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The Secret Keeper of Jaipur
The Secret Keeper of Jaipur: A Novel | Alka Joshi
44 posts | 45 read | 26 to read
A NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HENNA ARTIST, A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK "Captivated me from the first chapter to the last page." Reese Witherspoon on The Henna Artist In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshis intriguing new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protg, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur Palace in this tale rich in character, atmosphere, and lavish storytelling. Its the spring of 1969, and Lakshmi, now married to Dr. Jay Kumar, directs the Healing Garden in Shimla. Malik has finished his private school education. At twenty, he has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaveS to apprentice at the Facilities Office of the Jaipur Royal Palace. Their latest project: a state-of-the-art cinema. Malik soon finds that not much has changed as he navigates the Pink City of his childhood. Power and money still move seamlessly among the wealthy class, and favors flow from Jaipurs Royal Palace, but only if certain secrets remain buried. When the cinemas balcony tragically collapses on opening night, blame is placed where it is convenient. But Malik suspects something far darker and sets out to uncover the truth. As a former street child, he always knew to keep his own counsel; its a lesson that will serve him as he untangles a web of lies.
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mhillis
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Pickpick

I listened to the audiobook during my commute and the narration was excellent! Each character has had such an interesting journey. It took a while to get in to the story, but then I was hooked! Looking forward to the next book 📚

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mhillis
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Kgaudiuso
Pickpick

I enjoyed this book as much as the first! And I can‘t wait to read the third!

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CollapsingLibrary
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed the second book Alka Joshi‘s series. This story takes place 12 years after The Henna Artist ends and it did take me a bit to get into the story with having to remember the previous story line which does play a role here. With familiar characters and new ones, this was a cute story that made for a great background audiobook. I‘m excited to start the 3rd and final book in this world!

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CollapsingLibrary
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Still working on this audiobook. I found it harder to get into than I originally thought I would but now I‘m a little over half way with about 5 hours left. I‘d love to finish it today as it automatically returns in a couple days, but realistically getting about 3 hours in would be perfect 😊 hope everyone has a great day!

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CollapsingLibrary
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Hoping to really start my next audiobook today. I really enjoyed the first book, The Henna Artist, and I‘m finding this first bit a little harder to follow as I‘m remembering what happened in that storyline. Also hoping to get a lot done before work today so hopefully this book is great for puttering around the house to!

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Erin.Elizabeth10
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed The Henna Artist, but I found this sequel to be not nearly as good. I enjoyed the story because I got to see where the characters go, but otherwise as a book itself I thought it wandered and didn‘t hold my attention. There was a lot of talking about construction supplies and sheep, recapping the previous book, and the “mystery” was very predictable. Overall, I thought it was not nearly as good as the first book.

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akaGingerK
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Ahhh, I‘m so stressed out by the narrative! (It‘s good! But I‘m nervous because I know from the previous book that the author will definitely let bad things happen to her characters, and there‘s quite a few pages remaining for things to go more wrong.)

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eanderson
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Pickpick

Absolutely love this series. Loved hearing more from Malik. Lakshmi is a beautiful character. Goodness, I really did love it!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book 1 complete for #superseptember

Cinfhen I loved the first book but had a hard time getting into this one. Maybe I need to try again! 2y
Andrew65 Don‘t know the author but this looks great. Well done 👏👏👏 2y
41 likes2 comments
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

The Henna Artist was a great book and I knew I'd pick up the rest of the books when I found out it was going to be a trilogy. I definitely preferred The Henna Artist in terms of the story but this had equally beautiful writing and such good character development. I just love how Joshi writes. When is book 3 out!?

43 likes1 stack add
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eanderson
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🎧😍

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SanjanaGhosh
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Pickpick

This book, while not as captivating as the first part, was still so good 👏

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deliasson
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Pickpick

I loved The Henna Artist and was equally impressed by this second book! I love the character development and it had me hooked right away and all the way through.

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

Wow! This was even better than her 1st book. Malik is sent back to Jaipur to learn engineering/construction, even the financial side of business. The biggest project,a new theater, has a major accident and Malik finds some discrepancies.

