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Vish Puri #2
The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing
Murder is no laughing matter.
Yet a prominent Indian scientist dies in a fit of giggles when a Hindu goddess appears from a mist and plunges a sword into his chest.
The only one laughing now is the main suspect, a powerful guru named Maharaj Swami, who seems to have done away with his most vocal critic.
Vish Puri, India’s Most Private Investigator, master of disguise and lover of all things fried and spicy, doesn’t believe the murder is a supernatural occurrence, and proving who really killed Dr. Suresh Jha will require all the detective’s earthly faculties. To get at the truth, he and his team of undercover operatives—Facecream, Tubelight, and Flush—travel from the slum where India’s hereditary magicians must be persuaded to reveal their secrets to the holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges.
Yet a prominent Indian scientist dies in a fit of giggles when a Hindu goddess appears from a mist and plunges a sword into his chest.
The only one laughing now is the main suspect, a powerful guru named Maharaj Swami, who seems to have done away with his most vocal critic.
Vish Puri, India’s Most Private Investigator, master of disguise and lover of all things fried and spicy, doesn’t believe the murder is a supernatural occurrence, and proving who really killed Dr. Suresh Jha will require all the detective’s earthly faculties. To get at the truth, he and his team of undercover operatives—Facecream, Tubelight, and Flush—travel from the slum where India’s hereditary magicians must be persuaded to reveal their secrets to the holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2009
130 people are currently reading
2160 people want to read
About the author
Tarquin Hall
15 books653 followersTarquin Hall is a British author and journalist who has lived and worked throughout South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. He is the author of The Case of the Missing Servant, dozens of articles, and three works of non-fiction, including the highly acclaimed Salaam Brick Lane, an account of a year spent above a Bangladeshi sweat shop in London’s notorious East End. He is married to Indian-born journalist, Anu Anand. They have a young son and divide their time between London and Delhi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 705 reviews
July 5, 2010
Tarquin Hall simply gets India. A British journalist who lives in Delhi and who's married to an Indian woman, he combines an insider's understanding of the country with an outsider's necessarily-surprised look at all of India's never ending quirkiness.
Food is the prime example, with Private Investigator Vish Puri constantly nibbling on all sorts of dishes, eaten while sitting down at restaurants or while playing chess at Puri's all-gentlemen club, bought on the go from greasy food stalls, or quickly devoured in his office, from the tin box Puri's wife fills in the morning with an always-changing combination of spicy delicacies.
But there's more to food in Hall's books, there's a lot of Indian culture and societal mores. Take for example kitty parties, where housewives meet, about once a month, to gossip, and to award each other small sums of money via an equitable draw, in what basically is a very peculiar kind of lottery/loan system.
Small pictures of contemporary India that would be hard to get access to otherwise. And the plots of Hall's crime novels are always funny and enthralling.
This book, newly released, is the second in the nascent series about Vish Puri.
Highly recommended.
Food is the prime example, with Private Investigator Vish Puri constantly nibbling on all sorts of dishes, eaten while sitting down at restaurants or while playing chess at Puri's all-gentlemen club, bought on the go from greasy food stalls, or quickly devoured in his office, from the tin box Puri's wife fills in the morning with an always-changing combination of spicy delicacies.
But there's more to food in Hall's books, there's a lot of Indian culture and societal mores. Take for example kitty parties, where housewives meet, about once a month, to gossip, and to award each other small sums of money via an equitable draw, in what basically is a very peculiar kind of lottery/loan system.
Small pictures of contemporary India that would be hard to get access to otherwise. And the plots of Hall's crime novels are always funny and enthralling.
This book, newly released, is the second in the nascent series about Vish Puri.
Highly recommended.
September 29, 2022
I listened to the audiobook this time around, streaming from my library. I still think the ending felt rushed with a lot crammed into it, but I enjoyed it more this time. Possibly because I was listening to it and partially because I have since had an education of sorts in Indian life thanks to the many, many Indian movies we've watched since I first read it. Definitely enjoyable.
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#81 - 2010.
I enjoyed the first in this series so much that I was delighted to find the second book had just come out. A few chapters in, there is the main mystery in which a professional skeptic who exposes fraudulent, famous gurus is apparently murdered by a manifestation of Kali, in full view of a group of friends. Then there is the sub-mystery which Vish Puri's Mummy is investigating and taking Vish's wife, Rumpi, along for the ride. I love the Punjabi characters and see that the author says that one could say Punjabis are the Texans of India. No wonder I like them!
Concluding: all the characterizations were very enjoyable as were the insights into Indian life. However, if the author is going to continually use native terms then they should all be included in the glossary. I don't have the first book available for comparison, but I feel that the glossary was much more complete than in this second book, where sometimes there would be a sentence with no translation following and which was not in the glossary either. Now, the argument can be made that there was context, and so there was, but one could make that argument for many of the terms that were in the glossary. I felt the main mystery was unnecessarily complicated. I understand that Vish Puri explores the big mysteries but this felt rushed and with too much crammed into it ... still recommended, I just didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book.
==========
#81 - 2010.
