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The Secret of the Star Sapphire
A middle-grade mystery that blends myth and history in a gripping treasure hunt, as three friends follow a trail of clues through Mumbai to uncover a legendary blue gemstone.
A priceless blue sapphire.
A puzzling riddle.
A city hiding centuries of secrets.
For over two thousand years, a rare blue sapphire known as the Star of India has passed quietly through history—hidden in legends, buried in battles, and guarded by those who understood its power. Its trail winds through epics and through moments of history: Ravana’s Lanka, Alexander’s march across the Jhelum, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s stand at the Sahyadri, the rise of Bombay under British rule, and a daring museum heist that shocked the world.
In present-day Mumbai, three heroes—Neel, a curious history lover; Nahid, fearless and sharp-witted; and Anosh, brilliant and observant—uncover a mysterious clue during a break-in at the Asiatic Society Library. What begins as a puzzle soon turns into a thrilling chase across the city—through forgotten tunnels, bustling markets, historic fountains, and centuries-old monuments. Their search reveals a forgotten story from 1871 Bombay involving the sapphire and a six-year-old boy named Rudyard Kipling.
As the trio race to discover the secret, they find that there are others on the trail of the sapphire, and some secrets are just too dangerous to uncover.
Peppered with intriguing riddles and exciting clues, The Secret of the Star Sapphire is a richly layered adventure perfect for readers who love non-stop action and stories of staunch friendships in the face of danger.
A priceless blue sapphire.
A puzzling riddle.
A city hiding centuries of secrets.
For over two thousand years, a rare blue sapphire known as the Star of India has passed quietly through history—hidden in legends, buried in battles, and guarded by those who understood its power. Its trail winds through epics and through moments of history: Ravana’s Lanka, Alexander’s march across the Jhelum, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s stand at the Sahyadri, the rise of Bombay under British rule, and a daring museum heist that shocked the world.
In present-day Mumbai, three heroes—Neel, a curious history lover; Nahid, fearless and sharp-witted; and Anosh, brilliant and observant—uncover a mysterious clue during a break-in at the Asiatic Society Library. What begins as a puzzle soon turns into a thrilling chase across the city—through forgotten tunnels, bustling markets, historic fountains, and centuries-old monuments. Their search reveals a forgotten story from 1871 Bombay involving the sapphire and a six-year-old boy named Rudyard Kipling.
As the trio race to discover the secret, they find that there are others on the trail of the sapphire, and some secrets are just too dangerous to uncover.
Peppered with intriguing riddles and exciting clues, The Secret of the Star Sapphire is a richly layered adventure perfect for readers who love non-stop action and stories of staunch friendships in the face of danger.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2026
About the author
Monika Bhatkhande
3 books2 followersI love writing adventure stories for middle-graders. I have
authored and illustrated two books: ‘In the Woof of Time’ (longlisted for the TOI
AUTHER Awards Season 5) and ‘At the Quack of Dawn’ (longlisted for the Binod
Kanoria Children’s Book Awards 2025). My latest book, 'The Secret of the Star Sapphire' was launched in February 2026.
I am a founding member of Resolve Biotech Pvt Ltd. Before becoming a full-
time author, I served as CEO of Ariston Capital Services Pvt Ltd, where I
calmly (!) ran day-to-day operations, a phase I have since recovered from.
I have worked across the European Union and India in communications,
assisting in public affairs campaigns for healthcare giants in Brussels, and handling
PR strategies and investor relations for MNCs in India.
These days, when I'm not reading, writing, sketching or talking aloud to made-up
characters, I can be found debating over books, the miseries of toe-stubbing
(I'm very clumsy) and other profound topics with children, who remain my
staunchest allies and most honest critics.
authored and illustrated two books: ‘In the Woof of Time’ (longlisted for the TOI
AUTHER Awards Season 5) and ‘At the Quack of Dawn’ (longlisted for the Binod
Kanoria Children’s Book Awards 2025). My latest book, 'The Secret of the Star Sapphire' was launched in February 2026.
I am a founding member of Resolve Biotech Pvt Ltd. Before becoming a full-
time author, I served as CEO of Ariston Capital Services Pvt Ltd, where I
calmly (!) ran day-to-day operations, a phase I have since recovered from.
I have worked across the European Union and India in communications,
assisting in public affairs campaigns for healthcare giants in Brussels, and handling
PR strategies and investor relations for MNCs in India.
