Dr. Suresh Jha, best known for unmasking fraudulent swamis and godmen, dies in a fit of giggles at his morning yoga class when goddess Kali appears from the mist and plunges a sword into his chest. The case is a first in the "annals of crime," according to Vish Puri, head of Delhi's Most Private Investigators. Puri and his team of unstoppable undercover operatives must travel from Delhi's Shadipur slum, home of India's ancestral magicians, to the holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges.
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"I am a huge fan of the Vish Puri series. "Chubbie" is a wonderfully flawed detective in Delhi. The mysteries are very good, but what I really appreciate is the colorful, corrupt, oh-so-different-from-my-world glimpse into modern life in Delhi. Also, the dialogue with all its idioms is constantly amusing. "
— NLangham (5 out of 5 stars)
“Hall writes amusing mysteries…[his] affectionate humor is embedded with barbs.”
— New York Times Book Review“[A] funny, entertaining novel... The characters—including members of Puri’s complicated family—are splendid, and it’s a joy to read.”
— Times (London)“Delightful…Hall splendidly evokes the color and bustle of Delhi streets and the tang of contemporary India.”
— Seattle Times“Warm and entertaining.”
— Denver Post“Modern India, in all its colorful squalor, provides a vivid backdrop for this well-crafted whodunit.”
— Buffalo News“Hall has an unerring ear for the vagaries of Indian English, the Indian penchant for punning acronyms, peculiarly Indian problems...and an obvious affection for India, warts and all.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Narrator Sam Dastor slips in and out of Indian accents that represent all classes, castes, and personalities.…He’s hilarious as Puri’s Mummy-ji and his wife, Rumpi, attempt to solve a crime and appropriately precise as Puri himself, the man of a thousand opinions. This is the second book in a winning series.”
— AudioFile“As tasty as Puri’s favorite aloo parantha.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I really enjoy this series. "
— Linda, 2/8/2014" I really like reading Tarquin Hall, - an glimpse of Indian life that I would never have had. "
— Lynne, 2/6/2014" Another fun read in this series. "
— marymurtz, 2/5/2014" See "The Case of the Missing Servant". Love these books. I had the pleasure of listening to this one on an audiobook (while in the emergency room awaiting an appendectomy!) Lovely. Now my only problem is that I don't have any "Kitty Party" to go to. "
— Murghi, 2/4/2014" Surely this is my newest favorite series. Detectives, India, ashrams,intrigue... "
— Carrie, 1/25/2014" Another excellent entry, with a skillful reader and another wacky story featuring the "Most Private Detective" Vish Puri and his hilariously-named staff (Facecream, Tubelight, Handbrake etc.) in Delhi, India. I very much look forward to the next release! "
— Spuddie, 1/24/2014" Great Book because it was fun and informative of Indian language and life. I liked this one and the other one on my list. "
— Marilyn, 1/16/2014" A fun mystery set in India. Vishi Puri and his operatives who all have great nicknames are pressed into service to investigate the strange murder of a man by a "miracle apparation". "
— Jose, 1/16/2014" I love Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator. I love the language, the smashed up English and Punjabi slang. Great mystery, good plot twists, priceless characters. "
— Emma, 12/23/2013" quite enjoyable, light, easy read. "
— Jo-Lane, 12/18/2013" For a non-Indian to capture the cultural nuances in such details is worthy of applaud but I wonder will the essence be lost on the non-indian reader? The story turned a bit too bollywoodish for me- Godmen, crazy TV networks, kitty parties... "
— Mandira, 11/23/2013Tarquin Hall is a writer and journalist who has lived and worked in much of South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He is the author of Mercenaries, Missionaries, and Misfits: Adventures of an Underage Journalist; To the Elephant Graveyard; Salaam Brick Lane: A Year in the New East End; and the Vish Puri series of mystery novels.
Sam Dastor studied English at
Cambridge and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His early theatrical experience includes a spell
at the National Theatre under Sir Laurence Olivier and time spent acting in the
West End. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has been seen in Timon of Athens, Tales from Ovid, and a world tour of A Servant to Two Masters. His many television appearances include I, Claudius; Yes, Minister; Mountbatten;
Julius Caesar; and Fortunes of War. He has also appeared in
the films Made, Jinnah, and Such a Long
Journey, recorded over a thousand broadcasts for the BBC, and narrated
numerous audio books.