Unlocking the Mystery: Grade 8 Explores Fiction Writing with Mallika Ravikumar

On December 22nd, 2025, fifty students from Grade 8 (MYP 3) stepped into the shoes of professional authors during an immersive workshop titled "The Art of Writing Mystery Fiction." The session was facilitated by the renowned lawyer-turned-writer Ms. Mallika Ravikumar, whose celebrated works include The Vanishing Gods, The Case of Missing Turtles, and The Case of Mysterious Witches.

Decoding the Genre Ms. Ravikumar began the session by drawing on her own publishing journey with Penguin, Hachette, and Karadi Tales. She guided the students through the essential elements of the mystery genre, covering everything from imagining a gripping prompt to the rigorous research required for authentic world-building. The interactive discussion broke down the mechanics of fiction, focusing on how to craft detailed character sketches and construct tight, suspenseful plot lines.

From Concept to Prototype Moving from theory to practice, the workshop transitioned into a hands-on collaborative activity. Students worked in groups to apply their newfound knowledge, responding to writing prompts and developing their own narratives. By the end of the two-hour session, each group had successfully created a writing prototype—a solid foundation ready to be developed into a full-fledged mystery novel.