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danileighta's review against another edition
A cozy mystery series that takes place in India that is funny and light, though given more weight by examining Indian culture and traditions. In this installment, we look at science and belief in the miraculous, with a really satisfying conclusion.
holly_keimig's review against another edition
3.0
Another great installment in the Vish Puri series. In this mystery, he solves a murder that seems to have divine intervention. A Hindu god appears and stabs a laughing man in broad daylight and then disappears. The mystery kept me guessing throughout.
herbsttage's review
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kraley's review against another edition
4.0
How have I never heard of these books? I love them. Mami Ji is my very favorite character. When she berates her driver, I can't stop laughing. All of the characters are well formed and three dimensional. I can't wait to read the third book. The focal mystery was interesting, but the side mystery was better. I said before that the series reminds me of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency or the Flavia DeLuce series. This is a nice clean read flavored with garam masala.
soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of fun, especially with Sam Dastor's voice-acting.
neverready's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
Even allowing for the lighter nature of this series, the idea of death by Hindu goddess in the middle of a laughter class is a bit of a stretch for anyone's imagination. But the thing I really like about the Vish Puri series of books is the gentle humour that eases the underlying message. The message of THE CASE OF THE MAN WHO DIED LAUGHING appearing to be the tension between modern and age-old Indian society, and hypocrisy in all its guises.
Knowing that the author married an Indian woman, and has lived in India for a period of time explains why a man with such an English name seems to be writing about that society and those messages with a combination of understanding, exasperation and great affection. Whilst Puri is a larger-than-life character, often referred to as the Indian Hercule Poirot, with his own particular set of mannerisms and ... well affectations ... underneath the slightly stereotypical persona there is an interesting mindset, and a man with a way of operating that seems somehow, quintessentially Indian.
The books also provide an insight into family life, and the way that the society functions within Puri's own particular class. Personally I love the character of Puri's Mummi-ji, even though I can't get Ummi from the Kumars at No 42 out of my head whenever she appears on the page...
The lightness of touch does rather deceive in this book though. At the start I just kept thinking the whole plot was too fantastic, too ludicrous to possibly be able to be explained logically and physically, and whilst there are more twists and turns to come before the resolution, the whole thing did ultimately make sense.
As this is now the second of the Vish Puri books don't let that worry you. Both of them would work out of order, so don't not pick up THE CASE OF THE MAN WHO DIED LAUGHING because you've not read THE CASE OF THE MISSING SERVANT. I'd also say don't be put off by the feeling that the both of them could be a bit light on, fluffy or even a tad unsympathetic. Sure they are entertaining and funny, but there's a little starch in the kurta at the same time. Oh and the food descriptions are positively cruel.... you can't read these books without a craving for authentic Indian food that just will not go away.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/case-man-who-died-laughing-tarquin-hall
Knowing that the author married an Indian woman, and has lived in India for a period of time explains why a man with such an English name seems to be writing about that society and those messages with a combination of understanding, exasperation and great affection. Whilst Puri is a larger-than-life character, often referred to as the Indian Hercule Poirot, with his own particular set of mannerisms and ... well affectations ... underneath the slightly stereotypical persona there is an interesting mindset, and a man with a way of operating that seems somehow, quintessentially Indian.
The books also provide an insight into family life, and the way that the society functions within Puri's own particular class. Personally I love the character of Puri's Mummi-ji, even though I can't get Ummi from the Kumars at No 42 out of my head whenever she appears on the page...
The lightness of touch does rather deceive in this book though. At the start I just kept thinking the whole plot was too fantastic, too ludicrous to possibly be able to be explained logically and physically, and whilst there are more twists and turns to come before the resolution, the whole thing did ultimately make sense.
As this is now the second of the Vish Puri books don't let that worry you. Both of them would work out of order, so don't not pick up THE CASE OF THE MAN WHO DIED LAUGHING because you've not read THE CASE OF THE MISSING SERVANT. I'd also say don't be put off by the feeling that the both of them could be a bit light on, fluffy or even a tad unsympathetic. Sure they are entertaining and funny, but there's a little starch in the kurta at the same time. Oh and the food descriptions are positively cruel.... you can't read these books without a craving for authentic Indian food that just will not go away.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/case-man-who-died-laughing-tarquin-hall
growlcat's review against another edition
3.0
Quite difficult to follow. Indian syntax was fun but not his best.
mekavbev97's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0