"Making good use of her background as a journalist, Nish Amarnath has crafted a brilliant, stylish and compelling debut novel that skillfully drags the reader into a world of human trafficking and ultimately murder. Keep a lookout for this new voice in the world of crime whose sharp, descriptive prose is reminiscent of Megan Abbott." - CHARLES SALZBERG.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
(NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED!)
‘Victims For Sale is a tense, twisted thriller about a young reporter who discovers a human trafficking ring. Nish Amarnath puts her experience as a journalist to good use in a dark, well-crafted tale that takes readers on a disturbing ride through society’s underbelly.’ - ADAM HAMDY.
"An intensely gripping thriller with a compelling psychological component that is unusual in crime fiction.” - N. RAM.
"Nish Amarnath's new book ... gives you the chills, showing how crime can unfold in both lethal and cosy setups." - THE HINDU.
“A thriller that not only holds mass appeal, but also manages to accentuate the cadence of a finely crafted literary oeuvre.” - ITV AMERICA, NEW YORK.
MUSIC VIDEO | THEME SONG: FALLEN ANGELS
“Victims for Sale, reminds you of a David Fincher movie — punctuated with shock, horror, and a lingering air of mystery. With the world coming to grips with…the #MeToo movement and the Time’s Up movement, Victims for Sale calls for more inclusivity, throwing light on the silent epidemic that is targeting people with intellectual disabilities.” - HINDUSTAN TIMES.
‘It is not everyday that a young writer pours forth her heart in a gritty, hard-hitting manner to reveal gory truths that are often too difficult to digest. Kudos to Nish Amarnath for having done just that in her latest novel 'Victims for Sale'. Victims for Sale’ lifts the curtain on the poignant truths that disabled girls often go through. A fast-paced tale of intrigue and suspense!” - AUTHOR DEEPTI MENON
“A deeply moving and disturbing story that artfully brings to light the ills of trafficking and the trauma of abuse that women, especially the mentally challenged, face amid an emphasis on family honour among South Asian families in the UK." - SUNETRA CHOUDHURY, NDTV.
"Engaging, shocking, and liberating. The greatest achievement of 'Victims For Sale' is not only its discovery of an unheard-of epidemic in our midst, but also the trust it invests in a young journalist who is herself teetering on the edge of a precipice." - PRANNAY PATHAK.
"Fast-paced and unputdownable. This book is a perfect companion for a mystery solver’s mind. A female lead as strong as Sandy Raman undoubtedly brings in a breath of fresh air to the story." - FREE PRESS JOURNAL
“Amarnath, [while American], manages to break the stereotypes associated with the notion that Indian[-origin] authors are typically blatantly boring with their subject matter.” - THE ATTIC LIFE.
Published by HarperCollins
BBC journalist Sandy had fled from a traumatic incident to begin a new life in the swinging city. During her first night here as a paying guest with the Sawants, she woke up to a woman with a knife … and a dark secret. An ominous stranger was found snooping on the Sawants’ home, weeks later. The family was clearly hiding something.
It is only after Sandy launches a sting operation on a South London facility that she joins the dots between an institute acting as a front for a sinister nexus and the odd family she lives with. It isn't long before Sandy finds herself running for her life and chasing the truth up a trail of brutal murders. She must expose the predators and step up to the deranged kingpin of a thriving racket. Before time runs out.
BUY IT
NOMINATED for the Mumbai Film Festival Word-to-Screen Awards.
AN EVENING OF CRIME:
NEW YORK WRITERS WORKSHOP’S FIRST THURSDAY READING SERIES.
RED ROOM NYC, OCT. 2019
Sharing my voice at the New York Writers Workshop's First Thursday Reading Series during a crime writing event.
On this video segment, I discuss VICTIMS FOR SALE as a psychological thriller and crime suspense novel that was recognized in the U.S. for its contribution to the #MeToo movement, women empowerment and crime literature. The Poets & Writers Association pitched in to support this New York Writers Workshop initiative and all speakers were offered an honorarium.
