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THE SHERIFF OF BOMBAY by H.R.F. Keating

THE SHERIFF OF BOMBAY

By

Pub Date: Aug. 3rd, 1984
Publisher: Doubleday

Imagine the embarrassment of prim Inspector Ghote when--forced to escort a visiting English actor to Bombay's red-light district--he sees the Sheriff of Bombay leaving a brothel! Far worse, moments later Ghote discovers the body of a just-murdered teenage prostitute there--and it seems clear to him that the Sheriff (a Rajah and glittery celebrity) is the psycho who whipped the poor girl to death. So, knowing that a coverup is likely, Ghote sneaks off with the murder weapon and begins his own secret investigation. He matches up fingerprints on the whip with those of the Sheriff (whom Ghote visits under false pretenses). He searches for a vanishing prostitute-witness--plunging into the rough Bombay brothel scene; when another prostitute is similarly killed, he tries to link that murder to the Sheriff too. And finally Ghote sets a trap to catch the Sheriff in the act. . .leading (as any savvy reader will guess) to another culprit entirely.Weak plot, but solid Keating trimmings--mixing lots of amusing Ghote charm with dark Bombay-vice atmosphere.