DOA Detective Files: Trouble at the Taj

by Sonja Chandrachud

‘Natural or supernatural
No mystery is out of this world for us . . .’
Travel back in time with the DOA gang as they solve out-of-this-world mysteries using their wits, will and Tuk Tuk, their auto rickshaw with attitude, which also happens to be a time machine!

DOA Case File 1
Agra, India, 1636: There’s some serious trouble at the Taj!

Chief architect of the Taj Mahal, Ustad Ahmed Lahauri, has been kidnapped, leaving work on the construction unfinished. Emperor Shah Jahan now has to find a new architect for his dream project. But the ghost of his dead empress, Mumtaz Mahal, is determined to not let any other architect work on her mausoleum. She summons the DOA detectives and commands them to find the missing architect before it’s too late and she’s saddled with a hideous tomb for eternity.

Soon the detectives discover that there is much more to the Ustad’s disappearance than a mere kidnapping. There is a traitor in the imperial court who will stop at nothing till he fulfils his evil designs! Who could it be? Will the detectives be able to stop his wicked plans? Will they be able to ensure that the magnificent Taj Mahal gets built?

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Popularly known as the ‘Indian Rowling’. Sonja has lived in Africa, USA and now in India, her critically acclaimed books are filled with intriguing mysteries and fantastical tales that are inspired by her international travels and backed by extensive research. Her two bestselling series, both with Penguin India, engage and educate the reader about ancient cultures and history by cleverly mixing fact with fiction. Pearls of Wisdom (Hilarious Hauntings Adventures) was long listed for the Vodafone Crossword Award while DOA Detective Files – Trouble at the Taj was listed on the YA bestseller list.
She remains a committed mother, a die-hard advertising professional, a reluctant columnist, a closet historian and a wishful Indiana Jones who is very passionate about children’s literature. She has been named as one of Femina’s Power Women for making Indian children’s literature hugely popular amongst young adults.

Reviews

[Suparna Dey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expected much from this book,but it was better than what I thought.The storyline at the beginning was boring and irritating but as you step in the book the story begin to take pace.The historical details is apt.The building of mystery is good.The language is fun and easy read but I didn't liked the Hindi words appearing here and there without any reasons.At some places it was good to read but too much use of the line " ek dum" is annoying.Altogether the book was a fun read.Though it's mentioned for 9+ but I think below 13 shouldn't read a story based on Mughal's so much blood thirst.It's good for mystery lover teenagers.