About the Book A FAST-MOVING SEQUEL TO THE BRAHMIN, SET IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF EMPEROR ASHOKA'S DEVASTATION OF KALINGA After thwarting the malicious Kalingan general Lord Suma and becoming the emperor of Magadha, Ashoka is now faced with a new threat-a faceless foe whose only aim is to topple his empire. His brutal killings of Magadhan officials, kidnappings of royal prisoners and infiltrating of the royal palace of Tamralipti weave a mesh of hatred, intrigue and menace. No one knows who he is, yet he breathes such terror into his network of followers that even a dying man fears uttering his name. He calls himself the Khandapati. There's only one man in the empire that Ashoka can turn to. Spurred on by years of friendship and sworn loyalty, the Brahmin finds himself back in the royal capital, caught in a violent conspiracy that extends beyond Magadhan boundaries. Will he be able to live up to his role as the protector of the empire or is the merciless villain more than a match for the Brahmin? About the Author Ravi Shankar Etteth is the best-selling author of several novels, including The Brahmin, Tiger by the River and Killing Time in Delhi. A journalist and political cartoonist with several decades of experience, he is currently with the New Indian Express in Delhi.