The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck

De: Tarquin Hall

Narrado por: Vikas Adam

Portly, perceptive, and spectacularly moustachioed, India’s finest private detective, Vish Puri, tackles his most difficult case to date, in Tarquin Hall’s delightful humorous whodunit series set in New Delhi.

For Vish Puri, India’s most private detective, the news that he has won the long-coveted International Detective of the Year award, to be presented in a glitzy ceremony in London, makes this the best day of his life.

But to his deep dismay, a senior bureaucrat from the Ministry of Finance gives him a secret mission he can’t refuse: to track down India’s most-wanted fugitive. Dr. Bhatt’s medicines caused the deaths of hundreds, and the billionaire fraudster—code named the Bombay Duck—fled for the United Kingdom before he could be arrested.

Puri is only spending a week in London. He has never set foot in the UK before. And most important of all, he has already promised his wife that he won’t do any work while they’re away.

There’s only one solution: lie, lie, lie.

Puri dives headfirst into the case, in between visiting all the tourist sites, aided and abetted by his formidable, meddling Mummy-ji, whom Puri definitely did not invite to join them. But can Puri hook the Bombay Duck and bring him to justice before the fugitive’s many enemies get to him first?

Packed with the sights, sounds, and flavors of both New Delhi and London, this is an irresistible listen for fans of Alexander McCall Smith, Harini Nagendra, and Jesse Sutanto from an author who divides his time between India and the United Kingdom.

©2025 Tarquin Hall (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

So Glad Vish Puri is Back

I love this series and always listen to the excellent narration by Vikas Adam. He perfectly captures the sound and musicality of each character's voice. Although the main mystery is a serious one in which a dishonest scientist is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people, the comedy throughout combines seamlessly with suspense. I even crawled along dusting baseboards in my house so that I could keep listening.

Given the current times and tension of living in the USA, I'm especially glad that no one is in danger in this book and there is no violence--aside from a murder. Both mysteries in this book are an indictment of callousness and greed, apt topics for today.

The accents and small details were perfect

I loved the story based in Shanti Niketan, Khan Market and London. Tarquin Hall manages to capture little and beloved details about Delhi and its people so well. A joy and delight to listen to, twice. I will read the book as soon as I can get it from my library. Delightful!!

Change of narrator

Please return to Sam Dastor as narrator. I’m sure this narrator has many good attributes but after Dastor, this story is almost ruined for me. I’ve found it hard to get through the story where I’ve listened to the other stories many times.

The story is of course the best!

Love the book and the humor with mystery is spot on. But bring back Sam Dastor for Audio, the artist used here is too young for the character of Puri.

Waited a long time for Hall to start writing again

Another great book by Tarquin Hall, hope he’s able to deliver another one for Christmas, Vikas is a good reader but I sorely miss Sam as I know his characters/voices in and out. Terrific story though and an enjoyable listen.

What happened to last narrator?

This narrator is just not as good as other Vish books. It took me out of the story several times.

long awaited vish mystery!

what wonderful candy of a story. couldn't stop listening. The narration is wow! enjoyed every minute. waiting for the next adventure

Another tour de force mystery with Vish Puri

I have waited a long time for a new installment from Tarquin Hall in his wonderfully entertaining and very clever Vish Puri series. The wait was well worth my patience! This is one of his best. The enjoyment is greatly enhanced by the brilliant narration and amazing versatility of Vikas Adam. The insight into the family relationships in this series is very rewarding. Highly recommend!

Another fun Vish Puri Mystery!!

Loved the story and the setting .., wished the audiobook was read by the previous audio actor … but all in all loved it and was so happy for another Vish Puri mystery!!

More, More, More!

I read all the rest of the Vish Puri books a number of years go and thought Tarquin Hall was finished with them. Thankfully, he was not, and this outing was such a pleasurable surprise, Puri and the gang are just as wonderful as ever and the narration by Vikas Adam was spot-on! As a reader of Indian descent, I can tell you that both the author and the narrator captured the characters perfectly! A definite "must-listen"!