The blue jade by Shobha Nihalani

"The blue jade" by Shobha Nihalani - Tracing travels of Mirabai!

This book was published by Treeshade books in 2020 and has 254 pages.

Neelam Bhatia is an art expert, specializing in Indian artefacts and antiquities and owner of a prestigious gallery in Hong Kong. One day Agent Vinod, an Art detective from Antiquities wing of CBI informs her that the Blue Jade Krishna pendant gifted by Chinese monks to Rajputs and protected by Rana Sang clan (In laws of Mirabai), the one that killed her parents, has resurfaced. 

Why were her parents killed? Who killed them? What's so special about the blue jade? What will Neelam do? How is Mirabai connected?

The story has a strong reference to Princess-Saint Mirabai, a rebellious women who defied all social customs, threw away her life of luxury for unachievable love for Krishna and her world of love.

Telling two stories alternatively started with Ashwin Sanghi's Chanakya's chants. Here author uses same methodology to tell the stories of Neelam and Mirabai. Mirabai's story is unveiled through an audio book that Neelam listens. 

The story is not exciting. It has numerous holes, some of which are provided below. Things happen abruptly. Questions remain unanswered. Too many flaws. As a result it isn't a cohesive story, rather appears like a patchwork quilt.

There are some sudden reversal of positions in this book and the reason given appears unconvincing. Neelam doesn't want to take the responsibility of Jade. Suddenly she decides to take responsibility. Vinod wants her to come to India. But when she agrees, suddenly he doesn't want her to come. Neelam places the paper with symbols on a map and it suddenly makes sense. How come the scales of both match?

Vinod has left government service but Neelam talks to him as if he hasn't and so do other characters, why? Would you go to help a customer find a book when it's your first time at the book shop? Author says Neelam didn't pray particularly at a holy site, but earlier she is shown lighting incense stick at a Buddhist temple. If Neelam knew her final destination, why does she travel to so many cities and risk losing the blue jade?

Author should have given a little more emphasis on Neelam's dreams. Since she mentions it in passing, one wonders if it is important or an appendage. Author should have also given the map her grandmother had drawn to understand her travel.

Book ends with the news of another artefact being stolen. Neelam vows to find it. Expect a sequel.

Why did I read this book? Goodreads rating. 

What did I like? Story of Mirabai. 

What I didn't like? Many things as stated above.

Give it a miss!