January's Pick/The Case of the Missing Servant

By Tarquin Hall

Vish Puri is India's most private detective. Determined, particular, and very persistent, his portly figure and mustache bring to mind a Punjabi version of that famed Belgian detective, Monsieur Hercule Poirot.

In modern day Delhi, where call centers and high rise apartment blocks are rapidly taking over the ancient fabric of Indian life, Vish Puri's cases come mostly from screening prospective marriage partners a job that in the old days was reserved for aunties and family priests. But when a famed local lawyer is accused of murdering one of his servants, Puri is finally faced with the kind of case where he can put to use the detective skills that combine modern day technologies with the principles of detection established in in India more than two thousand years ago.

With his team of operatives, Tubelight, Facecream, and Flush and unwanted help from "Mummy-ji," Vish travels from Delhi to the remote mines of Jharkhand to solve the case.

The Case of the Missing Servant is a fun and interesting read. There is a glossary at the back of the book with Indian words and phrases that you will find interesting, especially finding out the meaning of some words that you hear frequently. Also, if you're even remotely a fan of Dame Christie's Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries (Mummy-ji knows her Delhi neighbors as well as Miss Marple know the residents of St. Mary Mead!) you'll enjoy this Indian mystery as well.

PALE GREEN, SPICY, MINT LASSI

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups plain yogurt

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

25 large fresh mint leaves

1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

1/ fresh hot green chile, coarsely chopped, do not remove seeds

1/3 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground roasted cumin seeds (optional)

8 ice cubes

Prep

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Some ice pieces may remain. Garnish with mint leaves. Serves 2.

from Madhur Jaffrey's "Quick & Easy Indian Cooking"