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kategci's review against another edition
3.0
Vish Puri is India's Most Private Investigator and handles discreet personal investigations as well as the occasional murder. Tarquin Hall writes a very interesting cozy mystery which reminds me of Alexander McCall's series set in Botswana. In this first in the series, Puri is hired to investigate a granddaughter's fiancé as well as to solve the case of the missing servant. Utilizing his employees in various undercover capacities and liberally handing out rupees, he is able to bring both cases to a close. This is an auspicious start to the series and I will pick up the next one soon.
dozylocal's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Funny and easy to read. Only warning might be that you need to be familiar with "Indian speak" else the grammar/sentence structures may seem a little weird. It's a humorous murder mystery set in India. Can't really say much more than that! Good fluff :)
woofpack's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dqan's review against another edition
5.0
I've found a new, favorite private detective: Tarquin Hall's Vish Puri.
"The Case of the Missing Servant" is the first title in the series which chronicles the adventures of India's Most Private Investigator, Vish Puri. Centered in Delhi, India, the novel takes us along as Puri and his team of operatives seek to clear the name of Ajay Kasliwal, a successful attorney who has set out to expose the corruption rooted so deeply in the judicial system. Kasliwal's political opponents accuse him or killing one of his servant girls. Do they have proof? Nothing conclusive, but the accusations are bound to take a toll. And so he turns to Vish Puri for help.
Who is Vish Puri? As the novel opens, we find him sitting at a desk about to tuck into an order of green chili pakoras. He has to eat them on the sly to avoid detection by his wife and his doctor, both of whom insist that he needs to eat more healthily. Of course, he can't hide the results of his dietary indiscretion: every one in his family calls him Chubby, and he doesn't seem to mind. Puri has his foibles, of course, but he is also a clever, compassionate man who finds himself feeling increasingly out of place in a fast changing world. He likes to write letters to the editor of the newspaper decrying the social decay, but Puri is also a man of the world (parts of it anyway), and he isn't totally unwilling to learn some new tricks or adjust his thinking. And we will, on occasion, find him skirting the law, though always in the pursuit of Justice.
Puri doesn't work alone. He has a team of operatives that he calls on whenever he needs a specialty service. Most go by a nickname that Puri has given them: Tubelight, Face Cream, Door Stop, etc. The nicknames, I'm sure, make it easier to for Westerners to keep track of who is who, but the names also allow Puri (and us) to keep them at a distance. They have families, passions, and histories that we are not immediately privy to. They are colorful characters and powerful tools in the hands of Vish Puri. Puri prefers to let them have their privacy. The reader may well want to pry a little deeper.
All this is set in India, a vibrant, bustling hive of activity. Few mystery novels have fired my imagination as much as this one. Whether we are in a crowded slum or a quiet social club for the privileged, I want to explore every corner and examine every detail. I think a book like this would be enhanced greatly if I could easily access the internet while reading. Fortunately, Hall has included a glossary at the end of the book to give us a few more details should we want them. (The glossary for the first book is quite comprehensive. Glossaries in subsequent novels seem to leave out some words mentioned in previous novels, so keep the set handy.)
For the most part, the Vish Puri novels fit well within the International Cozy Mystery Genre -- there is such a thing, right? There is more history and social commentary than you will find in the average cozy, and we also learn how to say 'b*stard m*therf*cker' in Punjabi (a bit over the top, perhaps, but such uncouth language is really quite rare). But we also have the lovable, grumpy detective, his meddling Mummi, and lots of delicious food.
I've read all three of the current V.P. novels and I'm looking forward to the fourth. It's definitely a series worth checking out.
[I received a copy this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program.]
"The Case of the Missing Servant" is the first title in the series which chronicles the adventures of India's Most Private Investigator, Vish Puri. Centered in Delhi, India, the novel takes us along as Puri and his team of operatives seek to clear the name of Ajay Kasliwal, a successful attorney who has set out to expose the corruption rooted so deeply in the judicial system. Kasliwal's political opponents accuse him or killing one of his servant girls. Do they have proof? Nothing conclusive, but the accusations are bound to take a toll. And so he turns to Vish Puri for help.
Who is Vish Puri? As the novel opens, we find him sitting at a desk about to tuck into an order of green chili pakoras. He has to eat them on the sly to avoid detection by his wife and his doctor, both of whom insist that he needs to eat more healthily. Of course, he can't hide the results of his dietary indiscretion: every one in his family calls him Chubby, and he doesn't seem to mind. Puri has his foibles, of course, but he is also a clever, compassionate man who finds himself feeling increasingly out of place in a fast changing world. He likes to write letters to the editor of the newspaper decrying the social decay, but Puri is also a man of the world (parts of it anyway), and he isn't totally unwilling to learn some new tricks or adjust his thinking. And we will, on occasion, find him skirting the law, though always in the pursuit of Justice.
Puri doesn't work alone. He has a team of operatives that he calls on whenever he needs a specialty service. Most go by a nickname that Puri has given them: Tubelight, Face Cream, Door Stop, etc. The nicknames, I'm sure, make it easier to for Westerners to keep track of who is who, but the names also allow Puri (and us) to keep them at a distance. They have families, passions, and histories that we are not immediately privy to. They are colorful characters and powerful tools in the hands of Vish Puri. Puri prefers to let them have their privacy. The reader may well want to pry a little deeper.