I enjoyed the first in this series so much that I was delighted to find the second book had just come out. A few chapters in, there is the main mystery in which a professional skeptic who exposes fraudulent, famous gurus is apparently murdered by a manifestation of Kali, in full view of a group of friends. Then there is the sub-mystery which Vish Puri's Mummy is investigating and taking Vish's wife, Rumpi, along for the ride. I love the Punjabi characters and see that the author says that one could say Punjabis are the Texans of India. No wonder I like them!
Concluding: all the characterizations were very enjoyable as were the insights into Indian life. However, if the author is going to continually use native terms then they should all be included in the glossary. I don't have the first book available for comparison, but I feel that the glossary was much more complete than in this second book, where sometimes there would be a sentence with no translation following and which was not in the glossary either. Now, the argument can be made that there was context, and so there was, but one could make that argument for many of the terms that were in the glossary. I felt the main mystery was unnecessarily complicated. I understand that Vish Puri explores the big mysteries but this felt rushed and with too much crammed into it ... still recommended, I just didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book.
January 24, 2016
An atheist scientist goes to the park for his morning practice of laughter yoga and is struck dead when the goddess Kali appears and drives a sword through his heart. He dies laughing. Sounds like a case for New Delhi's Most Private Investigator Vish Puri.
This story is fun romp through the world of New Delhi's crooked "godmen". While the story is slightly too long, the author's delightful use of Indian English in the dialog and his skillful depiction of the crazy chaos that is Delhi makes it a worthwhile read.
This story is fun romp through the world of New Delhi's crooked "godmen". While the story is slightly too long, the author's delightful use of Indian English in the dialog and his skillful depiction of the crazy chaos that is Delhi makes it a worthwhile read.
January 8, 2025
The Case Of The Man Who Died Laughing is the second book in the Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator series by British journalist and author, Tarquin Hall. Very occasionally, Inspector Jagat Prakesh Singh of the Delhi Police asks for Vish Puri’s assistance on a case, and this time, it’s an extraordinarily puzzling one.
Dr Suresh Jha, retired mathematician and founder of DIRE (the Delhi Institute for Rationalism and Education), also known as the Guru Buster, has been stabbed with a disappearing knife by the goddess Kali whilst partaking of his morning exercise with the Rajpath Laughing Club. A French tourist has even captured it all on his phone.
Jha had recently insulted Maharaj Swami on national TV, and been told to await a miracle by the Swami. He’d also received a threatening letter the day before. Thus many believe it’s the Swami who has conjured this. Of course, Puri is convinced it’s all a trick of some sort and, having previously helped Jha to debunk the acts of various charlatans, will do his utmost to find a logical explanation.
Meanwhile, Vish’s Mummy-ji has joined her daughter-in-law, Rumpi’s kitty club and is incensed when the ladies are robbed at gunpoint during her first meeting. She’s determined to find the thieves, and is dragging a very reluctant Rumpi into the investigation, while staying under Puri’s radar: he would surely object. The police aren’t interested in the fingerprints and samples of the gunman’s DNA she cleverly obtained during the incident, but a few little things indicate to her that it’s an inside job.
Discovering just how it was done involves Puri visiting several of India’s greatest magicians, but to learn the truth he needs to infiltrate Maharaj Swami’s ashram, where Facecream, posing as his rebellious daughter, may find answers.
This instalment has quite a few twists, and before Puri identifies the culprit, he suffers a blow to the head, has to intervene when his brother-in-law heads for a bad investment, and has to grudgingly admit to being fooled by a clever bluff. Does he ever find out just what Mummy-ji and Rumpi got up to?
Hall’s protagonist does like to eat: “The idea that Vish Puri could resist getting involved in such a tantalising murder was preposterous. There was as much chance of him going without his lunch”. The mention of all the dishes he consumes is bound to stimulate the reader’s own appetite. At the end of the book there’s a handy glossary of Indian terms, and the dialogue is authentic and entertaining. The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken is eagerly awaited.
Dr Suresh Jha, retired mathematician and founder of DIRE (the Delhi Institute for Rationalism and Education), also known as the Guru Buster, has been stabbed with a disappearing knife by the goddess Kali whilst partaking of his morning exercise with the Rajpath Laughing Club. A French tourist has even captured it all on his phone.
Jha had recently insulted Maharaj Swami on national TV, and been told to await a miracle by the Swami. He’d also received a threatening letter the day before. Thus many believe it’s the Swami who has conjured this. Of course, Puri is convinced it’s all a trick of some sort and, having previously helped Jha to debunk the acts of various charlatans, will do his utmost to find a logical explanation.
Meanwhile, Vish’s Mummy-ji has joined her daughter-in-law, Rumpi’s kitty club and is incensed when the ladies are robbed at gunpoint during her first meeting. She’s determined to find the thieves, and is dragging a very reluctant Rumpi into the investigation, while staying under Puri’s radar: he would surely object. The police aren’t interested in the fingerprints and samples of the gunman’s DNA she cleverly obtained during the incident, but a few little things indicate to her that it’s an inside job.
Discovering just how it was done involves Puri visiting several of India’s greatest magicians, but to learn the truth he needs to infiltrate Maharaj Swami’s ashram, where Facecream, posing as his rebellious daughter, may find answers.