#books #thrillers #novels #crimefiction #crimenovel #NYC #mysteryfiction #psychologicalthriller #suspensereads #bestsellers
BOOK REVEAL
OFFICE OF THE US CONSULATE GENERAL CHENNAI, US STATE DEPARTMENT.
CLICK BELOW TO WATCH.
TV & RADIO
ITV (GOLD) - NEW YORK. OCTOBER 2018
‘Victims For Sale’ is discussed on ITV Gold’s flagship ‘Vision For Asia’ program as an oeuvre that holds both literary and commercial appeal.
Interview with Nischinta "Nish" Amarnath is a journalist and the author of three books: The Voyage to Excellence: The Ascent of 21 Women Leaders of India Inc., Citi and its Scuffle with the Watchdogs and Victims For Sale.
NDTV | BREAKFAST BULLETIN. MARCH 8, 2018 | 3 MIN, 12 SEC
VICTIMS FOR SALE: A NOVEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE, HONOUR CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
Advertisement. 00:11 seconds.
American author Nish Amarnath's novel Victims for Sale is making a splash. A crime thriller, it touches the subject of disabled women pushed into sex racket and honor crimes against women.
The story also addresses the challenges and risks women journalists undertake.
Victims For Sale behind the scenes | An insider with Nish.
MAY 26, 2018
This video features an insider to the 'bestselling crime-thriller fiction novel, Victims for Sale' from the author Nish herself. Don't miss it!
RADIO ONE 94.3 FM.
CHRIS’S BOOKCLUB
VICTIMS FOR SALE features on Radio One’s Good Morning Delhi show, which has at least one million listeners across India’s capital.
On Chris’s Bookclub, which is part of Good Morning Delhi, Nish chats with RJ Chris about her visual approach to scene construction and responds to questions about VICTIMS FOR SALE’s cinematic appeal as a film adaptation.
IN THE PRESS
PLEASE GO HERE FOR AUTHOR Q&As, INTERVIEWS, MEDIA REVIEWS, FEATURES AND MORE!
VICTIMS FOR SALE IS NOW ON BOOKSRADAR!
Check out the new listing on “Booksradar.com - Books in the Right Order” at https://www.booksradar.com/amarnath-nish/amarnath.html
WHAT book bloggers ARE SAYING
DEEPAN’S BOOKSHELF.
AUG. 29, 2020
“Nish Amarnath has written a book rooted so deep into the unexplored spikes of human nature, that it doesn’t fail to amaze us. Victims for Sale” goes beyond its menacing title to deliver a unique and suspenseful thriller, that comes with stomach churning thrill and action.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
BOOKISHWOO (UK). JUNE 14, 2020
“Nish tackles human trafficking and exploitation at a whole new level. Nish’s prose is without a doubt first class and you can clearly see her journalistic skill shine through. A creepy thriller that should not be passed up!”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
NEWS WORLD, INC. MAY 30, 2020
“Victims for Sale by Nish Amarnath has all the necessary ingredients to keep readers engrossed from the beginning to the end. One could relate to the protagonist, Sandy Raman, her insecurities and anxieties and her quest for self-identity in a foreign country where she is a student of journalism and a fledgling investigative journalist.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
YA IT’S LIT BLOG (US). MARCH 28, 2020
“I honestly don’t even know if I could compare this book to any other book I’ve read, there were just so many well thought out stylization choices that made such a perfectly creepy, dark, but tantalizing story. I am honestly shocked that this is a debut novel because it most definitely doesn’t read as one. Amarnath’s choice to sort of blend all of these characters together was another well thought out move as it…” FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
THE NIGHT READER. MARCH 2020.
“The author touches upon the experiences of a 19 year old Sandy, her naivety and simplicity and her growth and struggle as an Indian girl living in London with changing cultures and adapting to the lifestyle she never thought she’d experience.
