Looks like more and more lawyers are disillusioned with the practice of law and are wanting out, looking over at other pastures! There was Tan Twan Eng, the Penang born Cape Town based corporate lawyer-turned-author whose two books were listed for the Man Booker's prize - The Gift of Rain (longlisted,2007), The Garden of Evening Mists (shortlisted,2012). Another person who took the same path of giving up writing legal document to venture into the ever engrossing world of storytelling is Sharmini Flint. She gave up her high flying 'evil past' to be a full time mum. After starting writing children's book, she has ventured into books meant for adults too (I do not mean adult themed!).This is the second book of hers on the Inspector Singh series that I managed to lay my hands on, the first being 'A most peculiar Malaysian murder'. In the Malaysian series, he was assigned by his superiors in the Singapore Police to see to things right for a Singaporean model accused of murdering her a Malaysian business tycoon. It was an opportune time for the author to bash the Malaysian amnesties, work ethos of civil servants and the weather!
Inspector Singh, for those who are in the green about this beer bellied, oversized, turbaned, hirsute inspector from Singapore, he is a contended, laid back policeman who enjoys his occasional banter with his wife and an occasional dose of spiced Indian cooking, puff of cigarette and beer.
Here, Singh is on medical leave. Recovering faster than he should, his superiors quite happy not to have him around the station. So, when his wife suggested that they should attend a relative's wedding in Mumbai, Singh grudgingly obliged on this all-expenses paid trip.
Enjoying his cold beer and watching live cricket telecast in Taj Hotel was bliss, so he thought. Call it jinx or otherwise, as Singh was itching for action, he finds some when the bride (Ashu) goes missing after the choora (bangle) ceremony!
The patriarchal leader of the family, Tara Singh, the bride's grandfather, who took the family under his wings after her father was lynched after Indira Gandhi's assassination, assigns Singh to investigate her whereabouts to keep the news from the prowling busy-bodies of the public. You see, Tara Singh is a famous business magnate.
The bride then is identified as a kerosene charred body in the mortuary from an apparent suicide! The course of the investigation narrows the death to between suicide (for the bride had found secret love in a Moslem colleague), honour killing (by the Khalistan sympathizing family members) and murder (by Tara's American multinational company CEO).
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The search for the truth with his Indian counterpart, Inspector Patel (the guy who tries to find the easiest solution with minimal paperwork) meets another bump. Tara Singh is bludgeoned to death with his own walking stick and Ashu, the suicidal bride is found alive!
An important judgement on the fate of a mosque is anticipated by the volatile societies of India and trouble seem brewing. Then the plot become more convoluted with plans of bombs and inciting riot....
An entertaining lovable character, this Inspector chap.The most interesting part of the book is the quirky 'wise crack' soliloquy that goes through Singh's mind as he investigates his case.
India bashing lines... (something to effect of.....;not in verbatim.)
- Singh was uncomfortable with a smell when his plane was landing in Mumbai. He was wondering whether it was burnt plastic or something like that he should dash for the exit. He asks his wife, "What is that smell?". Mrs. Singh coolly replies, "India!".
- '"What? I thought they make good beer. There fly planes too?"' (obviously referring to Kingfisher!)
