'Tunnel Number 33', by debutant author and senior journalist Vikrant Parmar, is a haunting and atmospheric novel that blends mystery, memory and the supernatural against the evocative backdrop of the Shimla-Kalka railway line.

From its very first pages, the novel establishes a sense of unease that lingers long after the story ends - not through overt horror, but through a slow, immersive unravelling of the past.

At the heart of the story are two compelling characters: Mahadev Singh, a legendary railway driver rumoured to have a mysterious purpose tied to the dead, and Rudra Pratap, an aspiring writer searching for meaning after a stalled journalism career.

Their chance meeting sets the tone for a narrative where reality and the supernatural begin to blur. What follows is not just a story of ghosts, but one of memory, guilt and unfinished business.

The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the novel's impact. The Shimla-Kalka railway track - with its historic tunnels, particularly the enigmatic Tunnel Number 33 - becomes almost a character in itself.

Parmar's writing vividly captures the cold, damp atmosphere of the hills, where dusk and night seem to merge, and the past feels ever-present. The descriptions are rich and sensory, creating an immersive experience that pulls the reader deep into the narrative's eerie world.

What sets this novel apart is its restraint. Rather than relying on jump scares or conventional horror tropes, Parmar crafts a story that evokes empathy for 'restless spirits'. The supernatural elements are subtle yet powerful, leaving readers questioning as to what is real and what is imagined.