H. R. F. KeatingCritiques

fun, though the ending felt a bit abrupt.This is the first I have tried in the series and I will try more

I’ve been reading Agatha Christie books for as long as, well, as long as I can remember reading. So quite possibly from the time when this book was first published back in 1977. It’s a collection of essays about the Queen of Crime’s life and works. When I started reading, I didn’t quite realise how long ago it was originally published. Oddly, the commentary/opinions didn’t feel especially dated, other than references to (then) contemporary events.

I enjoyed the mix of personal insights, commercial “analysis” and commentary on her wide range of works: fiction, plays, memoir... And of course, now I’m in a mood to revisit some of her mysteries again.

I wanted very much to like this book. First, it is a mystery, which is one of my favorite genres. Second, it is set in India, with all Indian characters, and anyone who knows me even a little knows how much I love India. In spite of all this, I couldn't finish the book. It was just too painful to go through a plot where the caste structure, social customs, and religion don't allow for the questioning of authority, or for defense of one's dignity when it's insulted by someone of a higher position/caste. It's also a really boring read, knowing that the characters will never "step out of bounds". You just want to grab all the characters and clunk their heads together while yelling, "Oh my god please become interesting!"

This was my first Inspector Ghote book, and my problems with it are probably universal to the other books with this character. If you have liked other Inspector Ghote books, you'll probably like this one.

A Peculiar Case
Review of the Penguin Classics Kindle eBook edition (2011) of the original Collins Crime Club hardcover (1964)

It was called the Perfect Murder right from the start. First the Bombay papers plastered it all the way across their pages. And then it was taken up by papers all over India.
The Perfect Murder: Police at House.
The Perfect Murder: New Police Moves.
The Perfect Murder: Police Baffled.
- opening sentences of "A Perfect Murder".

Somehow I missed reading HRF Keating's Inspector Ghote novels (1964-2009) when they were first released, but came across them only recently. This first book left a very odd impression and is surprising as a debut for a series that went on to 26 books. The lead Inspector Ghote is portrayed here as a rather naive detective who is belittled by his superiors in the Bombay (then the name of present day Mumbai) Police and its related government ministry and also henpecked at home by his shrewish wife. Together with his sidekick/Watson Axel Svensson (a Swedish criminologist sent to India to study international policing) they stumble towards an eventual solution.

The book feels like a bait and switch right off the bat as the so-called "Perfect Murder" is revealed to be a non-fatal assault on a Mr. Perfect, the secretary of a rich man named Mr. Arun Varde. The initial outrage announcing a "murder" from the household has been broadcast further by the scurrilous press and is the basis for a running joke throughout. The farce continues when Ghote and Svensson arrive to investigate and are met with denials and obstruction by everyone in the household, except for the secretary who is still unconscious and unable to be interviewed. It is all dragged out to book length with one fruitless interview after another with a diversion to another case involving the supposed theft of a single rupee note from the office of the Minister in charge of the Police.

See DVD cover at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9b/The_Perfect_Murder_%28film%29.jpg
The cover for the DVD release of the 1988 film adaptation of "A Perfect Murder". Actor Naseeruddin Shah as Inspector Ghote doesn't even get on the poster, which instead features Stellan Skarsgård (criminologist Axel Svensson) and Madhur Jaffrey (Mrs. Lai, renamed from the Mrs. Varde in the novel). Image sourced from Wikipedia.

Ghote and Svensson still solve both cases in the end and the reason for the obstruction becomes clear. It is an odd beginning to what apparently was a popular series. I think I will try at least one more to find out if the later books became more standard procedurals. Otherwise this would be cringe reading to have a protagonist who is belittled throughout his own books.

Trivia and Links
The Perfect Murder was adapted as the same-titled England/India film in 1988 directed by Zahar Hai, produced by Merchant Ivory Productions. I haven't watched the whole film, but from the opening scenes it seems to have been adapted as a comedy farce along the lines of the Inspector Clouseau films. You can watch the whole film on YouTube here.

There was a May 2020 announcement that the Inspector Ghote/HRF Keating novels were to be adapted for an Indian TV series. No TV series has yet appeared though. You can read the announcement in Variety here.

Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens is woken one morning to be told that she is leading the investigation into the death of British tennis star Bubbles Xingara which had occurred that morning.
Might have been more of an interesting tale if Martens had not be obsessed with love and sex.
A NetGalley book

Inspector Ghote is new to the Bombay Police Crime Branch. When he discovers a head in his waste bin, that of the peon Bikram he decides to investigate. Meanwhile ACP Divekar gives him the murder of Krishna Tabholkar to solve.
I just didn't like the writing style of this book resulting in a lot of effort to finish the story.
A NetGalley Book

Frank Masters, an American millionaire and philanthropist has been killed by arsenical poisoning at his Masters Foundation. Inspector Ghote is put in charge of the investigation.
Unfortunately the story really didn't engage my attention. The characters nor the story were that interesting
A NetGalley Book

I might try another of these mysteries, but I was put off a bit by the seeming here-we-go-round-the-mulberry-bush thoughts and re-thoughts and turn arounds of the main character and the others reacting to her.

Poison is the crime here. Officious busybody NCS officers who are of course, on the wrong track also seemed a bit over the top...but it fit in with the story. I found myself wondering if they and the FBI are really like they are characterized in detective stories and tv as playing rough shod over the local authorities. But that's not the point of the story. It's a who dunnit and while somewhat unbelievable in bits, the main detective wins the day.

The re-issuing of Keating's Inspector Ghote series finds the reader being drawn into Ghote's world of 1960s and 1970s India. For those with a penchant for classic crime set outside of the UK or USA, these are well worth re-discovering. I managed to pick up two books in the series, though it was a pity I could not find more, especially the earlier ones.

"Inspector Ghote's Good Crusade" includes some engaging characters and twists in plot that will leave readers guessing. Who is lying and who is the real killer? Ghote investigates the murder of a high-profile American philanthropist in this slow-moving tale. It combines a cozy mystery read with aspects of police procedurals. Ghote reminded me of other bumbling detectives such as Columbo, as he ultimately gets to the root of the problem. The novel is emblematic of the time in which it was written. While I did not really feel engaged with the characters or story line, it was a humorous and atmospheric read.

I received this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Lacking any of the subtlety of the Inspector Ghote series, with flawed plotting and shallow characterisation. I don’t think I will be reading any more of this series. February 2020½

Ghote wins through!

Promoted to the Bombay Police Crime Branch, Inspector Ganesh Ghote finds himself relegated to Bandobast duty, overseeing organizational tasks. He's wondering why he's been promoted to if this is all he does? But when his duty servant's head appears wrapped up in his trash bin things take a definite u turn.
Although his superior, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr Ramprasad Divekar, has told him to not bother about it, to dispose of the head. There are more important matters, including the death of an important man's son-in-law. Ghote's ethics won't let the matter rest. After all, no matter their caste, Ganesh strongly feels that a victim is deserving of justice.
The path to the truth about the appearance of a head in his bin is arduous (sometimes painfully slow) yet Ghote moves forward spurred on by his wife Protima, and the god's own luck. I love that Ganesh gets caught up in the intricacies buying a shopping bag. Who knew the important factors that must consider.
There is a edge of the times here with Ghote's voice having a sing song cadence that borders on the politically incorrect but given that this book was first published over twenty years ago we can perhaps forgive that.
Nethertheless, Ghote pursues his case with diligence and inspiration. I have come to appreciate this methodical man of law enforcement.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley

Ganesh Ghote's tribulations!

I'm becoming increasingly fond of Southern Asian detective novels. This Inspector Ganesh Ghote novel, first published in 1966, is set in Bombay (now Mumbai) and despite the dated outlook still has arresting appeal.
An American philanthropist has been murdered and Ghote of the Bombay C.I.D., must find the culprit whilst struggling with his desire to charge his bete noir, criminal Amrit Singh.
Throughout Ghote is challenged by the idea of care and charity, with understanding the street wise boys who are part of the Frank Masters Foundation for the Care of Juvenile Vagrants, and with the pressure from above to reach a conclusion even if it means framing a lesser employee or Amrit.
His home life, his relationship with his wife Protima, comes under scrutiny and we start to see a fuller exposition about who Ghote is. The consideration of the refrigerator becomes a subtle, yet telling anecdote about the man Ghote is.
I found the way Ghote worked the case through despite the many problems that are placed in his path fascinating.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley

