20 Great International Mysteries, February 2012

Taking to the airwaves and preaching the gospel of logic and reason, Dr. Suresh Jha, founder of DIRE (the Delhi Institute for Rationalism and Education) has become an utter celebrity. The retired mathematician, known to millions as the Guru Buster, is on a one-man crusade to “unmask India’s Godmen” including the revered His Holiness Maharaj Swami. But on one infernally hot morning, when Jha and members of the laughing club perform their jester exercises, the sky suddenly darkens and the goddess Kali dramatically appears holding a bloody sword and a man’s severed head. It is a vision so terrifying that the Guru Buster utters his last guffaw and keels over dead. Only the endearing and veteran investigator Vish Puri seems capable of handling this sensational case. Written with a keen sense of humor, Hall’s charming second mystery is as satiating as a cup of sweetened Kashmiri tea.