It’s been about six years since we last met Vish Puri, India’s most lovable portly food-loving private investigator created by author Tarquin Hall, so I was eager to accompany the detective on a jaunt to London, where he is to receive the International Detective of the Year award. But of course, how could Mr. Puri not get embroiled in a mystery case even when he’s not in his home court? He’s been asked to go undercover to track down an Indian pharmaceutical fraudster hiding in London who has been dubbed “Bombay Duck,” (hilarious, especially for those who know what a Bombay Duck is). In London he teams up with his old friend from Scotland Yard and his reluctant nephew Jags who becomes an assistant, while his team on the ground in New Delhi covers the India angle. The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck is yet another hilarious mystery romp with Vish Puri and his personal idiosyncrasies and cultural penchants that Tarquin Hall reflect so well, down to the use of the English language and unique phrasing that someone who has lived in India is familiar with and can capture - kudos to the author. I read the ARC of this book, so hopefully a couple of references I mention here have been fixed in the published edition - “typhoon off the Bay of Bengal” in chapter 5 should be “cyclone off the Bay of Bengal” - cyclones are what they’re called in that part of the world. Also, in the Glossary section, besides the spiced tamarind water mentioned, Golgappas must include a mixture of potato, chickpeas, onions, cucumbers and spices, otherwise it’s not a golgappa! Overall, this book kept me highly entertained with its storyline, characters, and dialogue. It was lovely to hang out once again with the irreplaceable Vish Puri. This was a solid 3.5 read, rounded up to 4. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I thank the publisher for this ARC, this book was painful to get through. I just couldn’t find the excitement to even read this book.

Another fantastic book in this series ! I cannot get enough of Vish Puri's authentic Indian-ness and his trademark wit and charm. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Vish Puri, India’s Most Private Detective, has to travel from his home in New Delhi to London to collect the International Detective of the Year award. He has promised his wife that their trip to London will be strictly a vacation, but a government official forces him to accept a mission. Puri has to track down the Bombay Duck, who has defrauded (and killed) people with a pharmaceutical scam. And he has to do this without his wife and mother catching on that he is working.

I rarely read cozy mysteries, but I’ve enjoyed this series. Puri and his family members are all extremely likable, the books have humor, the plots are interesting and they proceed at a fast pace (They really have to since the books are short.). In this case, the search for the Bombay Duck turns into a different sort of investigation with a twist. There is also a side plot that didn’t really interest me.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was excellent. He even did a good job with the female voices. However, the audiobook does not include the Glossary of terms used in the book. So if you want to know the meaning of such terms as “Bombay Duck”, “Achaar”, and “Goonda”, you need to get another book format.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

I absolutely love these mysteries and this latest was no exception! This was an especially satisfying mystery since it took place in both India and the UK. The new character of Puri's young nephew was a wonderful addition to the amazing cast of recurring characters. I love how the author always weaves in real social problems. I would highly recommend this to all readers off cozy mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

It's been a long wait for this latest installment of the adventures of private investigator Vish Puri. I have missed the humor, the food, and the insider's look into life in India so much that I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck. I'm thrilled to say that the chubby private investigator's London experiences do not disappoint.

There is plenty of humor to be found in Puri's trip to London. He finds that the food is not up to his high standards, although he might make an exception for Harrods Food Hall. He's also not a fan of London's DYI (Do It Yourself) culture; he likes having things done for him wherever possible. With the help of his employees in New Delhi, Puri soon finds clues to the wanted man's whereabouts, and his detective work just manages to fly beneath the radar of his wife and mother because they have a "case" of their own.

As much as I enjoy the mystery and the humor, I love Hall's insights into Indian culture, and this time it's Indian culture transported to England. If you're an armchair sleuthing foodie who likes strong mysteries filled with humor and the appreciation of other cultures, you will love Tarquin Hall's Vish Puri mysteries. Although it's not necessary to begin with the first book, don't be surprised if you read The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck and find yourself looking for all the others in this entertaining series.

