Title : ‘If Only They Knew’

Author : Madhavi N. Gunasheela

Year : 2025

Pages : 365

Price : Rs. 502

Publisher : White Falcon Publishing

If Only They Knew,’ the debut novel by Bengaluru-based medical practitioner Madhavi N. Gunasheela, is a crime thriller, intertwining nature, culture and mystery, played out in the southern city of Madurai and neighbouring areas and a few characters are from the indigenous Paliyan tribe of the Palani Hills.

The novel’s protagonist Alagavel is a smart, ambitious young entrepreneur, embodying the mindset of many youngsters setting out to make their mark in life.

He owns a travel company ‘Trailblazers’ and leads his team into a lucrative business which works for and against them.

Through Alagavel’s ethical dilemmas, the author explores how ambition can sometimes cloud judgement and lead to unintended consequences.

She emphasises that having a strong moral compass and the courage to pause and evaluate choices can help navigate even the toughest situations.

This is Madhavi’s second book, the first being a compilation of short stories ‘A Brigand for a Night and Other Tales’ in 2012.

Madhavi’s storytelling avoids the easy traps of sensationalism. She does not lean on shock value or melodrama. Instead, she adopts a steady, introspective tone that allows the narrative to breathe. The story unfolds in layers, drawing the reader deeper with each turn. One can see this skill when she explores Alagavel’s relationship with his team where loyalty, suspicion and quiet rivalries are explored with emotional precision. These interactions feel lived-in, giving the novel a sense of authenticity.

Equally compelling is Madhavi’s engagement with larger questions such as:  What does success demand of us? and what are we willing to trade in return? She frames her plot against the eternal tensions of fate versus free will, and shows how even small ethical compromises exact a profound toll on the soul. Though structured as crime fiction, the book transcends genre, challenging the reader to reflect on the boundaries of personal integrity. A good read indeed.