In this sweeping, atmospheric novel, a ruined mansion by the sea holds a haunting secret. Once a grand estate off the coast of South Africa, Akbar Manzil now serves as a boardinghouse for misfits seeking to escape their pasts. Among the latest tenants are Sana and her father, who are searching for a new home after enduring a painful loss. Unlike the other residents, who avoid confronting the mansion's unsettling qualities—like the strange bones in the garden and a mysterious figure seen at night—Sana is curious and drawn to its history. Her exploration leads her to the eerie East Wing, filled with broken objects and a locked door that has remained shut for decades. Behind it lies a bedroom frozen in time, revealing faded photographs of a couple in love and a diary that unveils the tragic story of Meena, the original owner’s second wife, who died there a century ago. Unbeknownst to Sana, a grieving djinn, an invisible spirit who once loved Meena, watches her from the shadows. As Sana uncovers the past, she awakens the mansion's memories and unearths dark secrets that will alter the lives of all connected to Akbar Manzil. This haunting tale intertwines love, mystery, and a young girl's quest for belonging, creating a sublime and heart-wrenching narrative.
