Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator

The latest adventures of Indian detective Vish Puri continues the series that immediately joins the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency as representing the best in international cozies (Booklist, starred review).Murder is no laughing matter.

Yet a prominent Indian scientist dies in a fit of giggles when a Hindu goddess appears from a mist and plunges a sword into his chest.

The only one laughing now is the main suspect, a powerful guru named Maharaj Swami, who seems to have done away with his most vocal critic.

Vish Puri, Indias Most Private Investigator, master of disguise and lover of all things fried and spicy, doesnt believe the murder is a supernatural occurrence, and proving who really killed Dr. Suresh Jha will require all the detectives earthly faculties.

To get at the truth, he and his team of undercover operativesFacecream, Tubelight, and Flushtravel from the slum where Indias hereditary magicians must be persuaded to reveal their secrets to the holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges.

How did the murder weapon miraculously crumble into ash?

Will Maharaj Swami have the last laugh? And perhaps more important, why is Puris wife, Rumpi, chasing petty criminals with his Mummy-ji when she should be at home making his rotis?

Stopping only to indulge his ample Punjabi appetite, Puri uncovers a web of spirituality, science, and sin unique in the annals of crime.