I recently finished The Girl on Fire: Some Fires Burn Forever by Devashish Sardana, and it completely blew me away—despite my coming into it cold, without reading the earlier Simone Singh books. In an era when many series demand you start at book one, Sardana’s latest confidently stands on its own, delivering a chilling, twist‑laden narrative that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go until its final, shattering revelation.
A Gripping Standalone Experience
From the moment IPS officer Simone Singh—recently suspended and eager for redemption—arrives in the mist‑clad hills of Kullu, Sardana wastes no time setting the stage for a high-stakes thriller. The story kicks off with a series of macabre murders targeting prominent medical professionals, each crime more grotesque than the last. What impressed me most was how seamlessly Sardana fills in the blanks of Simone’s backstory without ever stalling the forward momentum. Every flash of her past—whether it’s the scandal that cost her badge or the personal sacrifices she’s made—emerges in perfect balance, never overpowering the pulse‑quickening investigation at hand.
Character Depth and Emotional Resonance
Simone Singh herself emerges as a richly layered protagonist: fiercely intelligent and dogged in pursuit of justice, yet haunted by regrets and self‑doubt. Sardana’s portrayal avoids clichés—Simone’s grit is undercut by moments of vulnerability (a sleepless night replaying past mistakes, the ache of longing for lost family ties). Opposite her, Nurse Aadya’s storyline adds a raw, maternal urgency to the plot. On the run with her newborn, Aadya’s terror, fierce love, and resourcefulness create a potent counterpoint to Simone’s clinical, methodical approach. Together, these two women’s journeys intertwine in unexpected ways, lending each plot twist a deeply personal resonance.
Atmospheric Setting and Masterful Pacing
The novel’s true power lies in its setting—Kullu Valley’s looming pines, chattering streams, and treacherous mountain roads become active elements of the story. Sardana’s vivid descriptions make you feel the damp chill of dawn in a deserted village or smell the sterile tang of a secluded clinic late at night. These atmospheric details aren’t just window dressing; they amplify the suspense, forcing you to hold your breath as Simone treks dark trails or Aadya hides in abandoned farms. Pacing is another area where The Girl on Fire shines: Sardana expertly alternates between intense action sequences and quieter, introspective chapters, giving you time to catch your breath—and just as you start to relax, he jolts you back with a new revelation.
Plot Twists and Unpredictability
If there’s one element that sets this thriller apart, it’s the artful layering of mystery. Just when you think you’ve connected the dots—perhaps even guessed the perpetrator—Sardana yanks the rug out from under you with a twist that reframes everything you thought you knew. I found myself rereading passages, hunting for clues I missed the first time around. Each twist feels earned rather than contrived, a testament to the author’s careful plotting. By the time the final pieces click into place, you’ve ridden an emotional rollercoaster—fear, shock, empathy, and ultimately satisfaction at a conclusion that feels both surprising and inevitable.
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