I think Inspector Ghote Goes by Train is my favorite so far of this series. Ghote has been assigned to bring con man A. K. Bhattacharya back to Bombay from Calcutta. He convinces his superior to allow him to go by train, 40 hours in each direction. While he is looking forward to the pleasure of simply traveling, to his dismay a talkative Bengali is sitting in his compartment. And so begins a complex battle of wits.½

Collection of essays by thirteen different writers - critics, novelists, editors - looking at Agatha Christie's life and work from thirteen different angles.
A mixed bag of opinions and insights, for readers who know the novels and don't mind spoilers.
Published in 1977 therefore the sections on film and tv obviously don't include Joan Hickson and David Suchet's definitive performances.

In the 6th of this series, the Inspector is trying to prove that the most powerful man in a country town murdered his wife 15 years previously. In the course of the book, he has to overcome rioters, hidden witnesses, murderous goondas, a fasting swami, and more. His persistence and passion for his job carries him through.½

I love the ever thinking and scheming Inspector Ghote. Struggling to be noticed and solve an important case he is assigned a routine b and e. And then he runs into his old Swedish friend and he reluctantly allows him to tag along with him. Lo and behold he solves the big murder case! He has the stereotypical dialect down pat. All the Indian words that the Swede mangeles. Yes he is keen to be Marlowe. Wish I could get more of these from the CPL. The ones I have gotten so far are tattered large print library books. Still, love the Ghote!

One liner - overrated clumsy work full of stereotypes.

Perfect Murder is the sixth or seventh Ghote book that I have read and easily the worst. If I had read this book first, I would not have probably attempted to read any other.

The title refers to the attempted murder of a Parsi named Mr Perfect. He is seriously injured at the beginning of the novel but doesn't die. The residents of the house where the incident happens are thoroughly uncooperative. It is only very occasionally that Ghote gets his questions answered. Finally towards the end, he makes a major leap of intuition and solves the case. There is a parallel track of a minor mystery which doesn't amount to much.

The later Ghote books are more polished and realistic. Even when the plot was weak, the writing was enjoyable. Perfect Murder is a rambling work with characters who are caricatures. The plot is not particularly interesting and it moves in fits and starts. Even though this is the first book in the Ghote series, a reader should probably start with one of the later works.

A track back into Ghote's past, this has much of the warmth and affection of the earlier books but is not so sure in its pacing. Ghote remains seriously undervalued in the lists of best fictional detectives. July 2018½

This was the charming Inspector Ghote's first investigation since he was promoted to the Bombay Police Crime Branch, not quite what he anticipated, but a small victory might be the beginning of a fine career.

If anything, the excellent audiobook narration by Sam Dastor improved Keating's original work.½

Harriet Martens, who has become known as The Hard Detective because of her tough image (in a previous book) has been sent from the Midlands to a maximum crime squad in London to lead an inquiry of corruption. She discovers she is being referred to there as "the dozy Northern tart" - not a good outlook. But why was she, a relatively minor officer, sent to investigate what would normally call for someone significantly more senior? She is good at asking questions and getting answers but there are so many unknown pitfalls that she could unknowingly step into. She made a big mistake and almost got caught breaking the law. Hmm, pretty hard to take in, but it's her only misstep in this enjoyable novel.½

This book is tedious on both fronts: the mystery and the "romance" (which is more like harassment and obsession than mutual love). The author spends far too much time detailing the innermost--and extremely repetitive--thoughts of the "hard" detective about her paramour; those pages could have been better spent crafting an interesting plot. There is too much dialogue and not enough description. Not recommended.

While better than the first in this series, this book was still formulaic and easy to figure out. It was enjoyable mostly for the characters--I like Miss Unwin and I liked Euphemia "Phemy" Pastell very much. And even knowing who the killer is, there is still suspense because it seems impossible that they will be uncovered with enough time to spare (though of course, you know that somehow it will work out). I found it a bit repetitive but overall a fun read. Not a keeper, but a nice way to pass a dreary autumn day.

Review coming soon