A Small Case for Inspector Ghote? by H.R.F. Keating

Ghote has been recently promoted.  He's hoping for a murder case so he has something to do besides the clerical work his boss has given him.  Every time he gets called to his superior's office he's hopeful.  All for naught.  Then he notices a smell in his office...

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can grab a copy now.

When he locates the smell, it's shocking.  It's the head of the peon who is supposed to be helping him in the office.  Someone beheaded him.  When he shows it to his boss and wants to take on the case, he's told no.  Just to dispose of it.  He doesn't want to do that.  He takes the head home and tries to hide it in his apartment.  Then he sneaks out and starts trying to solve the case.His boss gives him a case to work on so he works on both.

He goes to the place his peon called home.  He finds no one there but a man runs away.  The neighbor lady tells him who he is and that he stole her shopping bag.  Ghote knows where the shopping bag is.  It's holding that head.  He and his wife go shopping and pick her out a nice sturdy new bag.

He finally chases down the man he saw.  What he never imagined was who was involved in the mess of a murder that he knew.

The ending surprised me.  It was well done.