3.5 stars. I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC for The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck by Taquin Hall. I had enjoyed all the earlier books featuring Private Detective Vish Puri, based in New Delhi. These books were cozy character-based mysteries, and filled with humour.

This book was more complex, with investigations in India and London, and numerous characters to follow in both locations. It lacked the laugh-out-loud humour in the previous books. I was pleased to follow the new adventures of Puri, his wife Rumpi, and his delightful, forthright, and interfering mother, Mummy-ji, an unofficial skilled detective.

When Puri learns that the International Federation of Detectives has chosen him as Private Detective of the Year, he is proud and thrilled to attend the award ceremony in London. He plans to stay in London for a week and take his wife on a sightseeing holiday. His mother has arranged to accompany them, although uninvited.

A prominent Indian official, on learning of his upcoming London visit, orders him to look for a pharmaceutical manager wanted for deaths, and fraud for a diabetes medication. He is nicknamed the Bombay Duck, and is believed to have fled to England and is hiding in London. Scotland Yard has been unsuccessful in locating him.
Puri promised his wife he would not work on the trip and kept the assignment secret from his wife and mother. He tries to juggle the assignment with sightseeing. Fortunately, he has assistants in both countries. Puri relies on his intuition and reasoning; his helpers have technical skills. Since he lacks the time, he enlists his nephew, Jags, to investigate in London. Jags is a street-smart, clever young man, and a first generation Londoner. He is initially reluctant to help, but soon shows promising detective skills.

The case involving the elusive Bombay Duck becomes increasingly difficult. It included murders by poison using ingredients from India, disguises and possible involvement of Bombay Duck's wife in India.. Puri consults with an old friend in Scotland Yard. Suspects are trying to find and kill the fugitive. Both Scotland Yard and Puri are conflicted about the guilty party. The investigation becomes more complicated by cultural differences and misunderstandings. Can Puri and associates find the Bombay Duck?
Mummy-ji learns that a maid from India is being mistreated and locked in her room when she is not being overworked. The maid is denied the promised salary and benefits. Mummy-ji is anxious to help her.

Recommended for readers who enjoy complex mysteries. Fans of Detective Puri, his friends and relatives, will be pleased to follow their newest adventures. Publication is set for March 04/ 2025.

I feel that the world has moved on from middle class westerners writing in the voice of other peoples. There is so much great literature including cosy crime available in translation that reading a British writer's humorous takes on someone else's culture feels I'm afraid a bit racist. I didn't get far in this book, and I'm sure at the end Vish Puri comes out on top, but I would rather read something more authentic.

A light and amusing addition to the series that sees Vish Puri, our intrepid Indian detective, in London to receive an award, Oh and he's got to find the Bombay Duck, a criminally unscrupulous businessman who has fled India to avoid his debts and prosecution. Puri''s family, especially his mother, is critical to the tale as they are his team. There's nothing too twisty, the characters work, and it might well make you smile. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I been a fan of Tarquin Hall's most very private detective since the first book.
Hishave latest is just as delightful and just as fun as his previous books. However, there was nothing new in the characters. His operatives are still one dimensional, his Mummy still nosey and his poor neglected wife still forgotten and dismissed.
Although I liked the book and clever plot, I think I wanted more growth and development of the characters.

The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck by Tarquin Hall is my first book by this author and did enjoy it. You don’t have to read the previous books. This series to get into this one. Here we have our Indian detective Vish based on New Delhi. People think of him as Indian Hercule Poirot. When something interesting happens in Vish’s professional life he gets asked to nab one of Indian’s most wanted fugitive. We have some enjoyable side characters including his meddling mother, his nephew that helps him the case and his wife that doesn’t want him to work on their long waited trip. This was enjoyable story abs I will continue this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC. These thoughts are my own!

