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Harith Athreya #2
Grave Intentions
SECRETS
Seasoned detective Harith Athreya is back, this time to investigate suspicious incidences on a riverside dig in the heart of remote Bundelkhand.
SUPERSTITION
In this place, rich in myth and history, the legend goes that anyone who sets foot on nearby island Naaz Tapu would be cursed forever.
SLAUGHTER
When an archaeologist defies local folklore, the fallout is swift and deadly. Is the death a result of the ancient curse, or is it a more down-to-earth case of murder? Athreya needs to unravel the truth from legend before the curse strikes again…
Note: This book has been published in the US as A Dire Isle.
Seasoned detective Harith Athreya is back, this time to investigate suspicious incidences on a riverside dig in the heart of remote Bundelkhand.
SUPERSTITION
In this place, rich in myth and history, the legend goes that anyone who sets foot on nearby island Naaz Tapu would be cursed forever.
SLAUGHTER
When an archaeologist defies local folklore, the fallout is swift and deadly. Is the death a result of the ancient curse, or is it a more down-to-earth case of murder? Athreya needs to unravel the truth from legend before the curse strikes again…
Note: This book has been published in the US as A Dire Isle.
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
19 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
R.V. Raman
11 books121 followersMY BACKSTORY
After a corporate career spanning four decades and as many continents, I’ve moved away from full time roles to pursue other interests. I now serve as an independent director on company boards and write. In my earlier avatar, I had advised companies, banks, regulators, governments, etc. on various matters.
Tired of extensive physical travel, I now prefer less punishing mental excursions into fictional worlds of my own creation.
ABOUT MY CORPORATE THRILLERS
Surely, there must be men like Professor Moriarty in corporate India. They may not be such intellectual colossuses or consummate masters, but they would share some key traits with him – wile, ingenuity, drive and utter ruthlessness. And they would understand the psychology of temptation.
What kind of schemes would such men device? That is the question I seek to answer through these novels.
Apart from bringing in truckloads of money, these schemes would have to satisfy the fabled professor’s taste for elegant, water-tight designs; designs that ride on the motivations and vulnerabilities of intelligent but weak-minded men. My antagonists may not have Moriarty’s guile or panache, and my detectives may be intellectual pygmies before Holmes. Nevertheless, I have taken a shot (four shots, actually) at crafting credible stories of intelligent crimes in corporate India. Each of my four novels is set in a different industry.
ABOUT MY WHODUNITS
After four corporate thrillers, I turned to writing a series of murder mysteries (whodunits) with a new protagonist (Harith Athreya). I’ve tried to model these on the Golden Age Mysteries, while keeping them current with modern technology like mobile phones. And, as is the case with all my writing, I eschew vulgarity and profanity so that my stories are appropriate for readers of all ages. The only exception is the rare cuss-word that is used as an intensifier for emphasis.
SCIENCE FICTION
And most lately, I am trying my hand at science fiction. 2080: The Lattice is my first foray into this genre and is set in a world where mankind is addicted to AI. Unfortunately, the AI has become deeply biased, even prejudiced. Additionally, the internet has evolved to an extent where it carries all five senses perfectly, making virtual presence undistinguishable from physical reality.
Meanwhile, I continue experimenting with short stories set in contemporary India. Some of them are available on Amazon.
The list of my full-length novels so far:
Fraudster
Insider
Saboteur
Conspirator
A Will to Kill
A Dire Isle / Grave Intentions
Praying Mantis
The Last Resort
2080: The Lattice
Website.
RV Raman on Facebook
After a corporate career spanning four decades and as many continents, I’ve moved away from full time roles to pursue other interests. I now serve as an independent director on company boards and write. In my earlier avatar, I had advised companies, banks, regulators, governments, etc. on various matters.
Tired of extensive physical travel, I now prefer less punishing mental excursions into fictional worlds of my own creation.
ABOUT MY CORPORATE THRILLERS
Surely, there must be men like Professor Moriarty in corporate India. They may not be such intellectual colossuses or consummate masters, but they would share some key traits with him – wile, ingenuity, drive and utter ruthlessness. And they would understand the psychology of temptation.
What kind of schemes would such men device? That is the question I seek to answer through these novels.
Apart from bringing in truckloads of money, these schemes would have to satisfy the fabled professor’s taste for elegant, water-tight designs; designs that ride on the motivations and vulnerabilities of intelligent but weak-minded men. My antagonists may not have Moriarty’s guile or panache, and my detectives may be intellectual pygmies before Holmes. Nevertheless, I have taken a shot (four shots, actually) at crafting credible stories of intelligent crimes in corporate India. Each of my four novels is set in a different industry.