This instalment has quite a few twists, and before Puri identifies the culprit, he suffers a blow to the head, has to intervene when his brother-in-law heads for a bad investment, and has to grudgingly admit to being fooled by a clever bluff. Does he ever find out just what Mummy-ji and Rumpi got up to?
Hall’s protagonist does like to eat: “The idea that Vish Puri could resist getting involved in such a tantalising murder was preposterous. There was as much chance of him going without his lunch”. The mention of all the dishes he consumes is bound to stimulate the reader’s own appetite. At the end of the book there’s a handy glossary of Indian terms, and the dialogue is authentic and entertaining. The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken is eagerly awaited.
March 26, 2022
I enjoyed this mystery shrouded with magic vs realism set in India so much. I like Mr. Vish Puri and his operatives of the Most Private Investigator, they work well together as a team, combining their talents. I like his family, especially his wife Rumpi and his Mummy-ji. His daughter Jaiya, pregnant with twins comes to stay with her parents for the birthing, which apparently is custom for their culture. The murder mystery coupled with magic is unique and quite interesting. This is a great series and I was ready for a change from my usual favorite British mysteries-can't believe it's been over five years that I read the first in the series. I love the foodie descriptions had me wanting to try Indian dishes for the first time! The back glossary that I kept referring to is so helpful in understanding what I'm reading. In fact, after I finished reading, I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel again to complement the Indian experience!
July 20, 2011
I have a definite fault that was plainly manifest when I read this book. I started reading, and was enjoying it quite a bit. I thought that the Mr. Hall's descriptions of the setting and his characterizations were interesting, specific, and very distinctive. After a few pages, I wondered aloud how accurate Mr. Hall's portrayals of India and the dialogue of Indians are. My wife wife looked at me, amazed and bemused. "He lived in India for years and is married to an Indian," she laughed, "Didn't you read the jacket?"
Well...I like to experience books carte-blanc, so to speak. I like to know as little about them as possible before hand. So, no, I hadn't read the jacket. I didn't know that Mr. Hall has enough experience in that country to be trusted with his descriptions, dialogue, and characterizations. But whether he did or not, his writing is colorful, flavorful, and enjoyable. The mystery was interesting, well paced, and fairly unpredictable. There were plot twists and surprises, and the ending did a wonderful job of summarizing the underlying theme of the book: the juxtaposition of science and religious belief in the Indian culture. Reading this book just re-stoked my desire to live in India. I would recommend this book to anyone. Have fun.
Well...I like to experience books carte-blanc, so to speak. I like to know as little about them as possible before hand. So, no, I hadn't read the jacket. I didn't know that Mr. Hall has enough experience in that country to be trusted with his descriptions, dialogue, and characterizations. But whether he did or not, his writing is colorful, flavorful, and enjoyable. The mystery was interesting, well paced, and fairly unpredictable. There were plot twists and surprises, and the ending did a wonderful job of summarizing the underlying theme of the book: the juxtaposition of science and religious belief in the Indian culture. Reading this book just re-stoked my desire to live in India. I would recommend this book to anyone. Have fun.
January 13, 2021
A better sequel than the first book. A nice funny and interesting detective story.
May 4, 2019
"Rakipleri karşından pek tanınmayan bir dedektifin kıyıda köşede kalmış harika maceraları." bu kitap serisini böyle tanımlanırım.
Vish Puri; yemeklere düşkün, özelliklerine göre lakap taktığı ekibiyle vakaları sonuca ulaştırmadan bırakmayan geleneklerine son derece bağlı bir Hintli dedektif. Kitap, size güzel ve eğlenceli vakit geçirtirken sizi Hindistan'ın renkli sokaklarında dolaştırıyor. Okumanızı tavsiye ederim.
Vish Puri; yemeklere düşkün, özelliklerine göre lakap taktığı ekibiyle vakaları sonuca ulaştırmadan bırakmayan geleneklerine son derece bağlı bir Hintli dedektif. Kitap, size güzel ve eğlenceli vakit geçirtirken sizi Hindistan'ın renkli sokaklarında dolaştırıyor. Okumanızı tavsiye ederim.
January 3, 2016
"It had often struck Facecream how cults, whether of a political or religious nature, always preached equality and happiness while fostering fear. It had been the same with the Maoists, who relied so heavily on women and children to fill their ranks. Party propaganda spoke endlessly about the Communist ideal of equality, while the hierarchy maintained strict discipline and unquestioning allegiance."
_-------
A philosophical look came over the detective's face. "Actually, Madam Rani, we Indian people believe that in life a spiritual guide is required, that we cannot find all the answers on our own," he said. "Like children learning ABC, we need a teacher. This is a belief I hold to be true, also. If we are to escape the cycle of birth and rebirth, a guru must and should be there to show the way. But that does not mean one should follow any Tom, Dick or Harry, no? "Problem is so many people these days are following these con men without question, ready to believe anything they say and do," he continued. "If any old Charlie like this Swami-ji can make a watch appear from thin air, they are ready to worship him. But that is not genuine spirituality. Just it is so much hocus-pocus."
