The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing

By: Tarquin Hall

Narrated by: Sam Dastor

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Suresh Jha, best known for unmasking fraudulent swamis and godmen, dies in a fit of giggles at his morning yoga class when goddess Kali appears from the 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. How did the murder weapon miraculously crumble into ash? To get at the truth, Puri and his team of undercover operatives—Facecream, Tubelight, and Flush—must travel from the slum to the holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges.

©2010 BBC Audio (P)2010 Sacred Cow Media, Ltd.

A Witty, Brilliant series that brings Delhi Alive

The sequel to The Case of the Missing Servant did not disappoint. Once again, brilliant narrator in the audio version. The story is light. The characters are witty. Interweaving plots are satisfying. Delhi comes alive with these quirky characters. Vish Puri's members of staff are interesting characters. In this episode we learn more about their backgrounds. Plot twists are brilliant. This is my favourite series. The narrator is brilliant and quite engaging.

Narrator makes this series!

There are some series where the stories are lightweight but the narration makes them special - the Chet and Bernie series, the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, etc. And this is one of them. Sam Dastor is hysterical in his interpretation of the many levels, accents, and preoccupations of Indian society. In this one, the mystery is actually more complex than first thought and Indian traditions of magic play an integral part. I'll be going through the whole series, I'm sure.

Fabulous!

The story is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed the narration--Mr. Dastor gives the colorful characters life without being over-the-top.

An addictive little series

What made the experience of listening to The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing the most enjoyable?

I just fell in love with Vish Puri, the Indian Sherlock Holmes (don't call him Sherlock) and his band of ragtag operatives. And you have to love his Mummy G and his wife, who unbeknownst to him tackle their own investigations. The narrator is fantastic, and I got hooked up from the beginning. I just couldn't stop listening! Now I am dowloading Book1, and I am hoping that Book 3 becomes available soon.

What did you like best about this story?

It gives you an interesting insight on Indian culture, food, and family life. Although the topic of the mystery was a serious one, the way its written and narrated is hilarious. And the narrator rocks.

What about Sam Dastor’s performance did you like?

Everything. All of the characters sound like different characters. When Mummy G talks, it's Mummy G's voice you hear. Same with Facecream, Vish Puri and everyone else. He is very engaging.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't want to provide a spoiler. However, Facecream moved me. What happened to her in the past, especially when she has to show her scars.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend these series. They are a lot of fun.

A good mystery that also gives insight into India

Would you consider the audio edition of The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing to be better than the print version?

The narrator really brings the characters to life so you feel immersed in India. He changes accents skilfully although he is a little flat as an American.

What other book might you compare The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing to and why?

The first book in this series, The Case of the Missing Servant, moves at a somewhat better pace, but both books deliver a clever murder mystery and colorful characters. In addition, Hall lets you peek at the culture and corruption that is India today.

What about Sam Dastor’s performance did you like?

He is really quite brilliant. I often forget that I am listening to a single narrator and instead get lost in the story. He is adept at both the accents and the phrasing that distinguish one character from another. He seems equally at ease whether his portrayal is of a man or a woman. I m listening to the third book in the series now, and I sincerely hope Mr. Dastor continues to read them!

My new favorite cozy series

Think an Indian Hercule Poirot with Stephanie Plum’s grandma and the best set of nicknamed supporting characters in the genre!

Delightfully engaging

When I'm not entranced by the story, I'm in awe of the narrator. Truly professional, both writing and narrating.

Awe I loved it!

This reader cracks me up! He makes a great book even better. I love this series and I make it a point to listen to the audio weather than read for myself just because I love listening to him.

All Aboard!

I'm on board for this series. The second installment is even better than the first, reversing a trend I've seen in too many series lately. Bravo!

Fun and entertaining - nothing too serious

My title says it all. I enjoyed this story and it held my interest. It helps if you enjoy an India-oriented story that is mindful of and plays with the differences between Indian and American culture.