The case of the missing servant by Tarquin Hall

"The case of the missing servant" by Tarquin Hall. This is the first mystery novel of Vish Puri series.

Tarquin Hall is a British author who has spent a lot of time in the subcontinent. Vish Puri is his private detective, owner of 'Most private investigators', operating out of Delhi. He is 51 year old chubby Punjabi, father of three daughters, has large mustaches, short height, is intelligent and has an ego (since he knows that he is the best). Readers of mystery must have, by now, noticed the similarities with Hercule Poirot of Agatha Christie. He also tends to his terrace flower garden daily. This trait is similar to Nero Wolf of Rex Stout.

A lawyer from Jaipur hires Vish Puri. A lady servant has gone missing and police doubt that the lawyer has murdered her. A retired army officer wants Puri to investigate bridegroom of his grand daughter, a civilian,  and prove that he is not worthy. An attempt is made on Puri's life and Puri could not get any clue. But his mummy wants to investigate and track the shooter.

Puri starts the investigation with help of his assistants code named 'handbrake', 'tube light', 'door stop', 'face cream' etc. The lawyer is arrested and ex-driver of lawyer is murdered. The plot thickens.

Who is the murderer? Is it one or more? Can Vish Puri solve all three cases? Does his mummy help or create more problems?

This story and all Vish Puri mysteries take place in India. Tarquin has written the story with all the details of daily Indian life that speaks a lot about his observation power. The author has used the Indian English very effectively. Tarquin has caught the pulse of Delhi perfectly. The language, the way things work or do not work, the interactions between the characters, everything is perfect. Reading the book you can not make out that the author is not an Indian.

This book does not have major twists. The story is evenly paced and you remain interested.

A good read. Recommend reading.