IN THIS SECOND BOOK, THE MYSTERY HOUNDERS FIND THEMSELVES ON A SUMMER VACATION IN LADAKH!

It's no ordinary vacation, though.

The Ladakh Ecological Department has summoned Tara and Vicky's parents, scientists Jayant and Anita Mishra, on an assignment that is under wraps. The Pangong Tso, a lake straddling India and China, has been proving to be deadly to the wildlife around. Many birds and animals have been found dead after drinking its waters. The Changpa, who are the nomadic tribe that shepherd the Changra goats whose fleece provides for the precious pashmina wool, are worried. If they can't graze their goats on the Indian side of the Pangong Tso, they have to cross over into Chinese-occupied Tibet to sustain their livelihood, which would mean a considerable loss for the Ladakhi wool trade.

Is the poisonous lake a simple accident or is there an ancient Changpa legend coming to life? Or worse, is there a larger geopolitical conspiracy afoot?

SUTAPA BASU is an award-winnin