The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken

Although it sounds like The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken (#227) by Tarquin Hall could be the title of a humorous dieter's memoir, it's actually the third outing in an entertaining mystery series featuring quirky Indian private investigator Vish Puri.  Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Case of the Missing Servant, the first book in the series, I was delighted to win the latest book as a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

Things have been quiet around Vish Puri's agency lately, so when he is called in to consult on the brazen night time theft of India's most famous mustache, he jumps at the chance to take on the case.  After all, what if his own lovingly tended mustache is at risk?  But his investigation must be put on hold as he and the rest of his extended family are expected at an important international cricket match.  His nephew will be making his debut against a strong team with star Pakistani players.  At the reception following the game, Vish witnesses some peculiar goings-on and the death of one of the Pakistani delegation after consuming some of the same Butter Chicken that he himself has just sampled  out of his wife's sight.  Maybe Rumpi is right about that diet he should be on...

Vish can't pursue the murder on his own, but an old Scotland Yard acquaintance contacts him to look into a cricket match-fixing gambling syndicate with international ramifications.  Involvement with the syndicate has already proved fatal to several people, as Vish's operatives pursue promising leads across India's social strata.  Vish is in danger himself, but even more worrisome is that fact that his own Mummy-ji seems to be investigating someone or something on her own.  She hasn't been the same since that post-game reception.  All the clues seem to be leading in the same disturbing direction  - Pakistan.  And the mustache thief isn't done yet, either.

Though at first glance, The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken appears to be just another light-hearted mystery caper, as you read, you are drawn into the realities of India today: the modern technology struggling to pull India into the twenty first century at odds with the ancient customs, religious prejudices and poverty, all housed in a confusing jumble of slums, government-built blocks and glass skyscrapers.  And at the core is an event in India's fairly recent past that few of us in the West know much about: the Partition that in 1947 divided the Indian subcontinent into modern India and Pakistan, and later, Bangladesh.  I've got to love a book that provides entertainment with such a provocative punch.  Kudos, Mr. Hall!  Please keep Vish Puri on the case (with more recipes, of course!).