Real Life by Amrita Mahale [Hardcover]

In the isolated Mahamaya Valley in the Himalayas, wildlife biologist Tara mysteriously disappears. Determined to find her friend, Mansi retraces Tara's final days, uncovering secrets, fractured relationships, and hidden truths along the way.

Meanwhile, Bhaskar, a man obsessed with Tara and the primary suspect in her disappearance, is in police custody. His account of events is filled with contradictions and ambiguities, making it difficult to determine whether he is guilty, misunderstood, or hiding something even darker.

As the investigation unfolds, the valley itself becomes a character—a place where natural beauty coexists with technology, surveillance, and social pressures. What begins as a mystery gradually evolves into a profound exploration of identity, female autonomy, love, grief, and the struggle to live authentically in an increasingly monitored and conformist world.