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Draft:Ruby Gupta

Ruby Gupta
OccupationNovelist, academic
Alma materGarhwal University
GenreCrime fiction, thriller, literary fiction
Notable worksA Degree in Death, No Illusions in Xanadu, The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda, Love & Crime
Notable awardsGSE for USA by Rotary International; Pratibha Samman (Journalism); Nation Builder Award; International Writer-in-Residence, Agatha Christie Festival (2022)

Ruby Gupta is an Indian crime fiction writer, academic, and professor & HOD at the ACC Wing, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.[1] She has written ten books across crime fiction, literary fiction, and academic writing. Gupta is best known for her suspense novels featuring Professor Shantanu Bose, including A Degree in Death (2012), No Illusions in Xanadu (2019), and The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda (2022). Her short-story collection Love & Crime (2025) marks her tenth publication.

Gupta has been described as "India’s own Agatha Christie" by The Citizen. [2] In 2022, she was selected as the International Writer-in-Residence at the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, England, where an early edition of her thriller The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda was unveiled.[3] Her work has received coverage in major Indian newspapers including The Hindu, The New Indian Express, The Times of India, The Pioneer, Hans India, The Tribune, Garhwal Post, and Himachal Times.

Early life and education

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Gupta initially studied science before shifting to the humanities, later earning a master's degree in English Literature in which she received two gold medals.[4] She completed her doctoral research in English, worked as a journalist and subsequently moved into academia. Her early non-fiction work includes Khushwant Singh: Reality and Myth, published by Classical Publishing Company.[5]

Academic career

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Gupta has been associated with teaching and research for over three decades, working with undergraduate and postgraduate students across management, engineering, and humanities programmes.[6] She joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun as Professor and Head at the ACC Wing, teaching poetry, fiction and behavioural studies.[7]

Her academic work includes research papers published in national and international journals, and presented at several conferences in the fields of communication, literature, and pedagogy. Gupta has also guided doctoral scholars and coordinated academic initiatives such as the DIT–MIT (USA) collaborative research programme and the TEQIP World Bank Project, under MHRD during her earlier institutional affiliations.[8]

Literary career

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Early writing and non-fiction

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Gupta’s early writing includes short fiction and literary criticism. Her first collection of short stories, The Fulfilment, was published in 1996, followed by the critical study Khushwant Singh: Reality and Myth (2003).[9] She later wrote two widely used textbooks, Basic Technical Communication (2009) and Advanced Technical Communication (2010), both published by Cambridge University Press and prescribed in various university syllabi.[10]

Crime fiction

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Gupta is best known for her crime thrillers featuring Professor Shantanu Bose, a nano-technology expert who turns detective. Her 2012 novel A Degree in Death is set on a university campus and gained attention for its tightly structured plot and fast pace. It received coverage in The Hindu[11] and The Tribune.[12]

Her 2019 novel No Illusions in Xanadu, published by Bloomsbury, is a whodunit set in Mumbai’s film industry. The narrative revolves around the death of superstar Rajvir Kapoor, with all guests at a lavish party becoming suspects. The book was featured at the Literati – Chandigarh Literature Festival and launched at the Haridwar Literature Festival.[13][14] It was also launched at the Valley of Words International Literature Festival in Dehradun.[15]

No Illusions in Xanadu received favourable reviews. The New Indian Express described it as “reminiscent of a Hercule Poirot mystery”.[16] Hans India praised its characterisation and the pace of the narrative,[17] while Different Truths highlighted its layered writing and psychological depth.[18] Kitaab noted its intersection of wealth, glamour, and moral ambiguity.[19]

Her 2022 thriller The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda was unveiled at the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, England, during her tenure as International Writer-in-Residence.[20] The novel explores a conspiracy linked to mysterious deaths of Indian nuclear scientists and was later launched at the Valley of Words International Literature Festival.[21]

Literary fiction

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Gupta’s novel Maya (2009), published by Pilgrims Publishing, examines personal loss and self-discovery. It received favourable notice in India Today, which praised its introspective tone,[22] and in The Tribune for its depiction of emotional complexity.[23] The Times of India also covered the book during its release period.[24]

Short story collections and anthologies

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Gupta contributed two stories to the Penguin Random House and Romedy Now anthology You Are All I Need (2020).[25] Her 2025 collection Love & Crime, published by Sabre & Quill, explores the darker side of human relationships and received media attention for its psychological themes.[26][27]

Themes and style

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Reviewers frequently compare Gupta’s narrative approach to classic detective fiction. The Citizen called her “India’s own Agatha Christie”,[28] while critics from Hans India and Different Truths have noted her emphasis on psychological motives, social dynamics, and human behaviour. Her crime novels frequently explore themes of obsession, secrecy, and moral conflict within elite social circles, presented through concise narration and plot-driven storytelling.

Recognition and awards

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Gupta has been recognised for both her literary work and contributions to education. In 2022, she was selected as the International Writer-in-Residence at the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, England, where she participated in panel discussions on contemporary crime writing.[29] The festival programme listed her among featured international authors.[30]

She was included in the “Top 50 Indian Writers” list published by The Literary Mirror in 2023, which highlighted her contributions to modern Indian crime fiction.[31]

Gupta has received several honours during her career, including the Pratibha Samman Award for Journalism and the Nation Builder Award.[32] Earlier in her career, she was selected by Rotary International for a cultural exchange programme in the United States.[33]

Her works and festival appearances have been widely covered by Indian media, including The Times of India, which reported on her participation in the Agatha Christie Festival,[34] and other outlets such as ETimes, Daijiworld, City Air News, and IANS Live.[35]

Critical reception

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Gupta’s work has received sustained attention from Indian newspapers, literary platforms, and festival reviewers. Her crime fiction has been noted for its plotting, psychological depth, and engagement with contemporary social settings.

