I have just discovered a new author who is quickly becoming a favourite. A few days ago I finished reading 'The Case of The Missing Servant' by Tarquin Hall. I suppose it is a standard whodunnit, in a way, and it is indeed a good mystery (I had guessed whodunnit, and inevitably, guessed wrong!!). But it is the setting (modern-day India) and the characters that made it so enjoyable. The protagonist is an Indian private detective called Vish Puri. Like Hercule Poirot he is a little tubby and has a fine waxed moustache. He also has a fear of flying, a passion for blindingly hot chili peppers and an interfering mother.

I don't want to give too much of the game away, but it is not only engrossing but very funny. It certainly passed my own personal Good Book Test, in that on the way to and from work I have gone past my bus stop several times, so reluctant have I been to raise my head from the page and check how close I was to home. If you like a book with a good story and endearing characters, I do recommend this one.

And the best news of all is that a second Vish Puri novel has apparently already been written!

>And the best news of all is that a second Vish Puri novel has apparently already been written!

"The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing".........I agree - good, honest, lightweight - but quite entertaining.

I'm NOT paranoid......thats just what THEY want you to think!!!

I've never heard of this one. It's great to have some detectives from other countries. I like reading about other cultures and mysteries are a nice, easy an entertaining way to get information instead of reading a travel book or some such. Those sorts of stories seem to put cultural references and characters in context. You just sort of learn by osmosis.

I recorded some Inspector Ghote stuff from R7, but haven't got 'round to listening yet. But these sound like a good candidate for dramatizations or readings.