Don’t miss this book. This book has a beat of its own. It opens many opinions and views for the reader out there. At the end, the story leaves you…
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
@READING_GURL_HERMIONE. MARCH 13, 2020
“I picked up this book as I am a lover of thrillers and this book more than met my expectations! Considering the fact that the author is a proficient journalist, she has created a compelling and alluring story that has the reader engrossed throughout the book. The scenes and the sudden twists that meander through the story-line are spine-chilling.” FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
KATHERINE LOVES BOOKS. MARCH 10, 2020
“The story turned out to be much more than what I initially expected. The author didn’t hold back or shy away from exploring the gory details and graphic scenes of crimes. Victims for Sale is a MUST read for thriller/suspense loving readers. Uniquely captivating with a blend of reality and nightmarish circumstances. Just watch out for the trigger warnings before picking this book, because some people might find a few of the scenes sensitive.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
RUCHI PATEL. MARCH 6, 2020
“The author has presented the theme of human trafficking with great sensitivity. The story is a complete package of mystery, suspense, love, murder, drama and also has a strong emotional touch. The narration style of the author is smooth, fast-paced and embedded in very good vocabulary. Most importantly, the suspense created as well as the build-up of anticipation are beautiful. The ending was unpredictable, something I never guessed.” FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
SUMITH CHOWDHURY, FEB. 29, 2020
“Corruption, conspiracy, crime, deceit, deception, debauchery, evil and lies! These are the words that came to my mind after I finished the book. One of the finest thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I can also vouch for the fact that this is one of the best murder suspense mystery book I read this year. It has everything which accounts for a good thriller – murder, suspense, plot, mystery, treachery, deceit, deception, conspiracy, evil, lies, corruption and revenge! These factors blend together to incorporate a good weekend read effectively. What’s really impressive is... “
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
MOONFLOWER. FEB. 25, 2020
“The book holds much more than it depicts from its physical appearance. Sandy is in general a very fresh character who holds a lot of secrets.
The author carefully reveals each layer after every chapter. The author’s words hit so hard at times that her words trigger the inner walls of my mind the way the…”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
VANDANA CHOUDHRY BLOGS. FEB. 20, 2020
“Sandy is smart, endearing, young, bold but is as much humane as she is characterized with her own set of flaws. This was one of the most incredibly complex murder mysteries I have ever read. I seriously could not put this book down. This book was filled with the brilliantly executed mystery, shocking plot twists and great characters. If you love a good mystery that keep you guessing until the very end, this is the book for you.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
NIDHANTRIKA. FEB. 20, 2020
"Sensing the involvement of her host family in a larger heinous crime, Sandy is impelled to act in a manner that blows off the lid of a huge social evil.
A well-researched psychotic thriller. The plot is engaging from beginning to end. The author has managed to bring in the luck factor that helps Sandy survive. A commendable job as a debutant author."
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
THE FUGITIVE BIKER. FEB. 19, 2020
“The story is gripping from the start and stays on the plot rather than distracting the reader away from it. At places, I felt it was getting too murky for me. But that’s what I signed up for. The cover itself is scary and whips up great interest, enticing any mystery lover. I would recommend it to those who love dark thrillers.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
MEDIUM - FEB. 17, 2020
“From the word go, the Sawants come across as a mysterious family hiding a bunch of secrets. The author reveals the suspense in bits, throwing in clues and details at regular intervals. Sandy is sure to hold the reader’s attention with a wonderful character graph. The author also succeeds in making most characters appear mysterious. This book is a must read for fans of thriller and suspense genres and those who prefer an intelligent protagonist trying to work on clues and revealing the final truth.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
COVER 2 COVER CAFE (US). FEB. 7, 2020
“This is my first Amarnath novel, and I’ll tell ya this right now. It will not be my last. This novel, for the author’s debut novel, was a wonderful one! The characters are chiseled perfectly for their roles, and the plot line is one that will leave the reader on the edge of their seats. Turning page after page, this novel had me wrapped up long into the…”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
BLOGESPRESSO. FEB. 1, 2020
“I completed this book in two sittings. I couldn’t stop myself from reading it! It is a must-read book, especially for thriller lovers. The author’s writing style is mind blowing. I found this fiction book fantastic and wanted to recommend it to others too. I look forward to reading more books from Nish.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
PASSION DUNIYA. FEB. 2020
“While reading this novel, I got chills. This book is fast-paced and a perfect treat to boost my brain. It is unputdownable. I really loved the overall story. There is so much mystery in it. I really loved the character of Sandy. She is a bold girl. This book has introduced me to many new words. So, this is a good book to enrich your vocabulary. A perfect book for those who love to solve mysteries.”
