What do you think?
Rate this book
Crossmatch
Winner of the Gratiaen Prize 2020
Winner of State Literary Award for best English novel 2021
Crossmatch is a novel set in Colombo's medical world.
When a poor boy succumbs to his injuries in the ICU of a busy hospital, no one considers it anything but the result of a tragic accident. No one, that is, but Lotus, an introverted daydreamer who is drifting into a career in medicine more by parental choice than her own. As a chance witness to his final moments, she is determined to find what happened to him and embarks on a trail that leads her through the hospitals, slums and mansions of Colombo, juggling all this with her gritty life as a medical student. In the process, she is confronted with some surprising truths about herself and uncovers dark secrets behind the apparently respectable façade of the medical establishment.
Winner of State Literary Award for best English novel 2021
Crossmatch is a novel set in Colombo's medical world.
When a poor boy succumbs to his injuries in the ICU of a busy hospital, no one considers it anything but the result of a tragic accident. No one, that is, but Lotus, an introverted daydreamer who is drifting into a career in medicine more by parental choice than her own. As a chance witness to his final moments, she is determined to find what happened to him and embarks on a trail that leads her through the hospitals, slums and mansions of Colombo, juggling all this with her gritty life as a medical student. In the process, she is confronted with some surprising truths about herself and uncovers dark secrets behind the apparently respectable façade of the medical establishment.
264 pages, Paperback
Published December 25, 2020
3 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 29, 2021
An interesting commentary of society coupled with a mystery story. This is not a page turning who done it nor a suspense novel rather the mystery becomes a background to a larger tale.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the life of a medical student which were vivid and felt authentic. However, I did not make any emotional connection with the protagonist Lotus who is a dispassionate recorder of events around her and actually becomes an emotionally active participant only in the very last few pages. I also felt she was rather naive which was a bit frustrating at times - I hate it when I can figure out where something is going but the protagonist cannot!
I guess I am used to reading mystery stories which feature a duo/partnership and more humour and conversation...
I enjoyed the descriptions of the life of a medical student which were vivid and felt authentic. However, I did not make any emotional connection with the protagonist Lotus who is a dispassionate recorder of events around her and actually becomes an emotionally active participant only in the very last few pages. I also felt she was rather naive which was a bit frustrating at times - I hate it when I can figure out where something is going but the protagonist cannot!
I guess I am used to reading mystery stories which feature a duo/partnership and more humour and conversation...
September 10, 2022
great plot with genuinely fascinating medical anecdotes. the only bit that threw me was the part about the Sri Lankan police actually investigating a claim against wealthy, influential people. can't imagine that happening in reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2022
Initial pages was a narrative of typical Sri Lankan society upper and lower strata. It picks up no sooner, and gets complicated and interesting. Enjoyed the work of a Sri Lankan author.
April 14, 2022
I'm surprisingly impressed by this book. Just when I was thinking this book may have gotten the flow off, I corrected myself as I turned the last page. Excellent!
Lotus is a medical student at the Colombo hospital. She's the main character of this book & she attends classes at the hospital where we meet colourful characters who intrigue & entertain us. I actually felt like a companion to Lotus & those hospital ward scenes & lecture scenes were quite enjoyable & funny.
Then a boy, Anil gets admitted to hospital and later, he dies. What seemed to be a clear cut road accident case, has some sinister traits to it. Which perks the interest of Lotus de Silva. Our protagonist.
Plenty of details in the case files raise suspicion and Lotus decides to pursue the truth. Did Anil actually die of an accident? What connection does Anil's friend Manoj & his murder have to this case? Who is the tattooed man with a pony tail in the bike?
The book starts out as a mystery solving plot. Lotus at the heart of figuring it out. She's a medical student right? Not an investigator. So she does her search for truth like you or me would. Just follow the trail! Find the missing pieces to fit the puzzle. I felt I could do that. Points on relatability.
And as she does that, we find ourselves exposed to a tremendous illegal racket that's run underground under the façade of a medical institution. Finding out who's behind it pushes the plot further. Now at the point of knowing the 'truth', I actually felt a bit underwhelmed. The writer could've done a better job on the 'thrill' factor, I thought. The plot had no lack of captivating me but I felt it could've had more punches.