All this is set in India, a vibrant, bustling hive of activity. Few mystery novels have fired my imagination as much as this one. Whether we are in a crowded slum or a quiet social club for the privileged, I want to explore every corner and examine every detail. I think a book like this would be enhanced greatly if I could easily access the internet while reading. Fortunately, Hall has included a glossary at the end of the book to give us a few more details should we want them. (The glossary for the first book is quite comprehensive. Glossaries in subsequent novels seem to leave out some words mentioned in previous novels, so keep the set handy.)
For the most part, the Vish Puri novels fit well within the International Cozy Mystery Genre -- there is such a thing, right? There is more history and social commentary than you will find in the average cozy, and we also learn how to say 'b*stard m*therf*cker' in Punjabi (a bit over the top, perhaps, but such uncouth language is really quite rare). But we also have the lovable, grumpy detective, his meddling Mummi, and lots of delicious food.
I've read all three of the current V.P. novels and I'm looking forward to the fourth. It's definitely a series worth checking out.
[I received a copy this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program.]
kdferrin's review against another edition
4.0
While this book could be read as a classic P.I. novel complete with stake outs, uncover operatives, disguises and chases it could be enjoyed even by those who aren’t big on that stuff just for the chance to immerse themselves in the language, food and culture of India. I really liked reading about little thing like the women’s “kitty parties” (part Bunco party part personal loan system). I also enjoyed the “B plot” where the detective’s mummy solves mysteries of her own.
sarah_ann_roth's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Sexism, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Dysphoria, and Drug use
satsukiq's review
dark
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Suicide attempt
bexellency's review
2.0
I prefer the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency books for modern India detective stories. The characters and stories here never drew me in.
quitehumerus's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Löysin tämän Tahmelasta sellaisesta saa ottaa boksista, mutta oon meinanut joskus kirpparilta ottaa mukaan. En ehkä maksaisi alkuperäistä 30e hintaa missään nimessä.
Elefantti Vish Purin pöydällä on että hän on hahmona selkeä pastissi Hercule Poirotista. Intialainen miljöö ja vähän humoristisempi ote tuovat mielenkiintoisesti uutta mutta in essence Puri on pröystäilevä ja paksuhko salapoliisi/yksityisetsivä. Vertailu Poirotiin on koko ajan taustalla mikä vähän heikentää Purin hahmoa vaikka viihdyttävä onkin.
Intialainen miljöö on ehdottomasti kirjan vahvin puoli. Hall on Intiassa asuva britti, joten hän ei varmasti osaa kertoa kaikkia intialaisen yhteiskunnan nyansseja mutta todelliset kulttuurin, tavallisen elämän ja jotkut epäoikeudenmukaisuuden piirteet nousevat hyvin esille ilman rasistisia tai eksotisoivia elementtejä. Overall mun mielestä hyvä esimerkki, kuinka valta-asemassa oleva kirjailija voi kirjoittaa (myös yhteiskuntaa kritisoiden) esimerkiksi Intiasta sortumatta stereotypioihin.
Tästä hyvä esimerkki on kirjan henkilöt, joista jokaista taustoitettiin uskottavasti. Myös alamaailman jäsenten motiivit olivat ymmärrettäviä ja usein kumpusivat jostain ympäröivän yhteiskunnan epäoikeudenmukaisuuksista.
Itse päämysteeri oli mielenkiintoinen ja siinä oli hyviä käänteitä, mutta ei mikään maatamullistava. Lisäksi ohessa oli pari sivumysteeriä joista toinen oli ihan ok mutta toinen tuntui vain täytteeltä.
Kokonaisuudessaan Vish Puri nojaa paljon Poirotiin, mutta ote on huomattavasti humoristisempi. Hyvää viihdettä ja mielenkiintoinen miljöö mutta salapoliisitarinana aika tavanomainen.
Elefantti Vish Purin pöydällä on että hän on hahmona selkeä pastissi Hercule Poirotista. Intialainen miljöö ja vähän humoristisempi ote tuovat mielenkiintoisesti uutta mutta in essence Puri on pröystäilevä ja paksuhko salapoliisi/yksityisetsivä. Vertailu Poirotiin on koko ajan taustalla mikä vähän heikentää Purin hahmoa vaikka viihdyttävä onkin.
Intialainen miljöö on ehdottomasti kirjan vahvin puoli. Hall on Intiassa asuva britti, joten hän ei varmasti osaa kertoa kaikkia intialaisen yhteiskunnan nyansseja mutta todelliset kulttuurin, tavallisen elämän ja jotkut epäoikeudenmukaisuuden piirteet nousevat hyvin esille ilman rasistisia tai eksotisoivia elementtejä. Overall mun mielestä hyvä esimerkki, kuinka valta-asemassa oleva kirjailija voi kirjoittaa (myös yhteiskuntaa kritisoiden) esimerkiksi Intiasta sortumatta stereotypioihin.
Tästä hyvä esimerkki on kirjan henkilöt, joista jokaista taustoitettiin uskottavasti. Myös alamaailman jäsenten motiivit olivat ymmärrettäviä ja usein kumpusivat jostain ympäröivän yhteiskunnan epäoikeudenmukaisuuksista.
Itse päämysteeri oli mielenkiintoinen ja siinä oli hyviä käänteitä, mutta ei mikään maatamullistava. Lisäksi ohessa oli pari sivumysteeriä joista toinen oli ihan ok mutta toinen tuntui vain täytteeltä.
Kokonaisuudessaan Vish Puri nojaa paljon Poirotiin, mutta ote on huomattavasti humoristisempi. Hyvää viihdettä ja mielenkiintoinen miljöö mutta salapoliisitarinana aika tavanomainen.
l3thvh4's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0