About this title: The first in an irresistible new detective series introduces Vish Puri, who styles himself as the best private investigator in India. His main gig is running background checks, but bigger, more sensational cases are coming his way.
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: Good. Advance Reading Copy. Softcover. Spine uncreased. Cover has slight shelf wear and corner creasing. Text unmarked. *Ships Next Business day* read more
Description: New. 1416583688 Brand new, unread copy. No remainder mark; a new book. Please compare our ratings and buy with confidence. Member, Antiquarian Book Dealers Association of South Carolina. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: Like New. Hardcover. Dust jacket in very good condition with normal shelf and use wear. Tight binding. clean unmarked text. No highlighting or pan/pencil markings. We ship daily. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781416583684. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: Like New. Looks brand new and appears to be unread. May have a hint of shelf rubbing. ORDERS SHIPPED IMMEDIATELY from our retail bookstore in secure protective packaging. Standard Shipping generally takes 7-10 days for delivery, but may take up to 30 days during peak times. If early delivery is essential, please choose Expedited Shipping for delivery within 2-4 business days. ORDERS GUARANTEED, NO QUESTIONS ASKED: Your satisfaction is assured with Jacobsen Books. read more
Edition: First Edition: First Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, New York
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: Very good. By Tarquin Hall; ISBN: 1416583688; Pub. : Simon & Schuster; Pub. Date: 2009-06-02; Media: Hardcover; Weight: 15.2 oz.; 1 page has small tear otherwise like new. by Tarquin Hall; ISBN: 1416583688; Pub. : Simon & Schuster; Pub. Date: 2009-06-02; Media: Hardcover; Weight: 15.2 oz.; 1 page has small tear otherwise like new. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: New in new dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 310 p. Audience: General/trade. New First Edition with No Imperfections. Fast service. Satisfaction guaranteed. read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781416583684ISBN:1416583688
Description: The first in an irresistible new detective series introduces Vish Puri, who styles himself as the best private investigator in India. His main gig is running background checks, but bigger, more sensational cases are coming his way. read more
Description: Good. 1416583688 Good condition. May have some markings & or shelfwear. All pages intact. Used items may not include extras such as infotrac, CD or other web access codes. read more
"Need an exotic change of pace from mysteries set in Victorian London or Nowheresville, America? Has your favorite heroine been eating too many cheeseburgers? A trip to India is just the cure! Tarquin Hall emerses the reader into the rich culture and vibrant personalities in a modern day murder mystery - India style.
The lead character runs a detective agency with stylistic nods to Agatha Cristie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The humor is often tongue-in-cheek, poking at the inevitable bureaucracy, the difficulties of watching your weight in a culture that also adores fried food, and the conflict and misunderstandings between people of different social caste.
In some ways it is very similar to a historical period mystery in structure, but that may be because so much of Indian culture is unfamiliar to me. It also had a very overtly colorful feel, as if the author wanted the reader to be sure that this is all in fun.
I found this story to be a great mix of humor, mystery, and cultural exploration."
"I picked this up with great hopes after reading To the Elephant Graveyard, but I'm afraid it didn't live up to my expectation. Vish Puri is more like Hercule Poirot than he is like Sherlock Holmes, and this first book in what is apparently going to be a series picks up on his career when he has already solved a good many mysteries. He is surrounded by a large cast of helpful family members and skillful employees, and he has already established a large collection of informers and people in high places who owe him favors. With all these advantages, it almost seems impossible for him to fail. The mystery is a good one, and the telling is play-fair; but repeatedly what was supposed to be charming fell flat for me, and the evocation of India seemed more artificial and ginned-up than it did in Elephant. Hall is very frank about many of India's problems, though, and a long episode in the vicinity of a uranium mine, with all the devastation it continues to cause the local people, was very memorable. It seems to me that Hall is a brilliant journalist, but so far he doesn't seem to have developed the ability to create characters and make them come alive as they move around in a plot of his own construction."
"Another effort in my relentless quest to find great mysteries to read. And this one is an exotic one. Modern day India with its traditions and contradictions, its class and generational struggles, its tragedies and successes, and at its center, a very old-fashioned detective, smart, arrogant, not exactly athletic, and with the firm belief that he is the smartest member of his family -- or maybe not. I loved the subplot involving the attempt on his life and his mother's quest to find the culprit. Somehow, the main case was not quite as engaging. A diverting read, surely, but not a very satisfying one."
"Wow, I really enjoy Vish Puri and all of his antics, narcissism and sayings. He just seemed like a typical "uncle" from India going about his business doing his job to the best of his ability...sometimes a tad overzealous. ("Confidentiality is my watchword..." ha ha ha how "unclish") The supporting characters were great as well. Humorous moments were sprinkled throughout the book to alleviate some of the corruption that is highlighted. I'm quite enjoying my romp through Indian fiction. I hope the author continues on with this series."
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