The Case of the Missing Servant

De: Tarquin Hall

Narrado por: Sam Dastor

Meet Vish Puri, India’s most private investigator. Portly, persistent and unmistakably Punjabi, he cuts a determined swathe through modern India’s swindlers, cheats and murderers.

In hot and dusty Delhi, where call centres and malls are changing the ancient fabric of Indian life, Puri’s main work comes from screening prospective marriage partners, a job once the preserve of aunties and family priests. But when an honest public litigator is accused of murdering his maidservant, it takes all of Puri’s resources to investigate. How will he trace the fate of the girl, known only as Mary, in a population of more than one billion? Who is taking pot shots at him and his prize chilli plants? And why is his widowed ‘Mummy-ji’ attempting to play sleuth when everyone knows Mummies are not detectives?

With his team of undercover operatives – Tubelight, Flush and Facecream – Puri ingeniously combines modern techniques with principles of detection established in India more than two thousand years ago -- long before ‘that Johnny-come-lately’ Sherlock Holmes donned his Deerstalker.

The search for Mary takes him to the desert oasis of Jaipur and the remote mines of Jharkhand. From his well-heeled Gymkhana Club to the slums where the servant classes live, Puri’s adventures reveal modern India in all its seething complexity.

©2011 Tarquin Hall (P)2011 Random House Audio Go

Reseñas de la Crítica

“I’ve found my new favourite detective… The thing that Hall captures most is the colour. The characters are lively and background is vibrant. Good crime authors present the solving of the crime in an engaging way but great ones also make their manor a character in its own right... It’s unusual to have such a happy detective and that makes The Case of the Missing Servant such a joy to read.” ( Gav Reads)

“This is a detective story with a difference… I liken it to the charming novels of Alexander McCall Smith set in Africa since it leaves the reader with a similar happy feeling. An easy read with an interesting background.” ( Radio Scilly Bookshow)

Love this Food-Loving Indian Detective

What made the experience of listening to The Case of the Missing Servant the most enjoyable?

I loved the whole story about Vish Puri and his operatives - such an insight into India and how people live. The narrator Sam Dastor was excellent bringing Vish to life.

What was most disappointing about Tarquin Hall’s story?

Not one bit of it.

Which scene was your favorite?

No favourite scene - just loved the whole book.

If you could rename The Case of the Missing Servant, what would you call it?

No rename is necessary.

Any additional comments?

Am hoping I will be able to download his second book soon - unfortunately being Australian based it's not yet available for me. His third book in the series is due in July 2012 and I can't wait to get hold of it.