Verses Kindler Publication is proud to release Aparnaa Lathikaa’s second novel, Soul of Coffin, a haunting tale that masterfully blurs the lines between memory, dream, and psychological breakdown. Following the success of her debut Throne of Burns, Aparnaa returns with a thriller that offers not just suspense, but psychological depth and raw emotional introspection.
At the center of the story is Alex, a man who wakes up in a surreal, defunct water park — the rides rusting, the silence oppressive, and a mysterious lifeguard guiding him through what feels like a distorted mirror of his own past. As Alex encounters figures that seem familiar yet unreachable, the park begins to unravel as a metaphor for his fractured psyche.
The novel unfolds like a dream, but each page peels back a more chilling layer of Alex’s suppressed memories. Ghostly apparitions, vivid hallucinations, and internal voices intensify, leading him toward a climactic descent — quite literally — down a towering water slide that may hold the truth he has long refused to face.
What makes Soul of Coffin truly unique is Aparnaa Lathikaa’s ability to weave her professional knowledge into her storytelling. With an academic background in psychology, social work, special education, and human rights, and decades of hands-on humanitarian work, she brings unparalleled authenticity to her exploration of guilt, denial, repression, and healing.
As a life coach and counselor, Aparnaa understands that most emotional wounds don’t manifest as pain but as avoidance. Through Alex’s character, she gives form to the unspoken — the parts of us we silence, the versions of reality we construct to survive. The Lifeguard, with his cryptic wisdom and eerie calm, acts as both a spiritual guide and a psychological trigger, gently (and at times forcefully) pulling Alex toward acceptance.
Yet, despite the heavy themes, Soul of Coffin never loses its grip as a thriller. The narrative builds with tension and atmosphere, balancing the philosophical with the visceral. Each chapter lures the reader deeper into Alex’s world, where nothing is quite as it seems, and everything — from the shadows to the silence — carries meaning.
Aparnaa Lathikaa’s literary achievements are matched only by her social contributions. She has been honored with awards such as the Noble Seva Ratna, Global Peace Award, and the OMG Book of Records, recognizing both her literary work and her service to NGOs and human rights organizations.
With Soul of Coffin, Aparnaa Lathikaa firmly establishes herself as a distinctive voice in Indian fiction — one who dares to mix emotional truth with psychological tension, creating stories that linger long after the final page.
For readers looking for more than just entertainment — for those ready to step into the inner world of the mind and confront what lies beneath — Soul of Coffin is a must-read.
