The novel is more vague than the movie. One thing the novel did to throw people off the track is that it ends with a bit about Palpatine on Naboo contemplating recent events, and then the very next section talks of Sidious on his balcony overlooking the city. The novel doesn't say the city is Coruscant, so it could just as well have been Theed on Naboo.
And I'm really embarrassed I remember that.
The novel Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter came out before AOTC, but the ending only makes sense if Palpatine is behind blockade of Naboo. Basically he's given proof of plans for the blockade and then the next chapter features Maul killing the guy that have him that proof.