“A beautiful, vivid and atmospheric novel about the pain of leaving behind your heritage and the joys of rediscovering it. Archana Maniar’s writing transports the reader to India in this evocative story of loss and redemption.”

-Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Skylark’s Secret and The Storyteller of Casablana

“In Dry Spells, lyrical prose and powerful storytelling come together to create unforgettable characters and moments. The novel’s exploration of human resilience amid environmental upheaval feels both urgent and deeply moving, offering a narrative that lingers long after the final page. Vividly evoking India's cultural landscapes, the book brims with color, depth, and authenticity - an immersive journey we believe will resonate with every reader.

-Preethi Urs, Literary Festival Director, Indo-American Arts Council

COMING SEPTEMBER 2026

“A dazzling and deeply evocative novel of love, women’s rights and the Indian independence movement, Archana Maniar’s stunning prose instantly drew me in... Impossible to put down, I know the characters will stay with me for a long time!”

-Linda Wilgus author of The Sea Child

"Archana Maniar brings 1930s India to vibrant life with this riveting story of two women bound by blood and ambition. The Lost Photograph is both intimate and sweeping in its portrait of separate generations struggling to find their place as medical doctors against the backdrop of India’s battle for independence. Maniar weaves their stories into a poignant, luminous novel that stays with you long after you've turned the last page."

-Claire Booth, author of Throwing Shadows and the Hank Worth Mystery Series

“Archana Maniar’s THE LOST PHOTOGRAPH is an immersive and beautifully woven story about two women, generations apart, who search for the courage to find their own path. The story shines a light on the powerful role of women during India’s resistance movement and binds young Kalyani's personal struggle with her nation's fight for independence. THE LOST PHOTOGRAPH is a page-turner that has it all, forbidden love, clandestine meetings, and the very real danger of losing everything, including oneself. With vivid and compelling characters, the story is gripping and tender at the same time, a testament to how the past can bring clarity to the present, and strength to embrace the future.”

Nigar Alam, author of Under the Tamarind Tree

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