Into The Forest : The enigmatic case of Tambal
Mayari, a determined detective, reopens a long-cold murder case involving Joan Lua, a young woman whose death in 1999 has remained a haunting enigma.
The prime suspect, James Hernandez, Joan's boyfriend, had been acquitted due to a solid alibi captured by the university's CCTV cameras. Yet, Mayari's instincts tell her that something is amiss, and she begins her quest for answers.
As Mayari delves into the case, she uncovers a tangle of secrets and strange events. John del Cruz, Joan's taxi driver on that fateful night, insists he is innocent and that Joan had left his taxi at a 24-hour diner. A waitress corroborates his story, casting doubt on James's guilt.
However, the real revelation comes from James Lua, Joan's grief-stricken brother. He reveals a shocking childhood encounter with a forest-dwelling creature called a Tambal, which he believes replaced Joan in a sinister ritual. With the help of an ancient protection necklace, the Anting Anting, James concocts a plan to trap the Tambal and avenge his sister's death.
Mayari is drawn deeper into this mystical world, as she witnesses the ritual and the dangerous forces it unleashes. James Lua vanishes mysteriously, leaving Mayari to follow a trail of clues and confront the truth behind Joan's murder.
The novel takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with twists and turns as Mayari forms an unexpected alliance with James's medium girlfriend and delves into the heart of the enchanted forest. There, they encounter the Tambal and its eerie powers, revealing a truth far more bizarre and perilous than anyone could have imagined.
In a climactic confrontation, Mayari unravels the shocking reason behind Joan's murder and exposes the true culprit. The aftermath of this revelation shakes the lives of all involved, including Mayari herself, as she grapples with the mysteries of the human heart and the darkness that can lurk within.
"Whispers of the Tambal" is a spellbinding tale of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds. It's a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, ultimately leaving them with a sense of closure and resolution.