ABOUT MY WHODUNITS
After four corporate thrillers, I turned to writing a series of murder mysteries (whodunits) with a new protagonist (Harith Athreya). I’ve tried to model these on the Golden Age Mysteries, while keeping them current with modern technology like mobile phones. And, as is the case with all my writing, I eschew vulgarity and profanity so that my stories are appropriate for readers of all ages. The only exception is the rare cuss-word that is used as an intensifier for emphasis.
SCIENCE FICTION
And most lately, I am trying my hand at science fiction. 2080: The Lattice is my first foray into this genre and is set in a world where mankind is addicted to AI. Unfortunately, the AI has become deeply biased, even prejudiced. Additionally, the internet has evolved to an extent where it carries all five senses perfectly, making virtual presence undistinguishable from physical reality.
Meanwhile, I continue experimenting with short stories set in contemporary India. Some of them are available on Amazon.
The list of my full-length novels so far:
Fraudster
Insider
Saboteur
Conspirator
A Will to Kill
A Dire Isle / Grave Intentions
Praying Mantis
The Last Resort
2080: The Lattice
Website.
RV Raman on Facebook
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December 9, 2021This murder mystery has a real-world setting in Bundelkhand, Central India. It's a remote spot on the banks of the Betwa River, a stone's throw from the erstwhile Orchha kingdom. A wedding in the family took me there and supplied me with the setting for this book. Here is how that happened:
https://crimereads.com/rv-raman-real-...
Happy reading!
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Happy reading!
April 10, 2023
I first read Raman’s work when @reader_girl_reader gifted me his novel, A Will to Kill. In many ways it reminded me of Bhaskar Chattopadhyay’s Penumbra but with its own unique twist. When I heard that his latest book was out, I knew I had to read it. This one was quite different from his previous book. Firstly, I took almost a week to wrap up this murder mystery which isn’t usually a good sign. Although the premise was interesting, with the concept of supernatural powers mingled with murder mystery, somewhere along the way the story became very stretchy. Grave Intentions isn’t definitely a great novel but surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad either.
Harith Athreya is known for solving cases that are as enigmatic as him. He is often roped in by the police when they find it difficult to crack certain important cases and it is on one such mission that he stumbles upon Naaz Tapu, an islet with the myth of being haunted by a pair of ghosts. There’s an archaeological site set up quite close to it and in addition to solving a financial scam happening within that organisation, he is also entrusted with an unexpected incident that involves an elderly woman who heads the archaeological team and also with a bunch of thieves. Naaz Tapu is known for being dangerous and no local would voluntarily step onto the islet for the fear of facing the wrath of spirits. So when Athreya is pulled into this mysterious case, he carefully untangles all the causes until he finds the truth.
I personally loved the setting of this book and Raman’s clever idea of mixing a thriller with that of a supernatural aspect to it. My only qualm was with how the story felt stagnant somewhere in the middle, forcing me to abandon it almost twice. The end is certainly unexpected but it didn’t leave with the sense of satisfaction that usually comes when you finish a good murder mystery novel.
All in all, Grave Intentions didn’t impress me much but I would still very well read his next book.
Harith Athreya is known for solving cases that are as enigmatic as him. He is often roped in by the police when they find it difficult to crack certain important cases and it is on one such mission that he stumbles upon Naaz Tapu, an islet with the myth of being haunted by a pair of ghosts. There’s an archaeological site set up quite close to it and in addition to solving a financial scam happening within that organisation, he is also entrusted with an unexpected incident that involves an elderly woman who heads the archaeological team and also with a bunch of thieves. Naaz Tapu is known for being dangerous and no local would voluntarily step onto the islet for the fear of facing the wrath of spirits. So when Athreya is pulled into this mysterious case, he carefully untangles all the causes until he finds the truth.
I personally loved the setting of this book and Raman’s clever idea of mixing a thriller with that of a supernatural aspect to it. My only qualm was with how the story felt stagnant somewhere in the middle, forcing me to abandon it almost twice. The end is certainly unexpected but it didn’t leave with the sense of satisfaction that usually comes when you finish a good murder mystery novel.
All in all, Grave Intentions didn’t impress me much but I would still very well read his next book.
March 21, 2022
I enjoyed this read. The subject, the story and its various elements (eg archaeological dig, Bundelkhand, looters, etc.) are cast into a murder mystery.
I found the process to solve the crimes intriguing and smart.