But I did change my mind quite quickly. I think the writer did a fantastic job in the end. What blew my mind as a reveal was not the 'racket' or who was behind it. It was actually Lotus de Silva's story. Who she is & her history. The murder mystery was actually a narrative to get to 'her' truth. And that I thought was brilliantly woven.
I must commend Carmel Miranda. A Doctor turned writer. Well done! I can't wait for your second book as your biggest fan.
Lotus is a medical student at the Colombo hospital. She's the main character of this book & she attends classes at the hospital where we meet colourful characters who intrigue & entertain us. I actually felt like a companion to Lotus & those hospital ward scenes & lecture scenes were quite enjoyable & funny.
Then a boy, Anil gets admitted to hospital and later, he dies. What seemed to be a clear cut road accident case, has some sinister traits to it. Which perks the interest of Lotus de Silva. Our protagonist.
Plenty of details in the case files raise suspicion and Lotus decides to pursue the truth. Did Anil actually die of an accident? What connection does Anil's friend Manoj & his murder have to this case? Who is the tattooed man with a pony tail in the bike?
The book starts out as a mystery solving plot. Lotus at the heart of figuring it out. She's a medical student right? Not an investigator. So she does her search for truth like you or me would. Just follow the trail! Find the missing pieces to fit the puzzle. I felt I could do that. Points on relatability.
And as she does that, we find ourselves exposed to a tremendous illegal racket that's run underground under the façade of a medical institution. Finding out who's behind it pushes the plot further. Now at the point of knowing the 'truth', I actually felt a bit underwhelmed. The writer could've done a better job on the 'thrill' factor, I thought. The plot had no lack of captivating me but I felt it could've had more punches.
But I did change my mind quite quickly. I think the writer did a fantastic job in the end. What blew my mind as a reveal was not the 'racket' or who was behind it. It was actually Lotus de Silva's story. Who she is & her history. The murder mystery was actually a narrative to get to 'her' truth. And that I thought was brilliantly woven.
I must commend Carmel Miranda. A Doctor turned writer. Well done! I can't wait for your second book as your biggest fan.
January 1, 2022
Crossmatch by Carmel Miranda (author is a practising Doctor) is fictional medical thriller set in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Single POV story narrated by “Lotus” keeps the reader engaged and involved through its candid reflections of life events of a medical student in Colombo. Wonderful thriller heavy but understandable medical terminologies used to weave a great suspense story. Written in such an interesting style, twisting plot, vivid descriptions of backgrounds and people, touching the lives of the rich residing at Cinnamon Gardens and the struggles of folks in the slums of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Lotus” leading character of this story embarks on a journey in a quest for justice and putting the system right. Author had done splendidly well in describing and moulding the characters which kept the reader interested and enthralled in the book.
October 2, 2022
This definitely felt like a book written by someone who knows their medical jargon through and through, as opposed to someone who cramped in whatever research they could get their hands on. I think this is what made the medical aspect of things so interesting to read (and also super gross to read at times, but in a good way XD).
I loved the setting, especially the moments that played out in the government hospital and the slums. That being said, I feel like the characters and plot could've been developed further. The protagonist's innocence seems to come at the expense of an unpredictable storyline; her inability to read in between the lines meant that I as a reader knew what was coming long before she did.
I loved the setting, especially the moments that played out in the government hospital and the slums. That being said, I feel like the characters and plot could've been developed further. The protagonist's innocence seems to come at the expense of an unpredictable storyline; her inability to read in between the lines meant that I as a reader knew what was coming long before she did.
December 18, 2023
I love a good medical drama, and this book didn't disappoint. It provides some interesting insights into the ethics of organ donation in return for financial rewards and how this could potentially be handled in societies with high levels of inequality.
May 27, 2021
Gem from the pearl of the Indian Ocean
Surprisingly a great read from an unknown author. Very well written and looking forward to her next book. Rare gem
Surprisingly a great read from an unknown author. Very well written and looking forward to her next book. Rare gem
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews