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Inspector Singh Investigates #5
Inspector Singh Investigates: A Curious Indian Cadaver: Number 5 in series
Inspector Singh is sick of sick leave, so when Mrs Singh suggests they attend a family wedding in Mumbai, he grudgingly agrees - hoping that the spicy Indian curries will make up for extended exposure to his wife's relatives.
Unfortunately, the beautiful bride-to-be disappears on the eve of her wedding - did she run away to avoid an arranged marriage, or is there something more sinister afoot? When a corpse is found, the fat inspector is soon dragged into a curious murder investigation with very firm instructions from Mrs Singh to exonerate her family. But as he uncovers layer upon layer of deceit, he knows it isn't going to be that easy...
Unfortunately, the beautiful bride-to-be disappears on the eve of her wedding - did she run away to avoid an arranged marriage, or is there something more sinister afoot? When a corpse is found, the fat inspector is soon dragged into a curious murder investigation with very firm instructions from Mrs Singh to exonerate her family. But as he uncovers layer upon layer of deceit, he knows it isn't going to be that easy...
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2012
79 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Shamini Flint
73 books324 followersShamini Flint lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. She began her career in law in Malaysia and also worked at an international law firm in Singapore. She travelled extensively around Asia for her work, before resigning to be a stay-at-home mum, writer, part-time lecturer and environmental activist, all in an effort to make up for her 'evil' past as a corporate lawyer!
Shamini writes children's books with cultural and environmental themes including Jungle Blues and Turtle takes a Trip as well as the 'Sasha' series of children's books. She also writes crime fiction featuring the rotund Singaporean policeman, Inspector Singh. Singh travels around Asia stumbling over corpses and sampling the food ...
Shamini writes children's books with cultural and environmental themes including Jungle Blues and Turtle takes a Trip as well as the 'Sasha' series of children's books. She also writes crime fiction featuring the rotund Singaporean policeman, Inspector Singh. Singh travels around Asia stumbling over corpses and sampling the food ...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
January 8, 2025
I haven’t come across Shamini Flint’s Inspector Singh series before, but I enjoyed this one. The said Inspector is attached to the Singapore Police Force, but has somewhat unwillingly accompanied his termagant of a wife to Mumbai to attend the wedding of a distant relative by marriage.
The head of this particular Singh family of Sikhs is an extremely wealthy industrialist, who is getting on in years. The bride-to-be is his granddaughter, Ashu, who is Tara Singh’s favourite grandchild. He has paid for the living expenses and education of Ashu and her two brothers, Tanvir and Ranjit, since their father was brutally murdered by anti-Sikh extremists following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Tara Singh has also magnanimously paid for Inspector and Mrs. Singh’s accommodation at the Taj hotel, the best hotel in Mumbai, which was the subject of a notorious terrorist attack in recent years.
Ashu is a very modern young woman, with an important job in a chemical company, which although it is owned by her grandfather, she got entirely on her own merits. Somewhat surprisingly, she has agreed to an arranged marriage with a young Sikh man selected by her grandfather, whom she has never met.
The initial stages of the complicated wedding ceremonies have already taken place, and the actual wedding is due to happen within days. Inspector and Mrs. Singh are invited to meet the family, but upon arriving at the home find chaos. Ashu had slipped out the night before, taking almost nothing with her, and has not returned. How could she bring such dishonour to the family? Where can she possibly have gone?
The Inspector, whose wife has exaggerated the importance of his job to the other Singhs, reluctantly agrees to undertake a discreet investigation into the disappearance. Ashu’s mother is devastated and completely unable to stand up for herself, the elder brother, Tanvir, is an arrogant snob with secrets, and the younger brother is a wimp. It also emerges that Ashu had a close relationship with a Muslim work colleague. The plot thickens.
Before the Inspector’s investigation has really got going, the local police find the charred body of a young woman, burnt beyond recognition, but Tanvir identifies it as his sister because of the single ruby earring worn by the corpse. Inspector Singh now works in co-operation with the local police, and many other factors come into play. The family seem to want to believe that Ashu committed suicide by immolation, but the Inspector doesn’t believe this. The cast of characters is nearly as populous as the Indian sub-continent. One, a young boy who lives in the slum next to the chemical factory, has a large part to play in the convoluted plot. A thoroughly good read, full of local colour.
The head of this particular Singh family of Sikhs is an extremely wealthy industrialist, who is getting on in years. The bride-to-be is his granddaughter, Ashu, who is Tara Singh’s favourite grandchild. He has paid for the living expenses and education of Ashu and her two brothers, Tanvir and Ranjit, since their father was brutally murdered by anti-Sikh extremists following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Tara Singh has also magnanimously paid for Inspector and Mrs. Singh’s accommodation at the Taj hotel, the best hotel in Mumbai, which was the subject of a notorious terrorist attack in recent years.
Ashu is a very modern young woman, with an important job in a chemical company, which although it is owned by her grandfather, she got entirely on her own merits. Somewhat surprisingly, she has agreed to an arranged marriage with a young Sikh man selected by her grandfather, whom she has never met.
The initial stages of the complicated wedding ceremonies have already taken place, and the actual wedding is due to happen within days. Inspector and Mrs. Singh are invited to meet the family, but upon arriving at the home find chaos. Ashu had slipped out the night before, taking almost nothing with her, and has not returned. How could she bring such dishonour to the family? Where can she possibly have gone?
The Inspector, whose wife has exaggerated the importance of his job to the other Singhs, reluctantly agrees to undertake a discreet investigation into the disappearance. Ashu’s mother is devastated and completely unable to stand up for herself, the elder brother, Tanvir, is an arrogant snob with secrets, and the younger brother is a wimp. It also emerges that Ashu had a close relationship with a Muslim work colleague. The plot thickens.
Before the Inspector’s investigation has really got going, the local police find the charred body of a young woman, burnt beyond recognition, but Tanvir identifies it as his sister because of the single ruby earring worn by the corpse. Inspector Singh now works in co-operation with the local police, and many other factors come into play. The family seem to want to believe that Ashu committed suicide by immolation, but the Inspector doesn’t believe this. The cast of characters is nearly as populous as the Indian sub-continent. One, a young boy who lives in the slum next to the chemical factory, has a large part to play in the convoluted plot. A thoroughly good read, full of local colour.
March 29, 2017
Yikes! So close to the end of the Inspector Singh series, and stalking checking out the website for Ms. Flint makes it clear that self-promotion isn't in her wheelhouse. Hope that means she's busy writing the next Singh mystery, a series that is a more modern and culturally aware take of a Piroit-style investigation.
I found this to be one of the more solid entries in the Inspector Singh series. Poor Inspector: forced to take a medical leave of absence after the calamitous ending of the last book, his wife has the perfect activity to prevent him from rattling around the house--attending a family wedding in India. Not close family, mind you, so the reader is introduced in bits and pieces to some of the concepts of family in India and acceptable social roles. Alas, by the time they arrive, the bride has disappeared during her traditional pre-weddinghouse arrest seclusion. When her elder brother Tanvir identifies a badly burned body as his sister, it looks like she committed suicide. But her grandfather would like to know why, so Inspector Singh is placed on the case.
As in the other Singh books, Flint deftly weaves in bits of social and cultural commentary, giving the reader the flavor of the setting, and the ways it plays into Inspector Singh's investigation. Really, it's a fascinating concept for a series--what is 'crime' in each country, and what does policing and 'justice' look like? I thought this story was nicely fleshed out, and slightly less farcical in regards to the Inspector's bursting shirt buttons and his skinny, bossy wife. There's a fascinating juxtaposition between one of the local slums and the pristine nearby factory. I appreciate that Flint doesn't hit her readers over the head with moral judgements, although this book comes close when it looks at life in the slum.
There was somewhat of a surprise with the ultimate solution, but the set-up behind it was obvious from the beginning. One thing about the series that continues to puzzle me is how Singh is referred to as an amazing detective, yet execution of the investigation usually seems haphazard and more subject to circumstance than the little grey cells or leaving no stone unturned. Plotting here was a little smoother. Overall, it's a series I enjoy, certainly worthy of borrowing from my library friends. I'll be sad to see the series end.
A solid three and a half rupees, rounding up.
I found this to be one of the more solid entries in the Inspector Singh series. Poor Inspector: forced to take a medical leave of absence after the calamitous ending of the last book, his wife has the perfect activity to prevent him from rattling around the house--attending a family wedding in India. Not close family, mind you, so the reader is introduced in bits and pieces to some of the concepts of family in India and acceptable social roles. Alas, by the time they arrive, the bride has disappeared during her traditional pre-wedding
As in the other Singh books, Flint deftly weaves in bits of social and cultural commentary, giving the reader the flavor of the setting, and the ways it plays into Inspector Singh's investigation. Really, it's a fascinating concept for a series--what is 'crime' in each country, and what does policing and 'justice' look like? I thought this story was nicely fleshed out, and slightly less farcical in regards to the Inspector's bursting shirt buttons and his skinny, bossy wife. There's a fascinating juxtaposition between one of the local slums and the pristine nearby factory. I appreciate that Flint doesn't hit her readers over the head with moral judgements, although this book comes close when it looks at life in the slum.
There was somewhat of a surprise with the ultimate solution, but the set-up behind it was obvious from the beginning. One thing about the series that continues to puzzle me is how Singh is referred to as an amazing detective, yet execution of the investigation usually seems haphazard and more subject to circumstance than the little grey cells or leaving no stone unturned. Plotting here was a little smoother. Overall, it's a series I enjoy, certainly worthy of borrowing from my library friends. I'll be sad to see the series end.
A solid three and a half rupees, rounding up.
February 29, 2020
Like the great ‘cozy’’ mysteries of Christie, this is really not so cozy. It’s warm, clever and very funny at times, but deadly serious. Flint has a clear-eyed gaze, no interest in presenting anything phony or deliberately palatable. Here is a favorite insight into the estimable, somewhat rotund Inspector Singh,
“He’d seen it before - crisis in the midst of a large family was always accompanied by high drama. Whatever the root cause, and it was usually trivial, matters would inevitably deteriorate into tears, raised voices and a failure to serve meals on time.”
Flint comments on tribal identities of Hindu, Moslem and Sikh as Inspector Singh says,
“Perhaps there should be less talk in India about the plight of our people and more concern for the plight of the people- quite a few of them are still sleeping on the streets outside your office.”
Shamini Flint is, (along with Ian Rankin), the best mystery writer of our time. These are novels that use mysteries as a crucible, coziness may or may not occur!
“He’d seen it before - crisis in the midst of a large family was always accompanied by high drama. Whatever the root cause, and it was usually trivial, matters would inevitably deteriorate into tears, raised voices and a failure to serve meals on time.”
Flint comments on tribal identities of Hindu, Moslem and Sikh as Inspector Singh says,
“Perhaps there should be less talk in India about the plight of our people and more concern for the plight of the people- quite a few of them are still sleeping on the streets outside your office.”
Shamini Flint is, (along with Ian Rankin), the best mystery writer of our time. These are novels that use mysteries as a crucible, coziness may or may not occur!
February 12, 2025
The inspector Singh series has the Inspector solving murders in different Asian countries. This time it is in India. Singh is visiting his native land for a wedding. Instead of a big fat Indian wedding, he gets caught up in the case of the missing bride, and 2 murders. Singh solves not only this mystery but also some terrorist plots. However, the case of the curious 'Indian cadaver' was not solved, and no one seems to be bothered about it. It looked like the author wrote this book to complain about India. I suspect the author has never visited India and based her book on 'Indian poverty porn' movies like the Slumdog millionaire. I especially disliked the portrayal of the ACP Patel. His poor English grammar and sycophancy were irritating. And who addresses their parents as Mata and Pita? By the way, what is Singh's first name? His introduction to his wife's family full of Sardarjis was strange.
I found this amusing. Singh sees posters of Amitabh Bachchan everywhere (this in 2012) and he wonders 'didn't the old man have enough money already'. Well even now after 13 years, Big B is going strong at 82. The way he hosts the Indian version of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' is quite inspiring.
I found this amusing. Singh sees posters of Amitabh Bachchan everywhere (this in 2012) and he wonders 'didn't the old man have enough money already'. Well even now after 13 years, Big B is going strong at 82. The way he hosts the Indian version of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' is quite inspiring.
September 8, 2012
By Shamini Flint. #5 Inspector Singh series. Grade: B.
When I was offered the opportunity to read this book, I grabbed it because I was curious to see how a non-Indian author would handle an Indian protagonist. Then I saw the cover. It looked very childish, to be honest, and I was a little put out. But when I read the blurb and the first few pages, I found that the author’s writing wasn’t at all what I had expected it to be – that is, it wasn’t childish. So with that in mind, I started reading.
Inspector Singh is sick of sick leave so when Mrs. Singh suggests they attend a family wedding in Mumbai he grudgingly agrees – hoping that the spicy Indian curries will make up for extended exposure to his wife’s relatives.
Unfortunately the beautiful bride-to-be disappears on the eve of her wedding – did she run away to avoid an arranged marriage or is there something more sinister afoot? When a corpse is found the fat inspector is soon dragged into a curious murder investigation with very firm instructions from Mrs Singh to exonerate her family. But as he uncovers layer upon layer of deceit he knows it isn’t going to be that easy…
Let me begin with the good points. The story is great and the mystery part of it is awesome: The way the author writes engages you, and its captivating. Also, the characters are colourful, though not always relatable.
But what irked me the most, and undoubtedly will irk every other Indian the most, is the author’s continuous stream of one mild insult to the country after another. I don’t mean to sound biased at all- though I know I probably sound it- but it got on my nerves after a while.
Here, I’d like to quote Amitabh Bachchan, who, on the release of Slumdog millionaire, had said- “India ain’t all about slums and dogs.” My point, exactly. I’m not saying we don’t have our flaws – God knows, we have more than our fair share, but that doesn’t mean you present India in a way that’s really derogatory in a novel that many people from other countries are going to read! Also, you completely eliminate all the good points, and focus on only the bad points? How is that fair? And I know that many people are going to say I’m being over sensitive, and easily offended, but believe me when I say that I’m not like that. There really were many comments that were plain rude.
The author treats India and Indians with amused derision, which seems to be quite the rage amongst expats writing about India. As an example-
“….Singh entered the living room which had a tiled black and white floor, heavy curtains, and leather sofas. Two standing lamps cast a gloomy light. Why didn’t Kripal just draw the curtains? The dislike of most Indians for natural light was a curious feature of the race. Perhaps they feared a darkening of their not-so-lily-white-skin?”
That’s just racist. Although I’m pretty sure the author didn’t mean it in a very bad way since I’ve seen her picture and she isn’t white herself, yet it is really offensive. And by the way, I always draw the curtains in order to let in as much natural light as possible.
Authors seem to have many pre conceived notions in their mind about India.
Also, the characters adhered to the typical Asian stereotype and weren’t realistic either. They were colorful, and strong, no doubt, but they weren’t very real or relatable.
For example, even though I don’t deny that in more than many Hindu or Sikh households, marriage to a Muslim would be frowned upon, the kind of wealth that the author depicted in the Singh household suggests a certain exposure that they would doubtlessly have had. Of course, one cannot generalize, but it seemed a little unrealistic to me that that kind of a family would try to force their daughter into an arranged marriage.
Another thing was the way the author portrayed the Indian Police. One of my uncles happens to be a part of the Police, and so I know quite a bit about its functioning. And I know that no officer would follow around a Singaporean police officer around like a puppy only because he was a foreigner. And I certainly don’t think he’d be allowed sit in on interviews with people suspected of being murderers and terrorists!
All in all, the book has a good story, but it failed to make much of an impact on me because of the reasons I outlined above. It just seemed offensive and rude. Not something I’d recommend to Indian readers at all.
Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com
When I was offered the opportunity to read this book, I grabbed it because I was curious to see how a non-Indian author would handle an Indian protagonist. Then I saw the cover. It looked very childish, to be honest, and I was a little put out. But when I read the blurb and the first few pages, I found that the author’s writing wasn’t at all what I had expected it to be – that is, it wasn’t childish. So with that in mind, I started reading.
Inspector Singh is sick of sick leave so when Mrs. Singh suggests they attend a family wedding in Mumbai he grudgingly agrees – hoping that the spicy Indian curries will make up for extended exposure to his wife’s relatives.
Unfortunately the beautiful bride-to-be disappears on the eve of her wedding – did she run away to avoid an arranged marriage or is there something more sinister afoot? When a corpse is found the fat inspector is soon dragged into a curious murder investigation with very firm instructions from Mrs Singh to exonerate her family. But as he uncovers layer upon layer of deceit he knows it isn’t going to be that easy…
Let me begin with the good points. The story is great and the mystery part of it is awesome: The way the author writes engages you, and its captivating. Also, the characters are colourful, though not always relatable.
But what irked me the most, and undoubtedly will irk every other Indian the most, is the author’s continuous stream of one mild insult to the country after another. I don’t mean to sound biased at all- though I know I probably sound it- but it got on my nerves after a while.
Here, I’d like to quote Amitabh Bachchan, who, on the release of Slumdog millionaire, had said- “India ain’t all about slums and dogs.” My point, exactly. I’m not saying we don’t have our flaws – God knows, we have more than our fair share, but that doesn’t mean you present India in a way that’s really derogatory in a novel that many people from other countries are going to read! Also, you completely eliminate all the good points, and focus on only the bad points? How is that fair? And I know that many people are going to say I’m being over sensitive, and easily offended, but believe me when I say that I’m not like that. There really were many comments that were plain rude.
The author treats India and Indians with amused derision, which seems to be quite the rage amongst expats writing about India. As an example-
“….Singh entered the living room which had a tiled black and white floor, heavy curtains, and leather sofas. Two standing lamps cast a gloomy light. Why didn’t Kripal just draw the curtains? The dislike of most Indians for natural light was a curious feature of the race. Perhaps they feared a darkening of their not-so-lily-white-skin?”
That’s just racist. Although I’m pretty sure the author didn’t mean it in a very bad way since I’ve seen her picture and she isn’t white herself, yet it is really offensive. And by the way, I always draw the curtains in order to let in as much natural light as possible.
Authors seem to have many pre conceived notions in their mind about India.
Also, the characters adhered to the typical Asian stereotype and weren’t realistic either. They were colorful, and strong, no doubt, but they weren’t very real or relatable.
For example, even though I don’t deny that in more than many Hindu or Sikh households, marriage to a Muslim would be frowned upon, the kind of wealth that the author depicted in the Singh household suggests a certain exposure that they would doubtlessly have had. Of course, one cannot generalize, but it seemed a little unrealistic to me that that kind of a family would try to force their daughter into an arranged marriage.
Another thing was the way the author portrayed the Indian Police. One of my uncles happens to be a part of the Police, and so I know quite a bit about its functioning. And I know that no officer would follow around a Singaporean police officer around like a puppy only because he was a foreigner. And I certainly don’t think he’d be allowed sit in on interviews with people suspected of being murderers and terrorists!
All in all, the book has a good story, but it failed to make much of an impact on me because of the reasons I outlined above. It just seemed offensive and rude. Not something I’d recommend to Indian readers at all.
Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com
June 23, 2017
Much better. Flint is at her best when she writes 'cozy' mysteries in the finest Agatha Christie style -- complex interpersonal dramas with lots of motives, lots of twists, and lots of suspects. Once again starts on a painfully grim note, but lightens until the end.
January 14, 2023
I first noticed this series in a bookstore at Singapore airport. Was taken aback - An Indian detective in an international set-up! And that too a non-Indian author!! Wow.
I had forgotten about it, till I found it in the recommendation section in Amazon. Chose the one from the series that is based in India and decided to give it a go.
And boy! Was I disappointed?
I won't talk about the plot or the glaring holes in it. If you have read many popular mysteries before, you could perhaps predict the ending. Nor I would complain that this book clearly should be kept in the young-adult/children's section, not to confuse people like me. What disturbed me rather was the writing and the lack of any semblance of research leading to use of cliched stereotypes about a country from which the main character is and where the entire murder mystery is set-up.
Who the hell calls their parents "Mata" or "Pita" in India?
How can you introduce someone as Mr. Singh to a family where every damn guy's surname is Singh?
Why would a young woman allow a 10 year old address her as "Doctor Amma"?
And many such…
Also, the author writes in third person. Hence, the tone of narration is clearly hers and not the protagonist's.
And, the tone or thoughts reek of disdain, and not cynicism, derision and not sarcasm, racism and not bias.
What a let down!!
P.S. Note to self - Don't buy the second book of a series, until you finish one.
I had forgotten about it, till I found it in the recommendation section in Amazon. Chose the one from the series that is based in India and decided to give it a go.
And boy! Was I disappointed?
I won't talk about the plot or the glaring holes in it. If you have read many popular mysteries before, you could perhaps predict the ending. Nor I would complain that this book clearly should be kept in the young-adult/children's section, not to confuse people like me. What disturbed me rather was the writing and the lack of any semblance of research leading to use of cliched stereotypes about a country from which the main character is and where the entire murder mystery is set-up.
Who the hell calls their parents "Mata" or "Pita" in India?
How can you introduce someone as Mr. Singh to a family where every damn guy's surname is Singh?
Why would a young woman allow a 10 year old address her as "Doctor Amma"?
And many such…
Also, the author writes in third person. Hence, the tone of narration is clearly hers and not the protagonist's.
And, the tone or thoughts reek of disdain, and not cynicism, derision and not sarcasm, racism and not bias.
What a let down!!
P.S. Note to self - Don't buy the second book of a series, until you finish one.
October 14, 2012
Another fun quirky and suspenseful crime novel by Shamini. Inspector Singh in India the land of his forefathers but he looks at it (and knows!) as a Singaporean not from an Indian perspective. It was also interesting to see mrs Singh as more central to the story, additional character development how she turned into the bossy Indian wife but this time even helping her husband. I chuckled through the dry witty comments between the Singhs and giggled at the little digs at Singapore ( we don't have newspapers full of bad news ...). The backdrop of violence against Sikhs and the ongoing tensions between the various Indian factions as well as the ever widening gap between rich and poor is informative but not overwhelming. This is not a history book - first and foremost it's a who dunnit and Shamini gives us a crime novel treat with a uniquely Asian twist!
April 12, 2023
Not bad, but this time the whole story felt a bit superficial. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I mean, India!!! Of course you can't squeeze all that into one little volume. I did like the side story of Mahesh, the brave boy from the slums.
Anyway, I'm usually the sort who never guesses the culprit, I'm really not very good at joining the dots. I didn't this time, either, but I KNEW
And yes, the inspector is fat. He really is. And in case we forget, we are reminded at least once on every page.
Anyway, I'm usually the sort who never guesses the culprit, I'm really not very good at joining the dots. I didn't this time, either, but I KNEW
And yes, the inspector is fat. He really is. And in case we forget, we are reminded at least once on every page.
August 13, 2023
Good mystery and captivating setting at an Indian wedding. This series always takes you into the local culture and/or politics in some way and i really like that. Here, the Indian patriarchy is highlighted, with ramifications coming from a young woman who is acquiescing to the family patriarch's choice of husband and young, male family members possibly rivaling for eventual control of the family and assets. This particular story is especially interesting as Inspector Singh is at the wedding with his wife and it's great to get to know her better and funny to see them interact.
January 22, 2020
Perfectly solid episode as part of a larger series, but with one glaring exception...
The author makes a point of stating that Inspector Singh speaks serviceable, if not exactly native fluency, Punjabi, but no Hindi, nor presumably Marathi (the local Mumbai-area language), so I cringed when he was having conversations with children in the slums. No, just no!
Perhaps I misunderstood that point, but without going back and specifically checking I seriously doubt it.
The author makes a point of stating that Inspector Singh speaks serviceable, if not exactly native fluency, Punjabi, but no Hindi, nor presumably Marathi (the local Mumbai-area language), so I cringed when he was having conversations with children in the slums. No, just no!
Perhaps I misunderstood that point, but without going back and specifically checking I seriously doubt it.
March 8, 2024
Book 5 in the inspector Singh series and this is set in Mumbai.
Very well done - brings to life the chaos, family secrets and also how industrialists exploit the poor. I found this a zippy and believable read and a good mystery and solution too
Very well done - brings to life the chaos, family secrets and also how industrialists exploit the poor. I found this a zippy and believable read and a good mystery and solution too
March 3, 2014
After Inspector Singh's latest case in Cambodia, he has been placed on sick leave to recuperate and this doesn't sit well with him. Since he is being forced to take time off, he and his wife travel to India for a family wedding. However, when the bride-to-be disappears on the eve of her wedding, Inspector Singh is soon swept up in the family drama and is enlisted by the powerful patriarch to determine what happened to his beloved granddaughter. As is the case with previous installments, there are multiple story lines that ultimately get woven together and cultural issues specific to the country Inspector Singh is visiting factor into the tale. This one was a little different from the previous four books in that there isn't as much interaction between Inspector Singh and the local police, mainly because he's technically on vacation and investigating in an unofficial capacity on behalf of the family rather than as a police liaison from Singapore. Inspector Singh's wife also features more prominently in this installment since this is her side of the family but only slightly more than in other books. Although this is part of a series, I don't think that is as critical to read all of the books in order since each one deals with issues that are specific the country in which Inspector Singh is working on a case. It's more like a series of stand-alone books with the same main character. This offering does reference a few of his previous cases but I don't feel like there were any spoilers if you opted to read these out of order.
July 4, 2022
Storyline is decent but the prejudices of the writer reflect in her tone, is sometime outlandishly racist, while at others objectification of Men, even her protagonist (every second sentence of reference for the detective Singh is “Fat guy doing this, Fat guy doing that”. Her treatment of mass genocidal acts against minorities was super insensitive, like a frail anecdote that a guy distributed sweets on death of some leader therefore burning any person including a civil servant alive in front of family is a digestible.
Reference to the name of the Sikh prophet was incorrect “Nanak Singh”. Come on expect atleast basic research on the cultural background of your lead protagonist.
Associating Canadian diaspora with disdain was another level of stupidity. I think the entire book was more a reflection of authors own racial and cultural prejudices, complete lack of research and lack of emotional maturity to write about a genocidal act. Overall in real bad taste
Reference to the name of the Sikh prophet was incorrect “Nanak Singh”. Come on expect atleast basic research on the cultural background of your lead protagonist.
Associating Canadian diaspora with disdain was another level of stupidity. I think the entire book was more a reflection of authors own racial and cultural prejudices, complete lack of research and lack of emotional maturity to write about a genocidal act. Overall in real bad taste
May 26, 2012
I picked this one up at random and have made a new best friend! Shamini Flint writes well (some great words in there!) with a good pace. Characters were all believable and the scenes are set well without getting too detailed. Anyone who is familiar with the Indian culture will experience lots of giggles as the indian comes through in the language, attitudes and countryside. As I was getting into it, I did start drawing parallels with Botswana's No 1 Ladies Detective Agency - and see that the 'Daily Record' has also noted this. Not a criticism at all.
The plot was plausible and had a good twist in the tail - or should that metaphor be mixed? Yay me - I spotted it quickly and look forward to reading the others in this series to see if I can spot the clues there too.
If you are looking for a light entertaining read, you have found it.
The plot was plausible and had a good twist in the tail - or should that metaphor be mixed? Yay me - I spotted it quickly and look forward to reading the others in this series to see if I can spot the clues there too.
If you are looking for a light entertaining read, you have found it.
June 28, 2013
This is a first ever book I have read of this author and about the first 20 pages told me I don't like it at all. She is a non Indian yet she has dared into the Indian territory and instead to procuring a story it seems as if she is paid extra to write all things bad (some existing some unnecessary created) about India. She should then stick to her resident country Singapore.
The story and the writing style isn't captivating too. The cover suggested the book to belong to children section :D very childish.
All in all a total time waste.
The story and the writing style isn't captivating too. The cover suggested the book to belong to children section :D very childish.
All in all a total time waste.
September 7, 2023
This book is one of the many in the series of Inspector Singh and as far as the series goes, I feel like this might one of the ones that disappointed me the most. The first couple of books were really well written and I loved the plot. However, in this book the big plot twist where we find out that the bride is still alive was too easy to guess. That was the most disappointing part but it was still nice to read about Inspector Singh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2013
I've read all the Inspector Singh books. I heard about Shamini the author who lives in Singapore from a friend of mine here in Austin Texas whose husband was stationed there. I thought I'd give her a try, or a go, as they say in those British influenced countries. I'm glad I did cuz I really dig the dude as we say in those USA influenced countries like Texas. Highly recommended!
Denniger
Denniger
April 22, 2019
Excellent, loved this insight into India. Now i have discovered this author, i cant wait to read more adventures.
Reminds me of the "Dead man in Malta....." etc. books which i highly recommend.
Reminds me of the "Dead man in Malta....." etc. books which i highly recommend.
April 1, 2021
The cover page of the book quotes a review by the Daily Record describing it in these words: “as compelling as McCall Smith’s Precious Ramotswe. High praise indeed and completely unfitting, it turned out, once I began reading.
The book tries to be more than a murder mystery so there are a lot of cultural references and talk about India from the eyes of Inspector Singh, a citizen of Singapore, with no particular feeling for the land of his ancestors.
In particular, the observations around Mumbai are so prejudiced that they aren’t cool at all.
Forced to go on medical leave after his last case, Inspector Singh of the Singapore Police is roped into flying to India to attend the wedding of Ashu, the daughter of his wife’s cousin.
When Ashu disappears a few days before her wedding, her wealthy paternal grandfather, Tara Singh, wants no scandal and tasks Inspector Singh to bring his grand daughter home.
The investigation becomes a case of murder when a charred body wearing Ashu’s favourite earrings is found. But Mrs Singh is adamant that her family must not be found at fault.
Earlier on, in the Prologue, we come to know of the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards in 1984, the riots that broke out, and the loss of life and property.
The book cover is a mishmash of random images associated with India that have no bearing upon the story.
The story is written in the 3rd person past tense limited PoV of multiple characters.
Much of the author’s basic understanding is faulty. Inspector Singh is more Singaporean than Indian, and yet he is crazy about cricket, and follows the Mumbai Indians, of all things.
Ashu and her brothers call their parents Mata and Pita, which is odd, because these words are basically Hindi for mother and father. But they are not a form of address at all. The right way to address parents in Hindi would be Mataji and Pitaji.
The Indian mobile number of Inspector Singh is offered to the assistant commissioner of Police Patel, without letting us readers know that he had got one.
The slumkids refer to Ashu as Doctor Amma (mother), when Doctor Didi (sister) would have been more apt, given her age.
The reference to Immaculate Conception, when referring to the pregnancy of the dead girl, is in extreme bad taste.
Mumbai Police, a formidable force, are shown here as lazy nincompoops who have no problem with taking directions from Inspector Singh. It is odd that ACP Patel is shown to speak grammatically imperfect English, eschewing articles, while Mahesh, a runaway child who lives in a slum and is illiterate, speaks perfect English. Inspector Singh finds no fault with Mahesh's language skills.
Incidentally, faulty English seems to be the author’s forte.
At one point Inspector Singh reads a news item regarding the judgement on the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He observes, reading the errant paragraph aloud, that there are no prepositions in it, when it is the articles that are missing. And that seems to be the author’s problem. Mrs Singh speaks incorrect English. Satisfying the author’s strange ideas of our language skills, she too avoids using articles while speaking.
This book deliberately reduces India to its stereotypes, the very thing that a good writer does not do. The author of this book tells us a bunch of crap, and tries to pass it off as the truth about India. According to the author, suits with Nehru collars are preferred by Indian businessmen. Most people are constantly chewing tobacco.
Inspector Singh is worried about the origins of the dust on his shirt in a country where millions don’t have access to toilets.
Here is a ridiculous and highly sexist quote that shows this author knows nothing about India. The dislike of most Indians for natural light was a curious feature of the race. Perhaps they feared a darkening of their not-so-lily-white skin?
Clearly, the author has a chip on her shoulder regarding skin colour.
The author also observes that households in Mumbai depend on tankers for water, and that families have to fetch buckets of water up in the lift.
The boss at the chemical works where Ashu worked is an American who calls Mumbai a hellhole. Another example of the author’s lack of research and imperceptiveness. This country, this city grow on you.
Every place on earth, every country in the world has its pretty and unsavoury sides. This author has focused only on the worst side of India.
I give her one star because giving less than one is not an option.
The book tries to be more than a murder mystery so there are a lot of cultural references and talk about India from the eyes of Inspector Singh, a citizen of Singapore, with no particular feeling for the land of his ancestors.
In particular, the observations around Mumbai are so prejudiced that they aren’t cool at all.
Forced to go on medical leave after his last case, Inspector Singh of the Singapore Police is roped into flying to India to attend the wedding of Ashu, the daughter of his wife’s cousin.
When Ashu disappears a few days before her wedding, her wealthy paternal grandfather, Tara Singh, wants no scandal and tasks Inspector Singh to bring his grand daughter home.
The investigation becomes a case of murder when a charred body wearing Ashu’s favourite earrings is found. But Mrs Singh is adamant that her family must not be found at fault.
Earlier on, in the Prologue, we come to know of the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards in 1984, the riots that broke out, and the loss of life and property.
The book cover is a mishmash of random images associated with India that have no bearing upon the story.
The story is written in the 3rd person past tense limited PoV of multiple characters.
Much of the author’s basic understanding is faulty. Inspector Singh is more Singaporean than Indian, and yet he is crazy about cricket, and follows the Mumbai Indians, of all things.
Ashu and her brothers call their parents Mata and Pita, which is odd, because these words are basically Hindi for mother and father. But they are not a form of address at all. The right way to address parents in Hindi would be Mataji and Pitaji.
The Indian mobile number of Inspector Singh is offered to the assistant commissioner of Police Patel, without letting us readers know that he had got one.
The slumkids refer to Ashu as Doctor Amma (mother), when Doctor Didi (sister) would have been more apt, given her age.
The reference to Immaculate Conception, when referring to the pregnancy of the dead girl, is in extreme bad taste.
Mumbai Police, a formidable force, are shown here as lazy nincompoops who have no problem with taking directions from Inspector Singh. It is odd that ACP Patel is shown to speak grammatically imperfect English, eschewing articles, while Mahesh, a runaway child who lives in a slum and is illiterate, speaks perfect English. Inspector Singh finds no fault with Mahesh's language skills.
Incidentally, faulty English seems to be the author’s forte.
At one point Inspector Singh reads a news item regarding the judgement on the demolition of the Babri Masjid. He observes, reading the errant paragraph aloud, that there are no prepositions in it, when it is the articles that are missing. And that seems to be the author’s problem. Mrs Singh speaks incorrect English. Satisfying the author’s strange ideas of our language skills, she too avoids using articles while speaking.
This book deliberately reduces India to its stereotypes, the very thing that a good writer does not do. The author of this book tells us a bunch of crap, and tries to pass it off as the truth about India. According to the author, suits with Nehru collars are preferred by Indian businessmen. Most people are constantly chewing tobacco.
Inspector Singh is worried about the origins of the dust on his shirt in a country where millions don’t have access to toilets.
Here is a ridiculous and highly sexist quote that shows this author knows nothing about India. The dislike of most Indians for natural light was a curious feature of the race. Perhaps they feared a darkening of their not-so-lily-white skin?
Clearly, the author has a chip on her shoulder regarding skin colour.
The author also observes that households in Mumbai depend on tankers for water, and that families have to fetch buckets of water up in the lift.
The boss at the chemical works where Ashu worked is an American who calls Mumbai a hellhole. Another example of the author’s lack of research and imperceptiveness. This country, this city grow on you.
Every place on earth, every country in the world has its pretty and unsavoury sides. This author has focused only on the worst side of India.
