a compelling storyteller.
The novel’s core theme revolves around the fragility of friendships when faced with the harsh burden of truth. It blends thrilling elements with profound philosophical questions. The novel’s fast-paced narrative is punctuated by moments of introspection, where Jamal and Dev are forced to confront not just external threats, but the internal conflicts that arise as they peel back the layers of their investigation. Their quest is not just about solving the mystery of Jamal’s stepbrother’s death but also about understanding themselves and the consequences of their decisions. As they uncover the horrifying truth, they realize that life can take them to places where they no longer recognize themselves. And in those moments of disillusionment, it is often friendships that become the first casualties. The complex interplay of loyalty, trust, and betrayal makes Majid’s Diary not just a thrilling adventure, but a meditation on the bonds that hold people together—and the truths that can tear them apart.
Now, with her upcoming book, Illusion, Ghazala is set to leave an indelible mark on the crime thriller genre. Represented by The Book Bakers and the ever-encouraging Suhail Mathur, Ghazala’s partnership with OM Books International for her upcoming novel promises to take her work to new heights. Illusion promises to be a suspense-filled exploration of the murky boundaries between reality and deception. This thrilling crime novel, rooted in themes of domestic violence and psychological manipulation, immerses readers in a world where nothing is as it seems. Sravan, a calculating and elusive serial killer, has evaded justice for decades—until one victim’s sister begins to hunt him down, forcing Sravan into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that stretches across India.
The novel isn’t just about catching a murderer; it is a profound reflection on the insidiousness of abuse, the fragility of the human psyche, and the shadowy illusions that individuals create. And a world that refuses to acknowledge domestic violence. With each new corpse, Superintendent of Police Prakash Anand and his team race against time to expose the truth—but can they break through the layers of deceit before it’s too late?
A Thrilling Web of Characters
At Illusion’s core are two intertwined stories of broken childhoods. Sara and Sabeena, twin sisters, grow up in an abusive home in Guntur. Sravan’s upbringing in a home filled with neglect and perversion shapes him into a killer, one who mimics the pain and betrayal he experienced by targeting women resembling his mother. Ghazala masterfully intertwines Sravan’s complex psychological evolution with the lives of the twins, creating a narrative that examines not just the acts of violence but the deeply rooted causes behind them.
What sets Illusion apart from conventional thrillers is its exploration of domestic violence, a theme so insidious and pervasive in India that it is often normalized. Ghazala shines a light on the unspoken horrors many women endure, drawing parallels between the societal silence around abuse and the perpetrators, who are often respected members of society.
Illusion is about the hidden scars people carry, the emotional and physical violence that ripples through generations, and how people seek redemption and justice. Through SP Prakash’s dogged pursuit of Sravan, Ghazala delves into the psychology of revenge, questioning where the line between justice and personal vendetta is drawn.
A Unique Authorial Voice Rooted in Passion
Behind this gripping novel is Ghazala Rizvi, a woman who has forged her path in defiance of societal conventions. Having an MBA degree and a Chemical Engineer by education, Ghazala’s journey took an unexpected turn when her exceptional language skills landed her at Google India, working in Hyderabad and Gurugram. She was part of the recent Google’s recent DigiPivot program in collaboration with ISB (Indian School of Business, Hyderabad), Hindustan Lever, and Avatar, where she stood out among 200 female digital entrepreneurs for her skills and innovative thinking. Her entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of PhoenixRecreate OPC Pvt Ltd, which owns The Socializers, a global digital marketing agency, and Journal Pro Technologies, a company providing academic editing, business research, and proposal services.
A Life Beyond Words: Compassion, Dogs, and Dreams
But there’s more to Ghazala than her entrepreneurial success and literary prowess. She is also a passionate animal lover, running a community kitchen that feeds stray dogs and cows. Her mornings often begin before dawn, cooking for over 50 animals each day. This compassion for the voiceless runs parallel to her dedication to her daughter, Zoya, and her two beloved dogs, Lucky and Cleopatra.
Books and animals define her idea of paradise: a sunlit field filled with flowers, surrounded by her dogs and a library of fiction. Ghazala’s eclectic reading tastes range from the graphic adventures of Tintin and Asterix to the magical realism of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Dark humor, as found in Joseph Heller’s work, is a personal favorite—an influence that is visible in her nuanced, layered storytelling.
The Road Ahead
As Ghazala reflects on the unpredictable paths her life has taken, she is deeply grateful for the opportunities she’s had. She has built two businesses she loves, fed her passion for writing, and found a sense of purpose through her work with stray animals. Her message is one of hope and resilience: “No matter how long you stay stuck in a place where you feel small, it’s never too late to grow, build, and thrive.”
With Illusion set to be released by the next year, Ghazala invites readers into a world of suspense, intrigue, and deep emotional resonance. It’s a book that promises to challenge, engage, and leave an unforgettable impact—just like the author herself.
