Without being ponderous, there is a lot of information about the Punjabi and other castes and religions woven into the story. My main appreciation of the novel rests in the way India, especially Delhi, becomes truly alive and believable. Despite this abundance of activity and characters involved, the reader never gets lost, a tribute to Hall's writing skills. As is the case in real life, the detective must work on other cases while dealing with someone intent on killing him. Claiming his innocence, he hires Vish Puri to find the truth. Rumours have it that she was abused and killed by her employer, a respected lawyer intent on cleaning up India's corrupt legal system. Here the main plot consists of the disappearance of Mary, a humble servant. He leads a quiet family life but, with the help of his employees, earns a more than decent living solving cases varying in importance, from investigating husbands-to-be to murder.
They stem from the "Most Private Investigators Ltd," a detective agency – 'the best' – founded and managed by Vish Puri, a rotund man from Punjab, addicted to fatty food, vain, honest, convinced of his many talents which he constantly proves. Much like India where the action takes place, Tarquin Hall's first mystery is peopled with a host of colourful characters and various plots.
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