_-------
A philosophical look came over the detective's face. "Actually, Madam Rani, we Indian people believe that in life a spiritual guide is required, that we cannot find all the answers on our own," he said. "Like children learning ABC, we need a teacher. This is a belief I hold to be true, also. If we are to escape the cycle of birth and rebirth, a guru must and should be there to show the way. But that does not mean one should follow any Tom, Dick or Harry, no? "Problem is so many people these days are following these con men without question, ready to believe anything they say and do," he continued. "If any old Charlie like this Swami-ji can make a watch appear from thin air, they are ready to worship him. But that is not genuine spirituality. Just it is so much hocus-pocus."
July 27, 2012
Tarquin Hall writes so clearly that I feel as if I can see Delhi and all of its glorious eccentricities. I found the food to be tantalizing and had to buy an Indian cookbook.
Tarquin's character development rivals Agatha Christie, and while many consider “Chubby” to be the Sherlock Holmes of India, I find him to be much closer to Poirot and his little grey cells.
When a vocal advocate for secularism is killed by the Hindu goddess, Kali, the local detective seeks help from Vish Puri, who dubs himself “most private investigator.” Puri believes in magic and miracles, but something about this case has him thinking that there is nothing supernatural about the death. He takes the case.
Puri’s team sets out digging through the lowest of the castes to the highest, winding through the country’s spirituality and edible dishes. Along the way, we are treated to ethnic prattle and humour.
Finally, I appreciated the glossary of terms at the end. There were plenty of terms that were not explained by the context of the sentence or paragraph.
Tarquin's character development rivals Agatha Christie, and while many consider “Chubby” to be the Sherlock Holmes of India, I find him to be much closer to Poirot and his little grey cells.
When a vocal advocate for secularism is killed by the Hindu goddess, Kali, the local detective seeks help from Vish Puri, who dubs himself “most private investigator.” Puri believes in magic and miracles, but something about this case has him thinking that there is nothing supernatural about the death. He takes the case.
Puri’s team sets out digging through the lowest of the castes to the highest, winding through the country’s spirituality and edible dishes. Along the way, we are treated to ethnic prattle and humour.
Finally, I appreciated the glossary of terms at the end. There were plenty of terms that were not explained by the context of the sentence or paragraph.
August 7, 2020
Detaylar çok sıkıcıydı. Uzun Bi süre devamını getirmeyi düşünmüyorum. Zor okudum vallahi 😅
August 6, 2025
Another thoroughly entertaining installment in the Vish Puri series. I love the accent, the reference to food, and other Indian traditions. The characters make this a rich and fantastic read. The audiobook is wonderfully narrated.
August 17, 2017
capisco che "patka" e "dhokla" siano intraducibili, ma tradurre "bacca" (bambino) "cai" (tè) "caval" (riso) pareva brutto? E' un continuo andar su e giù dal testo al glossario ed è, sinceramente, una gran rottura oltre che una continua distrazione. Spezzetta il ritmo e non capisco perché non siano stati tradotti termini così comuni.
Per il resto, finora, la storia pare gradevole e lo spaccato della vita comune a Delhi interessante.
Finito. Storia tirata per i capelli, la messinscena inventata nel parco (cerco di non svelare troppo) farraginosa e poco credibile. Gli stivali mi fanno pensare al gatto con piuttosto che a una nuova tecnologia. Editing non accuratissimo (a un certo punto per esempio saltano delle " e non si capisce benissimo chi stia parlando) e i continui rinvii al glossario, spesso inutili, confermo, sono veramente fastidiosi. Interessanti gli spaccati di vita a Delhi. Cicciotto è abbastanza simpatico, ma mi sono rotta degli investigatori golosi e gourmet. In sostanza, 3 stelle meno meno
PS: i lombrichi non hanno zampe. (Modo di dire o traduzione del ciufolo?)
Per il resto, finora, la storia pare gradevole e lo spaccato della vita comune a Delhi interessante.
Finito. Storia tirata per i capelli, la messinscena inventata nel parco (cerco di non svelare troppo) farraginosa e poco credibile. Gli stivali mi fanno pensare al gatto con piuttosto che a una nuova tecnologia. Editing non accuratissimo (a un certo punto per esempio saltano delle " e non si capisce benissimo chi stia parlando) e i continui rinvii al glossario, spesso inutili, confermo, sono veramente fastidiosi. Interessanti gli spaccati di vita a Delhi. Cicciotto è abbastanza simpatico, ma mi sono rotta degli investigatori golosi e gourmet. In sostanza, 3 stelle meno meno
PS: i lombrichi non hanno zampe. (Modo di dire o traduzione del ciufolo?)
May 14, 2019
Sürükleyici, heyecanlı ve keyifli bir Vish Puri vakası daha. Okuyunuz, inanıyorum ki seveceksiniz.
"Puri saatine baktı. Neredeyse on iki olmuştu. Sağlık bakanının sekreterini aramanın zamanı gelmişti, açıkta kalan son halka buydu.
'Vish Puri, En Özel Dedektifler,' dedi kibarca. 'Bakanım bu sabah kendisini aramamı istedi. Biliyor muydunuz? Kesinlikle. Cevabımı iletebilir misiniz? Güzel. Lütfen kendisine şunu iletin: Üzülerek cömert teklifini geri çevirmek zorundayım. Aslında şu anda ayakkabılarımı patlamakla meşgulüm.'"
