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!!

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.

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!

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.

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!!

Funny and Entertaining Poor Narration

The story is as good as the prior novels. The characters are funny, relatable and keep the story moving along at a good pace.
I have listen to all of the prior novels and really enjoyed that narrator.
I couldn't get into this audio version. The narrator poorly executed this story. Specifically, over performance with several characters, mono- interperetation with others.
I found my attention wandering and at other points unable to listen at all.
I really didn't care for the performance by this audiobook narrator.

The novel is good and I recommend reading it. Skip the audio version.

Wonderful romp with Vish Puri in London

I thoroughly enjoyed this new adventure with the Indian sleuth. I do wonder at the time compression, however. Too much happened in too little time. Every day had too many possible events. And without giving anything away, I’m still puzzled that on her escape from Delhi, the beautiful woman with all the suitcases bothered to take so many buses when none were needed at all! I suppose we are to assume that she knew she was being followed? And why were all those spices left behind? Those and other clues were fun, if contrived. And the food is amazing. As is Mama-ji, a delightful sleuth, herself. When she moves into a retirement community, if such exists in India, she can spin off to lead investigations of her own, aided by her illustrious and ever hungry son.

Charming

I have listened to all the Tarquin Hall books and love them. This was a different reader and he was good but Rumpi just wasn’t herself! Entertaining and endearing!