I strongly believe memories are the treasure and guardian of all things. They are the filter through which we look back on our lives. I distinctly remember reading somewhere that memory is the fourth dimension to any landscape and I, for one, couldn’t agree more. It is memory that has allowed us to progress as a species, something many other species are not known to possess.
We understand that memory is subjective and, like the cogs in the wheel can disengage – with age, trauma or other conditions, we can just as easily lose it. However, is it possible for someone to steal our memories?
Anu is leading a normal life with her husband in her suburban home in Johannesburg when she wakes up one day to find the police knocking at her door. She is arrested and things get complicated when she fails to recall her name. Soon, she discovers her name is not the only thing she forgot. Everything about her seems blurry – her house, her life and her loved ones.
The next day, upon discovering drugs hidden in her cupboard, and receiving an anonymous message telling her to run, Anu flees her house, only to find herself alone in a foreign land where she has no one to rely on except strangers. Slowly, she discovers that the life she was leading was a lie and the people she trusted are not who they appear to be. With all that she holds dear at stake, will she be able to save herself and her memories?
Who Stole My Memories? is a thriller exploring the dark underbelly of one of the world’s leading financial centres and the darker shades of grey that hide behind seemingly innocent faces. How the two entwine forms the basis of the novel.
The author adds a twist to the idea of memory loss with her choice of title for the book and you soon begin to understand the direction this story is taking. While it seems all too predictable at first, the science behind memory theft makes for some interesting reading.
Anu’s path crosses those who, like her, have been wronged by their loved ones and are looking to erase their painful memories and start afresh. Listening to their stories infuses confidence in her, but sadly, there isn’t much that she is able to change about her situation. It is the supporting cast that turns the wheels to uncover the dirty game in play.
As the protagonist, Anu’s character does not check all the boxes, nor does that of her husband, Aman. On the other hand, characters such as Dr. Edeson, Hussain and Mosa offer a far more colourful personality to engage the reader. It is really their story that adds the element of mystery and thrill. I must mention here that the book needs to be edited with a sharper pencil. Many expressions tend to fall flat amidst the errors, thus losing the impact they are meant to make.
Even so, the book is a quick read. As Tennessee Williams said – Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.
Fans of crime thrillers may enjoy what the book has to offer.
Title: Who Stole My Memories
Author: Maitrayee Sanyal De
Publisher: Readomania
ISBN: 978-93-858546-9-9
Edition/Year: First Edition 2018
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 256
Source: Author
Rating: 3 Stars
Available on Amazon
About the Author: Maitrayee is a lifetime writer but a debutant author. Her love for writing blossomed at a young age and she has filled several diaries with her poetry and short stories.
She started working in the corporate world first as a Content Writer and then as an Instructional Designer at a reputed firm which finally emboldened her enough to come out to the world as an author.
Besides writing, Maitrayee enjoys travelling and photography.
Who Stole My Memories is her debut novel.
To connect with her, find her on Facebook.
Picture Source: aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com
Aquamarine Flavours 
Wow. It seems the India “psychological thriller” genre is finally catching up with its International counterparts. 🙂
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