This sweetly funny story of the world’s greatest detective, Delhi based Vish Puri, is so charming you will be completely drawn into his family and work life. As the book opens, he’s just been named “International Detective of the Year.” Unfortunately, the “secret” news has leaked out, and his office is deluged with congratulatory phone calls and sweets. Even worse, his mother calls and lets him know she’ll be accompanying he and his wife to London when they go for the award ceremony.

It comes with other minuses as well – an unwelcome associate has pledged to attend the ceremony, and Puri is summoned by a high up bureaucrat and instructed to find a notorious missing businessman who has fled to London with his millions, leaving in his wake victims of a medication that caused deaths rather than a cure. It seems like a lot to pile on, and what’s more, he’s instructed to investigate without the knowledge of the diplomats in London.

It’s with this on his mind that he boards the plane for London, his wife having to secretly drug him to overcome his fear of flying. When they land he’s irritated by the long line at customs and by the fact that he’ll apparently have to shlep his own luggage (a friend had warned him that the West is “DIY”). They arrive at a cousin’s where they are to stay and to Puri’s dismay, he discovers she’s not only vegan, she’s a terrible cook.

Puri, however, soldiers on and reaches out to an old friend at Scotland Yard to share information on the whereabouts of the missing man, dubbed by his friend the “Bombay Duck.” Puri also has operatives back in Delhi watching the wife, and they’re sure she’s planning to make a run for it. Meanwhile, Puri’s wife is delighted to be in London and wants to see all the sights there are to see. My favorite scene may have been high tea at the Savoy that Puri somehow ends up paying for the in the hopes of spotting his quarry.

As Puri works his investigation while also trying to accompany his wife when he can, he’s assisted in his task by his young cousin, who speaks and behaves like a Londoner but has some impressive tech skills and street smarts. Every character here is lovingly delineated – Hall obviously loves these people and if there were any kind of condescension on his part, it would have made the characters wooden on the page. Instead, they are fully alive, and while Puri can indeed be a bit ridiculous, he gets his man through some very smart investigating.

He’s also ably assisted by his mother who sees through him at every turn and is incredibly observant. Even his young cousin tells Puri to give her a break – she may irritate him (she’s his mother, after all) but she knows what she’s talking about. This concisely told tale was stuffed full of plot and wonderful characters. I didn’t mind starting with book six, but I now feel somewhat compelled to seek out the earlier books, with the worry that the delicious food described so vividly by Hall made me want to order up some Butter Chicken ASAP.

I was a bit worried that I wouldn't enjoy this book, as I hadn't read the previous books in the series. Still, I am an avid mystery reader and thought I would give it a go.

This was a fun, enjoyable mystery with a colorful and entertaining cast of characters. It was a quick, delightful read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun escapist mystery.

3-3.5/5 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I've enjoyed other books in this series in the past, and was happy to be able to read the newest instalment.
Vish Puri is getting a prestigious award and uses the occasion to take his wife and mother with him to London for an extended vacation.
Of course, it's not going to be simple, as he's enlisted by the Indian and British governements to help track down a dishonest billionaire with Indian connections who's currently in the UK.
There's lots of scenery streaming by the cab windows as Puri and his street-smart nephew try and track the bad guy, and some shenanigans with the team back in Delhi as well.
While I prefer the Indian adventures, this book is a must for Puri fans, and shows off London to good advantage.
Recommend for fans of cozy mysteries with an international flair.

3.5

This is the first of Tarquin Hall's Vish Puri series that I've read (leaving me way behind everyone else I assume).

The story follows Puri as he heads to London, ostensibly to pick up a prestigious award but, as appears to be normal, taking on the case of Harilal Bhatt, a dodgy businessman who has - so far - eluded Scotland Yard. It's a wild ride with poisonings, chases and lots of disguises being the order coffee the day.

The character I really enjoyed was Puri's Mummy who, I gather, has just as much expertise in catching criminals as Puri himself. She's incredibly entertaining and far more forthright than Vish.

