The Maladies of Life is a gripping psychological murder mystery that dives into the darkest corners of the human mind, where secrets, trauma, and hidden motives collide.

Sixteen-year-old Mark never planned on becoming a detective. But when someone he loves in Bangalore's underbelly is murdered under bizarre, unexplained chemical circumstances, the quiet secrets of his family - and his father's brothel - begin to split open.

With the police unwilling to probe deeper, Mark turns to an unexpected refuge: Rainbow Matters Anonymous, a 12-step support group for the LGBTQ community, whose warmth, lived wisdom, and street-level instincts become the backbone of his first investigation.

Each new death grows stranger and more deliberate, marked by patterns no one can explain. Every clue pulls Mark deeper into a world his father tried desperately to hide. As the trail tightens, Mark must decide what he's willing to risk for truth, love, and the fragile sense of identity he is only beginning to understand.

Blending emotional depth with sharp investigative twists, The Maladies of Life is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with psychological intensity.

Ideal for fans of Richard Osman's charm, Alexander McCall Smith's humanity, and Joanne Fluke's character-focused mysteries, with the classic clue-craft of Agatha Christie set against the vivid modern rhythms of India.