A Dire Isle

An archaeological expedition is excavating in the heart of Bundelkhand, a place rich in history and legend. The location is on the banks of the Betwa River near Jhansi. The abrasive lady who runs the expedition (Mrs. Markaan) is disliked by every member of her team. When Mrs. Markaan defies the myth of Naaz Tapu, the fallout is swift and deadly. Investigating her disappearance, Harith Athreya, an investigator with a vivid imagination, finds her body on the island. Her skull has been crushed by a large mace-like weapon and her body bears deep fang and claw wounds, presumably inflicted by a huge dog. The doctor's opinion corroborates the initial impression. Athreya discovers that Mrs. Markaan had been secretly excavating at Naaz Tapu, and had taken away an old bracelet from the isle.

Before Mrs. Markaan's disappearance, Athreya had been hearing about a spate of thefts from museums and archaeological missions across the country. Precious antiques have been disappearing for over two years, and the thieves have been getting away every time. As Athreya begins investigating along with Inspector Bhupinder, he reaps a rich harvest of evidence and motives - anonymous letters that accuse Mrs. Markaan, financial misappropriation at the expedition, Mrs Markaan's habit of stealing her juniors' work and publishing it as her own, as well as suspicious activities by the people involved in the expedition.

As he begins to piece together the riddle, Athreya discovers that few of the archaeologists are what they seem to be. Athreya begins his dramatic d nouement by unmasking some of the archaeologists and bringing to light the multiple smaller crimes at play. And when he finally confronts the killer with the evidence gathered during the trap, he has to be fully prepared for a violent retaliation. Coming to his aid, very aptly, is a huge, ferocious Great Dane.