DIRE ISLE

An archaeological expedition is excavating in the heart of Bundelkhand, a place rich in history and legend. The abrasive lady who runs the expedition, Mrs. Markaan, is disliked by every member of her team. When she defies and defiles the myth of Naaz Tapu, the fallout is swift and deadly.

Investigating her disappearance, Harith Athreya, an investigator with a vivid imagination, finds her body on the island. Her skull has been crushed by a large mace-like weapon and her body bears deep fang and claw wounds, presumably inflicted by a huge dog. Before Mrs. Markaan's disappearance, Athreya had been hearing about a spate of thefts from museums and archaeological missions across the country. Precious antiques have been disappearing for over two years, and the thieves have been getting away every time. As Athreya begins investigating along with Inspector Bhupinder, he reaps a rich harvest of evidence and motives anonymous letters that accuse Mrs. Markaan, financial misappropriation at the expedition, Mrs Markaan's habit of stealing her juniors' work and publishing it as her own, as well as suspicious activities by the people involved in the expedition. Athreya discovers that few of the archaeologists are what they seem to be. Athreya begins his dramatic dénouement by unmasking some of the archaeologists and bringing to light the multiple smaller crimes at play. And when he finally confronts Mrs Markaan's killer with the evidence gathered during the trap, he has to be fully prepared for a violent retaliation. Coming to his aid, very aptly, is a huge, ferocious Great Dane. RV Raman is the author of the Inspector Ranade and Inspector Dhruvi thrillers, published in India, which are loosely based on his corporate career spanning three decades and four continents. The first in the Harith Athreya series, A Will to Kill, was published by Agora Books in October 2020. In addition to writing, he teaches business strategy at the Indian Institute of Management. Find him at www.rvraman.com and on Twitter @RVRaman_