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The Golden Monkey Mystery
A thrilling adventure set in the jungles of India from the Waterstones Children's Book Prize shortlisted author of Secrets of the Snakestone.
A lost monkey.
A cursed jewel.
A race through the jungle…
When Roma stumbles upon a rare golden monkey, she vows to return it to its hidden home in the Himalayas. But the path is riddled with ruthless bandits, prowling beasts, and the sinister power of the Snakestone – a jewel that stalks her dreams.
To make matters worse, Roma is forced to travel with Max and Arabella, two pampered children who seem more trouble than help. Only a mysterious map offers a chance of success – but with every step, pursuers of the Snakestone draw closer.
Can Roma unlock the map's secret before the jungle swallows them whole?
A lost monkey.
A cursed jewel.
A race through the jungle…
When Roma stumbles upon a rare golden monkey, she vows to return it to its hidden home in the Himalayas. But the path is riddled with ruthless bandits, prowling beasts, and the sinister power of the Snakestone – a jewel that stalks her dreams.
To make matters worse, Roma is forced to travel with Max and Arabella, two pampered children who seem more trouble than help. Only a mysterious map offers a chance of success – but with every step, pursuers of the Snakestone draw closer.
Can Roma unlock the map's secret before the jungle swallows them whole?
- GenresMiddle Grade
240 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Piu DasGupta
3 books13 followersPiu DasGupta is the author of dark, twisty, Gothic books of fiction for children, teens, and adults.
Her debut Middle Grade novel, SECRETS OF THE SNAKESTONE, is released on 14th March 2024 with Nosy Crow.
Piu lives in Paris, France, with her family and two cats.
Her debut Middle Grade novel, SECRETS OF THE SNAKESTONE, is released on 14th March 2024 with Nosy Crow.
Piu lives in Paris, France, with her family and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 20, 2026
The Golden Monkey Mystery is the second book in the Snakestone Cycle. It is another really fun, fast-paced adventure from author Piu DasGupta. I swallowed it whole like a ravenous King Cobra.
The first book, Secrets of the Snakestone, is set in Fin de Siècle Paris but here we are transported to the jungles of Bengal. The timeline is slightly before of Secrets of the Snakestone and there are many elements that cross over (I won’t say much about that for fear of spoilers)! Suffice to say the stories interlock but can be read and enjoyed in any order.
Roma Moreau is a brilliant, strong lead. She has bags of personality and makes things happen. With a dead mother and an absent father, life has been hard for Roma. However, she perseveres, finding the strength to unrelentingly pursue a career in medicine- forbidden to women at the time.
Roma is horrified when a rare golden monkey is taken from the jungle, bound for an exotic animal market. With help from some unlikely allies, she vows to return the monkey to its habitat. The only problem is, she has no idea where that is! The trafficking of the monkey becomes bound up with the movement of another stolen item: the cursed, but much-desired, Snakestone.
I love Piu DasGupta’s voice. Humour is never far from the surface, even in the most perilous moments. Her signature similes are totally charming: novel, often funny and adding to the overall appeal of the writing. Her child characters are spirited and independent.
As in the other Snakestone book, there are some serious points made amongst the adventures. Issues like patriarchal structures, European colonialism, early capitalism and its effects are all visible again in this book. And will make for excellent discussion points.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first. There’s lots of heart in the book and one standout heartfelt moment towards the end, which made me well up! I felt it ended a tiny bit abruptly- this just means I’m hoping another comes soon! It’s really worth reading the author’s notes and interview at the end as it further enriches the experience.
Can’t wait to read what the author writes next!
November 6, 2025
A twisty adventure simply bursting with ancient magic, mystery, and heart. Roma is a brilliant, feisty main character, and the jungle setting completely entangles you in its dark depths. I couldn't stop reading this book; I loved its vivid and original world-building and relentless, heart-pounding action. It's PERFECT for fans of gutsy quests and stunningly imagined worlds.
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January 23, 2026Highly anticipated adventure from the author of Secrets of the Snakestone, this mystery takes readers on an adventure through the jungles of India hot on the heels of a rare golden monkey and the sudden reappearance of the cursed Snakestone. The heroine Roma is fearless, with the perfect dose of snark to to amuse and inspire readers as she follows her duties as a would-be physician and her adventurous heart.
August 19, 2026
Great book - brilliant characters and an exhilarating plot.
If there was one thing I’d change, it would be the similes and metaphors. They come so think & fast, complete with bizarre references, that they distract from the plot.