These days, when I'm not reading, writing, sketching or talking aloud to made-up
characters, I can be found debating over books, the miseries of toe-stubbing
(I'm very clumsy) and other profound topics with children, who remain my
staunchest allies and most honest critics.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 15, 2026
What a super historical thriller. This book just sucks you in to the adventure, with historical details that transport the reader right into the middle of epic settings. Though kids would love the adventure, this is an excellent book for adults too. Get ready to see Mumbai and historic events you thought you knew in a completely new light.
March 18, 2026
Picked this up from my kids’ stockpile of new books, assuming it would be a young adult / children thriller. Intended to read a little, but kept going till I finished.
It is not just a children mystery book. It is historical fiction. The best kind. Where you often read a snippet and wonder - is this a fact? Or potentially a fact? Or complete fiction? My google search history is filled with stuff like “Is there a connection between Bhau Daji Lad and Rudyard Kipling”, “Did Mark Twain actually visit India in late 19th century”, etc etc (trying to keep spoiler free!).
Highly recommended for kids and adults alike. Especially those interested in the history and geography of Mumbai!
It is not just a children mystery book. It is historical fiction. The best kind. Where you often read a snippet and wonder - is this a fact? Or potentially a fact? Or complete fiction? My google search history is filled with stuff like “Is there a connection between Bhau Daji Lad and Rudyard Kipling”, “Did Mark Twain actually visit India in late 19th century”, etc etc (trying to keep spoiler free!).
Highly recommended for kids and adults alike. Especially those interested in the history and geography of Mumbai!
April 9, 2026
The Secret of the Star Sapphire by Monika Bhatkhande is such an exciting and immersive read that it instantly pulled me into its world of mystery, history, and adventure. From the very beginning, it felt like I was not just reading a story, but actually chasing clues alongside the characters.
What I really enjoyed is how beautifully the author blends mythology and real history. The idea of a legendary blue sapphire travelling through time from ancient tales to colonial India , adds so much depth to the story. It made me curious, excited, and honestly, a little amazed at how seamlessly everything is connected. The references to places, events, and even figures like Rudyard Kipling made the story feel even more real and intriguing.
The trio- Neel, Nahid, and Anosh completely won my heart. Their friendship feels genuine, and each character brings something unique to the journey. I loved how they support each other while facing danger, solving riddles, and navigating through the chaos of Mumbai. Their bond adds warmth to the fast-paced plot.
The setting is another highlight for me. The way Mumbai is described, with its hidden tunnels, historic corners, and bustling life made everything so vivid. It felt like the city itself was a character, holding secrets and slowly revealing them.
What makes this book special is how it keeps you thinking. The riddles, the clues, the twists everything keeps you engaged without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s thrilling, but also thoughtful.
For me, this book was not just about finding a gemstone, but about curiosity, courage, and the joy of discovering stories hidden in the past. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
A truly engaging and heartfelt adventure that I enjoyed from start to finish.
What I really enjoyed is how beautifully the author blends mythology and real history. The idea of a legendary blue sapphire travelling through time from ancient tales to colonial India , adds so much depth to the story. It made me curious, excited, and honestly, a little amazed at how seamlessly everything is connected. The references to places, events, and even figures like Rudyard Kipling made the story feel even more real and intriguing.
The trio- Neel, Nahid, and Anosh completely won my heart. Their friendship feels genuine, and each character brings something unique to the journey. I loved how they support each other while facing danger, solving riddles, and navigating through the chaos of Mumbai. Their bond adds warmth to the fast-paced plot.
The setting is another highlight for me. The way Mumbai is described, with its hidden tunnels, historic corners, and bustling life made everything so vivid. It felt like the city itself was a character, holding secrets and slowly revealing them.
What makes this book special is how it keeps you thinking. The riddles, the clues, the twists everything keeps you engaged without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s thrilling, but also thoughtful.
For me, this book was not just about finding a gemstone, but about curiosity, courage, and the joy of discovering stories hidden in the past. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
A truly engaging and heartfelt adventure that I enjoyed from start to finish.
April 28, 2026
The Secret of the Star Sapphire:
I just finished a really good book. And I had one immediate thought—why didn’t we have books like this growing up? History might have actually been fun instead of feeling like a chore. Because this? This is how you learn without even realizing you’re learning.
