Take a pinch of Agatha Christie, a dollop of “Clue” (the movie), and a hint of the recent NJ mayors scandal, then a healthy seasoning of Bollywood romance and drama. Simmer for over 400 pages, and you have Six Suspects, the latest novel by the author of Q & A the book on which “Slumdog Millionaire” was based. Corrupt, dishonorable, over-privileged and despicable Vicky Rai-- playboy, businessman, and son of a prominent Indian government official-- has been murdered at a party he threw himself to celebrate his acquittal in what should have been a clear-cut case of murder. After Rai’s death, six people on the grounds are found with weapons, means, and motive. The book sweeps through India following the stories of each of the six suspects: “the bureaucrat,” Mohan Kumar, recently retired from the government, and even more recently- and hilariously- possessed by the spirit of Gandhi; “the actress,” the sexy, ambitious Bollywood star Shabnam Sexena (whose sections are diary entries); “the American,” a slow-witted but romantic Texan who comes to India to marry his pen pal but also happens to share a name with one of Google’s founders and a tendency to mingle unknowingly with terrorists; “the tribal,” a sweet and fascinating man from the Onge tribal reserve on a quest to retrieve a sacred object; “the thief,” a dashing young man who steals mobile phones to support his mother and adopted sister but dares to dream big (and dangerously); and lastly, “the politician,” Viky Rai’s father, a vile and ruthless politician whose sections are written as phone transcripts. This is an ambitious and entertaining novel. Swarup explores different strata of Indian society and experiments with very different voices and methods of storytelling. I must confess that I had some problems with the American’s sections, as they were told in a very folksy Texan first person that sometimes allowed Britishisms to slip in and ruin the effect for me, but even Larry Page’s story kept me turning the pages. If you’re in the mood for an international mystery that will take you on a whirlwind tour of India and its people, this book is just the ticket. ~Tegan