Book Review: ‘Relics of Love’ by Kashif Mashaikh

Book Title: Relics of Love
Author: Kashif Mashaikh
Publisher: Westland
Number of Pages: 250
ISBN: 9379852517
Date Published: Jul. 31, 2026

Book Review

“Relics of Love” is a 2026 dark fiction novel written by Kashif Mashaikh and published by Westland Books. The book tells the story of Kareem Khan, a thirty-eight-year-old former secret agent struggling with severe mental health issues after leaving his job. Haunted by his wife Nahid, who died by suicide seven months earlier, Kareem must embark on a surreal journey to find and destroy seven physical items, or “relics,” that connect her spirit to this world.

The book uses a narrative style that ‘switches between the tense present and various moments from the past’. Through these memory shifts, readers learn about Kareem’s past military counter-sniper missions in the Northeast, his difficult marriage, and the deep guilt he carries. Instead of being a simple ghost story, the book behaves more like a dark look into the mind of a broken man. It shows how real-world trauma, loneliness, and a failing relationship can physically and mentally tear someone apart.

To guide him through this dark trial, Kareem seeks the help of Baba Sen, a spiritual guide known as the “keeper of spirits”. As Kareem tracks down each of the seven relics—including a wilted flower, a wristwatch, and a wedding ring—the tasks become increasingly dangerous and painful, even leading to extreme self-harm. Mashaikh’s writing is ‘highly intense, utilising strong, gritty imagery’ to show Kareem’s loss of control and descending sanity. The author does not shy away from the unpleasant details of physical and emotional pain, making the story feel raw and heavy.

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Overall, this novel is a unique mix of a psychological thriller and a supernatural horror story. It suggests that ‘true horror is often found in our everyday feelings, regrets, and the memories we cannot escape’. While the dark themes and painful self-destruction might be too intense for some, readers who enjoy deep, moody, and character-driven thrillers will likely find it to be a powerful read. It serves as a sad but gripping look at how hard it can be to move on from the past.

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