My scoring may seem a little mean but the writing felt a little unpolished to me and the dialogue somewhat clunky at times.

I did, however, enjoy the book and I'd suggest fans of Vaseem Khan or Richard Osman would also enjoy these books. I'll certainly read the previous ones in the series - for no other reason than to increase my enjoyment of Mummy.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Severn House for the advance review copy.

Private detective Vish Puri travels to London to receive an award as the private detective of the year, with his wife Rumpi and his mother along for the ride. He receives a commission to undertake while there - to find an Indian pharmaceutical executive who has fled India to avoid prosecution. As he is carrying out the search in London, Rumpi and her mother-in-law undertake their own investigation into a family matter, and Puri's colleagues look into the missing executive's life back in India. An enjoyable read watching Puri carry out his investigation far from his usual setting. Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the eARC.

Author Tarquin Hall had not released a Vish Puri novel in five years, so I had given up hope. How thrilled I am to discover the release of No. 6 in the series featuring the rotund, self-admiring head of Most Private Investigators in New Delhi. In The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck, Puri’s ego is further inflated by a summons to receive the 2021 Private Detective of the Year by the International Private Detectives Ltd. in London. Puri’s wife Rumpi and his mother accompany him to England.

But while Puri’s there, an Indian bigwig insists that Puri partner with Scotland Yard to track down a fugitive pharmaceutical CEO. At the same time, Rumpi and Mummy-ji conduct their own investigation into an Indian ex-pat servant being cheated of her wages and benefits. Readers will adore both cases, each of which has plenty of surprises. But it’s Vish Puri’s Chav but clever nephew Jagat (better known as “Jags”) that steals every scene he’s in. This first-generation Londoner taking a gap year is trying to find himself — and, thanks to Puri, he might just have found his calling. Highly, highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.

Vish Puri, owner of India's Most Private Detective Agency was awarded the Private Detective of the Year with the ceremony being held in London. Just as he was going to have a nice vacation with his wife, Rumpi, he was summoned to the Ministry of Finance office and requested Puri to track down Dr. Bhatt, CEO of BioSolutions, a pharmaceutical company, who fled the country and is hiding in London. So instead of enjoying his time site seeing he coheres his nephew Jags to help him navigate the streets of London. Puri also contacts his friend Inspector Bromley of Scotland Yard for assistance. All the while keeping this mission a secret from his family.
A very entertaing story in the series with the characters that we have gotten to know and in a new location for this adventure. Even Puri's Mummy-ji has her own case to solve while helping her son.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this e-galley of "The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck".

mystery, detective, multicultural, situational-humor, verbal-humor, fun, investigation*****

Let me whine a bit because the ebook is Not TTS enabled and my vision is not working well. I could only read part of it, but enough for me to go ahead and preorder the audio so I could laugh my way through another Vishi Puri mystery with that incredibly delightful cast of characters.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected reader's proof from Severn House via NetGalley.
Avail Mar 04, 2025 #TheCaseoftheElusiveBombayDuck by Tarquin Hall #VishiPuriMysteriesBk6 @SevernHouse #NetGalley #CozyMystery #MurderMystery @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones ***** #Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk

I hadn't read a Tarquin Hall mystery in so long, but was excited to reconnect with this cast of characters and see what they were up to! My favorite character by far is Tarquin's mother, who is unstoppable and such an entertaining and lovable read.

This book actually takes place mostly in London, which was a fun change. The description of the Desi community in London seemed accurate to me (or at least close enough for someone who has only visited), and the cultural differences and misunderstandings were funny but not too contrived or trite.

The mystery itself was two fold as Tarquin's wife and mother in law were involved with a mystery of their own, and we still got to hear about some of the other wonderful characters from past books as they did investigative work and research back in India.

I highly recommend this book to any mystery fans - it is a compelling read with fun and well developed characters. It would work as a stand alone read even though it is part of a series, and the mysteries are layered and complex so the resolution will be a surprise (or at least was for me).