It is never fair or helpful to compare siblings, and yet, often we can't help doing so. This book is the second in the series and easily can be a standalone. I found A Will To Kill to have tighter pacing and to be a more engaging read, and since I read #1 only recently, I note the difference.
I would read another Athreya book; they're fun and they tell a good story.
I found the process to solve the crimes intriguing and smart.
It is never fair or helpful to compare siblings, and yet, often we can't help doing so. This book is the second in the series and easily can be a standalone. I found A Will To Kill to have tighter pacing and to be a more engaging read, and since I read #1 only recently, I note the difference.
I would read another Athreya book; they're fun and they tell a good story.
March 8, 2022
Book 2 in the Athreya detective series - again the elements of a classical whodunnit are all here. A deserted location, a grisly legend and a collection of people with motives and secrets aplenty. This felt more satisfying than the first book in the series with twists and turns aplenty. A breezy read - perfect for a few hours on a chilly evening
September 4, 2025
Overall interesting read but with some smaller parts that were not as good.
February 7, 2023
Coming in 9th place for our 2022 recommendations on Death of the Reader, is RV Raman’s ‘A Dire Isle’, which must be said very slowly in an Australian accent to not sound like you’re reciting your vowels. RV Raman has been one of India’s best barely-kept secrets since his 2014 fiction debut ‘Fraudster’, one of a growing number of authors opening the door to their relatively young slice of our crime fiction world. The books this year on Death of the Reader have featured a lot of nostalgia for detective fiction, but no entry has imbued quite as much joy to that nostalgia as RV Raman does in his second Harith Athreya novel.
Following his previous adventure on a mountainous train-ride wherein homage oozes so profoundly you barely need to open the covers to smell it, the latest Harith Athreya novel opens with the modern detective rafting down a picturesque river with a friend, the friend’s daughter Moupriya, and a local river guide. The raft slows before a foggy forest island, and their guide recants the ominous legacy of bloodshed that has left Naaz Tapu, the titular isle, abandoned. A tale of a young couple, kept apart by the political animosity of their tribes, and the curse they uttered unto the lush river isle centuries ago. Harith Athreya is in the area after a series of valuable artefacts were stolen from archaeological digs in the region. Your detective ends up in this bizarre jazz-bar sort of scene to meet the lead staff of the dig, and our morally-grey antagonist-adjacent thug Madhav, and this is where our tale truly begins. The way Raman plants the game-pieces on his board has an almost ruthless, authentic efficiency that tells you so much about the relationships you’re about to explore. Raman sets the stage such that you know he knows exactly what he’s doing, so that all of his following narrative transgressions are deliberate, and delightful.
Shortly after meeting the leaders of the dig, Harith is brought to the dig itself to meet the rest of our cast. It’s here where those transgressions truly begin. As you meander your way through the idiosyncrasies of the archaeologists, there’s a shift in the language, as the self-restraint mechanisms holding your nostalgia back buckle. The seasoned murder mystery fan, especially, will catch the odd whiff of a familiar phrase, a line out of place. As the novel begins to go through it’s genre-mandated paces, you’re given a best-of show for the genre’s writing styles, and it is enjoyably disjointed. You can feel the smile on Raman’s face as he effortlessly flows between the stories that inspired him. It’s not clumsy, it’s not amateurish, it’s just fun, and isn’t that what it’s all about? A particular highlight is the arrival on the scene of our to-be locked room, as Harith spots the trap before it springs, and proceeds to walk right on by, because, you feel, he wouldn’t want to rob you or Raman of your thunder.
The murder, in that same locked room, finally takes you to Naaz Tapu, and Harith’s investigation into grave-robbing suddenly becomes about much more modern graves. Your guides become the young Moupriya, whom you met earlier, and the eeriest member of the dig, Nazreen. The interplay between these two vastly different women and their growing collaboration with Harith in getting to the bottom of a gruesome murder is a charming approach to the detective’s offsiders, reminiscent as much of YA crime fiction clubs as they are of Watsons and Hastings. The contrast between the warmth of Moupriya’s relationship with her family and Nazreen’s nonexistent life outside the dig are but one of the many examples of how Raman binds the atmosphere of this novel together. Contrast really is the key joy to Raman’s recreation of Bundelkhand. The region, in central Northern India, is divided in the novel between the haunting, wild tone he’s attempting to construct, and the lush descriptions of one of Raman’s favourite vacation destinations. The two portrayals are almost impossible to merge, and so the book just, doesn’t, and it’s magnificent. This stark separation goes so far beyond the setting as well. It’s reflected everywhere; between Moupriya and Nazreen, between the grim parts of the book and the whimsy of the murder mystery game, between the mysticism and the realism, between the technicalities of archaeological crime and the lockless doors of this novel’s locked room.
