Pretty poorly written. Feels like a children's book. The story was still acceptable and the depiction of Indian English was well done, though insufferable to sit through as a reader.

This was a pretty neat book. It was a mystery that was much more than just that- it provided lots of information about the modern India that is hard to see as a member of American middle class. I enjoyed how the author used Indian words throughout the book, although it was a tad annoying having to flip to the glossary every time I encountered a new word. I like it.

I normally only read non-fiction and was recommended this title by Midland Books Aurobindo Place in Delhi. The evocation of Delhi and north India was so good, that the plot being less so mattered less. Especially given the author is British. I want to read all the books in this series.

This is a cozy mystery, which wasn't thrilling in any way, but a fun and easy read. I learned a great deal about India and their society, which is extremely different from Norway, and therefore quite exciting and exotic. You can't help but love the food-loving, middle aged detective Vish Puri. He is India's answer to Sherlock Holmes, even though he always denies it, and solves the mysteries brilliantly like Hercule Poirot, with help from his quirky assistants. It's not a masterpiece, but quite enjoyable.

3.75 stars

3.5 stars. Funny and easy to read. Only warning might be that you need to be familiar with "Indian speak" else the grammar/sentence structures may seem a little weird. It's a humorous murder mystery set in India. Can't really say much more than that! Good fluff :)

Another fun Vish Puri. Had to pick this one up after reading the other in the series. Fun!

I loved this. I wondered the whole time if I should feel guilty about liking it so much. Audiobook reader is great.

It took me awhile to get into this book, but after awhile the mystery got me hooked. All the Indian references were confusing and off-putting at first, but then became interesting and part of the appeal of this book. I do like learning about other cultures and Hall definitely knows his stuff. So much so that at times, it feels like I was beaten over the head with it. This isn't something I will read again and I doubt I will read the rest of the series unless someone puts them in my hand, but this is more a matter of taste than lack of skill on Hall's part. The story was just too crude for me. I did like some of the main characters and was glad to have this book for a snow day.

I really like to read mysteries, but I have a hard time finding good ones, by which I mean a book with a mystery that can't be solved as soon as all the characters are introduced, characters that act that real people, and a detective who isn't perfect, but has believable flaws and is basically a good person. I would call this book a good mystery. The multiple cases were good, and the characters were fun. Hall did a good job with India, hitting a good balance between the good and bad that makes up India. He also managed to talk about the corruption and ineptitude of the Indian government without preaching, which I always appreciate. And Puri and his family were good people who were trying to live their values. I don't see a lot of that in books, so I like it when it comes along.

There was a popular song during my youth by a band called 10cc. The chorus of this song was, "I'm not in love/so don't forget it/it's just a silly phase I'm goin' through...." India, books Indian in setting and theme, Indian food *dripdrool*, Hindu theology, henna tattoos, all objects of fascination for me and much of the American culture just now. Fairly soon, I understand we're to get our first Tatas on these shores. (Go Google "Tata.")

So what's a weentsy-teentsy little shoestring publishing house like Simon and Schuster supposed to do, try to buck the trend? Heavens to Betsy! Perish forbid! Must needs we leap aboard the wagon, fringe on the top gaily floofledy in the breeze of our passage on to the NEXT trend! And then where will Tarquin Hall be?

Tarquin who?

Vish Puri, our sleuth for this inaugural outing of the "Most Private Investigations Ltd" series, will be rattling around in iUniverse, his loyalists ordering a few copies here and there, and perchance Tarquin Hall coming up with the odd (a very advised use of the term) new entry but probably not.

The investigations here are not in the least bit the point of the book. The point is India, Indians, and the astonishing amount we here in the West don't know about any and all of those things. As such, I enjoyed the book quite a lot. I'm on record in several previous reviews as saying we'd best get used to Indian influences in our literature, because their influence is finally catching up with their numbers. I for one welcome this, because I find India completely fascinating, and I really really enjoy chances to add to my store of knowledge of the place.

Hall makes a very good guide, since he's as white a white boy as my blue eyes have ever seen. This means that things which would not need saying, like the fact that servants must fill washing machines by buckets, get said and our spoiled, spoiled eyes get big at the very *notion* of not simply twisting a tap for instant, clean water of whatever temperature we desire. (PLEASE GOD, plagues wars famines whatever, DON'T MAKE ME GIVE UP HOT SHOWERS!)

Oh! The story! Well, least said soonest mended, and let's move on to the important part: Should you read the book?

Nah. Fun, for me; pleasantly charmingly amusing, for me; but for a mystery reader, it would be a horrible experience, and for a snootybootsy four-hankies-and-a-pistol reader it would be a horrible experience, and for the general what's-new-this-week reader it would be a disorganized mess. If you're in the mood for a curry, though, could do nicely. Just don't go in with expectations too high.