Dawn Leoni
Usually when I buy free books for my kindle I do not expect them to be “Amazing”, they are simply meant to be read and that’s all. I was not expecting anything anything while making this purchase. Just after downloading and opening, I liked the cover a lot. Little over 1 hour into the book, I was finding elements that I have found only in classic novels of Wilde and Stoker that I read in college. A little bit more into the book and I was smitten by the Visitor’s story. There is not a moment when I wanted to stop reading this book, as I reached the end I was hoping that it would keep going. I was captivated through the whole book. Richard Baxter is the typical good man against his destiny, trapped in a mansion for nearly six decades. Shiuli Duta is your cute little girl next door who has problems of her own but chucks it to help this grieving ghost. Besides some nail biting descriptions of the legendary visitor there is lot of insight into the hypocrisy of modern media and politics. I recommend this book if you are looking for a classic read for the weekend and it is more than worth the price that it is put up for.
Jacqui Porter
I am not sure how many of us actually would read a book written by an Indian writer unless it is a Deepak Chopra or Dalai Lama. Maybe that’s why he has gone with this American name that is based on one of the protagonists from the classic ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker. Or maybe he was just making another tribute in this story that is filled with tributes. From actors to writers to social activists to directors, the writer Hari Kumar has not missed anyone. Above all, it is a tribute to woman. Ironically, Hari or Harker has given a strong feminist message despite jotting down a masculine driven plot. The Story is simple but complicated at the same time. The writer has been critical about English rule in India as well as the social evils of India. He has critically questioned religion while justifying the divine in a different context through the protagonist. The Story begins with a young girl from Delhi entering a Haunted Mansion in Southern India and encountering the ghost of Richard Baxter (The protagonist). What follows is an adventure filled with romance, thrill, mystery and horror across different ages. The Historical placement of events makes this fiction a lot more believable.
1 person found this review helpful
stef ice
This book by John Harker is divided into three parts. The first part is called The New Arrivals and it talks about all the different characters who are involved in the story. This happens in modern day city of delhi. There are some anti government protests and all which look totally like the one’s that are happening these days around the world. The second part is called the Ghost’s story. As the name suggests this is the story of a dead man, the author takes to old colonial era. He has been very critical about the English folk who ruled India. The story picks up pace here and suddenly changes from a romantic to a scary nightmare which I loved absolutely. The third part begins with the end of the ghost’s story and slowly all the pieces are put together to solve one murderous puzzle that will give you chills. I particularly loved the second part because it reminded me of classic gothic romances of Dracula and Frankenstein. But anyone who loves Dan brown or Thomas harris would certainly feel the thrill in the last part. The story doesn’t really end, so I am expecting sequel soon. John Harker may not be one of the best horror book authors of the past, but That Frequent Visitor is def
2 people found this review helpful