The Endgame, the New Thriller from India’s No.1 Crime Writer, Is Here

Shabnam.Srivastava@harpercollins.co.in | 18 July 2020

HarperCollins India is delighted to publish veteran investigative journalist and India’s foremost and bestselling crime writer S Hussain Zaidi’s exciting new thriller, The Endgame, releasing on 20^th July. With this edge-of-the-seat suspense drama, S Hussain Zaidi is back with his irresistible cast of characters (Mumbai Avengers and Eleventh Hour) in a sizzling story of politics, betrayal and unimaginable terror, that is unputdownable. Set against a contemporary political backdrop, this is fiction that is larger than life, giving the reader a close-up of complex political machinery at work, including state security, defence services and intelligence agencies like RAW and MOSSAD – all building up to an explosive climax. You can get yourself this racy, gripping read here.

Sharing some early praise for the book, ace film director, Vishal Bhardwaj said: ‘A thrilling ride that reads like an action film!’

Speaking about the book, author S Hussain Zaidi said: ‘The Endgame takes the mentor–protege team of Shahwaz and Vikrant onwards from their earlier mission and places them in a situation where the stakes are even higher than before. Apart from a threat looming over the nation, they must also contend with enemies from within, as well as a conflict between themselves. It is, essentially, the story of the human beings behind the uniforms, with all their strengths and flaws, showing how they are required to make sacrifices at a personal level because the job demands it. At a larger level, The Endgame explores the challenges that the security of a country—any country—faces from within and without, at the same time.’

Diya Kar, Publisher, said: ‘Hussain Zaidi is on top form. The Endgame is a must-read for all who loved Mumbai Avengers and Eleventh Hour, and it’s an absolute treat for those who relish spy novels and political thrillers. Hussain has made this genre his own—he is master of the game—and we are very proud indeed to be publishing him.’

About The Endgame

THE MENTOR–PROTÉGÉ DUO IS BACK. THIS TIME, THE STAKES ARE EVEN HIGHER…

It’s been three years since Shahwaz Ali Mirza and Vikrant Singh foiled dreaded terrorist Munafiq’s attempt to leak State secrets from a naval server in Lakshadweep. Now posted with RAW, they have the task of providing security for BSF Special Director General Somesh Kumar, on his way to visit former Prime Minister Parmeshwar Naidu, who has been hospitalized after a car accident. However, Kumar’s convoy is attacked by terrorists. They manage to kill him before being gunned down themselves.

Amidst accusations of intelligence failure and cries for revenge, Mirza and Vikrant are told to investigate the case. A tip-off from a MOSSAD agent leads the duo to an apartment in Mumbra where the prime suspect, Al Muqadam, is hiding. Although Al Muqadam manages to escape, Vikrant recognizes him as Ayyub, the brother of one of his long-time informants, Mazhar Khan. Just when it looks like things can’t get more difficult, Major Daniel Fernando, now engaged to Parmeshwar Naidu’s daughter Vaishali, gets in touch claiming that there is more to Naidu’s accident than meets the eye. Soon, the entire team from the Lakshadweep operation finds itself getting together for a new mission…

About the author – Hussain Zaidi is a veteran of investigative, crime and terror reporting. His books include Black Friday, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Dongri to Dubai, Byculla to Bangkok, Mumbai Avengers and Eleventh Hour, some of which have been adapted into Bollywood films. He was the associate producer of an HBO documentary, Terror in Mumbai, based on the 26/11 terror attacks. Some of his works have also been adapted into shows on Netflix. Hussain Zaidi lives with his family in Mumbai.

For further information, please write to – Shabnam.Srivastava@harpercollins-india.com