I give her one star because giving less than one is not an option.
October 14, 2019
Inspector Singh is on sick leave after Cambodia, and his wife decides they should go to a family wedding in India. The bride, Ashu, is not really looking forward to her wedding to Kirpel Sing, who her grandfather has picked out for her and offered a large dowery. The day Singh and his wife arrive at the home of the bridge, Ashu has gone missing, and the grandfather asks Singh to find her. The police call shortly and say they have found a dead young girl. Singh and Ashu's brother Tanvir go to do the ID, and Tanvir claims she is wearing Ashu's favorite earrings. The girl has been soaked with kerosene which is usually a sign of suicide. Thus, they all decide she didn't want to marry.
However, as he investigates the death, Singh is not convinced she was the kind of girl who would kill herself. Also, the autopsy shows the woman was pregnant, and Ashu had not been alone with her fiance and her boyfriend Sameer assures him it's not his child. Tanvir is up to no good with a Canadian friend, and then Singh finds out that Ashu has found out that people in the slums next to the Grandfather's chemical plant are getting very sick probably from something the plant is leaking.
Thus, there are many possible culprits for the killing of Ashu, and then the Grandfather is found murdered by a beating coming home from the funeral, and Singh finds out more about Ashu from her best friend. This complicated investigation has some very interesting findings, but Singh finds out all eventually.
However, as he investigates the death, Singh is not convinced she was the kind of girl who would kill herself. Also, the autopsy shows the woman was pregnant, and Ashu had not been alone with her fiance and her boyfriend Sameer assures him it's not his child. Tanvir is up to no good with a Canadian friend, and then Singh finds out that Ashu has found out that people in the slums next to the Grandfather's chemical plant are getting very sick probably from something the plant is leaking.
Thus, there are many possible culprits for the killing of Ashu, and then the Grandfather is found murdered by a beating coming home from the funeral, and Singh finds out more about Ashu from her best friend. This complicated investigation has some very interesting findings, but Singh finds out all eventually.
May 21, 2023
Even though this is the 5th book in the series, it was the last book that I read. Perhaps it was because I read the others pretty much back to back and only got to this one years later that I actually felt pretty nostalgic reading it.
The book somehow read funnier than the others, perhaps because my own sense of humour had changed over the years. Or simply because this one featured more of Mrs. Singh, the caricature of an overly proud Sikh and a bullying wife because Inspector Singh went to India with her to attend a wedding of her relative.
When they got there though, they found out that the bride had disappeared. Naturally, the first theory the inspector thought of was that the bride ran away from being made to marry a man she barely knew. But then a scorched body of a woman was found and identified as that of the bride. Her elite grandfather refused to have the police investigate the matter because he wanted to preserve his reputation so he requested that Singh quietly find out if the bride really killed herself or if she was murdered.
While I thought the case was quite interesting, it was pretty straightforward, and I did guess everything correctly. Still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. However, as usual, the tone throughout the book had been one to criticize the Indian culture quite a lot while comparing it to how amazing Singapore was. Personally, I just prefer if social commentaries focus more on the good rather than the bad side of any culture, or at least 50-50. Inspector Singh series often skewed more on the negative though.
The book somehow read funnier than the others, perhaps because my own sense of humour had changed over the years. Or simply because this one featured more of Mrs. Singh, the caricature of an overly proud Sikh and a bullying wife because Inspector Singh went to India with her to attend a wedding of her relative.
When they got there though, they found out that the bride had disappeared. Naturally, the first theory the inspector thought of was that the bride ran away from being made to marry a man she barely knew. But then a scorched body of a woman was found and identified as that of the bride. Her elite grandfather refused to have the police investigate the matter because he wanted to preserve his reputation so he requested that Singh quietly find out if the bride really killed herself or if she was murdered.
While I thought the case was quite interesting, it was pretty straightforward, and I did guess everything correctly. Still, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. However, as usual, the tone throughout the book had been one to criticize the Indian culture quite a lot while comparing it to how amazing Singapore was. Personally, I just prefer if social commentaries focus more on the good rather than the bad side of any culture, or at least 50-50. Inspector Singh series often skewed more on the negative though.
November 6, 2023
One of the things I find most interesting in reading books by non-American authors is their slant on the world as they see it. Culture shapes us all, so reading stories set in different cultures is like re-setting your brain, making you wonder what kind of person you might have been. You also see the similarities, that there are life experiences we share.
So, Ms. Flint lives in Singapore, as does her lead character, Inspector Singh. He is a Sikh, if somewhat lapsed, amid an ethnically diverse population. He eats too much, and he's practically addicted to watching cricket on TV. Sound familiar? He and his wife go to India to attend the wedding of one of her relations, a young girl. But whatever expectations the Inspector may have had, it is all much worse than he had thought. It's too hot, too dirty, the taxi drivers are crooks and speak a patois that comes straight from comedy sketches, and it's just not like home. On the other hand, the head of the Indian has attitudes of his own, and considers Sikhs of their own diaspora not really Indian. Everyone has prejudices, and it is this that is really the core of the story. Along the way Ms. Flint touches on economic exploitation in Asia, the sheer numbers of the desperately poor,
the casual dismissal of the lower castes.
So, Ms. Flint lives in Singapore, as does her lead character, Inspector Singh. He is a Sikh, if somewhat lapsed, amid an ethnically diverse population. He eats too much, and he's practically addicted to watching cricket on TV. Sound familiar? He and his wife go to India to attend the wedding of one of her relations, a young girl. But whatever expectations the Inspector may have had, it is all much worse than he had thought. It's too hot, too dirty, the taxi drivers are crooks and speak a patois that comes straight from comedy sketches, and it's just not like home. On the other hand, the head of the Indian has attitudes of his own, and considers Sikhs of their own diaspora not really Indian. Everyone has prejudices, and it is this that is really the core of the story. Along the way Ms. Flint touches on economic exploitation in Asia, the sheer numbers of the desperately poor,
the casual dismissal of the lower castes.
