Crime thrillers have long held a magnetic pull over readers. But finding a thriller by an Indian author that blends mystery, psychology, and the raw edges of human nature is rare, but not impossible.
Rakhi Haridas delivers exactly that with her debut novel (Misled Towards Truth) a layered psychological crime thriller that goes beyond the usual chase for justice. A crime thriller which follows a deep dive into deception, emotional trauma, and the fragile boundaries between guilt and grief.
With a background as a transformation coach and classical dancer, Rakhi brings a unique voice to this genre infusing suspense with soul, and darkness with insight.
In this exclusive conversation, she opens up about her inspiration, the characters that challenged her, and why the truth in her story isn’t just hidden but it’s also emotionally dangerous.
Here’s the conversation which followed to be raw, reflective, and real.
“Hello Rakhi, Congratulations on publishing your debut novel. Thank you for taking your time to answer our questions.”
Q.1 – The title Misled Towards Truth is intriguing. What’s the story behind the title?
“Hi, thank you, I am glad to answer. The title Misled Towards Truth reflects the core of the novel, where every clue, every assumption, and every character seems to guide you in one direction, only to unravel
something entirely unexpected. It’s about how the path to truth isn’t always straightforward; in
fact, it’s often buried under layers of deception. I wanted the title itself to mirror that
tension, to make readers question what’s real, what’s misdirection, and what lies beneath.”
“Well, the title definitely sets the tone for what’s to come.”
Q.2- If you could ask one of your characters a question, who would it be and what would you ask?
“Hmm, i love all my characters, but if i have to choose one, I’d wish to ask Ria a question. ‘Ria, do you believe having someone to call family truly defines your worth, or is a life filled with purpose, peace, and chosen connections enough to make your time on this earth count?”
“Emotional dilemmas, Great. Ria sounds like someone readers will carry with them long after the last page.”
Q.3 – What first drew you to the world of storytelling? Was there a particular moment or memory that
made you say, “I want to write”?
To be honest, I never saw myself writing a crime thriller, at least not consciously. But looking
back, almost everything I read or watched had one thing in common: mystery, suspense, and
the thrill of uncovering truth. It’s as if the genre had quietly taken root in me long before I
realized it. My family and friends often told me I had a flair for narration, they’d say I could
paint pictures with words. Still, I didn’t think I had it in me to write a full story. Then came a
turning point, meeting a mentor in the screenwriting space. His belief in my voice and his
gentle push gave me the courage I didn’t know I was waiting for. That’s when the storytelling
spark became something more, something I had to follow.”
“It’s incredible how stories sometimes choose us before we even realize it”
Q4. If a reader only had time to read one chapter to get hooked, which one would you tell them to start with, and why?
I’d say start with the very first chapter. That’s where the crime unfolds, setting the tone for
everything that follows. It’s not just about what happened, but the immediate questions it
sparks: Who did this? Why? How? For any crime fiction lover, that instant curiosity is what pulls
you in and from there, the layers only get deeper.
“Agreed, it grabs hold of the reader’s mind.”
Q.5 Also, while many thrillers drive on action and pace, your narrative seems rich in emotional and
psychological nuance. How do you weave internal tension into the external suspense?
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind and how two people can go through the same
situation and emerge with completely different reactions, beliefs, and choices.
There’s no fixed formula for how the mind works, and that mystery is what draws me in. When writing Misled Towards Truth, I didn’t want my antagonists to be seen as just ‘criminals.’ I wanted readers to
pause and think: What led them here? I intentionally wove emotional and psychological layers
into their actions, so that the suspense doesn’t just come from what they do but why they do
it.
It’s in that internal tension—the fractured emotions, the buried pain, the moral grey
zones—that the real story lives. I want readers to feel conflicted, to question, and to maybe
even empathize with the very people they’re supposed to fear.”
“That’s such a refreshing take”
Q.6 How long did it take you to complete this book from idea to publication?
Almost 2 years!
“Wow”
Q.7 So which character challenged you the most to write, and why?
Let me things… I would say Ria – for the very fact that the character had to be given the emotional and psychological depth.
“Ria sounds very alluring to me.”
Q.8 Also as you were writing a crime thriller, did you research police work or psychology to make the story more realistic?”
I didn’t dive deep into police procedures, because the story doesn’t focus heavily on
investigative protocols. Instead, I leaned into something much closer to me human
psychology. As a leadership and transformation coach, I’ve spent years understanding how
people think, react, suppress, or break. That experience naturally found its way into my
storytelling. The emotional layers, the inner conflicts, the way my characters evolve or
unravel are all drawn from real insights I’ve gathered while working with people. So while the
crime anchors the plot, it’s the human mind that drives the narrative.
“Got it, it’s more of psychological thriller than a crime fiction. My all time favorite genre.”
Q.9- As you said you were a transformational coach, How does your background in that field has influence the way you develop characters and their emotional journeys?
As a transformation coach, I understand the complexity of real human change facing self-
doubt, embracing vulnerability, and building resilience. This experience helps me create
characters whose emotional journeys feel authentic and deeply relatable. I craft their growth
with emotional nuance, showing how they navigate challenges and evolve genuinely. This adds
a rich, psychological depth to their transformation, making their story compelling and true to
life.
“Sounds fascinating. Misled Towards Truth, already sounds a compelling read, and its surely going to be my next read.”
Q.10 As we know you are yourself an avid reader, any crime thrillers have you read and enjoyed the most? Which would like to recommend to our readers.
I have read a many, but these two I loved the most.
1. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson
A gripping blend of mystery, investigative journalism, and dark family secrets, featuring
one of crime fiction’s most unforgettable protagonists, Lisbeth Salander.
2. “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
A psychological thriller about a woman who stops speaking after a violent act and the
psychotherapist determined to uncover her secret. It’s clever, intense, and packed with
twists.”
Thank you Rakhi, for sharing about your book and yourself. Misled Towards Truth isn’t just a whodunit it’s a why-did-they-do-it. For readers who crave thrillers with emotional depth and psychological realism, Rakhi Haridas offers more than suspense.
The book is now available online on Amazon. Don’t miss this rollercoaster of a read.
Follow Rakhi’s journey on Instagram.
