Shadows Over Mandovi
Secrets of the River: A New Political Mystery from the Host of URBA
If you look out toward the Panjim skyline from Porvorim, you see the majestic Mandovi River and its grand bridges. To a tourist, they are beautiful structures. But to a writer, they hold secrets.
I am excited to announce the launch of my debut historical-fiction novel, “Shadows Over Mandovi.” This book is a political mystery that dives deep into the hidden history and shifting shadows of our capital city. Written in a simple, easy-to-read style, it connects the modern landscape of Goa—the very areas you travel through when staying at URBA—with the intense political events that shaped our state.
I wanted to write a story for the common person, something that keeps you turning the pages while teaching you about the real pulse of Goa.
Launch Event: I will be featuring “Shadows Over Mandovi” at the Goa Book Festival in Campal, Panjim, from February 4th to 8th, 2026.
If you are staying with us during the festival, I invite you to visit the stall and pick up a signed copy. Experience the mystery of the river that flows just minutes away from your room.
Launch Event: I will be featuring "Shadows Over Mandovi" at the Goa Book Festival in Campal, Panjim, from February 4th to 8th, 2026.
My New Novel: Shadows Over Mandovi – A Story of Goa’s Heart, Shadows, and Unyielding Spirit By Raticanta Mandrencar
Dear friends, guests, and lovers of Goa,
As someone who has spent years welcoming people to the serene beauty and warm hospitality of Porvorim through UrbaLuxury, I’ve always believed that Goa is more than sun, sea, and sand. It is a living, breathing land—with ancient rivers that remember everything, vibrant festivals that unite us, and a quiet, stubborn spirit that refuses to be silenced.
That spirit is the heartbeat of my new novel, Shadows Over Mandovi, launching soon with Querate Publishers, a proud Goan press.
Plot:
The story begins under the riot of colour and music of Carnival in Panjim. Laughter fills the air. Floats roll past colonial homes and the shimmering Mandovi. But in one devastating moment, beloved activist-priest Father Almeida collapses mid-procession—poisoned. What starts as grief quickly becomes something darker: a conspiracy reaching from fishing villages to casino boardrooms, from stolen Communidade land to the corridors of power.
Into this storm step two unlikely allies: Yogita Dalal, a sharp-eyed journalist from Mumbai with Goan roots and scars of her own, and Raghav Naik, a suspended cop who once believed in the badge but now carries only bitterness and an unbreakable sense of justice.
Together they follow a trail of forged documents, hidden threats, laundered money, and silenced voices—uncovering the men who think they can own Goa’s soul for profit. As smears, violence, and fear close in, the fight moves from shadowed alleys to the courtroom, from candlelit vigils to statewide protests.
Shadows Over Mandovi is not just a thriller. It is a love letter to the Goa I know—the one of resilient fishermen, determined activists, peeling Portuguese walls, and the eternal Mandovi that carries every secret toward the sea. It is about the masks we wear to survive, the courage it takes to tear them off, and the quiet power of ordinary people when they stand together.
Writing this book felt deeply personal. Like many of you who come to UrbaLuxury for a peaceful escape, I have watched Goa change—seen mangroves vanish for jetties, villages pressured for resorts, traditions pushed aside for “development.” This novel is my small attempt to honour the people who refuse to let that happen quietly.
I’m thrilled to share that Shadows Over Mandovi will be available soon through Querate Publishers and at the upcoming Goa Book Festival (February 2026). I’ll be signing copies and speaking about the story—watch this space for exact dates and locations.
If you’ve ever stayed with us in Porvorim and felt the magic of Goa—the river at sunset, the smell of cashew feni, the warmth of Konkani conversations—then this book is for you. It’s a reminder that our home is worth fighting for.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a guest, a reader, or simply someone who loves Goa, I hope Shadows Over Mandovi brings you closer to the heartbeat of this land we all cherish.
With gratitude and Goan pride,
Raticanta Mandrencar