"A gritty and realistic read in the tradition of le Carré & Greene." A Pakistani spy may be stealing nuclear weapons technology from Europe.
Captain Sablok was a sapper in the Indian Army until he was injured during a covert mission in 1971. Desk-bound and working as an intelligence analyst for R&AW, after two years of filing meaningless reports he may just have stumbled upon a Pakistani spy.
The year is 1974. India tested a nuke just months earlier, and Pakistan is desperate to acquire one. Unfortunately for Bhutto, Pakistan's Prime Minister, his scientists are nowhere close to building a nuclear weapon. Sablok is convinced that the Pakistani agent is passing sensitive weapons technology to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, but his evidence is weak. His inexperience in intelligence and his reputation for alcoholism conspire against him, and his Section Chief declines to authorise an operation.
But Sablok has finally found a sense of purpose after two miserable years, and he will not give up without a fight. The only other person he trusts in R&AW is a washed-up Case Officer who was an outstanding field agent once. Sablok convinces him, but can the two of them convince their superiors before the ISI gets all the technology it needs?
Thus begins a gritty and riveting chapter in the history of Indian espionage as Sablok and his team race against time to stop the ISI.
Readers are raving about Let Bhutto Eat Grass
"A gritty and realistic read in the tradition of [John] le Carré & [Graham] Greene" (via Amazon.in)
"Beautiful intrigue: The level of detail is impressive and the dysfunctional nature of espionage is well covered. I am looking forward to the sequel in the hope that some of the main characters survive." (via Amazon.ca)
"Fast, riveting behind the scenes look at intelligence: This book takes a stab at the Indo - Pak nuclear development in the 70s and builds a story around it. The characters in the story are well developed and leave an impression on you. The story is fast paced, riveting and has plenty of details." (via Amazon.com)
"Gripping and exciting: The research put in by the author is clearly visible in the meticulous details in every aspect going as far as mentioning the tenderness of the seekh kebabs to the smokeyness of the single malt" (via Amazon.in)
"Had to keep reminding myself that this is fiction, so seamless was the narrative. The novel has drama, emotion and suspense all brought together by expert word play. It was refreshing to read a take on Indian Intelligence agencies." (via Amazon.in)
"Agarkhedkar liable to be put under surveillance by our intelligence agencies.: The characterization of army veterans in rehabilitative appointments, reticent bureaucrats and defense scientists is authentic. The style captures each atmosphere vividly, whether it is a lonely walk on a chilly night in The Netherlands, or the patience and ennui involved in espionage activities. The whole narrative is interspersed with subtle humor. The author's skills are reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth and John Le Carre." (via Amazon.in)
