Shadows and Secrets : The Pataliputra Conspiracy | Book Review

Review of Harini Srinivasan's Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy

• Title - Shadows and Secrets: The Pataliputra Conspiracy
• Author- Harini Srinivasan
• Genre – Historical fiction
• Format - Paperback
• Pages- 288
• Publication Date - 13 January 2024
• Publisher - TreeShade Books 

Circa 403-404 CE. The Gupta Empire has reached its zenith under its greatest ruler yet, Maharaja Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. But with glory comes mischief. Mahakavi Kalidasa, the great poet-dramatist and one of the Navaratnas of the kingdom, heads the state intelligence network to weed out threats, internal and external.

On the eve of the annual Buddhist procession, a spate of shocking murders casts a dark shadow on the glorious city of Pataliputra, with corpses of unidentified foreigners and the city's social and administrative elite turning up one by one.

Who is behind these killings and why?

To crack the mystery, the Mahakavi enlists the help of Shaunaka, one of his unofficial spies. As the keenly observant but idealistic guptachara pursues his secret mission, the young man gets a taste of real-world affairs-deception, religious fanaticism and a 100-year-old secret.

Faced with more questions than answers, there is one thought on everyone's mind-what is going on in Pataliputra?

Book #25 of 2024

Rating - 4 stars

I have a soft spot for historical fiction and was eagerly anticipating diving into this genre once again. This being my second book by the author, I held high expectations, and I'm pleased to say they were met with flying colors.

Set in Pataliputra during the reign of the Gupta Empire, the narrative intricately weaves historical details into the storyline, adding depth and intrigue.

The author's vivid portrayal of the sights and sounds allows readers to immerse themselves fully in the era. Particularly fascinating was the exploration of Manichaeism, a new concept for me, alongside insights into the political, social, and religious landscapes of the time.

The suspenseful plot, filled with murders and cleverly concealed mysteries, kept me engaged until the very end, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Continuing from the previous book, familiar characters seamlessly integrate into this tale, yet this book also stands strong as a standalone piece.

While we've met the characters previously in the book, Kalidasa and Shaunaka particularly capture my attention. Kalidasa, renowned for his poetic brilliance, takes on the role of a spymaster. The author’s narrative convincingly portrays his adeptness in espionage alongside his poetic talents. Shaunaka, another character, defies initial expectations but later reveals remarkable resourcefulness in his actions. Reading these unexpected facets of both characters left a lasting impression, and brought out the author's ability to craft multifaceted and compelling personas.

The inclusion of a Dramatis Personae and glossary enhances the reading experience, while the beautiful cover art complements the captivating storyline.

This is a 4-star read that will undoubtedly satisfy fans of both historical and fiction genres. Go for it!

Harini Srinivasan is the author of a historical detective novel, The Curse of Anuganga, the novellas Ek Confusing Love Story and Death at Arcade Emporia, a children’s book, The Wizard Tales: Adventures of Bun-Bun, and several short stories. 

A former civil servant, she is an editor and a content management professional by day, and an author by night. She can be found multitasking most of the time. An aficionado of old Hindi cinema, she lives in Gurugram with her family.

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