November 17, 2024
Rating: 4.5 stars
I’m not sure if Inspector Singh has toned down his criticisms on everything in general or if I’ve just become used to his constant grumbling about anything under the sun. What I’m sure of is I’m enjoying these later cases a lot more.
This is the fifth book in the Inspector Singh series and this time he bowed down yet again to his wife’s wish. We see him reluctantly carrying his bulky self, alongside his skinny wife to India. Inspector Singh, normally adept at excusing himself from attending any social events especially when it involves her wife’s extended family, was unable to extricate himself from attending her relative’s wedding. Unfortunately for him, he was out of a good excuse because his boss, Superintendent Chen would not allow him to work yet as he was asked to recuperate after the debacle in Cambodia.
However, upon landing in India where he and his wife were put up in a lavish hotel courtesy of his wife’s wealthy relative, he was called into action because the bride was missing! Although he kept on comparing (read: complaining) India and Singapore, the only thing that suited him a lot better in India was the food. The case was pretty clear cut and it was not too hard to guess what happened but I still liked the book because of the characters. Recommended if you’re into detective fiction with Asian background.
I’m not sure if Inspector Singh has toned down his criticisms on everything in general or if I’ve just become used to his constant grumbling about anything under the sun. What I’m sure of is I’m enjoying these later cases a lot more.
This is the fifth book in the Inspector Singh series and this time he bowed down yet again to his wife’s wish. We see him reluctantly carrying his bulky self, alongside his skinny wife to India. Inspector Singh, normally adept at excusing himself from attending any social events especially when it involves her wife’s extended family, was unable to extricate himself from attending her relative’s wedding. Unfortunately for him, he was out of a good excuse because his boss, Superintendent Chen would not allow him to work yet as he was asked to recuperate after the debacle in Cambodia.
However, upon landing in India where he and his wife were put up in a lavish hotel courtesy of his wife’s wealthy relative, he was called into action because the bride was missing! Although he kept on comparing (read: complaining) India and Singapore, the only thing that suited him a lot better in India was the food. The case was pretty clear cut and it was not too hard to guess what happened but I still liked the book because of the characters. Recommended if you’re into detective fiction with Asian background.
April 23, 2024
Fast and cheap entertainment. I was reading this while watching on and off, Monsoon Wedding in an ongoing study of South Asian family dynamics/diaspora so it was a bit disconcerting because I was getting the storylines and general vibes of the two literatures criss crossed in my mind. If I compare it to other novels I have read of this genre in the past, I have to say that I enjoyed the Indian aspect to it and that the mystery wasn't too bad, but not the best. I thought Ashu was alive from the beginning. I thought it was relatively less intense in its stereotypes than other novels dealing with South Asia written in English. Overall good, but would't go out of my way to recommend this to anyone.
March 27, 2025
This is the second volume by author Flint with Inspector Singh as the main character that I have read. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first Inspector Singh Investigates one I read. That involved intrigue and murder in Bali in the South Pacific. This new read involves intrigue and murder in Mumbai, India. Here as well we have an interest in communal fighting between Hindus, Moslems and Sikhs with repercussions that damage characters and lead to murder through terrorism. This volume is peppered with interesting settings and graphic word usage creating images of sights, sounds and smells that one would encounter on a visit to Mumbai. I can attest to that as I did visit the city back in the mid 1980's. This story also has an interesting side tale of chemical poisoning in a local slum neighborhood adjacent to a chemical plant owned by the main family impacted by the story's narrative. It is a story that carries the reader along, sometimes a bit too slowly, but the build up for final resolution does satisfy. The book closing scene in the apartment of the deceased family head has a drawing room sense quite similar to the traditional parlor gatherings of Poirot and other literary detectives. It is a good read and I probably will continue to read several others in author Flint's Inspector Singh series.
January 9, 2020
Sick leave is boring, and Inspector Singh is bored enough to agree to go to India with his wife for a family wedding. But when they get to Mumbai, they find that the bride has disappeared. Did she run away, possibly with a boyfriend? Was she kidnapped or killed? Sadly, her older brother identifies a burned body as hers. Her extremely wealthy grandfather demands that Singh--who is, after all, a homicide detective--find out what happened to the apple of his eye. Singh tries to explain that he doesn't even know his way around Mumbai, but it does no good--in his heart of hearts, he wants to find out what happened to the plucky girl he knows only through her photograph.
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September 29, 2022So far, this is my favorite Inspector Singh book. He's on leave from the events from Cambodia. He gets invited to his wife's family member's wedding. He has no idea who the bride nor bridegroom are, but he's pretty bored.
I like learning more about Mrs. Singh and how she helps him (helpfully or not) with the investigations.
The family issues of trust (of Singh) and of each other is interesting. There are multiple mysteries and Singh finds a cop who becomes part of his team (helpful or not?).
Very enjoyable and I like the different mysteries in this book.
I like learning more about Mrs. Singh and how she helps him (helpfully or not) with the investigations.
The family issues of trust (of Singh) and of each other is interesting. There are multiple mysteries and Singh finds a cop who becomes part of his team (helpful or not?).
Very enjoyable and I like the different mysteries in this book.
December 26, 2017
Shamini Flint has created another delightful mystery featuring Inspector Singh with a backdrop of chemical waste tainting water in a slum, conspiracy to effect riots in Mombai, and a badly incinerated body of a young pregnant woman. The humour surrounding the investigation by the ever growing rotund detective made this a fun airport read; enough to distract while also enough to improve my knowledge. Good enough to seek out another title in the series!
September 21, 2020
Decent mystery shrouded in poverty porn
The plot is not half bad and the writing style is interesting. But the constant drone on everything that's wrong with India, with zero ability to look beyond the squalor and poverty, was irritating. And poor research leading to hyperboles like all houses in Bombay have to get water through tankers and fill buckets with it, were unnecessary and distracted from an otherwise decent mystery plot.
The plot is not half bad and the writing style is interesting. But the constant drone on everything that's wrong with India, with zero ability to look beyond the squalor and poverty, was irritating. And poor research leading to hyperboles like all houses in Bombay have to get water through tankers and fill buckets with it, were unnecessary and distracted from an otherwise decent mystery plot.
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