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
#FEWGOODREADS - CHEVUS' READ.
JAN 28, 2020
“If I feel that chasing mythologies or romance is too much for the time being, I take refuge in crime thrillers. Recently, I had read too many mythologies and wanted to change the pattern. That is when Vandana from Vinfluencers recommended, "Victims for Sale". The title was interesting and I found the cover scary enough to boost my enthusiasm.
I like the way the author has avoided mainstream action. Sandy is shown as merely human. It is with her intelligence and luck that she worked through problems."
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.
SAMRAGYEE.
JAN. 31, 2020
“Every character in the house where Sandy is residing as a paying guest is suspicious. I really doubted Sandy’s love interest too. If you’d like to know whether my doubt is valid or not, you need to read the book! A gripping plot with well-developed characters, rich vocabulary and lots of suspense, which is maintained till the very end. This book effectively portrays the heinous crime of a sex racket.”
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.
BOOKREVIEW1TIME.
JAN 16, 2020
I have been reading some really good books since the start of 2020. And Victims For Sale has occupied my mind since I finished reading.
It has been an interesting, intense and intelligent plot. The writing and plot win the reader’s mind. I recommend it to all.
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE.
NOOR THE BOOKWORM.
DEC. 5, 2019
A fast-paced tale of intrigue and suspense, VICTIMS FOR SALE touches a very sensitive heartrending issue of the atrocities that differently-abled girls go through.
(Nish Amarnath’s) writing style is crisp and succinct, the narration is exhilarating and the plot, full of twists and turns that keep the reader at his wit’s end…READ MORE.
RIA READS
DEC. 5, 2019
The writing style was so engaging and fast paced.
It is also full of unfolding mysteries with twists and turns.
Every page unfolds a new mystery.
The investigating part was my personal favourite. I read this book in a day.
FULL REVIEW AVAILABLE HERE.
PRATHAMESH (@BOOKSNIFF).
DEC. 2, 2019
“I loved the author’s portrayal of the protagonist. It would have been very easy for the author to describe the protagonist as an infallible, courageous and larger than life hero who would single handedly solve a crime and make the world a better place. The author has stayed very realistic in describing '[Sandy] as a flawed person whose desire to get to the bottom of the mystery is driven by an underlying theme of guilt. READ MORE.
MY WORLD OF BOOKS (BLOG). NOV. 24, 2019
Once the story sets into motion, it is gripping. At the end of the book, I felt like watching a film. I loved the character Ritchie. There are few parts where…READ MORE.
BIBLIO BING.
APRIL 20, 2019
The author is absolutely brilliant. This book has been written so intricately that once you start reading it you’ll feel the air of mystery and something sinister going on around you.
With unfathomable twists and mind numbingly genius mysteries, the author’s narration will leave you…READ MORE.
DEEP TIES. FEB 9, 2019.
Nish Amarnath is a young writer who obviously believes in doing her research, be it in the gamut of health care homes, the BBC’s White City complex or the British police system. Her style is crisp and terse, as she outlines a plot that is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader gasping… READ MORE.
THE ATTIC LIFE. MUMBAI. SEPTEMBER 3, 2018
Victims For Sale | Book Review
Letting you traverse through the crevices and intricacies of investigative journalism, Victims For Sale is a nail-biting thriller experience. A heart-racing edge-of-the-seat read, devastatingly mysterious, flinching and gorgeously spun into words that will not let you leave it halfway. I'd recommend this read to all who take pleasure in psychologically disturbing criminology. READ MORE.
