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The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, India’s Most Private Investigator Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,295 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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)
Quotes
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“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
Awards
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing Listener Reviews
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" 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, 11/23/2013 -
" Just discovered this author! Fun, readable, light and just right for bedtime reading or a stolen hour on a weekend. "
— Ellen, 9/27/2013 -
" Enjoyable story that also serves to evoke Delhi for the non-Indian reader. "
— Eileen, 9/23/2013 -
" This was a fun read, full of the atmosphere, characters, smells and sounds of India. I could almost feel like I was in New Delhi, and I loved the characters. It was drolly funny, which I really appreciate, too. "
— Joanray04, 9/17/2013 -
" Now I just want to go to India and eat. "
— Emily, 6/9/2013 -
" Good. Fun quick read. "
— Ruth, 9/22/2012 -
" Enormously enjoyable from someone who totally gets India! "
— Nishant, 9/15/2012 -
" I simply loved this book! Can't wait for #3! "
— Jlbutler55, 1/28/2012 -
" Clever story line about a prominent Rationalist who is slain by the goddess Kali in plain sight in a public park. Lots about popular belief in miracles and Hindu deities as well as the techniques magicians use. "
— Mary, 11/24/2011 -
" Vish Puri and his colorful cohorts are such fun. A cozy set in India, with an intriguing mystery, colorful characters, Indian history and lots of food-really what could be better? "
— Jason, 11/14/2011 -
" Book 2 from the files of India's Most Private Detective, Vish Puri. As he investigates the death by supposed supernatural forces of a non-believer professor, Puri needs all his disguises & wits. "
— Laurie, 11/6/2011 -
" This was pretty fun! This is a detective series set in India. It was fun to read all about the ins and outs of life in New Delhi as Vish Puri solved the murder mystery. There were some fun little side plots, too. "
— Carla, 11/6/2011 -
" I'm totally hooked on this character, so I'm incapable of being rational. This one is a tad on the melodramatic side, perhaps, and possibly a little overcomplicated? Who cares....I'll go on buying them as long as Hall keeps writing them! "
— Neil, 8/20/2011 -
" Both the first and second books in this series of fairly lighthearted mysteries were fun to read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of India and the fact that the author includes a short glossary at the end of the book that gives definitions for some of the Indian words used. "
— Darla, 5/3/2011 -
" Listened to audio version. Very enjoyable and an interesting commentary on religion, science and secular knowledges competing in India. "
— Marion, 5/2/2011 -
" 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, 5/1/2011 -
" Cute cozy mystery, but definitely not as good as the first. Still worth keeping an eye out for a third in the series. "
— LeslieVA, 4/16/2011 -
" Another fun Vish puri novel. Characters are starting to grow on me now - hope to see more! "
— Sulochana, 4/14/2011 -
" First book, loved it. This one was a big yawn. "
— Tracy, 4/1/2011 -
" This easy style is growing on me. Thought this book even had more humor -which is appropriate! "
— H.s., 3/9/2011 -
" This is the second in the Vish Puri series and a fun read. Good mystery and another wonderful trip into life in New Delhi. Also good was that my Kindle version noted a glossary of Indian terms at the end of the book rather than me having to find it after I finished the book. "
— Joan, 3/7/2011 -
" Enjoyable, educational and a number of surprising twists "
— Terrie, 2/28/2011 -
" I enjoyed the rich cultural experience of this book. It wasn't a page turner for me, but worth finishing. "
— Sonja, 2/10/2011 -
" Enjoyable story that also serves to evoke Delhi for the non-Indian reader. "
— Eileen, 1/29/2011
About Tarquin Hall
Tarquin 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.
About Sam Dastor
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.