Sirens of Memory

An International Psychological Thriller

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Pub Date 12 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 13 Aug 2020

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Description

A character-driven international psychological thriller that combines Cape Fear with a refugee story during the Gulf War from Amazon bestseller Puja Guha.

After being beaten nearly to death by her husband Tareq, Mariam awakes in a hospital to the two most frightening words, "You're pregnant." Fearing for her unborn child's safety, Mariam plans her escape only to have it complicated by the invasion of Iraqi troops into Kuwait. In the chaos, she leaves Tareq for dead and hides out in a refugee camp where she is helped by Raj, a young man who lost his wife in the mayhem of the Gulf War. Together they begin to build a new life, with Raj raising Mariam's daughter Aliya as his own. Fast forward twenty-five years and their perfect world is turned upside-down when the past catches up to them, threatening everything they've salvaged from the ruins, including Aliya. 

The story is grounded by the author's real experiences in Kuwait, featuring a strong female protagonist and diverse well-developed supporting characters. 

Sirens of Memory explores the extent to which psychological turmoil can impact our everyday life. For Mariam, her suppressed memories essentially turn into a stalker of her own making. As she finally confronts these parts of herself, she shows both the vulnerability and strength required to overcome such trauma.

A character-driven international psychological thriller that combines Cape Fear with a refugee story during the Gulf War from Amazon bestseller Puja Guha.

After being beaten nearly to death by her...


Advance Praise

"""A gripping psychological thriller about the real horror that can come from the people you let in while also hitting the sweet spot between page turner and searing authenticity.""

-Mike McCrary, author of RELENTLESS and HARD HEARTS

""Guha writes with authority and grace, intrepidly tackling life's harshest realities and warmest hopes in this tour-de-force thriller.""

- Jamie Mason, author of THE HIDDEN THINGS

""In its many discussions about trauma, this book offers a necessary discussion about the personal, social, and cultural attitudes regarding escape and recovery with which readers of all backgrounds can engage."" 

- US Review of Books

""Possessing the awareness of novels such as Speak and the boldness of Not Without My Daughter, this book becomes an exciting read that reminds readers that although the past is a significant contributor to identity, it is not one's all-defining component.""

- US Review of Books"

"""A gripping psychological thriller about the real horror that can come from the people you let in while also hitting the sweet spot between page turner and searing authenticity.""

-Mike McCrary...


Available Editions

ISBN 9798642306543
PRICE US$3.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 10 members


Featured Reviews

Emotional and completely touching as a read. I have devoured this book in just one afternoon and have been thinking about this ever since I finished reading it.

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Maria married at a young age through a arranged marriage set up by her step father.He was very abusive and beat her .When she found out she was pregnant she new she had to flee.She escapes during the gulf war and meets Raj at a Indain refugee camp.She Mangeshkar to escape using his deceased wife's documents .Her journey is far from over,This was a heart wrenching story with lots of twist turns and suspense

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Abusive marriage, being a refugee and coping with trauma and guilt are the themes of this suspenseful novel. This psychological novel reads like a thriller. There's surprisingly deep insight in an abusive marriage - from both POWs.

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Mariam is married to Tariq. He is extremely abusive. Like most women in abusive relationships she blames herself. When she is admitted into the hospital for a concussion and cuts on her arms because he threw her through a glass table, she assures everyone that she will be fine, that because of her clumsiness she tripped and fell on the table herself. It is during this hospital visit that she is told she is pregnant. Now her focus is on escaping her husband and protecting her child at all costs.
A poignant story of abuse, love, sisterhood and reclaiming self back from being victimized.

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This is a terrific book and I highly recommend it.

It was heart-wrenching to read Mariam's journey from an abusive relationship to freedom. The brisk pace of the storyline kept me totally engaged and wanting to learn about the ending.

Mariam, a Kuwaiti woman is married off against her wishes at age 19, to a man who totally abuses her, physically, emotionally, mentally, and sexually assaults her.

In the bleakness of the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, it provides Mariam an avenue of escape from her toxic relationship with her husband. Using the identity of a dead woman, Mariam manages to flee from Kuwait and start her new life.

Just when we thought that Mariam manages to get away and start a new life safe and free in Austin, her abusive husband tracks her down and threatens the lives of her new family members.

Summary :
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mariam's story of survival. It was an emotional roller coaster ride but one that was well appreciated. The story was well written, characters were well described and easy to relate to. Kudos to Puja Guha, looking forward to more great reads from you.

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Mariam, a woman in Kuwait, survives terrible abuse at the hands of her husband. She leaves him when she discovers she is pregnant. After a harrowing escape, during which her husband Tareq gets shot and left for dead, Mariam makes it out of the country by using a dead woman's identity. Raj, an Indian man, helps her and they end up staying together.

She makes it to America and settles into a nice life. She has her daughter, Aliya, and Raj raises her as his own. Mariam still blames herself for Tareq's abuse and has never told her family what happened. She still lives in fear of her real identity being revealed and Raj is getting frustrated with her secrets. Mariam ends up going to a therapist to help her with her fears.

Mariam's cousin invites her to a party for Kuwait refugees. Mariam's therapist and Raj talk her into going. Little does she know, Tareq is also going to be there.

Sirens of Memory is a stunning look at domestic abuse and how far it can really go. The story is so real, I felt like I was living through this with Mariam. Puja Guha is just amazing! I will be looking for more of her work.

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i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and it really got to me psychologically.

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Mariam is pregnant and fleeing an abusive marriage as the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait begins. Leaving her husband Tareq for dead, she crosses the border and is evacuated with the help of Raj, who she meets at a refugee camp and who suggests she assume the identity of his dead wife so she can be issued Indian papers.

Twenty-five years later, Mariam is still living under the identity of Raj’s Indian wife in the US and Tareq is still looking for his wife.

This was an unexpected little jewel of a book. It is very well written and the narration was excellent. The book had suspense, twists and turns and an explosive ending. I really enjoyed this novel.

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