The Case of the Missing Servant

De: Tarquin Hall

Narrado por: Sam Dastor

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

Entertaining and keeps you hooked.

What did you love best about The Case of the Missing Servant?

the characters!!! They're painted so vivid and given such distinct personalities, it was easy to follow and enjoy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love the main character. I like how he nicknames all his operatives. He gives the impression that he's not too smart, but he sneaks up on them with all of the answers.

What does Sam Dastor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It's difficult to get all the different accents and voices in your head when you read. I like how they didn't all sound the same.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it made me laugh off and on.

Any additional comments?

loved it

Excellent.

Great story. Twists and turns keep it moving. The characters and very entertaining. Fantastic narratiom. An all around good read.

Eccentric and Charming Characters Abound

This book conjures the atmosphere of modern New Delhi and the social milieu in which the story occurs. Satirical glimpses of the burgeoning nouveaux riches are hilarious. A great yarn that also provides an insight into the level of corruption in the red-tape-drowned bureaucracy. I just loved the weaving of the various cases that were pursued and how the conclusions were neatly written. Above all this is an amusing and light novel with lovable and droll characters drawn against a backdrop of systemic corruption. I loved it and couldn't put it down. The narrator is a perfect choice and he evokes the characters brilliantly. A lovely marriage of story and performance.

The perfect voice for an excellent book

What did you love best about The Case of the Missing Servant?

It has the smells, the noises and the characters of India. Travel in your armchair! It is a mystery, good clean fun and entertaining. For once, here comes a PI who is a good family man. It is almost unheard of in literature.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The hero is a PI of modern times in India, so he can use scientific tools when needed. However, he prefers to use his own contacts and spies rather than DNA. It allows the reader to meet a multitude of fascinating characters. The book is a lot of fun.

What does Sam Dastor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

There are of course Indian names of people and meal courses. I bought the audio because I was curious to hear the pronunciation. Dastor, however, proved to be much more: a delight. He changes voice with the different characters, he reads extremely well, the rhythm is perfect. The Indo-British accent he produces is wonderful within the book, and you will want to cook your own curry while listening to this. I intend to buy the audio of everything he is willing to read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is a long book. It will take a long week-end of leisure.

Okay, now, this is good!

What fun to hear. Good mystery, wonderful narration and different from anything I have ever heard. "Mama G" and family help with the detective agency as they try to live up to its humble reputation as best in India ( or the world).