Amina Akhtar’s KISMET is one of the most unique novels I have read in the last couple of years. It is an impressive blend of mystery, thriller and dark humor that will draw you in almost instantly and not let go until all is revealed in the final pages.

In the brief prologue, an anonymous woman is burying a body in the desert before an audience of ravens that appear to be talking to her as she performs the evil deed. We then are introduced to new roommates Ronnie Khan and Marley Dewhurst. Ronnie is a former lifelong resident of New York, having relocated from Forest Hills, Queens, to follow her wellness guru and best friend, Marley, who has set up shop in Sedona, Arizona. She needed a change from living with her overbearing Pakistani aunt, and Marley has promised her a brand-new life.

"KISMET is one of the most unique novels I have read in the last couple of years. It is an impressive blend of mystery, thriller and dark humor that will draw you in almost instantly and not let go until all is revealed in the final pages."

Ronnie has always felt fairly in tune with the world around her, especially when she’s sleeping. Lately, her dreams have involved large, dark birds. So when she comes upon her first group of ravens in Sedona, she realizes that she might be on to something. While out on a hike, Ronnie and Marley discover what turns out to be the remains of one of the locals.

Marley takes Ronnie to the Kismet Center, where there are various wellness and spiritual types, as well as shops. They visit BritStar Crystals, which is run by twin sisters Brit and Star. It is obvious to Ronnie that for some reason Marley is not welcome there. She hopes it has nothing to do with the body that was found, which is ruled a homicide. But the killings don’t stop there as other wellness practitioners in the area are being targeted.

Marley has begun to get close to Caroline, a social climber who Ronnie does not care for at all. Marley and Caroline name the killer the Sedona Slasher and resolve to assemble security teams to patrol the area and keep everyone safe. But the plan starts to get overly aggressive and does not make the sheriff’s department incredibly happy. Seeking to find something for herself, Ronnie begins working at BritStar and takes to it quite well. When the situation with Marley gets really bad, she moves into the shop temporarily until she can find a place of her own.

Meanwhile, the body count continues to rise. Some of the victims are popular characters from the Kismet Center, which has everyone on edge. Ronnie believes that Caroline has something to do with it and tells the authorities to keep a close eye on her.

Amina Akhtar keeps the narrative flowing in quite an interesting manner. Short chapters are written not only from the perspective of the killer but also from the ravens that symbolically represent the desert and old Sedona long before humans ever got there and messed everything up. It is great to see Ronnie grow significantly as a character from the beginning of the novel until the surprise ending.

KISMET is about personal growth and spiritualism, a no-holds-barred look at the entire wellness movement and those who are obsessed with it.