The language could also do with a tune up - given that the protagonist is 13, a more complicated vocabulary would be welcome.
If there was one thing I’d change, it would be the similes and metaphors. They come so think & fast, complete with bizarre references, that they distract from the plot.
The language could also do with a tune up - given that the protagonist is 13, a more complicated vocabulary would be welcome.
April 25, 2026
Marvelous page turner 😁 such a beautiful and inspiring story, intriguing in every aspect. I got the book for my kids and ending up not putting it down until it was done ! You should write books for us elderly women 🙏🏻 thank you for an excellent read
May 29, 2026
What worked:
The plot becomes an adventure when Roma encounters a rare golden monkey. She makes it her mission to return it to its home, but there are many complications to her plan. It’s first captured by bandits, sold, stolen again, and Roma eventually ends up in the middle of the jungle. She reluctantly joins forces with a young boy, but she knows his cousin will be a hindrance. Arabella is a privileged, spoiled foreigner with no helpful skills, so she’ll only make the quest more difficult. It takes all of Roma’s self-control to hold her tongue, although Arabella’s whining and slowness make that challenging.
Roma’s dream is to enter medical school, but women in India are not permitted to attend them. Nevertheless, Roma won’t give up, and she thinks returning the rare golden monkey to its Himalayan home may change the minds of some people. She displays the medical knowledge she’s gained as she encounters different problems. She saves the life of a boy when a king cobra is ready to strike, but she shares how she would have treated a snake bite anyway. She needs to avoid detection from a light sleeper, and she knows an herb that promotes deeper sleep. Becoming a doctor is important to Roma, as she’s sure she’ll be able to save the lives of many Indian women.
The illustrations are clever, and they’re an integral part of the story. The most uncommon thing about them is that they show different scenes depending on how they’re viewed. One picture might display events relevant to the text on that page, but looking at it upside down shows something totally different. Roma notices the same thing, and several inverted illustrations provide clues toward completing the quest. These unique pictures add an innovative twist to the story.
What didn’t work as well:
Some readers may want a more developed adventure, as Roma quickly resolves any issues. The whole story takes place over the course of one day, so more serious complications or description may have been warranted.
The final verdict:
This quick adventure can be enjoyed by all middle-grader readers. Its fast pace is easy to follow, and the Indian jungle may be new to many young readers. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
The plot becomes an adventure when Roma encounters a rare golden monkey. She makes it her mission to return it to its home, but there are many complications to her plan. It’s first captured by bandits, sold, stolen again, and Roma eventually ends up in the middle of the jungle. She reluctantly joins forces with a young boy, but she knows his cousin will be a hindrance. Arabella is a privileged, spoiled foreigner with no helpful skills, so she’ll only make the quest more difficult. It takes all of Roma’s self-control to hold her tongue, although Arabella’s whining and slowness make that challenging.
Roma’s dream is to enter medical school, but women in India are not permitted to attend them. Nevertheless, Roma won’t give up, and she thinks returning the rare golden monkey to its Himalayan home may change the minds of some people. She displays the medical knowledge she’s gained as she encounters different problems. She saves the life of a boy when a king cobra is ready to strike, but she shares how she would have treated a snake bite anyway. She needs to avoid detection from a light sleeper, and she knows an herb that promotes deeper sleep. Becoming a doctor is important to Roma, as she’s sure she’ll be able to save the lives of many Indian women.
The illustrations are clever, and they’re an integral part of the story. The most uncommon thing about them is that they show different scenes depending on how they’re viewed. One picture might display events relevant to the text on that page, but looking at it upside down shows something totally different. Roma notices the same thing, and several inverted illustrations provide clues toward completing the quest. These unique pictures add an innovative twist to the story.
What didn’t work as well:
Some readers may want a more developed adventure, as Roma quickly resolves any issues. The whole story takes place over the course of one day, so more serious complications or description may have been warranted.
The final verdict:
This quick adventure can be enjoyed by all middle-grader readers. Its fast pace is easy to follow, and the Indian jungle may be new to many young readers. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
'The Golden Monkey Mystery' is a prequel to 'Secrets of the Snakestone' and traces the provenance of the Snakestone back to India and the original theft from the Brahmin Temple that triggered the curse.
Roma Moreau, like Zelie Dutta, has heterochromia (a hint at their relationship). She attends Miss Oliphant's School for Young Ladies in the Kalabon Forest in Bengal, and her greatest dream is to become a doctor to make sure that no more women die needlessly - like her own mother who died in childbirth. But women are not admitted to medical school and her father does not believe is is a suitable profession for women, anyway.
When Roma comes across a vanishingly rare golden leaf-eating monkey, she knows that it needs to be returned to its home in the Himalayas. But Roma faces numerous obstacles in her quest, like two English children, a troupe of thieves, a legendary bandit queen and of course the notorious Snakestone.
This book was full of fascinating historical details about the plants, wildlife and geography of India that create an incredibly rich and vivid sense of place. I particularly enjoyed the topsy-turvy optical illusions in the book - inspired by twelfth-century carvings and Victorian children's books. And I loved Roma's little cat friend Birala, who she can talk to and who accompanies her on her adventure.
'The Golden Monkey Mystery' is yet another classic children's adventure, with a feisty, feminist heroine, that's sure to keep young readers captivated.
We have used 'Secrets of the Snakestone' as our Year 7 transition read for the last two years, and the current group were privileged to have been given a sneak preview of the stunning cover design of 'The Golden Monkey Mystery' several months before it was published. It was eagerly borrowed as soon as it was available in the library and I've had rave reviews from several students.
Thanks to Piu DasGupta and Nosy Crow for the ARC.
Roma Moreau, like Zelie Dutta, has heterochromia (a hint at their relationship). She attends Miss Oliphant's School for Young Ladies in the Kalabon Forest in Bengal, and her greatest dream is to become a doctor to make sure that no more women die needlessly - like her own mother who died in childbirth. But women are not admitted to medical school and her father does not believe is is a suitable profession for women, anyway.
When Roma comes across a vanishingly rare golden leaf-eating monkey, she knows that it needs to be returned to its home in the Himalayas. But Roma faces numerous obstacles in her quest, like two English children, a troupe of thieves, a legendary bandit queen and of course the notorious Snakestone.
This book was full of fascinating historical details about the plants, wildlife and geography of India that create an incredibly rich and vivid sense of place. I particularly enjoyed the topsy-turvy optical illusions in the book - inspired by twelfth-century carvings and Victorian children's books. And I loved Roma's little cat friend Birala, who she can talk to and who accompanies her on her adventure.
'The Golden Monkey Mystery' is yet another classic children's adventure, with a feisty, feminist heroine, that's sure to keep young readers captivated.
We have used 'Secrets of the Snakestone' as our Year 7 transition read for the last two years, and the current group were privileged to have been given a sneak preview of the stunning cover design of 'The Golden Monkey Mystery' several months before it was published. It was eagerly borrowed as soon as it was available in the library and I've had rave reviews from several students.
Thanks to Piu DasGupta and Nosy Crow for the ARC.
July 21, 2026
*** ARC Review ***
This was a delightful middle grade adventure that combines excitement, humor, and meaningful themes in a wonderful way.
A girl determined to study medicine, a talking cat, and a kidnapped golden monkey might sound like an unusual combination, but it all comes together in a fast-paced adventure set in and around the Indian rainforest. The story is full of action, memorable characters, and just the right amount of magic to keep younger readers turning the pages.
I especially loved the protagonist. She's intelligent, determined, and refuses to let other people's expectations define her future. Beneath the adventure, the book explores an important question: Why are girls and women still treated differently from boys and men? It approaches this topic in an age-appropriate way without ever feeling preachy, encouraging readers to think while still enjoying the story.
Overall, this is an engaging and empowering middle grade novel with a strong female lead, an exciting adventure, and an important message. I would happily recommend it to young readers who enjoy stories filled with courage, friendship, and a little bit of magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a delightful middle grade adventure that combines excitement, humor, and meaningful themes in a wonderful way.
A girl determined to study medicine, a talking cat, and a kidnapped golden monkey might sound like an unusual combination, but it all comes together in a fast-paced adventure set in and around the Indian rainforest. The story is full of action, memorable characters, and just the right amount of magic to keep younger readers turning the pages.
I especially loved the protagonist. She's intelligent, determined, and refuses to let other people's expectations define her future. Beneath the adventure, the book explores an important question: Why are girls and women still treated differently from boys and men? It approaches this topic in an age-appropriate way without ever feeling preachy, encouraging readers to think while still enjoying the story.
Overall, this is an engaging and empowering middle grade novel with a strong female lead, an exciting adventure, and an important message. I would happily recommend it to young readers who enjoy stories filled with courage, friendship, and a little bit of magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
I really enjoyed this! I thought the story was thorough and detailed enough to keep me interested, and was well executed, not only on sentence level but also concerning wider context and social/cultural ideas. I would happily recommend this to children/parents/teachers.
The main characters are colourful and lovable, and Dasgupta has a very gentle and approachable way of communicating complexities - such as the tension between someone’s general personality and the historical/cultural context that shapes them and their behaviours. I will be recommending The Golden Monkey Mystery at work, and will perhaps read Dasgupta’s other novel too!
The main characters are colourful and lovable, and Dasgupta has a very gentle and approachable way of communicating complexities - such as the tension between someone’s general personality and the historical/cultural context that shapes them and their behaviours. I will be recommending The Golden Monkey Mystery at work, and will perhaps read Dasgupta’s other novel too!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Source: NetGalley
Pages: 240 Pages, paperback
Format: NetGalley Shelf App
Trigger Warnings: Suspense, Peril, Magic Curses, Mythology, Colonialism, Oppression
Rated: Middle Grade, Age 8-12
★★★★★ | 5 / 5
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow Inc., for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was an exceptionally well-written novel for youth! I was pleasantly surprised by the writing and how it captured the characters' personalities, the essence of the story, and the way the plot unfolded. The dialogue was exquisitely written, and I'm not sugar-coating it. Perhaps this was a rare treat in a novel, with the characters truly shining through their speech and actions.
From the prologue to the end of the story, I was in love. I really appreciate great writing, and I think this shines a light on what British-colonized India was like. Definitely a story for Grade 5+, as many around this age will want to learn more about that time period and have plenty of opportunity to use their research skills.
The other thing I loved was the artwork. It served the greater whole of the story and tied everything together beautifully, especially the way the opening chapter pages were presented.
A grand adventure to save a monkey, return a cursed jewel, deal with thieves and bandits, and find a place in the world is just part of what makes this story so wonderful. Highly recommended reading for both children and adults alike. I could not stop turning the pages.
Pages: 240 Pages, paperback
Format: NetGalley Shelf App
Trigger Warnings: Suspense, Peril, Magic Curses, Mythology, Colonialism, Oppression
Rated: Middle Grade, Age 8-12
★★★★★ | 5 / 5
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow Inc., for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was an exceptionally well-written novel for youth! I was pleasantly surprised by the writing and how it captured the characters' personalities, the essence of the story, and the way the plot unfolded. The dialogue was exquisitely written, and I'm not sugar-coating it. Perhaps this was a rare treat in a novel, with the characters truly shining through their speech and actions.
From the prologue to the end of the story, I was in love. I really appreciate great writing, and I think this shines a light on what British-colonized India was like. Definitely a story for Grade 5+, as many around this age will want to learn more about that time period and have plenty of opportunity to use their research skills.
The other thing I loved was the artwork. It served the greater whole of the story and tied everything together beautifully, especially the way the opening chapter pages were presented.
A grand adventure to save a monkey, return a cursed jewel, deal with thieves and bandits, and find a place in the world is just part of what makes this story so wonderful. Highly recommended reading for both children and adults alike. I could not stop turning the pages.
November 7, 2025
A daring and evocative jungle adventure involving three children, a mysterious monkey, and a sinister treasure, this story is set in the colonial era. And unlike most stories written in that time period, it does its native characters and culture due justice.
Enigmatic, engrossing and enjoyable, and with a satisfying baddie quotient, it is well worth checking out!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Enigmatic, engrossing and enjoyable, and with a satisfying baddie quotient, it is well worth checking out!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 30, 2026
A stunning page-turning adventure with captivating original world-building and a cast of memorable characters set in 1880’s India. Roma is a brilliant protagonist and her quest to save the golden monkey, to return a cursed jewel and to deal with bandits will delight readers. The writing is exquisite, full of humour, heart and imagination. The cover is gorgeous and the illustrations are beautifully woven with the narrative. Unputdownablel!
May 16, 2026
The book was a quick choice. It didn't have much... 'adventure' as I was hoping for. The ending was very rushed. And, throughout the book, they didn't really travel that much. (Except for the ending where they traveled half across the country in about on page) It was alright, but I would definitely be able to recommend better books.a
June 24, 2026
The Golden Monkey Mystery was a fun and engaging mystery adventure novel with many puzzles, twists, and plenty of mystery elements. It was interesting to see how things fell into place and to try and solve all the mysteries myself before the characters do. It was fast-paced and engaging, making it an entertaining book all the way through.
January 21, 2026
A fast-paced and thrilling adventure set in 1880s India. Filled to the brim with exciting characters, wonderful wordplay and an engaging subtext.
Top Notch!
Thank-you to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Top Notch!
Thank-you to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews