BOOKWORM Dr Sevani Singaram recently published her second book, The Disappearance of Amy Nel: A South African Mystery.
Singaram, who has a PhD in Public Health and an MBA degree, is a diagnostic radiographer at a medical clinic on the Bluff where she also resides.
She studied radiography at the Durban University of Technology, did her PhD in Public Health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and her MBA at MANCOSA in Durban.
“I have been an avid reader from a young age and found that there are limited mystery novels by local authors, so I decided to write one with characters that reflect our rainbow nation. Some of my favourite authors are Manju Kapur, Ronnie Govender, Chitra Banerjee Devakurani and Rayda Jacobs,” said Singaram.
“While doing my PhD, I delved into the field of psychology. As a result, the book focuses strongly on mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, many of these topics are unfortunately still taboo in certain communities, so I hope the book will be an eye-opener for readers.
“While writing, I had to research South African history because parts of the book were set during the early post-democracy period. I wanted the book to be as factually correct as possible.
"I would ideally like readers to conduct an introspection of their own lives when reflecting on the wrong choices made by some of the book's characters. There are numerous 'take home' messages in the book that I intentionally included. The book was written to educate readers too.”
The mystery book revolves around Amy Nel, a woman ensnared in the throes of anxiety, depression, and a relentless gambling addiction. She discovers an unexpected sanctuary in Craig, an amiable architect wrestling with his own inner demons.
“Their romance unfolds against a backdrop of personal turmoil, offering a beacon of hope amidst 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."
Singaram added: “It took me about a year to write this book. Fortunately, I did not get writer's block. This was probably because I tabulated a detailed plan of the chapters before I began writing.”
The book, which is available from Amazon.com on Kindle and paperback, was published by Verity Publishers.
Singaram added that her first book, Short Stories and Poetry by a South African, was published in January 2022, also by Verity Publishers.
“My first book was chosen by the Department of Education in Gauteng to be on the recommended reading list for high school pupils. My first book is also on shelves at various South African universities and as far as the Los Angeles Public Library.”
She added that she next wanted to explore ghostwriting.
"A ghostwriter is someone who is tasked with writing material for someone else to publish under their own name. I want to help people write books about their lives, so that they too can leave a legacy. There are many South Africans whose lived experiences can inspire others. I believe we are a resilient rainbow nation with a rich history to write about."
For more information, Singaram can be emailed at [email protected]