The Case of the Missing Servant (Vish Puri, #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Apr 16, 2011 Chinoiseries rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: india, crime-and-mystery, library, 2011

After a week of emotionally charged books, I was ready to read something less serious, and it was right there and then that the colorful cover of Hall's novel beckoned to me. Spring has announced itself in the past few weeks, heating up my living room and forcing me to open up the curtain-less windows to a cacophony of happy chatting terrace loungers, soaking in the sun. When I closed my eyes, there were certainly moments that I could believe myself to be in dusty, crowded Delhi. If only I had a After a week of emotionally charged books, I was ready to read something less serious, and it was right there and then that the colorful cover of Hall's novel beckoned to me. Spring has announced itself in the past few weeks, heating up my living room and forcing me to open up the curtain-less windows to a cacophony of happy chatting terrace loungers, soaking in the sun. When I closed my eyes, there were certainly moments that I could believe myself to be in dusty, crowded Delhi. If only I had all that delectable street-food available to me as well... a cold lassi certainly would not have gone amiss!
The novel's detective protagonist is a quirky character, not unlike Agatha Christie's Poirot (and his Mummy-ji strongly reminded me of Miss Marple) in feigning stupidity and ignorance when dealing with suspects and possible meddlers in his cases. Puri is a kind-hearted man, who treats his servants and personnel as fairly as possible. Although the world he lives in is not a straightforward one, he manages to skillfully wind his way through exasperating bureaucracy and corruption.
The Case of the Missing Servant is not just a very enjoyable crime novel, it also introduces the reader to everyday India, a rapidly modernizing country. Puri and his family live in the middle of a newly built concrete jungle, pitched as the Valhalla for the nouveau riche. In reality, the buildings are very badly constructed, and though seemingly the standard for the modern Indian, the area is (still) surrounded by open-sewered slums. What also surprised me, was how badly servants (and/or people of lower castes) are treated. While Ajay Kasliwal, Puri's client, tries to take on corrupted officials and officers, his wife pays their servants less than the going rates and treats them in a dismal manner. I found it incredible that she hired Mary, the maidservant who disappeared, without inquiring after her origins (or even her last name). The widespread corruption in every layer of society and the money-greasing practices of Rinku, Puri's childhood friend, were yet another revelation. And finally, I had no idea that match-making (and hiring private detectives to delve deep into prospective partners' pasts) was still common practice.
The novel was a cultural eye-opener for me, but it really did so much more than that. Highly amusing and deeply sobering at the same time, it made anticipate reading the sequel to this breath-taking crime story. Now, please excuse me while I go make myself a cup of chai. ...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Cindy rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery

Vish Puri is a private investigator in India. He is happily married and spends most of his time investigating the fiances of his clients. This time he has been hired to find a missing servant named Mary. The police think his client murdered her, but he says she just disappeared. Vish, known as Tubby, and his associates, all with their own nicknames, are on the case. At the same time, someone is trying to kill him.

I love reading mysteries set in exotic locations, and India is pretty exotic compar ...more

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Jul 11, 2018 Wellington rated it liked it

3.5 stars

This was a fun cozy mystery. It is about a man named Vish Puri who is a private detective in New Delhi, India. He prides himself on confidentiality. This case is about a missing servant girl who has vanished in a country with more than a billion people.

From the author's excellent descriptions, I felt like I got to know India and could imagine myself following in Vish Puri's steps as he solves the case. Vish Puri is an honest man with a strong character who cares deeply for his country. ...more

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Nov 06, 2009 Kirstin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library

A couple of bloggers whose taste runs similar to mine had favorably reviewed this detective novel, so when I saw it at Christmas, I reminded myself to request it from the library. However, after the first few chapters, I was a little afraid I was going to loathe the main character, Vish “Chubby” Puri, who is old-fashioned, opinionated, and more than a little obnoxious. He dislikes being compared to Sherlock Holmes, because Holmes is both a foreigner and a fictional character. Compare him to Chan A couple of bloggers whose taste runs similar to mine had favorably reviewed this detective novel, so when I saw it at Christmas, I reminded myself to request it from the library. However, after the first few chapters, I was a little afraid I was going to loathe the main character, Vish “Chubby” Puri, who is old-fashioned, opinionated, and more than a little obnoxious. He dislikes being compared to Sherlock Holmes, because Holmes is both a foreigner and a fictional character. Compare him to Chanakya, instead, please. He dislikes the “modernization” of India, which contributes to a seething unrest amongst the lower classes and which so often separates adult children from loving parents who can keep them out of trouble. (Of course, he’d prefer his own Mummy stay at home with the aunties and leave his business alone.)

But after a while, the good parts of his character drew me in. Chubby is dedicated and tries to do right by people, regardless of their class. He has a keen eye and quick intellect and values others with the same traits. Much of his current business is focused on looking into the backgrounds of those entering into arranged marriages, since now that so many people live in the cities, it’s harder for local matchmakers and aunties to make sure the unions they’re advocating are right.

Interspersed between these cases, though, Chubby does try to do some other sleuthing. For instance, he’s on the lookout for the person who shot at him as he was gardening up on his roof. He’s not having a lot of luck with leads, though, and he’s going to be really grumpy if he finds out that his Mummy has disobeyed his direct order to stop looking into the incident.

But what is occupying most of his time is the case of a lawyer noted for taking on the corrupt system who approaches him, saying he’s been wrongly accused of causing one of his maids to disappear in the night. But when officials up the charges to murder and imprison his client, Chubby must hurriedly move his ring of undercover agents into place in order to find out what really happened to a girl known to everyone only as Mary.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or who is interested in other cultures. There is a solid glossary at the end of the book that helpfully defines Indian terms, although I found it to be a little distracting to have to keep flipping back and forth during some of the exposition. ...more

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Aug 30, 2013 Kecia rated it it was ok

Shelves: india, mystery

Cute book, but that's about all. It's very similar to the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency but not quite as good. I did not care about the any of the characters or the even the outcome of the story. It all sort of fell flat for me.

I enjoyed the references to bollywood stars - Shah Ruhk Khan, Salman Khan, and most espically Hrithik Roshan!!! I was quite disappointed that Aamir Khan was not mentioned.

I've already requested the second book in the series from the library, but not because I enjoyed the ...more

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