📗Shadows Over Ayodhya: A Gripping Story of Faith, Fear, and the Cost of Silence | An Unputdownable Indian Thriller by Anuj Tiwari

BOOK DETAILS : 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rupa Publications India (23 November 2025); Rupa Publications India
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9370035036
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9370035034

ABOUT THE AUTHOR : 

Anuj Tiwari is a bestselling Indian author whose seven books have touched millions of readers with their emotional honesty, cultural depth, and unwavering authenticity. From the heartfelt Journey of Two Hearts, to the thought-provoking Give Your Heart a Break, and the evocative It’s Not Right but It’s Okay, his stories navigate the delicate threads of love, loss, and human connection. His gripping crime thriller Barabanki marked a bold new direction in his writing, earning critical acclaim.

Now, with his novel Shadows Over Ayodhya, Anuj ventures into political fiction—delivering what is already being called one of the most anticipated Indian thrillers. Rooted in real-life experiences and contemporary realities, Anuj's storytelling effortlessly bridges the personal and the political. Whether exploring the intricacies of modern relationships or the murky corridors of power, his narratives resonate with authenticity, cultural nuance, and emotional insight—cementing his place as one of the most distinctive literary voices of his generation.

Beyond writing, Anuj is a digital entrepreneur and sought-after speaker, engaging audiences across platforms on themes like storytelling, resilience, and creativity. His journey, from growing up in a Hindi-Sanskrit-medium school to becoming one of India's most relatable authors, is a testament to the power of words and the courage to chase one’s voice.

BOOK REVIEW :

Some thrillers entertain. Some disturb. Shadows Over Ayodhya does both; while daring to ask uncomfortable questions about faith, power, and silence.

Set against the highly sensitive backdrop of Ayodhya during the Ram Mandir inauguration, this novel wastes no time pulling the reader into its tense atmosphere. From forged contracts and vanishing funds to suspicious deaths that refuse to stay buried, Anuj Tiwari crafts a story where every revelation feels dangerous, and every delay feels fatal.

At the heart of the narrative is SP Naveen Shukla, a principled officer navigating a system designed to resist truth. His investigation takes a gripping turn when he crosses paths with Nikhat Sherwani, a fearless journalist chasing the unfinished story that cost her father his life. Their alliance is one of the book’s strongest elements, driven not by convenience, but by shared moral urgency. As ghost companies, hidden ledgers, and a shadowy foreign investor come into focus, the thriller expands into a chilling commentary on how deep corruption can intertwine with ideology and terror.

What truly elevates Shadows Over Ayodhya is its restraint. The author handles a volatile subject with maturity, never sensationalising faith, but instead highlighting how it can be weaponised when truth is suppressed. The pacing is sharp, the stakes escalate organically, and the sense of an approaching catastrophe keeps the pages turning late into the night.

Inspired by true events, this is not just a political crime thriller; it’s a reminder of the cost of silence and the courage it takes to speak when everything urges you to look away.

If you enjoy Indian thrillers rooted in reality, layered with investigative depth and moral complexity, Shadows Over Ayodhya deserves a spot on your shelf. Tense, timely, and thought-provoking; this is a story that lingers long after the final page.

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