"NE ZAMAN KANUNLAR ZAYIFLASA,
HER TARAFTA KANUNSUZLUK ARTSA,
BEN ÇIKARIM ORTAYA.
HAKLININ KURTULUŞU IÇİN,
KÖTÜLÜĞÜ YIKMAK İÇİN,
HUKUKU TESİS ETMEK İÇİN,
TEKRAR TEKRAR BEN DOĞARIM."
"'Din adamları her dinde sahtekârdır,' dedi Doktor Ghosh.
'Toplumu batıl inanç ve saçmalıkların eline teslim ediyorlar. Bu insanların ruhanî bir yanı yok.'"
"Puri saatine baktı. Neredeyse on iki olmuştu. Sağlık bakanının sekreterini aramanın zamanı gelmişti, açıkta kalan son halka buydu.
'Vish Puri, En Özel Dedektifler,' dedi kibarca. 'Bakanım bu sabah kendisini aramamı istedi. Biliyor muydunuz? Kesinlikle. Cevabımı iletebilir misiniz? Güzel. Lütfen kendisine şunu iletin: Üzülerek cömert teklifini geri çevirmek zorundayım. Aslında şu anda ayakkabılarımı patlamakla meşgulüm.'"
"NE ZAMAN KANUNLAR ZAYIFLASA,
HER TARAFTA KANUNSUZLUK ARTSA,
BEN ÇIKARIM ORTAYA.
HAKLININ KURTULUŞU IÇİN,
KÖTÜLÜĞÜ YIKMAK İÇİN,
HUKUKU TESİS ETMEK İÇİN,
TEKRAR TEKRAR BEN DOĞARIM."
"'Din adamları her dinde sahtekârdır,' dedi Doktor Ghosh.
'Toplumu batıl inanç ve saçmalıkların eline teslim ediyorlar. Bu insanların ruhanî bir yanı yok.'"
June 8, 2019
Was an entertaining read chocful of the wit and wisdom of India . Most private detective Vish Puri once again proved his mettle by solving the mystery of the professor who died laughing on the street apparently killed by Goddess Kali. He also investigated a Maharaj hi ( god man) who apparently has powers equal to the God.
In between his sleuthing he also had time for his family - doting wife Rumpi, old mataji who thinks she is a better detective and his darling daughter Jaya, who has come to her parental home for her confinement. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would have given 5 stars , but for the exotica towards the end.
In between his sleuthing he also had time for his family - doting wife Rumpi, old mataji who thinks she is a better detective and his darling daughter Jaya, who has come to her parental home for her confinement. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would have given 5 stars , but for the exotica towards the end.
August 5, 2010
If you have been following my book reviews then you would remember a book review of mine “The Case of the Missing Servant”. One of my favorite books of the last year, I was waiting for the next one in the series of Vish Puri, “Most Private Investigator”. Surprisingly I wasn’t aware of the release of this book and when I chanced upon it I grabbed it with both my hands! :D
This time again the author doesn’t disappoint us. This book is centered around the clash of so called Swami’s/ self styled guru’s of India and Dr. Jha who has challenged these guru’s and their so called magical powers. It is with the murder of Dr. Jha in broad day light that Mr. Vish Puri enters the scene. The Dr. is supposedly murdered by goddess Kali who appears while Dr. Jha was busy attending a laughter club. The sudden appearance & disappearance of the Goddess leaves the country gasping.
Mr. Puri has to find the murderer and with all fingers pointing towards India’s most celebrated guru, he has his job cut out for him. I wouldn’t talk more about the plot because the magic of a suspense novel lies in its plot which should be read :)
All I can tell you is that this book too is full of laughter, twist n turns. Like his other book here also Mr. Puri’s mother is feels that she has all that is needed to make a good detective and thus leave no stone unturned when there is a theft in the kitty party that she attending. What is hilarious is the way she ropes in the wife of Mr. Puri into her investigation.
The transformation of Mr. Puri the ever confident detective to Chubby a timid husband is hilarious and so very real. The way the author describes India or to be precise Delhi leaves you surprised, I still can not believe that the author isn’t of Indian origin.
The book is full of lovely one liner and keeps you engaged the whole time. The characters of the previous book are still there and they make the book an immensely enjoyable read.
I will share with you few lines which made me chuckle
“As for husbands, my dog trainer, Arti, always says to reward your pooch when he does what you ask & give appropriate correction when he doesn’t. Same has worked with Sanjeev my husband.
Or sample this conversation between the detective & his driver *(they were following the vehicle of an NRI)
From the moment they’d started to tail the safari, the detective had watched wits slow progress with incredulity.
“Arrrrey!” Exclaimed Puri with frustration as the Safari gave way to a lowly auto rickshaw, “I’m all for sensible driving – speed thrills but kills, after all. But this man is some sort of Joker, no?”
Handbrake (the driver) was equally bewildered: “where did he learn to drive sir? “Ladies College?”
“No, United States,’ the detective answered with a laugh.
