This book has been dancing around in my imagination for years, waiting for the right moment to leap onto paper. However, being more of a finance professional than a writer, I let it sit on my to-do list for nearly a decade—right next to “learn to cook” and “take up jogging.”

The opportunity (and time) finally presented itself, courtesy of COVID-19. My first mention of this idea was to my ever-patient wife, Rama, who responded with a smile and, occasionally, outright laughter. But I can’t blame her—it was a far cry from my usual spreadsheets and complex finance data. However, my sons, Sriram and Narayan, met the idea with infectious enthusiasm, transforming the writing process into a joyful adventure rather than a solitary task.

My daughter-in-law, Shreya, was very supportive. Despite being in the advanced stage of pregnancy, she edited over fifty percent of the book’s content. After childbirth, Rama took over Shreya’s work. Both demanded a real-time update on who the villain in the story was and when it would be revealed. Their joint efforts improved the book and kept me on my toes.

As I neared the completion of my first draft, I was fortunate to receive guidance from Ms. Sunayana, my spiritual sister. Her invaluable insights sharpened the storyline in ways I could not have envisioned. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my good friend, Ms. Elizabeth, a talented short story writer whose advice on narrative point of view was a turning point for me.

The ever-helpful Vishnu, a dear friend and a reputed finance professional, critiqued my second draft. Thanks to his input—and a lot of pages—we stumbled upon the idea of turning this story into a trilogy. What started as a single book turned into a much bigger adventure!

While writing the third book, I collaborated with Ms. Charu, a talented marketing professional. Her positivity and helpful nature opened my eyes to the wonders of social media—something I once considered a black hole of cat videos and memes. Thanks to Charu, I connected with Ms. Gitanjali, a warm and competent professional who’s taking charge of launching this book.

Finally, I’d be remiss not to mention my dearest friend of over four decades, Ajit Chhabra. We share a bond deeper than brothers, and his warmth and unwavering support throughout this journey is something I will forever treasure.

As I near the final chapters of Web of Deceit, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible support I’ve received along the way. This journey would not have been possible without all of you—thank you from the bottom of my heart.