Checkmate – A Mystery Novel

Viha from Grade 11 has recently published a mystery novel called Checkmate, that is now available on Amazon and NotionPress. The story is set in Los Angeles where it follows police officers investigating a couple of murders. We got in touch with Viha to find out more about the book and her inspiration for writing it.

Books have no limitations; it is a universe for the readers with boundless imagination to every sentence that the author writes. With only one story in a book, millions are created in the heads of the readers, making it unique for each one – Viha, Grade 11

Being highly passionate about mysteries, in the form of books or TV Shows, Viha began writing a mystery novel in August, 2019. On the 30 October this year, the book titled ‘Checkmate’, finally got published. The book is a mystery novel that uncovers dark and appalling secrets while following the police officers in L.A. investigate the death of a famous businessman called Denver and the following death of Salena. The book takes the reader on a journey, where connections are made in unforeseen places, and where an ordinary man makes an encounter that leaves him no longer ordinary. “In this book, the story and the criminal changes just like the patterns in a kaleidoscope, a little change in perspective changes the entire scene”, says Viha. For Viha the book was an outlet and manifestation of the creativity within her. Viha explains her process: “After engrossing myself in multiple intriguing stories, I gradually started creating one in my mind which was then poured out in my book. I felt a sudden urge to write a book because of the population of ideas in my mind and ‘Checkmate’ was where all my ideas and twists in the plot came to life and solidified”. 

Checkmate is published through the publishing house ‘NotionPress’, where Viha was assigned a publisher. She contacted NotionPress in July, where the primary manager was impressed by her effort at such a young age, and she agreed to continue the publishing of the book. After submitting the final manuscript, the editing team at NotionPress did the formatting of the book. Viha herself decided on the theme for the book cover, and the publishing house made the final design. After deciding on pricing, size and format of the book, platforms for sales, and book type it was all done. “In no time, I received a mail that my book was published on both NotionPress and Amazon”, says Viha.

Viha feels that Checkmate is directed at teenage readers, but it does not restrict adults from picking up the book. “The plot and the twists in Checkmate will be no less of a roller-coaster ride for any reader! But it also has emotional and heart-touching layers which will soften their racing hearts after the thrilling ride”, says Viha. Through her book, Viha wants to inspire others to pick up writing, and says: “It will be wonderful if people would give my book a read. It will really mean a lot to me. I hope it will inspire many other youths to write a book!” 

You can find the Checkmate available on Amazon India, and on NotionPress.