No Illusions in Xanadu (2019) drew wide critical coverage. The New Indian Express compared the novel’s structure to a Hercule Poirot mystery, highlighting its ensemble cast and layered suspense.[36] Hans India praised Gupta’s ability to humanise celebrity culture and depict the contradictions of privileged social circles,[37] while Different Truths described the book as a study in “layered writing” with an emphasis on narrative psychology.[38] Kitaab highlighted its portrayal of wealth, glamour, and moral ambiguity in a setting inspired by Mumbai’s film industry.[39]

Earlier, her debut thriller A Degree in Death was noted by The Hindu for its pace and academic setting,[40] and by The Tribune for its handling of suspense in an institutional environment.[41]

Her literary novel Maya received favourable notice in India Today for its exploration of grief and self-discovery,[42] while The Tribune praised its emotional clarity and characterisation.[43]

Bibliography

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Novels

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  • Maya (Pilgrims Publishing, 2009)
  • A Degree in Death (Alchemy Publishers, 2012)
  • No Illusions in Xanadu (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019)
  • The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda (Vishwakarma Publications, 2022)

Short story collections

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  • The Fulfilment (Har-Anand Publications, 1996)
  • Love & Crime (Sabre & Quill Publishers, 2025)

Critical and academic works

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  • Khushwant Singh: Reality and Myth (Classical Publishing Company, 2003)
  • Basic Technical Communication (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
  • Advanced Technical Communication (Cambridge University Press, 2010)
  • Creativity Decoded: Mind and Art of Selected Poets (Indian Military Academy, 2017)

Anthology contributions

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  • “Two stories” in You Are All I Need (Penguin Random House & Romedy Now, 2020)

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References

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  1. ^ "Prof Dr Ruby Gupta of IMA publishes her 10th book". Garhwal Post. 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  2. ^ "Ruby Gupta: India's Own Agatha Christie?". The Citizen. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  3. ^ "Writer-in-Residence 2022". International Agatha Christie Festival. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  4. ^ "Seasoned Author of Multiple Crime Thrillers: Dr Ruby Gupta". WomenShine. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  5. ^ Ruby Gupta (2003). Khushwant Singh: Reality and Myth. Classical Publishing Company. ISBN 8170543223.
  6. ^ "Seasoned Author of Multiple Crime Thrillers: Dr Ruby Gupta". WomenShine. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  7. ^ "Prof Dr Ruby Gupta of IMA publishes her 10th book". Garhwal Post. 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  8. ^ "IOSR Journal – Comparative Study of Communication Pedagogy" (PDF). IOSR Journals. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  9. ^ Ruby Gupta (2003). Khushwant Singh: Reality and Myth. Classical Publishing Company. ISBN 8170543223.
  10. ^ "Seasoned Author of Multiple Crime Thrillers: Dr Ruby Gupta". WomenShine. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  11. ^ "Campus murder mystery explored". The Hindu. 2012. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  12. ^ "Mystery in academia". The Tribune. 2010. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  13. ^ "Haridwar Literature Festival Session – Mysteries with Dr Ruby Gupta". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  14. ^ "Chandigarh Literary Society Session with Ruby Gupta". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  15. ^ "No Illusions in Xanadu – VoW Session". Valley of Words. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  16. ^ Ganesh Saili (2020-05-24). "No Illusions in Xanadu – Murder Most Foul". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  17. ^ "Thriller on the Go". Hans India. 2019. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  18. ^ "No Illusions in Xanadu: Layered Writing". Different Truths. 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  19. ^ "How Ruby Gupta Equates Xanadu to Ambani Home". Kitaab. 2019. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  20. ^ "Writer-in-Residence 2022". International Agatha Christie Festival. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  21. ^ "Ruby Gupta at VoW". Garhwal Post. 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  22. ^ "Maya: A Journey into Self". India Today. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  23. ^ "Maya Review". The Tribune. 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  24. ^ "Maya – Book Listing". The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  25. ^ "You Are All I Need – Penguin India". Penguin India. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  26. ^ "Ruby Gupta explores dark side of human relationships in Love & Crime". The Pioneer. 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  27. ^ "Prof Dr Ruby Gupta of IMA publishes her 10th book". Garhwal Post. 2024. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  28. ^ "Ruby Gupta: India's Own Agatha Christie?". The Citizen. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  29. ^ "Writer-in-Residence 2022". International Agatha Christie Festival. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  30. ^ "Agatha Christie Festival Programme 2022". IACF UK. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  31. ^ "Ruby Gupta – Top 50 Indian Writers". The Literary Mirror. 2023. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  32. ^ "Seasoned Author of Multiple Crime Thrillers: Dr Ruby Gupta". WomenShine. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  33. ^ "Dr Ruby Gupta honoured by Rotary International". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  34. ^ "Indian crime fiction writer honoured at Agatha Christie Fest". The Times of India. 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  35. ^ "Indian crime fiction writer honoured at Agatha Christie Fest". IANS Live. 2022. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  36. ^ Ganesh Saili (2020-05-24). "No Illusions in Xanadu – Murder Most Foul". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  37. ^ "Thriller on the Go". Hans India. 2019. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  38. ^ "No Illusions in Xanadu: Layered Writing". Different Truths. 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  39. ^ "How Ruby Gupta Equates Xanadu to Ambani Home". Kitaab. 2019. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  40. ^ "Campus murder mystery explored". The Hindu. 2012. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  41. ^ "Mystery in academia". The Tribune. 2010. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  42. ^ "Maya: A Journey into Self". India Today. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  43. ^ "Maya Review". The Tribune. 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
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