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Slow Burn

Slow Burn

A Contemporary Fiction Novel Set in Mumbai | A Gripping Story of Fame, Failure, Illusion and Second Chances

Amal Singh
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Rishi Tripathi has failed as an actor. When an important audition doesn’t go as planned, rage consumes him and he punches a mirror. But instead of getting hurt, he slips right through and arrives in the Mumbai of his dreams.

In this inverted city, Rishi is a superstar, a critically acclaimed darling. Success kisses his feet, and producers flock at his doors. But success, too, comes at a cost, and behind the twinkling arc lights of showbiz is chaos and a sinister scheme. When this dark reality catches up with him, he wants to leave this new Mumbai right away.

But is Rishi truly ready to go back to the life he left? Is he ready to go back to being a failure? And will
fate stand in the way of his return?

Imprint: India Penguin

Published: Apr/2026

ISBN: 9780143475033 (Paperback)

Length : 288 Pages

MRP : ₹399.00

Slow Burn

A Contemporary Fiction Novel Set in Mumbai | A Gripping Story of Fame, Failure, Illusion and Second Chances

Amal Singh

Rishi Tripathi has failed as an actor. When an important audition doesn’t go as planned, rage consumes him and he punches a mirror. But instead of getting hurt, he slips right through and arrives in the Mumbai of his dreams.

In this inverted city, Rishi is a superstar, a critically acclaimed darling. Success kisses his feet, and producers flock at his doors. But success, too, comes at a cost, and behind the twinkling arc lights of showbiz is chaos and a sinister scheme. When this dark reality catches up with him, he wants to leave this new Mumbai right away.

But is Rishi truly ready to go back to the life he left? Is he ready to go back to being a failure? And will
fate stand in the way of his return?

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

Amal Singh

Amal Singh is a Sturgeon Award-nominated writer of science fiction and fantasy from Mumbai, India. His short fiction has appeared in venues such as Reactor, Clarkesworld, Asimov’s and Himal Southasian, among others. His debut novel, The Garden of Delights, was on the Locus Recommended Reading List for 2024.

A Dark, Dazzling Story of Mumbai Dreams and Second Chances

In Slow Burn, Amal Singh turns Mumbai into a fever dream where ambition, humiliation, fame and fantasy blur together – following one struggling actor who finally gets everything he ever wanted, only to discover the nightmare hiding beneath it.     ***   Six thousand, four hundred and ninety-two. Exclusive of taxes. That’s how much […]

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