Children's books, realistic fiction and crime fiction — these are the kind of stories that come most naturally to me. I had to do extensive research and change the mindset to write mythological fiction, especially because I'm not a Hindu and did not grow up exposed to the Hindu myths and gods. Frankly, with books like The Invisible Spy, I feel like I've returned home!

What research did you undertake to craft this series? The kids hail from varied backgrounds and have interesting character sketches...

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Illustrations from Banker's The Invisible Spy, the first in the Secret School Mysteries series. ILLUSTRATIONS/ RAVI GUPTA

In some way, they're all a part of me. I'm of mixed parentage: Scottish, Irish, Dutch, Portuguese, Sri Lankan and Indian — South Indian, Goan and East Indian. In terms of religion, I am of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, and Jewish blood. There's upper caste, low caste, and scheduled caste in me. All in one person! So it was simple to separate them into different characters, who then grew and became their own persons. Peter, Sania, Asha, Usha, Arun, and even Uru, are each so diverse and unique, yet they are all 21st-century Indians!

What's it about?

Illustrations from Banker's The Invisible Spy, the first in the Secret School Mysteries series. ILLUSTRATIONS/ RAVI GUPTA

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