Plot Summary
Foggy Night Secrets
In the foggy night of December 1997, a group of college friends—Natasha, Anjali, Katherine, and Riya—engage in a seemingly harmless Ouija board game. The night is filled with laughter and alcohol, but it ends with a chilling message from the board: "Revenge. And I am here to get it." The next morning, their classmate Sania is found dead, and the friends are left with a haunting secret. They vow never to speak of that night again, burying their guilt and fear deep within.
The Ouija Prank
The Ouija board session was meant to be a prank on Sania, but it spirals out of control. The friends, under the influence of alcohol, manipulate the board to scare Sania, who is already troubled. The prank leaves Sania visibly shaken, and the friends dismiss it as harmless fun. However, the next day, Sania's body is discovered, and the friends are left to grapple with the possibility that their prank may have contributed to her death.
Unraveling the Past
Twenty years later, the friends are scattered across the globe, each dealing with their own lives. Natasha is in Singapore, Anjali in London, Katherine in New York, and Riya in Mumbai. A mysterious hacker begins to torment them, forcing them to confront their past. The hacker knows about the Ouija night and Sania's death, and the friends are drawn back together to uncover the truth and protect their families.
Ghosts of Guilt
As the friends reconnect, they are haunted by their memories of that night. Natasha begins to see visions of Sania, questioning her sanity. Anjali struggles with her failing marriage and the guilt of locking Sania out that night. Katherine is forced to confront her feelings for Sid, a mutual friend, and Riya is determined to uncover the truth behind the hacker's identity. Each friend must face their own demons as they work together to solve the mystery.
Reunion Revelations
The friends gather in Singapore, where the hacker's threats become more intense. They discover that the hacker is using their secrets against them, and they must confront the possibility that one of them may have been responsible for Sania's death. As they piece together the events of that night, they realize that their friendship is built on a foundation of lies and betrayal.
The Haunted Hostel
The friends are lured back to the abandoned hostel where Sania died. The hacker forces them to play another game of Ouija, revealing more secrets and lies. They learn that Sania was in love with her roommate Reet, and that her death was not a simple suicide. The friends must confront the truth about their actions and the impact they had on Sania's life.
Truths and Consequences
The friends are forced to confront the consequences of their actions. Anjali admits to locking Sania out, and Katherine reveals her feelings for Sid. Riya discovers that the hacker is Reet, who blames them for Sania's death. Reet's plan for revenge is revealed, and the friends must find a way to stop her and protect their families.
The Final Game
The friends confront Reet, who has kidnapped Natasha's children as part of her plan for revenge. In a tense showdown, they must use their wits and courage to save the children and stop Reet. The truth about Sania's death is finally revealed, and the friends must come to terms with their guilt and the impact of their actions.
Closure and New Beginnings
With the truth revealed, the friends begin to heal and rebuild their lives. Anjali divorces Sid and moves back to India, Natasha works on her marriage, Katherine takes a new job, and Riya finds love with Sania's cousin. They remain connected through their shared past, but each is determined to create a better future.
Characters
Natasha Gupta Lim
Natasha is a successful sales head living in Singapore. She is haunted by the events of the Ouija night and struggles with guilt over her sister's death. Natasha's visions of Sania force her to confront her past and the impact of her actions.
Anjali Kapoor
Anjali is a partner at a consulting firm in London. She is dealing with a failing marriage and the guilt of locking Sania out on the night of her death. Anjali's secrets threaten to destroy her friendships and her life.
Katherine D'Souza
Katherine is an IT security expert in New York. She has unresolved feelings for Sid, a mutual friend, and is forced to confront her past actions. Katherine's fear of the supernatural complicates her search for the truth.
Riya Banerjee
Riya is a writer in Mumbai, determined to uncover the truth behind the hacker's identity. She is haunted by her role in the Ouija prank and is determined to make amends for her actions.
Sid
Sid is a mutual friend of the group, charming and popular. He has a complicated history with the friends and is revealed to have a dark side. Sid's actions have far-reaching consequences for the group.
Reet
Reet is Sania's former roommate and lover. She blames the friends for Sania's death and is determined to make them pay. Reet's plan for revenge forces the friends to confront their past and the impact of their actions.
Sania Malik
Sania is the victim of the Ouija prank and the catalyst for the events of the story. Her death haunts the friends and forces them to confront their guilt and the consequences of their actions.
Plot Devices
The Ouija Board
The Ouija board is a central plot device, symbolizing the fear and guilt that haunts the friends. It is used to manipulate and control them, forcing them to confront their past and the impact of their actions.
The Hacker
The hacker is a mysterious figure who forces the friends to confront their past. The hacker's threats and manipulation drive the plot, revealing secrets and lies that have been buried for years.
The Haunted Locations
The haunted locations, including the abandoned hostel and the Beacon tower, serve as settings for the friends' confrontations with their past. These locations heighten the tension and fear, forcing the friends to face their demons.
Analysis
"That Night" explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the impact of past actions. The story highlights the consequences of secrets and lies, and the importance of confronting the truth. The friends' journey to uncover the truth about Sania's death forces them to confront their own guilt and the impact of their actions on others. The story also explores themes of friendship and forgiveness, as the friends work together to overcome their past and create a better future. Through their journey, the characters learn the importance of honesty and the power of redemption.
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Review Summary
That Night is a thriller novel that has received mostly positive reviews. Readers praise its engaging plot, suspenseful atmosphere, and well-developed characters. The story follows four friends haunted by a tragic event from their college days. Many found it gripping and difficult to put down, appreciating the mix of thriller and paranormal elements. Some criticism was directed at the writing style and pacing. Overall, reviewers recommend it for fans of mystery and psychological thrillers, with many completing it in one sitting due to its captivating nature.
