The Karma Club

The Karma Club by Harbinder Mathadu is a gripping novel that features multiple subplots spanning India and the UK, centered on themes of guilt, redemption, and the cyclical nature of karma. The story begins with a vivid depiction of a rural Indian village where a tragic fire claims the lives of a family, leaving a young Raj haunted by guilt, believing himself responsible for their deaths. Years later, in London, Raj struggles with deep-seated trauma and loneliness, finding solace only in fleeting moments of connection, especially with Gabby, a compassionate bartender. Still, the presence of Gabby’s twin, Lucy, becomes an even graver threat to him. Meanwhile, in India, Manoj endures a life of hardship and violence, haunted by memories of his own tragic past and the oppressive shadow of his abusive uncle. Detective Deepak Parmar, whose investigation into a series of brutal murders and the mysterious fire uncovers dark secrets linking the past and present, and reveals a web of corruption, betrayal, and revenge. Can these characters escape the demons that haunt them and finally embrace freedom?

Harbinder Mathadu is a great storyteller, and his gift for dialogue shines in this work. The setting is finely drawn, taking you from the lush, rustic villages of Punjab to the bustling streets of London, establishing stark cultural and environmental contrasts yet uniting them through the characters’ shared struggles. The characters—Raj, haunted by guilt and seeking redemption; Gabby, exemplifying hope and kindness; Manoj, battling poverty and violence; and Deepak, struggling with his own moral decay—are complex and deeply human. They evoke a strong sense of pathos in the story and keep you turning the pages, wanting to discover their ultimate fates. The central conflict revolves around uncovering the truth behind the fire and the murders, confronting personal demons, and seeking justice. Themes of morality, the power of forgiveness, and the idea that one’s actions have eternal consequences are meticulously developed in The Karma Club. I loved this book for its suspense, the pathos, the complex characters, and the relentless drama. One of the rare novels I have read with an international setting in India and London that is infused with realism and such aching suspense.