Book Review: Vish Puri ja nauruun kuolleen miehen tapaus ( The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing, Vish Puri #2)

Vish Puri ja nauruun kuolleen miehen tapaus (The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing, Vish Puri #2)

by Tarquin Hall

translated to Finnish by Tero Valkonen

Originally published in 2010 by Sacred Cow Media Ltd.

Pocket book edition; Gummerus, 2014.

This review is based on the Finnish paperback edition. 

India's "Most Private Investigator" is back! This time Vish "Chubby" Puri investigates the murder of Dr. Suresh Jha, a man who dedicated his life for exposing fraudulent gurus and mystics. What makes the murder unusual is that Dr. Jha was killed seemingly by goddess Kali during a laughter yoga meeting. Kali levitated and vanished into thin air so Vish suspects some kind of magic trick.

Vish gathers information from street magicians, while his undercover operatives "Flush" and "Facecream" try to infiltrate the ashram (spiritual hermitage) of extremely influential Maharaj Swami. Also the members of the laughter yoga club seem to have secrets. This time we get also some more glimpses about mysterious lady Facecream's past.

Again Vish Puri's mother "Mummy-ji" has her own investigations going on. She and Vish's wife Rumpi try to solve the robbery on women's club. Vish has also other things to be worried about. Jaiya, daughter of Puri's is pregnant and Vish's bumbling brother-in-law Bagga is having trouble with real-estate business.

Again the book is filled with mystery, comedy and depictions of Indian cuisine. Entertaining mystery has couple of twists and surprises. There is also some comparison between traditional philosophical Hinduism and material new-age Hinduism. Also the corruption in Indian society is depicted to be omnipresent, the only policeman Vish trusts is Commissioner Singh. During the investigation Vish ponders the differences between superstition and belief. There is a vocabulary of Indian words in the end of the book, which comes in handy when reading the story.

Check also: The Case of the Missing Servant, Vish Puri #1

Rating: Good