You’re sold a sense of urgency in Harith Athreya’s mission, history could be lost at any moment to the highest bidder, with suspicious players like the tough Madhav, or the spectre of the ‘Bronze Runners’ grave robber gang lurking around every corner. There is the sense that the post-colonial politics of historical artefact theft could have been an interesting additional subtext to the novel, but it’s just not what the novel is here to do. Despite overt urgency RV Raman imparts, Athreya’s conduct is methodical; visiting every relevant scene in-depth, casing and chasing suspects. There are both rewards and consequences in store for you and Harith in his decision to behave this way. Harith Athreya is a consummate professional in a way that many crime fiction protagonists would not dare to be for fear of boring their readers, and the way we draw excitement out of that portrayal is incredibly unique amidst the rising chaos of modern crime fiction. There are a couple of odd moments where tension is swept out from under the feet of the novel, but never without that wry omniscient smile from Raman as he welcomes you into another of his favourite mystery memories. It’s the same sort of feeling you get going to a haunted house you’ve been to before, if you’re leaning into the fun, there’s charm to exclaiming ‘ah spoOoOoOoOoky!’ at the bedsheet-ghost who missed his cue.
RV Raman’s ‘A Dire Isle’ is not many things, compared to many of its contemporaries, a curmudgeonly reader might say it ‘falls short’ in challenge, message, tension, or whatever your inner academic puts on your crime fiction rubric. To treat ‘A Dire Isle’ in this fashion would be a crime unto itself - this book is sincere, solid, and especially, fun. There are so many willfully committed fictional faux pas, if you are not grinning ear to ear from cover to cover, it would be absurd. It lands at 9th place on our 2022 recommendations, and is a proud inclusion at that. Thank you to RV Raman for joining us to talk about this novel and Fraudster, and for Agora books in their assistance at arranging that interview.
Following his previous adventure on a mountainous train-ride wherein homage oozes so profoundly you barely need to open the covers to smell it, the latest Harith Athreya novel opens with the modern detective rafting down a picturesque river with a friend, the friend’s daughter Moupriya, and a local river guide. The raft slows before a foggy forest island, and their guide recants the ominous legacy of bloodshed that has left Naaz Tapu, the titular isle, abandoned. A tale of a young couple, kept apart by the political animosity of their tribes, and the curse they uttered unto the lush river isle centuries ago. Harith Athreya is in the area after a series of valuable artefacts were stolen from archaeological digs in the region. Your detective ends up in this bizarre jazz-bar sort of scene to meet the lead staff of the dig, and our morally-grey antagonist-adjacent thug Madhav, and this is where our tale truly begins. The way Raman plants the game-pieces on his board has an almost ruthless, authentic efficiency that tells you so much about the relationships you’re about to explore. Raman sets the stage such that you know he knows exactly what he’s doing, so that all of his following narrative transgressions are deliberate, and delightful.
Shortly after meeting the leaders of the dig, Harith is brought to the dig itself to meet the rest of our cast. It’s here where those transgressions truly begin. As you meander your way through the idiosyncrasies of the archaeologists, there’s a shift in the language, as the self-restraint mechanisms holding your nostalgia back buckle. The seasoned murder mystery fan, especially, will catch the odd whiff of a familiar phrase, a line out of place. As the novel begins to go through it’s genre-mandated paces, you’re given a best-of show for the genre’s writing styles, and it is enjoyably disjointed. You can feel the smile on Raman’s face as he effortlessly flows between the stories that inspired him. It’s not clumsy, it’s not amateurish, it’s just fun, and isn’t that what it’s all about? A particular highlight is the arrival on the scene of our to-be locked room, as Harith spots the trap before it springs, and proceeds to walk right on by, because, you feel, he wouldn’t want to rob you or Raman of your thunder.
The murder, in that same locked room, finally takes you to Naaz Tapu, and Harith’s investigation into grave-robbing suddenly becomes about much more modern graves. Your guides become the young Moupriya, whom you met earlier, and the eeriest member of the dig, Nazreen. The interplay between these two vastly different women and their growing collaboration with Harith in getting to the bottom of a gruesome murder is a charming approach to the detective’s offsiders, reminiscent as much of YA crime fiction clubs as they are of Watsons and Hastings. The contrast between the warmth of Moupriya’s relationship with her family and Nazreen’s nonexistent life outside the dig are but one of the many examples of how Raman binds the atmosphere of this novel together. Contrast really is the key joy to Raman’s recreation of Bundelkhand. The region, in central Northern India, is divided in the novel between the haunting, wild tone he’s attempting to construct, and the lush descriptions of one of Raman’s favourite vacation destinations. The two portrayals are almost impossible to merge, and so the book just, doesn’t, and it’s magnificent. This stark separation goes so far beyond the setting as well. It’s reflected everywhere; between Moupriya and Nazreen, between the grim parts of the book and the whimsy of the murder mystery game, between the mysticism and the realism, between the technicalities of archaeological crime and the lockless doors of this novel’s locked room.
