Radiographer writes mystery book

AS an avid reader from a young age and still a bookworm, Dr Sevani Singaram has published her second book, The Disappearance of Amy Nel – A South African Mystery.

Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote, ‘Be a life-long student. Read as many books as possible’, Singaram said she always encourages reading because of the plethora of benefits it gives readers.

The author is a diagnostic radiographer and works at a private medical clinic in Durban. She has a PhD in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Her first book, Short Stories and Poetry by a South African was published in 2022.

Also read: Westville resident publishes a book for kids with chronic illness

She said the book was chosen by the Department of Education in Gauteng to be on the recommended reading list for high school learners.

In the book, Amy Nel, a woman ensnared in the throes of anxiety, depression, and a relentless gambling addiction, discovers an unexpected sanctuary in Craig, an amiable architect wrestling with his own inner demons.

Singaram said their romance unfolds against a backdrop of personal turmoil, offering a beacon of hope amid their shared struggles.

“However, their tranquil existence is soon disrupted as they find themselves ensnared in a complex web of deceit and theft. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their decisions and the looming threat of their secrets being unveiled, their lives are catapulted into disarray by an unforeseen tragedy.

“Relationships crumble under the weight of betrayal, hidden truths bubble to the surface, and the repercussions of their actions send shockwaves through their world, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. This is a tale of love, loss and the indelible marks left by the choices we make,” she said.

Some parts of the book are set in Pinetown as Amy Nel’s mother, Retha Nel, works at a retail store in Pinetown.

She said the characters that she fictionalised are mostly South African and indicative of the beautiful rainbow nation which is coloured with people from various demographic groups.

“When international readers read the book, they can get a sense of South African culture. I am glad that I have contributed to the body of South African literature.”

The avid reader highlighted that she finds there are few South African authors who have written books belonging to the mystery genre.

“I was inspired by the book, Confessions of a Gambler, by Rayda Jacobs and by the movies, Gone Girl and A Simple Favor. I was also motivated by my first book being chosen to be on the recommended reading list for high schools. When writing some parts of the book, I had to rely heavily on my knowledge of the medical field and had to read up on South African history from the early 1990s because I wanted the book to be as accurate as possible,” she said.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.