Cheating Death: An Inspector Ghote Novel

The 19th Inspector Ghote novel finds the lovable Indian detective embroiled in an academic cheating scandal, under pressure from his superiors and vexed by pressing domestic business. When a final exam paper is circulated throughout Bombay's Oceanic College prior to the test, Ghote is sent to investigate, only to find his prime suspect in a coma, having tried to commit suicide (Or was it a murder attempt?). Suddenly the inspector finds himself dealing with a surplus of suspects, a student protest, a harassed professor and a kidnapping, all the while attempting to placate his impatient boss and successfully handle his strong-willed wife, Protima. The warmly sparring relationship between Ghote and Protima sets the tone for this novel, which ambles along to a pleasant conclusion. Ghote remains a valuable comic invention--funny but not bumbling, with just the right level of confidence in his limited abilities. (Sept.)