You’re sold a sense of urgency in Harith Athreya’s mission, history could be lost at any moment to the highest bidder, with suspicious players like the tough Madhav, or the spectre of the ‘Bronze Runners’ grave robber gang lurking around every corner. There is the sense that the post-colonial politics of historical artefact theft could have been an interesting additional subtext to the novel, but it’s just not what the novel is here to do. Despite overt urgency RV Raman imparts, Athreya’s conduct is methodical; visiting every relevant scene in-depth, casing and chasing suspects. There are both rewards and consequences in store for you and Harith in his decision to behave this way. Harith Athreya is a consummate professional in a way that many crime fiction protagonists would not dare to be for fear of boring their readers, and the way we draw excitement out of that portrayal is incredibly unique amidst the rising chaos of modern crime fiction. There are a couple of odd moments where tension is swept out from under the feet of the novel, but never without that wry omniscient smile from Raman as he welcomes you into another of his favourite mystery memories. It’s the same sort of feeling you get going to a haunted house you’ve been to before, if you’re leaning into the fun, there’s charm to exclaiming ‘ah spoOoOoOoOoky!’ at the bedsheet-ghost who missed his cue.
RV Raman’s ‘A Dire Isle’ is not many things, compared to many of its contemporaries, a curmudgeonly reader might say it ‘falls short’ in challenge, message, tension, or whatever your inner academic puts on your crime fiction rubric. To treat ‘A Dire Isle’ in this fashion would be a crime unto itself - this book is sincere, solid, and especially, fun. There are so many willfully committed fictional faux pas, if you are not grinning ear to ear from cover to cover, it would be absurd. It lands at 9th place on our 2022 recommendations, and is a proud inclusion at that. Thank you to RV Raman for joining us to talk about this novel and Fraudster, and for Agora books in their assistance at arranging that interview.
January 24, 2024
This is a very interesting mystery set in India, and involving a very intelligent investigator. The story takes place at an archeological dig that faces an island, which locals believe to be haunted. There are multiple suspects when two murders occur, and there is also another part of the plot which involves a smuggling ring, whose members steal valuable historical and archeological artifacts. The story reads quickly and is absorbing. This is definitely an author to watch.
July 13, 2023
With spooky mythology, breathtaking scenery, over-the-top reveals, and old-fashioned fun, Raman lovingly brings Golden Age Detection to modern-day India.
March 13, 2022
A solid, satisfying mystery from the stable of Indian writing. I have enjoyed the author's earlier books over the years, and even though my expectations were high, this book lived up to them. The fact that it is set in a real-world, remote location in Bundelkhand gave me the additional thrill of Indianness.
Shades of Christie, Carr and Conan Doyle in the book, but it's an entirely original story with sufficient twists and detailed deductions. I would recommend this book.
Shades of Christie, Carr and Conan Doyle in the book, but it's an entirely original story with sufficient twists and detailed deductions. I would recommend this book.
January 15, 2023
First of all, thank you to Pushkin Vertigo and NetGalley for this ARC! This review was written by me voluntarily.
In general, I have a quite interesting read although it took sometimes to finish it. The story is a good example where a legend or superstition is manipulated and used to cover a crime. This novel has a lot of things that I like in mystery novels such as a lot of red herring and clues for readers to solve. However, it is the detective that makes me want to read this to the end. I really like how he solves the crime and how he uses his resources and network to help him solve the crime. Even though he is portrayed as a smart and resourceful detective, I like how the author shows that he also has his own weaknesses that can affect his performance in crime-solving. It makes his character more human.
In general, I have a quite interesting read although it took sometimes to finish it. The story is a good example where a legend or superstition is manipulated and used to cover a crime. This novel has a lot of things that I like in mystery novels such as a lot of red herring and clues for readers to solve. However, it is the detective that makes me want to read this to the end. I really like how he solves the crime and how he uses his resources and network to help him solve the crime. Even though he is portrayed as a smart and resourceful detective, I like how the author shows that he also has his own weaknesses that can affect his performance in crime-solving. It makes his character more human.