The story is a proper adventure. A group of kids. A treasure hunt. Clues, puzzles, and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages without checking the time. It moves fast, but never feels rushed. And somehow, history slips in so naturally that you don’t stop to think, “Oh, I’m learning something.” You just are.
And then there’s this one small moment I loved. A child mimicking an owl’s call at night—using their own voice. Simple, right? But the way it’s written? So clever. So charming. It really stayed with me.
Honestly, if you’re looking for something light, engaging, and quietly smart, I’d say give this a try. It’s the kind of book you pick up for the story and end up loving for everything else too.
𝑰𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏.
~𝑹𝒖𝒅𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈
I just finished a really good book. And I had one immediate thought—why didn’t we have books like this growing up? History might have actually been fun instead of feeling like a chore. Because this? This is how you learn without even realizing you’re learning.
The story is a proper adventure. A group of kids. A treasure hunt. Clues, puzzles, and just enough mystery to keep you turning pages without checking the time. It moves fast, but never feels rushed. And somehow, history slips in so naturally that you don’t stop to think, “Oh, I’m learning something.” You just are.
And then there’s this one small moment I loved. A child mimicking an owl’s call at night—using their own voice. Simple, right? But the way it’s written? So clever. So charming. It really stayed with me.
Honestly, if you’re looking for something light, engaging, and quietly smart, I’d say give this a try. It’s the kind of book you pick up for the story and end up loving for everything else too.
𝑰𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏.
~𝑹𝒖𝒅𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈
April 28, 2026
History that doesn’t feel like homework: Weaves Ravana, Alexander, Shivaji, and British Bombay into a fast mystery. Kids learn while solving riddles.
Mumbai as a character: The city’s lanes, libraries, and monuments drive the plot. Great for kids who know Mumbai or want to.
Strong trio: Neel the history buff, Nahid the brave one, Anosh the observant kid in a wheelchair. Good representation and real friendship. Riddles and clues keep it moving. Short chapters make it easy to read. A smart, pacy Indian adventure that makes history feel like a treasure hunt. Educational without being preachy, and full of Mumbai’s charm.
March 18, 2026
I bought this because my kid really loved the author's earlier books "In the Woof of Time" and "At the Quack of Dawn".
As someone who grew up in Mumbai, it's refreshing to see a children's book with the city's history and landmarks as the backdrop.
My child really got into this book mystery and kept wanting to read “just one more page” at bedtime to see where the next clue would lead.
Highly recommended!
As someone who grew up in Mumbai, it's refreshing to see a children's book with the city's history and landmarks as the backdrop.
My child really got into this book mystery and kept wanting to read “just one more page” at bedtime to see where the next clue would lead.
Highly recommended!
March 28, 2026
A brilliantly researched book that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I never imagined old Bombay held so many secrets and mysteries. I simply couldn’t put it down. How the story connects past events to what’s happening in the present was even more fascinating. Though its meant for young readers ,adults also will equally enjoy the thrilling experience .
March 18, 2026
Bought it for the kids.. but ended up reading it before them! Made me take a double take at the city I’ve been living in all my life…. Very well written book for young adults..
March 19, 2026
My daughter absolutely loved this book. the Secret Of the Star Sapphire is a great addition to the previous 2 books from the same author “In the Woof of time” and “At the quack of dawn”
September 10, 2026
Rating 4.5 stars
May 7, 2026
Growing up, I spent my nights wishing I was part of the Famous Five or The Secret Seven. Reading this book felt exactly like stepping right back into that childhood magic.
The story follows three clever friends, Neel, Nahid, and Anosh, on a high stakes scavenger hunt across Mumbai to find a priceless, ancient blue sapphire. Their adventure takes them through hidden tunnels and colonial monuments as they decode riddles connecting the modern world to ancient history.
The transition between past and present completely hooked me. I absolutely loved how the author brought the kids closer to history through this adventure. It is an incredibly fun, mysterious read that works perfectly for both kids and adults.
The story follows three clever friends, Neel, Nahid, and Anosh, on a high stakes scavenger hunt across Mumbai to find a priceless, ancient blue sapphire. Their adventure takes them through hidden tunnels and colonial monuments as they decode riddles connecting the modern world to ancient history.
The transition between past and present completely hooked me. I absolutely loved how the author brought the kids closer to history through this adventure. It is an incredibly fun, mysterious read that works perfectly for both kids and adults.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews