The Case of the Missing Servant

By: Tarquin Hall

Narrated by: Sam Dastor

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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, 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 2000 years ago - long before "that Johnny-come-lately" Sherlock Holmes donned his Deerstalker.

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.

©2009 Sacred Cow Media Ltd. (P)2009 BBC Audio

Great Mystery

I enjoyed this book very much. The complexity is on a par with Christie. Since it is set in India one has a chance to learn a little about that country's culture.

Needs a reader with basic understanding of Hindi

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

Tarquin Hall brings a journalist's eye for details in his skewering of the Indian ruling class.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Sam Dastor?

Somebody who doesn’t mispronounce every alternate Indian word. This isn’t to say Dastor is a bad performer, but his obvious discomfort with Indian words clashes with Hall’s writing, which is all about the real Delhi experience.

Indie Sleuth Triumphs

Fun and absorbing read. This series will be a joy to those who wish a good glimpse of modern India as well.

LOVED THE STORY AND THE NARRATION

I really enjoyed this light-hearted mystery, and the narration was superb. The characters are likeable and portrayed with humour and sympathy. The story conveys affection and understanding of the contemporary Indian culture and way of life, which could only be attained by someone who spent a lot of time there. This is the first book in the series, and I look forward to reading others.

Indian Poirot

Reminiscent of Christie’s Poirot. A bit contrived, as suspects will spill details when cornered. Narrator is good at separating characters. A worthwhile listen, but not sure I will continue series.

Chubby conquers again

Engaging, as always. The Eastern parts of the world come to life with details of scenery and cultures. The characters are developing from book to book , along with their backstories and their relationship with Chubby. Dependably good reads!

Nice fun book

The narration seemed very caricaturish but overall enjoyed the book. The plot and sub plots definitely kept me entertained till the end. I hope someone makes a nice web series of this.

Refreshingly different

Stepping into the world of an Indian (sub continent) detective agency was really fun and fascinating. Time for culture shock! This story was immensely entertaining because it took place in a world with which I am totally unfamiliar. The plausibility of the characters was wonderful. At times comic, then tragic, then tense...it just read as real to me. I was happy to go along for the ride.

Delightful

The idiom is authenti, as dialogue reminds me of listening to my Indian aunts and uncles. The performance nails the cadence of Indian English. Cultural observations ring true, reminding me of certain articles in my Dad's editions of India Today, a lnews magazine.

Weak mystery wrapped in ol fashioned misogyny

What could Tarquin Hall have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This is a story of an older Indian man with old fashion beliefs and extreme arrogance. He spends the entire story bragging about in intellect and ranting about the downfall of Indian culture due to sex, drugs and Western influence.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did a good job differentiating the voices of the many characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I was amused by the main character's disdain of Sherlock Holmes while the storyline is written within the same template.