April 4, 2022
In R.V. Raman's second detective novel featuring Harith Athreya, the private investigator is hired by an American NGO to look into financial irregularities at an archaeological site in the mountains of Central India. Of course, murder strikes the team of archaeologists, and Athreya must solve a case which appears linked to the supernatural.
This is a serviceable mystery, not as much fun as its predecessor. The book could have used a copy edit, as there are too many unacceptably clunky phrasings. Still, a solid effort that will satisfy most whodunit fans.
This is a serviceable mystery, not as much fun as its predecessor. The book could have used a copy edit, as there are too many unacceptably clunky phrasings. Still, a solid effort that will satisfy most whodunit fans.
January 4, 2022
This is a deftly woven mystery with strong female characters and multiple threads that come together nicely at the end. The beautiful Nazreen was really intriguing. Athreya's deduction skills and imagination come through nicely in this story as he pieces together disparate pieces of the puzzle. The ending was unexpected for me. The myth is a bonus. I am looking forward to the next one.
January 4, 2022
What a blast! A full-on mystery with bluffs and double-bluffs. Echos of the hound of baskervilles too. The author has cleverly mixed up an old legend with real clues to good effect.
February 3, 2023
This was a harsh read for me. I already had my misgivings with the first book, and the second one in the series was no better, for multiple reasons.
Athreya, for some reason, lands up in a village/town/archaeological dig at the behest of a foundation head (lazily named Bates, which I'm presuming is Gates of Bill Gates Foundation) who wants to investigate a crime that has not happened yet, based on anonymous letters (?). Straight off the bat, lost my interest there. For starters, anonymous letters in this age and day, is nearly impossible. Who sends letters anyway? Indian Government?
Anyway, random pieces of information are flung around: A boomer-uncle level discourse on the career of archaeology, an isle or islet or island, never understood what it was, a motley team that is so synthetic, followed by a floor map of the dig/base or whatever it is, for no reason other than to imitate Agatha Christie.
Then the characters themselves - all one-notes with no emotion and depth. Soon robbery ensues and the inevitable murder occurs. Then logic goes for a toss
For example, there is one character who apparently remembers all the doors and who opened them and when it was opened (lol really?), that makes zero sense. And then the investigation itself is so long drawn out, I lost the threads after a point. I mean, when it is clear that the victim was not killed by an animal, why waste so much time. Nobody was bothered to hunt for the weapon.
The ending was so unsatisfying, unfortunately. Could have forgiven everything - the characters, the loose story meant for kids, the bad plotting. What I could not forgive at all, was the terrible language. I mean, typos apart, the prose was generally below par, even for a detective novel.
Will probably read the next one, only based on reviews. Wasted my time. :(
Athreya, for some reason, lands up in a village/town/archaeological dig at the behest of a foundation head (lazily named Bates, which I'm presuming is Gates of Bill Gates Foundation) who wants to investigate a crime that has not happened yet, based on anonymous letters (?). Straight off the bat, lost my interest there. For starters, anonymous letters in this age and day, is nearly impossible. Who sends letters anyway? Indian Government?
Anyway, random pieces of information are flung around: A boomer-uncle level discourse on the career of archaeology, an isle or islet or island, never understood what it was, a motley team that is so synthetic, followed by a floor map of the dig/base or whatever it is, for no reason other than to imitate Agatha Christie.
Then the characters themselves - all one-notes with no emotion and depth. Soon robbery ensues and the inevitable murder occurs. Then logic goes for a toss
For example, there is one character who apparently remembers all the doors and who opened them and when it was opened (lol really?), that makes zero sense. And then the investigation itself is so long drawn out, I lost the threads after a point. I mean, when it is clear that the victim was not killed by an animal, why waste so much time. Nobody was bothered to hunt for the weapon.
The ending was so unsatisfying, unfortunately. Could have forgiven everything - the characters, the loose story meant for kids, the bad plotting. What I could not forgive at all, was the terrible language. I mean, typos apart, the prose was generally below par, even for a detective novel.
Will probably read the next one, only based on reviews. Wasted my time. :(
June 21, 2023
It is a locked room mystery based on a fictional take on Bundelkhand's history. It's the perfect place where History, Geography and Fiction meet, the amalgamation giving us a sit-on-the-edge mystery thriller.
