Secret Keeper of Jaipur
India

Secret Keeper of Jaipur

by Alka Joshi

Society & Class Historical Fiction Mystery Fiction 2021

Summary

Set in Jaipur in 1969, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur follows Malik, a young man who returns to the city where he grew up to begin an apprenticeship at the royal palace. Under the guidance of Lakshmi, the former henna artist who has become a respected figure in the community, Malik hopes to build a promising future. His work brings him into contact with the wealthy and influential people overseeing the construction of a modern cinema. When the cinema’s balcony collapses on opening night, the resulting tragedy exposes corruption, concealed interests, and the unequal distribution of power. Suspecting that the disaster was not simply an accident, Malik begins investigating the truth, putting himself at risk as he challenges those determined to protect their reputations. Joshi examines social inequality, ambition, and the influence of wealth and privilege in a rapidly changing India.

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About the author
Alka Joshi
Alka Joshi

Alka Joshi is an Indian-American novelist born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, in 1950. She moved to the United States with her family when she was nine years old, and her experiences navigating different cultures have influenced her exploration of identity, belonging, and women’s lives. Before becoming a novelist, she worked in advertising and marketing and later pursued creative writing. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist (2020), became a New York Times bestseller and was selected for Reese Witherspoon’s book club. Set in 1950s Jaipur, it follows Lakshmi, a skilled henna artist who seeks independence while navigating the social expectations and inequalities of post-independence India. The novel was followed by The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021) and The Perfumist of Paris (2023), completing the Jaipur Trilogy. Through richly detailed historical settings and compelling female characters, Joshi explores women’s autonomy, class divisions, family bonds, and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Her fiction brings the cultural richness of India to an international readership while examining universal questions of ambition and self-determination.

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Details
Published
2021
Author
Alka Joshi