INSPECTOR GHOTE HUNTS THE PEACOCK

Bombay's Inspector Ghote is sent to London for an international conference on drug smuggling. But he is immediately waylaid by distant relatives whose niece, Peacock, is missing. Wandering the slums of London in the cold drizzle, Ghote discovers flaws in his beloved and revered England, everything from racism to the tepid, bland food. Sam Dastor's theatrical achievements are revealed in the brilliance of his interpretations of everyone from the dreadful relatives to the dastardly London criminal elements. A wonderful moment occurs when Dastor's Ghote submerges his own Bombay accent to try for a posh English one. By the time Ghote finds the missing Peacock, the listener, as well as the inspector, is ready to return to the familiar heat and chaos of India. This is a splendid series, and this particular mystery, despite not being located in India, is a fine addition. B.H.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]