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MallenNC
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Pickpick

This was my last finished book of May. I liked how it moved forward the stories of the characters in The Henna Artist. This one has a mystery element that I enjoyed, and the audiobook had three great narrators.

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MaggieCarr
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Pickpick

Let me confirm that Alka Joshi is a talented author. I was instantly transported back into the Henna Artist storyline as if I read these books back to back despite the time gap in the storylines. These characters remain so very real to me in their flaws, hopes, failed expectations, and goals. The vivid depiction of architecture, clothing, scents, and landscape just make it come alive in my head, like reading it is viewing it, a true treat.

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Crazeedi
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#12Booksof2021 @Andrew65 #September
I'm a bit behind! The last three months of the year was a reading drop off for me. But this is the second book in this series and I really enjoyed it

BiblioLitten Ah the City Palace on the cover💙 2y
Andrew65 Looks a great read. 2y
Crazeedi @BiblioLitten thanks for enlightening me! Beautiful! 2y
64 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job of bringing India to life, and sharing the beautiful culture in this book.

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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
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As I enjoyed The Henna Artist, I thought I'd try this book as well.

Mccall0113 Equally as good :) 2y
33 likes1 comment
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This was really very good. It's entertaining. The characters are lovely. There's something very simple and pleasing about it. Did it blow my mind? No.

This was my IRL book club pick for November.

#BookSpinBingo square 1
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
40 likes1 comment
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CindiB
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Pickpick

The sequel to The Henna Artist, it was great to visit with Lakshmi, Malik, and Jay again, twelve years later. Loved this book. Joshi has such a warm, wonderful writing style. You feel like you‘re there in the room participating! I understand that this series is a trilogy, which makes me very happy. 4.5/5.

angieinwonderland Oooh a trilogy? That is exciting. I hadn't heard. Thank you for sharing. 2y
53 likes1 comment
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Crazeedi
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Pickpick

The second book of this series. I totally enjoyed reading more of Lakshmi's life. She is married and helping her doctor husband in the foothills of the Himalayas. This book focuses on Malik, the boy who she took on as protegé. The story includes the collapse of the new theater in Jaipur, and Malik tries to find out how it happened

TheSpineView Way to go!😊📖👍 2y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LadyCait84
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Pickpick

Much like its predecessor, The Henna Artist, this novel pulls vibrancy from both of its lush settings — India‘s bustling “Pink City” & a cooler, quieter village in the Himalayan foothills. Written to satisfy fan-demand for more Malik, it also explores topics of class & entitlement, limitless familial loyalty,the risks & rewards of integrity…while taking many beloved characters on an exciting journey, set 12 years after the close of the first book.

scottsunderg66 Hi friend I'm glad to meet you here.. well I'm new here and still trying my best to understand Litsy Lol 😂 but I'd want to be friends with you... Get back to me by respond hi to my Gmail.. scottsundberg56@gmail.com 3y
scottsunderg66 What did you spend most of your time doing today? Are there any books you would recommend for me to read?.. 3y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Valhalla
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This book kept me just as interested as the first

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JulieAly
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a tearjerker.

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SLibrarian5
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this, but was a little disappointed as well. I was left wanting more at the end and thought the conclusion to the mystery was abrupt. The audiobook was wonderful and I loved the characters. I hope there is a third book with Radha‘s story.

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MelKelsey
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Mehso-so

Book 101

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is a continuation of Lakshmi's story from The Henna Artist. Chapters jump from the perspective of three characters. It isn't compelling or overly engaging. ⭐⭐⭐

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

I loved immersing myself into the world of Lakshmi and Malik again! Another beautiful story from the incredible Alka Joshi, and outstanding narrator performances on the audio book!

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Booknerd2
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Pickpick

As good as The Henna Artist!!!! (Possibly better)
💜💜💜

kremi Really good book!❤ 3y
Booknerd2 @kremi I absolutely enjoyed it! 3y
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AmyK1
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Pickpick

I read The Henna Artist awhile ago and really liked it. This was just as good, if not better. I loved that there was a bit of a mystery to it, as well as being HF.

