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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For a reader interested in India..., June 19, 2010
This review is from: The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator (Vish Puri Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Tarquin Hall's new "cozy", is a great read for those interested in India, its people, and its customs. "Died Laughing" is Hall's second mystery, and again features Vish Puri, a 50-something detective in Delhi who bills himself as India's "Most Private Investigator". He's often called on by public officials to look into crimes, as well as investigating for private clients. Puri also has a large family; wife, children, mother, and siblings as well as a large cast of "operatives", who often figure into Puri's cases. In both books, so far, Puri's mother, "Mummy" and his wife, "Rumpi" team up to solve a more home-grown crime among their friends. Vish, who wishes his wife and mother would just stop trying to do what he does, thankfully never learns about their crime-busting.
"Died Laughing" is a somewhat complicated story that involves magic, murder, and fake Swamis. Operatives "Face Cream", "Handbrake", and "Tubelight" join Vish as he follows it all to a curious end.
Hall writes in detail about Indian society. Reading his books is almost a learning experience. His plots are almost incidental to character development. I'm looking forward to number three in his Vish Puri series.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pukka story, June 22, 2010
This review is from: The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator (Vish Puri Mysteries) (Hardcover)
I loved this book, the second in the Vish Puri series by Tarquin Hall, as much as Hall's first book in the series, "The Case of the Missing Servant". Both mysteries are set in India and the sights, sounds, and smells of India are immediate on every page. Vish Puri, nicknamed "Chubby" by his wife, loves to eat, and so lots of great Indian food is described as Vish falls often off the diet wagon. Vish Puri is a smart, funny and lovable character whose Indian/English dialog is spot on. The book includes a glossary of Indian words that I've enjoyed reading to expand my Indian vocabulary, but one can skip the glossary and just get the general meaning of the words from contextual cues. If you've enjoyed the "Ladies Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith and the "Marriage Bureau for Rich People" series by Farahad Zama, you'll love Tarquin Hall's delightful Vish Puri books.
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27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"The wool is being pulled over our eyes.", June 17, 2010
This review is from: The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator (Vish Puri Mysteries) (Hardcover)
It is infernally hot and humid in New Delhi--44 degrees Celsius. Most Private Investigator Vish Puri hates heat and humidity; he prefers to remain in an air conditioned room or car whenever possible. Work, however, forces him to endure the sweltering weather in Tarquin Hall's "The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing." The author places us in the chaotic streets of New Delhi, in which "everywhere commerce flourished." "Dilli wallahs," as inhabitants of New Delhi are known, "went about their lives, seemingly resigned to the capital's harsh and, for most, worsening conditions."
Although he hates the comparison, many regard Puri as the Sherlock Holmes of India. It is the rare miscreant who can outsmart Puri, a shrewd and imaginative man who is as resourceful as he is tenacious. Vish Puri is ably assisted by his team of undercover operatives, without whom he would not be able to conduct surveillance, do background checks, or carry on other covert operations. In the course of this novel, Vish will tackle cases ranging from extortion to a bizarre murder. In addition, his mother, Mummy-ji, and wife, Rumpi, get in the act, undertaking some amateur sleuthing of their own.
Some critics have compared Tarquin Hall to Alexander McCall Smith, who created "The Number One Ladies Detective Agency." There are parallels between the two series, such as their whimsical humor, offbeat criminals, emphasis on the oddities of human nature, and exploration of the social and cultural mores of the countries where they are set. However, Hall is not as impressive as Alexander McCall Smith, whose light touch, engaging and concise writing style, and careful delineation of character make the Precious Ramotswe mysteries so consistently excellent. The characters in "The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing" are not as memorable. They include Dr. Suresh Jha, a retired mathematician, known as the "Guru Buster," because of his determination to unmask spiritual con men; Jha's arch enemy, Maharaj Swami, "revered as a living saint by more than thirty million followers," who presides over the Abode of Eternal Love; Professor Pandey, leader of the Rajpath Laughing Club; and Inspector Jagat Prakash Singh of the Delhi police, who routinely turns to his good friend, Puri, to help him solve particularly sophisticated crimes. When a prominent individual appears to have been struck down by the writhing and hideous goddess Kali, Singh calls on Puri for advice. Did a miracle actually occur or has the public been duped by a clever charlatan?
One irksome aspect of this talky narrative is the author's use of Hindi phrases throughout the book, forcing the reader to turn to the glossary in the back. It would have been simpler to insert the definitions either in the text or at the bottom of the page in footnotes. In addition, as the narrative progresses, the plot becomes increasingly complicated, the dialogue long-winded, and the humor more forced. Nor is it helpful that Hall recounts, in great detail, every single food consumed by Puri and his acquaintances. By the time the numerous threads of the mystery are unraveled, some readers may be struggling to stay awake.
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