THE WORLD IN MY DIARIES
NOVEMBER 22, 2018
FREE PRESS JOURNAL. MUMBAI.
Victims For Sale by Nish Amarnath: Review
Here is a look at the novel that takes you through the dungeons of dark secrets and walks you through the other side of the world. This fiction novel … takes you on a whirlwind of dangerous alleys, vulnerable situations and dark secrets, which... READ MORE.
SAKAL TIMES. PUNE.
The Dark Twist. By Anamika Nandedkar
Victims For Sale, a thriller by Nish Amarnath, takes you on a whirlwind journey that Sandhya Raman (Sandy) experiences in London. READ MORE.
DDS REVIEWS
It was clear that Sandy was an opinionated and intellectual personality. Her code of honor and her ability to sift between what’s right and wrong kept her going in the book. They were also the qualities that made her stand out from the other characters in the book. READ MORE.
SINGH WITH BOOKS
Reviews. Ideas. Love.
Book Review | Victims For Sale by Nish Amarnath | Spoiler Free
This very illustrative story of the settings of London and every one of the intricate details of the crown’s domain emerges... READ MORE.
READER REVIEWS (GOODREADS):
READINGS AND CONVENTIONS - snapshots
AN EVENING OF CRIME:
NEW YORK WRITERS WORKSHOP’S FIRST THURSDAY READING SERIES.
RED ROOM NYC, OCT. 2019
THE ETHICAL DILEMMA:
On this video segment, I’m reading an excerpt of a scene from VICTIMS FOR SALE.
This scene points to the existence of ethical dilemmas, which aren’t uncommon among journalists.
When many lives are in danger, how will naive 19-year-old BBC stringer Sandy navigate through the oasis of a conflict, where there is no black and white answer, no right or wrong...? Watch!
#books #thrillers #novels #crimefiction #crimenovel #NYC #mysteryfiction #psychologicalthriller #suspensereads #bestsellers
NEW YORK WRITERS WORKSHOP | AUTHOR Q&A PANEL. NYC. OCT. 2019
Snapshots of my discourse on crime writing at a Q&A panel along with award-winning authors Charles Salzberg, Ed Lin and Puja Guha.
ALGONKIAN NYC WRITERS CONFERENCES.
NEW YORK, 2019
TITLES, LOGLINES…AND HOW I FOUND MY LITERARY AGENT: Believe it or not, I whittled down my manuscript of Victims For Sale from 300,000 words to 125,000 words before I began querying literary agents. AND…Victims For Sale was about 90,000 words when it went to press at HarperCollins!
Keywords: #writers, #authors, #novelists, #fictionwriting, #workshops, #gettingpublished
ALGONKIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE. NEW YORK. 2019
VICTIMS FOR SALE BEHIND-THE-SCENES: At this forum, I address the importance of first-hand information and sensory experience in giving true-life fiction more authenticity. In that regard, I share my experience sitting in on a murder trial experience at London's Old Bailey and my key takeaways from a luncheon with Jackie Malton (formerly a senior officer at the Metropolitan Police Service of London’s Scotland Yard) while researching for my bestselling psychological thriller, VICTIMS FOR SALE.
SEGMENT FROM A READING AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL. 2019
A snapshot of a fun quiz that was done on Victims For Sale's suspense sequence series / theme song video, Fallen Angels - during the reading and signing of this spine-chilling thriller novel at the British Council on Jan. 16, 2019. It was absolutely fantastic seeing scores of readers and British Council patrons come together to partake of an interactive multimedia experience during this bookreading!
PUNJAB LAUNCH - THE GREAT ESCAPE. FICCI-FLO. LUDHIANA. 2019
A collage of pictures from the FICCI-FLO forum in Ludhiana, Punjab, where ‘Victims For Sale’ marked the inauguration of a new book club, to start 2019, under the patronage of FICCI-FLO, a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
After the Victims For Sale ribbon-cutting!