Like I had said in for The Case of the Missing Servant, “A who-dun-it with Indian Tadka” this one just makes the essence & flavor of India stronger and more poignant. This book moves a step ahead of the last one by handling a very serious and relevant issue i.e. of the self styled guru’s but in a light, entertaining manner.
Worth a read and more for it’s Indian flavor & entertainment value.
4/5 from me :D
This time again the author doesn’t disappoint us. This book is centered around the clash of so called Swami’s/ self styled guru’s of India and Dr. Jha who has challenged these guru’s and their so called magical powers. It is with the murder of Dr. Jha in broad day light that Mr. Vish Puri enters the scene. The Dr. is supposedly murdered by goddess Kali who appears while Dr. Jha was busy attending a laughter club. The sudden appearance & disappearance of the Goddess leaves the country gasping.
Mr. Puri has to find the murderer and with all fingers pointing towards India’s most celebrated guru, he has his job cut out for him. I wouldn’t talk more about the plot because the magic of a suspense novel lies in its plot which should be read :)
All I can tell you is that this book too is full of laughter, twist n turns. Like his other book here also Mr. Puri’s mother is feels that she has all that is needed to make a good detective and thus leave no stone unturned when there is a theft in the kitty party that she attending. What is hilarious is the way she ropes in the wife of Mr. Puri into her investigation.
The transformation of Mr. Puri the ever confident detective to Chubby a timid husband is hilarious and so very real. The way the author describes India or to be precise Delhi leaves you surprised, I still can not believe that the author isn’t of Indian origin.
The book is full of lovely one liner and keeps you engaged the whole time. The characters of the previous book are still there and they make the book an immensely enjoyable read.
I will share with you few lines which made me chuckle
“As for husbands, my dog trainer, Arti, always says to reward your pooch when he does what you ask & give appropriate correction when he doesn’t. Same has worked with Sanjeev my husband.
Or sample this conversation between the detective & his driver *(they were following the vehicle of an NRI)
From the moment they’d started to tail the safari, the detective had watched wits slow progress with incredulity.
“Arrrrey!” Exclaimed Puri with frustration as the Safari gave way to a lowly auto rickshaw, “I’m all for sensible driving – speed thrills but kills, after all. But this man is some sort of Joker, no?”
Handbrake (the driver) was equally bewildered: “where did he learn to drive sir? “Ladies College?”
“No, United States,’ the detective answered with a laugh.
Like I had said in for The Case of the Missing Servant, “A who-dun-it with Indian Tadka” this one just makes the essence & flavor of India stronger and more poignant. This book moves a step ahead of the last one by handling a very serious and relevant issue i.e. of the self styled guru’s but in a light, entertaining manner.
Worth a read and more for it’s Indian flavor & entertainment value.
4/5 from me :D
June 10, 2017
The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing is the second book in the case files of Indian Private Detective, Vish Puri, by Tarquin Hall. I enjoyed the first book, but found this second more enjoyable. Firstly, you have to realize that it's not going to be a deep, profound mystery, instead, it's a visit to an exotic, different culture in New Delhi and it is peopled with interesting characters and a boisterous, happy family.
In this book, Puri assists Police Investigator Singh in investigating the strange murder of a man in broad daylight, seemingly by the Hindu goddess, Kali. The victim, an Indian scientist and a rationalist, has spent his life trying to expose Indian mystics and gurus as frauds. On the whole, Puri agrees. With his excellent team of assistants, Puri investigates a variety of suspects, including a powerful mystic. He sends his capable right hand woman, Facecream (a nickname), into the church of the mystic to try and find information.
Meanwhile, Puri's wife, Rumpi and his mother, are conducting their own investigation, into a brazen robbery of a party that they both had attended. Are they even better detectives than Puri?
It's an interesting, entertaining story. I enjoyed the cast of characters. I enjoyed reading about Puri's healthy appetite and the food that he eats, all sounded yummy. If you take everything with a slight grain of salt, you will enjoy this story immensely. Think of it as a #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Lite. It's more about the people with a neat caper thrown in to keep you entertained. (3.5 stars)
In this book, Puri assists Police Investigator Singh in investigating the strange murder of a man in broad daylight, seemingly by the Hindu goddess, Kali. The victim, an Indian scientist and a rationalist, has spent his life trying to expose Indian mystics and gurus as frauds. On the whole, Puri agrees. With his excellent team of assistants, Puri investigates a variety of suspects, including a powerful mystic. He sends his capable right hand woman, Facecream (a nickname), into the church of the mystic to try and find information.
Meanwhile, Puri's wife, Rumpi and his mother, are conducting their own investigation, into a brazen robbery of a party that they both had attended. Are they even better detectives than Puri?
It's an interesting, entertaining story. I enjoyed the cast of characters. I enjoyed reading about Puri's healthy appetite and the food that he eats, all sounded yummy. If you take everything with a slight grain of salt, you will enjoy this story immensely. Think of it as a #1 Ladies' Detective Agency - Lite. It's more about the people with a neat caper thrown in to keep you entertained. (3.5 stars)
March 2, 2021
The language of this book is so uniquely Indian and you feel transported into the chaotic hustle and bustle of Delhi, into the world of sadhus and science, where bribes, parathas, and auto rikshaws intersect.
February 7, 2017
Another light-hearted cozy series for curling up in front of the fire with.
