Spoilers ahead. I've been on an Indian detective kick (Vish Puri and Chopra), and I've finished those. GR recommended this so I tried it. I first just tried sampling another one online but didn't get a good feel for it so I borrowed this one as the premise seemed interesting.
As per the blurb, Ghote is tasked to find a rich man's daughter who came to California to study. She apparently got induced into joining an Ashram, withdrew all her money and stopped corresponding with her father.
I was surprised to find that this book was published in 1981. Based on the writing style and the content of the text I would have thought this was set in the 1960's. The writing style is a bit humorous but slow and plodding. After reading the much smoother Chopra and Vish Puri books this type of writing just couldn't hold my interest and I dnf'd it.
I love a fish out of water story. Inspector Ghote from Bombay certainly is one in Los Angeles. This is a light read, easy to put down and forget to continue. Ghote is a fun character to follow. I would like to read one of the series set in Bombay.