The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star

Shame they've swapped narrators

I loved the first 2 books especially the narration. No disrespect to this narrator but the voices were so superb on the first books that this a massive disappointment. Storyline fantastic but it really dragged on the way it was read. Hope they swap back or I'll give future books a miss

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I struggled with the change of narrator

...which rather spoilt my enjoyment of the story. The narrator of the first two books has an understated style, which I enjoyed - and got used to. This narrator's style is much more vigorous, and rather unfortunately I was frequently distracted from the story by the energetic delivery. The story itself - yes I enjoyed it but can't separate it from the narrator's delivery. Shame, really as I was enjoying this series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brilliant series with great character development

I've loved this series from the beginning with sympathetic characters and a few twists and turns. It's a shame they couldn't have got the previous narrator but this one does a good enough job. Descriptions of India are warm and evocative a great cosy detective story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The 3rd Baby Ganesh Agency book.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star to be better than the print version?

I have no idea whether the written words would be better as I haven't read the book just the audio. I do think though that the music at the beginning and end as well as the new narrator's voice, Madhav Sharma, added to the atmosphere.
I had initially been a little worried as Sartaj Garewal had narrated the 2 previous books.
No need to worry Madhav was perfect too.

What did you like best about this story?

I fell in love with the series right at the beginning and adore the gentle man who is Inspector Chopra. The plot-lines could only happen in India!! They are never boring, often funny and nearly always heart-warming :)I love this series so much the characters are filling out the further we go through it.

Which character – as performed by Madhav Sharma – was your favourite?

Sorry to say it, but it's the cheeky Ganesh who is my favourite - always has been. I am confident that elephants do have feelings and emotions. Ganesh shows bravery, loyalty, cheekiness and much more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Poppy coming to the rescue wasn't moving as such, but if I remember rightly it was a first. It cemented the relationship between husband and wife for me.

Any additional comments?

Hurry up Vaseem with the next book!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lovely story, didn’t enjoy narrator

Lovely story- this is equal if not better than the first two books in the series. The narrator is an odd choice- he frequently pauses in the middle of sentences and this makes him hard to follow sometimes (not great for an audiobook.) I found myself having to re-listen to sections at times to fully catch when was going on. This is a shame as the narrator for the first two books was amazing. This narrator does sound like a lovely man and I like the voices he does, but it’s just too stilted and slow for my liking.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A pleasure from start to finish

I read the first two baby Ganesh agency before opting to buy this on audible as I couldn't get the hard copy at Waterstones.

So glad I did. I'm fully invested in inspector Chopra's (ret'd) adventures, and dearly hope I won't have a long wait for another.

Having spent time in Mumbai and having such a wonderful group of Indian friends, these books are like going back and being with friends. I can see, hear, smell and taste the great cornucopia of the city when I read Vaseem Khan's wonderful series.

What did I like most about this book?
Honestly...the first class narration by Madhav Sharma. Utterly perfect.

Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone! I'm not a cost crime fan by nature but there is something beautiful and engaging in Khan's writing that is compelling, engaging and relaxing. It's like sitting at the table of a favourite Indian restaurant after hours and listening to your host regale you with grand and wondrous stories.

Why did I rate it as I did?
As I say, the books are excellent- i would recommend reading in order - but Sharma narrated this so brilliantly I cannot fault it. I'd already developed the characters in my head so often when this happens I become disappointed or irritated on hearing another voice them (I have read all Terry Pratchett's work but cannot abide Stephen Brigg's narration!) however Sharma was perfect.

I'm a member of Khan's fan club ( trust me, I'm rarely a member of these, but I love these books) and beg him to feed us more of Chopra's Mumbai soon!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Story ruined by awful narration

I really enjoyed the first two of this series. It has humour, atmosphere, a good plot (comical and at time sad0 and a baby elephant assistant detective - what's not to like! The tale was so enjoyable because of the skillful narrator who has the necessary talent and delivery, and whose voice suited the tale. I was aghast to hear the opening of this third instalment. The narration is slow, coy, entirely out of keeping with the story. I can't listen to it...back to the print books. I can't rate the story as I can't get beyond chapter one.

Why do you do this so often Audible? Cutting costs and using inferior narrators loses you custom, and is a great disservice to talented authors who give their best and then have it ruined by cringeworthy delivery.

wonferful again

another fabulous book packed with the sights, sounds & culture of India. I loved it

Billy Wood beats Hollywood

Best Inspector Chopra book yet. Vaseem is fine tuning the characters more and more. The story had a bit of everything love, tragedy and where past and present collide.

Brilliant !!!

If you could sum up The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining Amusing Characters

What other book might you compare The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star to, and why?

Writing style reminds me of an Alexander McCall Smith

What about Madhav Sharma’s performance did you like?

His wonderful accent and the intonation - wonderful performance.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Cant wait for the next book!