The curse of Surya by Dev Prasad

"The curse of Surya" by Dev Prasad. This book is published by Random house India in 2015 and has 304 pages.

An operative of Tibet liberation front is murdered in The Krishna janmasthan temple in Mathura where location of 'The Shyamantaka' (largest gem in the world), that went missing for 5000 years, was going to be revealed. Every country & every underground organization is after it. A beautiful Indian reporter working for Singaporean channel, a British man and an American man are hunted by Indian police.

Who are these people? Why are police after them? Where is Shyamantaka? Will it be found? Who will find it?

The story is built around the legend of Shyamantaka, a gem considered to be the largest in the world. It was gifted by Sun to Satrajit and Lord Krishna was accused of steeling it. Since Shyamantaka is from the period of Krishna, all clues and places are also related to Krishna. It's a tour of Brijbhoomi and Dwaraka.

Author has used the idea of same set of clues leading to two different solutions and then one set of clues leading to another and so on. So it becomes an intriguing treasure hunt.

The book contains riddles, clues hidden in the mythology, history and art work, an expert, a smuggler, race against time, bad guys waiting for good guys to find treasure, treachery etc. It feels like reading an Indian Dan Brown book.

Author's description of underwater events is like above water one. Under water constraints and considerations are absent. Author shows paintings, murals and metallic components functioning perfectly after being under sea for 5000 years. This is not palatable.

The climax is also a bit of anti climax. The mastermind behind all the events, when revealed, fails to make an impact. Chinese angle is interesting but remains undeveloped.

Characterization is decent. Sangeeta steals the show. Alan is good but why he carries his identity card on an undercover mission is beyond comprehension. Why Nish has a sudden change of heart is also unclear and how easily she is duped by SMS is baffling.

All in all, a good book. Read if you have time.