Private Investigator Harith Athreya visits a friend's house in Bundelkhand. He has been tasked to investigate the funds inflow and outflow in an excavation site. Little does he know that the excavation will involve Naaz Tapu, a nearby island on the Betwa River, that none of the locals will talk about. Anyone who sets foot on the island either disappears or loses their mind. When Athreya himself sees an apparition on the island from a distance, he's no one to question the superstitions surrounding the island. As the island starts claiming lives in his presence, he's sure there's more to the legend of Naaz Tapu than meets the eye.
RV Raman spins an incredible mystery that had my brain cells working hard. I was out with my notes app linking findings and stuff. I also loved how Detective Athreya solves little mysteries around, reaching to the crescendo of the story.
I loved very bit of the book. The interrogation of the suspects one one by, the final reveal with all of them sitting in a room. Definitely reminded me of Feluda books I loved so much as a kid. This Christie-esque book is perfect for mystery fans like myself. Pick this up and you won't be disappointed!
Private Investigator Harith Athreya visits a friend's house in Bundelkhand. He has been tasked to investigate the funds inflow and outflow in an excavation site. Little does he know that the excavation will involve Naaz Tapu, a nearby island on the Betwa River, that none of the locals will talk about. Anyone who sets foot on the island either disappears or loses their mind. When Athreya himself sees an apparition on the island from a distance, he's no one to question the superstitions surrounding the island. As the island starts claiming lives in his presence, he's sure there's more to the legend of Naaz Tapu than meets the eye.
RV Raman spins an incredible mystery that had my brain cells working hard. I was out with my notes app linking findings and stuff. I also loved how Detective Athreya solves little mysteries around, reaching to the crescendo of the story.
I loved very bit of the book. The interrogation of the suspects one one by, the final reveal with all of them sitting in a room. Definitely reminded me of Feluda books I loved so much as a kid. This Christie-esque book is perfect for mystery fans like myself. Pick this up and you won't be disappointed!
June 29, 2023
This is the second book in the Harith Athreya Mystery series. He is basically Indian 'Hercule Poirot'.
This book is set around a remote island, Naaz Tapu, in Bundelkhand. The island is haunted and the locals are afraid to say its name out loud, let alone set foot in the island. There is a legend that no one who has entered the island has come back alive.
Harith Athreya is accompanied by his friend, Sharad, and Sharad’s daughter, Moupriya. Athreya has been sent covertly to investigate the embezzlement going on in an archeological site. But when he is there, one of the members of the archeological team is murdered. Now Athreya has to investigate and find out who is behind this murder.
This was an enjoyable book and since I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, I enjoyed the vibes of this book. However, I personally do not like to read about crimes dealing with embezzlement or stealing treasures, and that is why I was not fully invested in the story. I did enjoy the overall mystery and appreciated how the myth of a cursed island was inserted into the book.
Also, this book reminded me a lot of “Murder in Mesopotamia” by Agatha Christie.
Overall, this was a solid murder mystery book which I will definitely recommend.
Oh btw, the next book in this series “Praying Mantis” is set in a hotel in the Himalayan foothills and I honestly am so excited to read that book!
This book is set around a remote island, Naaz Tapu, in Bundelkhand. The island is haunted and the locals are afraid to say its name out loud, let alone set foot in the island. There is a legend that no one who has entered the island has come back alive.
Harith Athreya is accompanied by his friend, Sharad, and Sharad’s daughter, Moupriya. Athreya has been sent covertly to investigate the embezzlement going on in an archeological site. But when he is there, one of the members of the archeological team is murdered. Now Athreya has to investigate and find out who is behind this murder.
This was an enjoyable book and since I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, I enjoyed the vibes of this book. However, I personally do not like to read about crimes dealing with embezzlement or stealing treasures, and that is why I was not fully invested in the story. I did enjoy the overall mystery and appreciated how the myth of a cursed island was inserted into the book.
Also, this book reminded me a lot of “Murder in Mesopotamia” by Agatha Christie.
Overall, this was a solid murder mystery book which I will definitely recommend.
Oh btw, the next book in this series “Praying Mantis” is set in a hotel in the Himalayan foothills and I honestly am so excited to read that book!
March 29, 2022
I am a huge Agatha Christie fan so anything along similar lines , I love. This is an interesting storyline mixing superstition/horror/murder mystery set in central India, very unique setting and storyline, engagingly told and kept me hooked till the end. Classic Christie tropes and props throughout including the very theme of an archaeological dig site, a diagram of the archaeological teams base camp layout , the red herrings and the classic Poirot style reveal all scene at the end. I will definitely read more Harith Athreya and will be looking for the first book Will to Kill. I reduced stars as I found the prose a bit clunky at certain points examples including the use of words like erudite/erudition repeatedly to describe one character or the use of the word “purchase “ also repeating within a couple of paragraphs, plus quite a few typos throughout the book. Could have done with better editing.
