Almost Surely Dead

By: Amina Akhtar, Mindy Kaling - introduction

Narrated by: Kelsey Jaffer, full cast

“Amina Akhtar’s Almost Surely Dead is a witty, fresh psychological thriller that’s part stalker thriller, part ghost story. This book took turns I never saw coming. I was up all night, tearing through the pages as the mysterious pieces came together, leading to an explosive conclusion.”—Mindy Kaling

A psychological thriller with a twist, Almost Surely Dead is a chilling account of how one woman’s life spins out of control after a terrifying—and seemingly random—attempt on her life.

Dunia Ahmed lives an ordinary life—or she definitely used to. Now she’s the subject of a true crime podcast. She’s been missing for over a year, and no one knows if she’s dead or alive. But her story has listeners obsessed, and people everywhere are sporting merch that demands “Find Dunia!”

In the days before her disappearance, Dunia is a successful pharmacist living in New York. The daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she’s coping with a broken engagement and the death of her mother. But then something happens that really shakes up her world: someone tries to murder her.

When her would-be killer winds up dead, Dunia figures the worst is over. But then there’s another attempt on her life…and another. And police suspect someone close to her may be the culprit. Dunia struggles to make sense of what’s happening. And as childhood superstitions seep into her reality, she becomes convinced that someone—or something—is truly after her.

Full Cast for Almost Surely Dead:

Dunia Ahmed: Kelsey Jaffer

Amanda Roberts: Whitney Dykhouse

Danielle McGuire: Amy McFadden

Detective Alvarez: Aida Reluzco

Kendra Wright: Jordan Cobb

David Anderson: Trevor Thompson

Nadia Chaudry: Soneela Nankani

Liz Small: Carly Robins

Zabir Mirza: Neil Shah

Directed by Jonathan Pennock

Engineered by Larry McKay

©2023 Amina Akhtar (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Kelsey Jaffer, accompanied by a full cast, takes listeners into Dunia's life before her disappearance.… Jaffer, who voices Dunia, is a standout primary narrator. The talented supporting cast engagingly performs the book's podcast sections and maintains tension throughout. A suspenseful psychological thriller, steeped in Pakistani folklore.” —Library Journal

“Akhtar’s novel has one foot set firmly in folklore and the other in fast-paced action as Dunia questions whom she can trust and what she will have to do to survive. Though the suspense is real, Akhtar deftly weaves in levity with the campiness of the podcast, and the earnestness of Dunia’s voice keeps the reader rooting for her to outrun her demons. A nimble and eerie thriller.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Amina Akhtar delivers a surprising and suspenseful ride. This is a winner.” —Publishers Weekly

Interesting

Very unique story. I loved learning all the about the folklore and the culture. Most of the story was very intriguing. The ending let me down. I was expecting so much more.

I loved this book!

It was fully developed and took you on a true journey. I would like a Part 2 but, this ending was still great.

Amazing and totally different than anything I have read!

So well written , draws you in . The details are fantastic, like how the podcasters mispronounce the main character’s name every single time .

Interesting plot

I love how it went back to her childhood and the present time including her in a podcast very interesting but the ending was cut short for me

Great story

Totally enjoyed this story with it's many twists and turns... Narrator was great! Very entertaining!!

Interesting djinn story

This book is about a Pakastani-American woman in her mid-30's who works as a Pharmacist in NYC.
The story jumps back and forth in time from present-day (where we find out Dunia has been missing for a year and a half), recent past (leading up to her disappearance), and when Dunia was 5 years old. Present-day chapters are told through a very unsympathetic podcast including interviews with her friends and family. Dunia herself is the narrator for the chapters where a stranger tries to murder her, then kills himself. Meanwhile her best friend introduces her to a new friend, and an in-law of her sister's reconnects with her, and her ex-fiance is stalking her. The sections where Dunia is 5 years old were my favorite - packed with folklore of djinns, Pakastani superstitions and religious beliefs. Dunia has a tough childhood, being ostracized by her community and mostly raised by a white neighbor.
For me, the book was just the right amount of supernatural, suspense, friendship and romance. It was also educational to me and piqued an interest in reading more about South Asian folklore.
As for the reviews for this, and the author's other works, that point out the 'anti-white' sentiment: I'm white and wasn't offended- everyone's entitled to their perspective- but there is one point where a white woman hits someone and Dunia's black friend says "we'd be in jail if we did that". However, her neighbor Carol was better to 5-year-old Dunia than her own family was which somewhat balances the negative portrayal of other white characters.

Well told

The narration was perfection. This is a wonderfully creepy mystery that keeps you guessing. I practically listened to it non-stop to see what would happen next. I have not yet been disappointed by a South Asian author. Such stories are some of my favorites.

Great twist-good listen

I like the format of this book, the jumps between the past and present, I found easy to understand … the podcast break-ins others didn’t care for I felt fit correctly. What did drive me crazy was the use of “anyways” used by every character, and not just a faux pas of one individual character. I don’t know if it was written like this, or if it was the narrator. Great storyline and a neat twist.

a fun jaunt

I enjoyed this book greatly. my only issue was with thre voice actor for David, just didnt feel quite right, but ultimately didn't detract from my enjoyment

Easy to follow I

I like that it was easy to follow and the voice was and it made it feel like I was there.