Fallen Angels, which is Victims for Sale’s theme song interpolated into a suspense sequence series trailer, plays at FICCI-FLO’s inauguration of a new book club to start 2019.
Panel discussion on the role of fiction in solidifying identity construction.
The ‘Grape Escape’ saw a massive turnout of women from diverse walks of life. This photo was taken during the broadcast of Fallen Angels.
BOOKHOUSES OF BOMBAY - ARABIAN SEA HOPSCOTCH. MUMBAI. 2019
Snapshots of a HarperCollins-sponsored roadshow in Mumbai in early 2019 involving sessions and signings in six of the city’s top bookstores: Kitab Khana (Fort, Mumbai), Crossword Bookstores (Kemps Corner), Crossword Bookstores (Bandra), Title Waves (Bandra), Granth Bookstore (Juhu) and Relay (Santa Cruz).
At a session in Granth Bookstore (Juhu, Mumbai).
Book-signing at Title Waves (Bandra), Mumbai.
Photo-op: Crossword Bookstores (Bandra), Mumbai.
Q&A and Signing at Kitab Khana (Fort, Mumbai).
Reading, Q&A and exclusive book-signing at the RELAY India in the Mumbai International Airport.
BOOK-READING: Hosted by the US Embassy in India (US State Dept.) at THE AMERICAN CENTER, New Delhi. 2018
Y-FLO (YOUNG FICCI LADIES ORGANIZATION).
KOLKATA (CALCUTTA). 2018
LITERARY CONVENTION: REPRESENTATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN CRIME LITERATURE
Oxford Bookstores hosted this event in partnership with the Young FICCI Ladies Organization, or Y-FLO, involving other stakeholders and partners including HarperCollins, the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata (of the U.S. Department of State) and The American Center in Kolkata.
This video provides a snapshot of a conversation with writer, poet and activist Saira Shah Halim, following a book unveiling and a keynote address by Jamie Dragon, officer at the U.S. Consulate Kolkata and Director of the American Center.
(Excerpts of the chat with Saira Shah Halim).
VICTIMS FOR SALE: Kolkata City Launch. Oxford Bookstores. Kolkata. 2018
On the left: With Jamie Dragon, Director of the American Center in Kolkata (Office of the US Consulate General in Kolkata).
On top: With special guest Saira Shah Halim and representatives of Y-FLO (Young FICCI Ladies Organization), FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry).
ROTARY CLUB. FELICITATION SPEECH AND LECTURE. CHENNAI. 2018
A video segment of my felicitation speech at the Rotary Club's Mother's Day commemoration in Chennai and what Victims For Sale means for mothers, young and old.
A segment of VICTIMS FOR SALE's launch at Odyssey. Chennai. 2018.
Speaking at Odyssey, Chennai. Hindu Publishing Group Chairman N. RAM as Chief Guest. US Consulate Information Officer ALEXIS WOLFF and lawyer, columnist, talk show host and former NDTV Bureau Chief SANJAY PINTO as special guests.
Launch and Discussion at Oxford Bookstores. New Delhi. 2018.
In conversation with author and NDTV's star anchor Sunetra Choudhury. (Interview excerpts).
The two women discuss the storyline and key characters of VICTIMS FOR SALE.
Speaking at The Spoken Wave Art, Music & Lit Fest. (Video Segments).
VGP GOLDEN BEACH RESORTS. 2018.
A snapshot of the first scene of 'Victims For Sale' read at The Spoken Wave Art, Music and Literary Festival.
Lecture/Talk to 300+ students at a MEET THE AUTHOR session.
STELLA MARIS COLLEGE. 2018.
Nish has an engaging session with hundreds of students, where she shares her journey as a writer.
Author Q&A. STELLA MARIS COLLEGE. 2018.
Maria, an English Lit student interviews Nish who shares her challenges of writing VICTIMS FOR SALE amid a changing reality.
