REVIEW: What Mina Did? by Geeta Menon

1998. Twenty-two-year-old Mina is moving to the US from Bangalore to begin a new life with her husband. Then there’s a horrific murder and her life is turned upside down. Mina’s best friend Neelu helps her out of the abyss.

Mina gradually leaves her past behind and settles into a new life in the US. Years later, she is forced to return to India and is confronted by the demons from her past. In her fragile mental state, she is unable to support Neelu in her time of need.

Their friendship hits rock bottom. Mina goes back to the US and faces further hurdles, this time on the work front. She tries to make amends with Neelu, but their friendship ends with Neelu accusing Mina of something unimaginable
related to the murder.

Something, that deep down, Mina knows is true...

Will Mina redeem herself? Will the people she loves forgive her for what she did?

Alternating between flashbacks and the present day, What Mina Did explores how one betrayal can have catastrophic consequences while delving into the complex bonds that link mothers and daughters, and best friends.

TITLE- What Mina Did?

AUTHOR- Geeta Menon
PUBLISHER- Rupa Publications
FORMAT- Paperback

*Thanks to the Publishers for a review copy.*
(All opinions are my own)

Let's take a moment to appreciate the cover. The cover is the primary reason for me to pick this one up. I am currently in a state of dilemma, my feelings are all over the place, really jumbled up, so hold your heart, but before I move ahead, let's explore the plot.

'What Mina Did?' revolves around Mina, a 22-year-old woman, whose life turns upside down after her mother's death. In order to forget the traumatic event, she moves to the States along with her husband to start afresh but it's not that easy. She has done some irreparable damage and the guilt is eating her alive.

Fast forward 4 years and she is back in India. Her return even worsens her condition and she fails to cope up with her PTSD. This is when her best friend Neelu comes into the picture. Once Neelu's support helped Mina a lot and now when she is in need of the same, Mina fails to deliver it and their friendship hits the rock bottom.

So the question is What did Mina really do? What is the cause of her PTSD and why was she unable to do justice to her friendship?

Me after reading the blurb:

This one is going to be one thrilling read.

Me after the prologue:

Definitely worth the time!

Me 6 chapters in:

This is going to be a rollercoaster ride! I can't stop turning the pages!

Me 12 chapters in:

Where is the story going?

Me after a while:

What Happened to the thrill?? Why is the subplot turning into the primary plot?

So yes, you read it right, the story had an amazing beginning. I was completely hooked but then it just lost its heat. The primary plot just got lost somewhere in the pages. I thought it was a thriller but it came out to be something else entirely and I really struggled through the last 50 pages. I felt as if it was a forced ending.

The book highlights some sensitive subjects like PTSD, anxiety, emotional instability, parental pressure, affairs, marital understanding, orthodox thinking, and the caste system.

I really liked the author's writing style. It was smooth and lucid. I would love to read more books by the author and I hope her future plots would be much more gripping.

All in all, an average read for me.

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