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Krystle13
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Pickpick

LOVED IT!
COME ON BOOK 3.
🥰😍

Chrissyreadit I love the picture above your bookshelf. This looks like a pretty space. 3y
Krystle13 That was Lake Louis.Alberta. Have 2 other ones, from Jasper and Banff. We took the photos and had them enlarged 🥰 Thank you, that's just 1 spot that I have books. Hahaha 3y
39 likes2 comments
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Susanita
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Thanks for the #wondrouswednesday tags! Sorry I‘m late. Something happened at the end of the workday that made me cross, and all I wanted to do after that was fix dinner and read my book to the end. But I‘m back now and over it!
1. HF: tagged book which takes place partially in the #mountains
NF: Homer‘s Odyssey
2. 👍🏻👍🏻
3. Mystery & historical fiction
#JulyJourneys

Eggs Nice double play 👏🏻🧗‍♀️📚 3y
24 likes1 comment
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GirlWellRead
Pickpick
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FeatherV
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Pickpick

I was so excited for the release of this book in the past week. It's been 12 years since the events of the henna artist. Malik is a grown man, in love with a tribal woman from the Himalayas. Lakshmi works with Dr. Kumar and has married him. Malik is in Jaipur investigating the events of the theater collapse

for my full thoughts see: https://heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-book-youve-waited-so-long-for...

CoffeeAndABook Great picture collage!! Makes me want to travel - and also read those two books!! 😎🧳👒🏞 3y
FeatherV @CoffeeAndABook thank you! I would love to travel and see the places I read about! I also recommend these books because…they‘re incredible! 3y
CoffeeAndABook Can‘t wait ☺️ 3y
7 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AmyK1
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#birthdaybookhaul My family spoils me ❤️

SilversReviews LOVED, LOVED, LOVED The House Between Tides, The Book of Lost Names, and The Yellow Bird Sings….ENJOY all of your books. 3y
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ReadingisMyPassion
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Pickpick

I loved “The Henna Artist” when it came out last year, and I loved its sequel just as much, or maybe even a bit more. As I began reading it, it soon felt like a family reunion. I had come home to visit again with Lakshmi and Malik and various friends, like Maharani Indira, Manu and Kanta Agarwal, and even Madho Singh.

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Reecaspieces
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Mehso-so

I am sure I am in the minority on this one. It was a bit slow. Read my full review here:

https://reecaspieces.com/2021/06/22/the-secret-keeper-of-jaipur-by-alka-joshi-bo...

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SoManyBooksNotEnoughTime
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Pickpick

"??? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????????? ?? ?????????."⁣

A fantastic follow-up to The Henna Artist. Taking place about 12 years later, this sequel still follows Lakshmi as well as her assistant, Malik. Alternating narrators between the two & a new character, Nimmi, I enjoyed this book just as much as the first, possibly more so. I love how I can smell & taste India when reading Joshi's works.

58 likes1 stack add
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rachelm
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Pickpick

I was lucky to get an #alc of Alka Joshi‘s new novel and the follow-up to The Henna Artist. Lovers of the first book will be delighted by the expanded story, twelve years after the first novel. I actually, to be honest, enjoyed these characters and this plot even more.
When a theater collapses in Jaipur, the characters‘ lives change forever. Part historical women‘s fiction, part mystery, this novel was a treat. Highly recommended, and out in June.

rachelm Thank you #librofm for the free copy! 3y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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jen_the_scribe
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Already preordered this one on Audible after finishing The Henna Artist.

18 likes1 stack add
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Susanita
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1. My commute went from 26 miles to 30 steps.
2. Zoom, Adobe Connect, MS Teams, Webex, etc.
3. Less than originally planned.
4. Tagged book
#thoughtfulthursday

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Susanita
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This cover!!!

CaitZ I'm adding to my stack on the basis of the cover alone 3y
31 likes2 stack adds1 comment