October 28, 2019
ספר מתח בלשי כייפי ביותר, שמתרחש בהודו, ומספק הצצה לתרבות ההודית המודרנית. כתוב טוב ומשעשע, והעלילה איכותית ולא בנאלית. אחלה ספר. לדעתי ממש מתאים לעבד אותו לסרט.
February 12, 2019
The main focus of this story was how easily people see and believe "miracles" or "supernatural" events --whether it's in the religious realm or not. Traditional Indian culture seemed geared that way to begin with. The book gave the reader a look at different mini-cultures within Delhi that a visitor would not see. So Detective Vish Puri, aka "Chubby, relished the opportunity to solve a murder while disproving the terrifying specter of the goddess Kali appearing in public and striking a man dead with her sword. Puri's family and employees and colleagues all added interesting color and meaning to the story. Puri seemed to be implicitly trusted by those around him, and he had a way of figuring out people's motivations and actions as well as gaining their trust. The writing style suited the story, seemingly a little stilted/formal while also being humorous. An example of his understated humor were the nicknames he used for people: Facecream, Handbrake, Doorstop, Tubelight, Fossil, Baggage, the Godman, the Guru Buster.
I'm glad he used all those nicknames, because with the audio I had a heck of a time keeping track of people because I need to "see" names to hear and remember them. I finally got hold of a print copy, perused it for name clarifications, and then re-read the last several chapters to make sure I understood "who did what" and "why." The author provided several helpful pages of Glossary of Indian words.
[A word I had to look in the text to spell so I could look it up was "crore"--meaning ten million; one hundred lakhs, especially of rupees, units of measurement, or people. I had already looked up "lakh" -a hundred thousand. Prices and amounts of money were mentioned frequently, and I looked them up to put things in context.]
I enjoyed this, in the spirit of the Alexander McCall Smith The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. The audio version of both of these is delightful and adds a lot to the book with the lilting accents.
August 18, 2017
Delightful! This was much more entertaining than the first book in the series by Tarquin Hall. Mr. Hall cleverly captures northern India in an adorable way and makes me miss my time there! I listened to the audiobook, and I am curious if parts of conversation are actually written in Hindi or not, as the narrator said "he said in Hindi" and ungodly amount of times. I get the point, Mr. Tarquin, you can sprinkly Hindi into the conversations well, but is it actually written in Hindi? The narrator occasionaly spoke the Hindi or Punjabi parts of conversation, but still felt the need to say "in Hindi" or "in Punjabi" which was a bit annoying.
Highly recommend this series for light, fun, escape listening or reading. :)
Highly recommend this series for light, fun, escape listening or reading. :)
November 29, 2025
Delhi’nin ünlü özel dedektifi Vish Puri en tuhaf davalarından birinin içine sürükleniyor. Hayatını sahtekâr guruları ifşa etmeye, batıl inançları çürütmeye adamış Dr. Suresh Jha’nın sansasyonel şekilde ölmüştür. Tanıklara göre, sabah yapılan kahkaha yogası seansında Tanrıça Kali dumanlar arasında belirmiş, Jha’yı kılıçla öldürmüş ortadan kaybolmuştur. Puri adım adım doğaüstü görüntünün perdesini aralayacak, şantaj ve dolandırıcılık ağını da ortaya çıkartacaktır. Tarquin Hall, mizahla harmanladığı gözlemleri, Puri’nin yemek düşkünü ama inatçı kişiliği ve Delhi’nin canlı atmosferiyle hem eğlenceli hem de sağlam kurgulu bir polisiye okutuyor. Günümüz Hindistan’ının inanç, sahtekârlık ve güç ilişkilerini hem komik hem de düşündürücü bir dille keşfediyoruz.
June 26, 2021
Especially good on audio (read by Sam Dastor) with that lovely Indian accent, the Vish Puri series is a fine introduction to Indian life -- the food, customs, unique dialect and quaint phrases; it's all here, plus a twisty plot and some amateur detecting by Mummy-ji (mother) and Rumpi (wife).
July 10, 2017
I am obsessed with the Vish Puri series. Every time I open one of them I am immediately transported to India. Tarquin Hall is a major talent.
June 10, 2018
4.5 stars. I love mystery series set in another culture or time. This is modern day India, and as Tarquin Hall lives there I feel he gives an accurate depiction.
January 13, 2014
I can never resist good crime, thrillers, and detectives set in an(y) exotic location when the story is full of local flavors and scents, and has a good selection of interesting characters of both the good and the bad varieties.
This was the first Vish Puri for me, and an enjoyable armchair travel to India. A bit of old-fashioned Sherlock Holmes, a bit of Alexander McCall Smith, and a lot of Indian flavors. And with plenty of subtle humor (then again, could you expect a book with this title to be without humor? That would be sad)
Vish Puri is a bit like Holmes, and his character and his fancy helpers with awesome names investigate a murder of a skeptic apparently killed by the goddess Kali. And then there are other small mysteries and deceptions that start to emerge from the main mystery - Puri investigating some of them, his mother another case (that is kept secret from everyone). Mysteries inside mysteries. People with interesting characters and secrets and pasts they want to keep hidden. Mix in a strong mix of current India, described in warmth, whether it's how odd the underground is to Delhi considering its past and castes or some fancy Indian snack food you wish you were having right now, and there we go. And of course in the case of India, the mix also includes interesting yet irritating relatives and acquaintances, the different classes of people, and various gods and religions mixed in the daily life of the characters.