April 6, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book and "The Will to Kill" as well. He is fast becoming one of my favorite mystery authors. The story moved in a steady pace; didn't drag or become too stretched out as is sadly the case for most cozy mysteries. The mystery itself was intriguing and entertaining drawing to a very satisfactory conclusion.
The only thing that I wished was that his main cast of characters/suspects be more drawn out so the reader feels some sort of attachment to them. But that is a minor complaint. There were also some typos and missing words in the text but other than that, this was a fun, engaging, interesting read.
The only thing that I wished was that his main cast of characters/suspects be more drawn out so the reader feels some sort of attachment to them. But that is a minor complaint. There were also some typos and missing words in the text but other than that, this was a fun, engaging, interesting read.
December 12, 2021
How much can a day-old set of footprints on squelchy mud tell a detective? Quite a lot, it turns out. The big reveal at the end of this book is a treat of deductive logic. Not just the footprints but other things too, which I hadn't anticipated. This second Harith Athreya mystery is closer to Arthur Conan Doyle than Agatha Christie. It has the same edge-of-the-seat suspense I used to feel in Sherlock Holmes stories. Athreya is turning out to be a neat and competent detective. Looking forward to more.
April 25, 2023
Is Naaz Tapu haunted? The two centuries old legend of Naazneen, Vanraj, Bhola and Moti still stays strong with solid evidences.
Of course the murders followed shortly after the detective's arrival to Bundelkhand in classic whodunit style.
Have Bhola and his huge four pawed companion Moti returned to punish those who intend to violate the sanctity of the territory they protect i.e., the Naaz Tapu?
Loved both the story flow and the setting in historical Bundelkhand region of the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Of course the murders followed shortly after the detective's arrival to Bundelkhand in classic whodunit style.
Have Bhola and his huge four pawed companion Moti returned to punish those who intend to violate the sanctity of the territory they protect i.e., the Naaz Tapu?
Loved both the story flow and the setting in historical Bundelkhand region of the state of Uttar Pradesh.
July 10, 2022
Harith Athreya is tapped to investigate possible archeological thefts plaguing various sites, Near Jahnsi, the detective visits a dig that is famed for the myth of two young lovers who were banished to an island in the river. When the leader of the dig is found dead on the isalnd, with unusual markings on her body, the legend and truth intertwine. I really liked the story, and its' look at a place's history and legend.
December 30, 2025
My Rating : 4 / 5
Book 058 / May 2025 / Physical Arc
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Great atmosphere, creepy setting, simple yet beautiful writing and a mystery element that kept me turning the pages!! I loved the characters, the lore behind the superstition and that ending was so satisfactory! Definitely going to continue the series and read more by this author!
Book 058 / May 2025 / Physical Arc
.
Great atmosphere, creepy setting, simple yet beautiful writing and a mystery element that kept me turning the pages!! I loved the characters, the lore behind the superstition and that ending was so satisfactory! Definitely going to continue the series and read more by this author!
March 29, 2022
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first in the series, but it is a well-constructed mystery within an archeological dig. The setting plays a large role and the author's article in CrimeReads has pictures of actual location.
December 12, 2022
Onderhoudende sfeervolle detective die erg doet denken aan Agatha Christie. India als exotische locatie, archeologie en locale mythen vind ik aansprekende ingrediënten. Helaas is het boek ook erg traag en beschrijvend. Ik ben toch meer van ‘show, don’t tell’.
June 1, 2024
Loved this cosy whodunnit. Warming up to Athreya who with his quirks and detection abilities endears himself to the reader. It is the atmosphere that is Raman's forte and the way he weaves in his characters to the settings is a remarkable feat.
May 6, 2025
Although intrigued by the setting of an archaeological dig and the combination of murder, myth, and superstition, the story dragged on and on until I no longer cared who was the perpetrator. I just wanted the book to end.
March 22, 2022
Another excellent mystery by Raman.
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March 1, 2023Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Harith Athreya Mystery
Miniseries
A Harith Athreya Mystery
July 15, 2023
3.5 🌟
Was not a fan of the writing style, but it got better as the story progressed. As advertised, perfect for readers who enjoy Christie novels. An enjoyable read!
Was not a fan of the writing style, but it got better as the story progressed. As advertised, perfect for readers who enjoy Christie novels. An enjoyable read!
August 16, 2023
Enjoyed this one, especially since all pages were intact. Now to find the third in the series… somewhere.
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