Nipper’s Ghost and the Black Cat

Step into the riotous, rambunctious world of Nipper’s Ghost and the Black Cat—a wildly original coming-of-age novel brimming with unforgettable characters, mischievous adventures, and a touch of the supernatural.

Meet Bella, a spirited, sharp-tongued schoolgirl with a penchant for peanuts, sarcasm, and rebellion. Alongside her indomitable best friend Bazooka, her prank-loving brother Norman, and an array of eccentric academics and mysterious strangers, Bella navigates the chaos of growing up in a small Indian hill town in the 1960s. But as memories of school crushes, dorm room dramas, and outrageous parties swirl in her mind, an eerie presence begins to shadow her in old age—a ghostly boy with contempt in his eyes and a black cat that seems to know too much.

Told with a wicked sense of humour and unfiltered honesty, this novel swings between past and present, gaiety and haunting. Dr Shama Shukla masterfully blends satire, nostalgia, and magical realism into a kaleidoscopic narrative that is at once outrageous and deeply human.

Nipper’s Ghost and the Black Cat is a bold, bawdy celebration of youth, friendship, and the strange spectres—both real and imagined—that never quite leave us. Perfect for readers who love a quirky, heartfelt tale with a supernatural twist. About the Author

Dr Shama Shukla holds a PhD in Education Master’s degrees in English and Education. Raised in a family of renowned academicians, she developed an early love for literature. Her poems have been published in leading journals and praised by writers and scholars of repute. A free spirit at heart, she views life as a vibrant kaleidoscope of human emotion. Inspired by music, travel, and the richness of everyday encounters, she finds joy in writing and storytelling. When not creating with words, she enjoys nurturing her garden, where nature offers quiet moments of reflection and renewal.