This book has brought so much to me. First, I won my copy of it here in Goodreads, and then, while reading it, I won something else in an Instagram contest. I do hope the good luck stays, and that it will also follow this book when it'll find its next readers.
This was the first Vish Puri for me, and an enjoyable armchair travel to India. A bit of old-fashioned Sherlock Holmes, a bit of Alexander McCall Smith, and a lot of Indian flavors. And with plenty of subtle humor (then again, could you expect a book with this title to be without humor? That would be sad)
Vish Puri is a bit like Holmes, and his character and his fancy helpers with awesome names investigate a murder of a skeptic apparently killed by the goddess Kali. And then there are other small mysteries and deceptions that start to emerge from the main mystery - Puri investigating some of them, his mother another case (that is kept secret from everyone). Mysteries inside mysteries. People with interesting characters and secrets and pasts they want to keep hidden. Mix in a strong mix of current India, described in warmth, whether it's how odd the underground is to Delhi considering its past and castes or some fancy Indian snack food you wish you were having right now, and there we go. And of course in the case of India, the mix also includes interesting yet irritating relatives and acquaintances, the different classes of people, and various gods and religions mixed in the daily life of the characters.
This book has brought so much to me. First, I won my copy of it here in Goodreads, and then, while reading it, I won something else in an Instagram contest. I do hope the good luck stays, and that it will also follow this book when it'll find its next readers.
December 14, 2020
I may have enjoyed reading this even more than The Case of the Missing Servant. It’s fun to continue getting to know familiar characters in a new set of circumstances, and I think the author gave himself permission to go on a crazier imaginative romp. In this installment, Tarquin Hall plays with the clash between science, spirituality, religion, superstition and magic in contemporary India. I got a kick out of imagining Vish Puri and his operatives dressed in disguises and acting out different characters in order to infiltrate organizations and collect information. Meanwhile, Puri’s “Mummy-ji” spends her time solving a second mystery. Because I read The Case of the Missing Servant on my Kindle, I wasn’t aware of the glossary at the back of the book until I had already finished reading the story! I borrowed The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing from the library so I was able to turn back and forth. I think that because of the author’s ambitions, the story got a little convoluted when it was time to reveal how various pieces of the puzzle(s) fit together. There were some jokes and scientific explanations that went over my head but none of that kept me from enjoying the book. I am curious to know how Indian readers perceive Hall’s cultural interpretations and commentaries on Indian life.
October 16, 2010
The second Vish Puri book; I didn't even realize it was out until I saw someone with a copy and dashed out to find a copy. I liked the book, but thought the charm was a bit attenuated this time around.
The primary plot of the murder was decent and the secondary "kitty party" mystery were fine (Mummy-ji and Rumpi were a pleasure). But with three locales, and various people to follow, the book had a lot of ground to cover and, I think, tried to do it too quickly or tried to limit the overall book length - which reduced the tension-building of the primary plot and the charm of Mummy-ji and Rumpi getting to the bottom of their own mystery. Facecream got a little more time here but not quite enough for the character or for her part of the story.
I think the book would have benefited from lingering on the characters, as their interactions are a large part of the charm of the stories. Allowing more tension-building in the main mystery and more charming fun in the "kitty-party" would have lengthened the book but improved the experience, I think.
Still, I will await for more books about Vish Puri and his dietary foibles.
The primary plot of the murder was decent and the secondary "kitty party" mystery were fine (Mummy-ji and Rumpi were a pleasure). But with three locales, and various people to follow, the book had a lot of ground to cover and, I think, tried to do it too quickly or tried to limit the overall book length - which reduced the tension-building of the primary plot and the charm of Mummy-ji and Rumpi getting to the bottom of their own mystery. Facecream got a little more time here but not quite enough for the character or for her part of the story.
I think the book would have benefited from lingering on the characters, as their interactions are a large part of the charm of the stories. Allowing more tension-building in the main mystery and more charming fun in the "kitty-party" would have lengthened the book but improved the experience, I think.
Still, I will await for more books about Vish Puri and his dietary foibles.
June 28, 2011
Amusing, and stereotypical look at the Indian middle class through the eyes of Inspector Vish Puri. Probably most amusing if you've spent some time in India. This particular case involves a very nice skeptical look at the Indian phenomenon of Godmen - charlatans who claim to have high spiritual powers, the more adept of them able to swindle the gullible at all levels of society; the best of them making forays into the west to swindle New Agers looking for something old to believe in.
Tarquin Hall, the English author, obviously has an understanding, and affection for the milieu of old and new Delhi, but there's a sitcom sort of burlesque in his renderings that I'm a little uncomfortable with.
I won't be pursuing this series.
Tarquin Hall, the English author, obviously has an understanding, and affection for the milieu of old and new Delhi, but there's a sitcom sort of burlesque in his renderings that I'm a little uncomfortable with.
I won't be pursuing this series.
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