Violent and fast, like Lee Childs.

You know, I should really have loved this, because it's got such a strong Buddhist piece to it. In fact, I learned of it from Joseph Goldstein when he mentioned it in one of his dharma talks. I listened to it as an audiobook, and I did not love the narrator. Also, it did seem a little dark and probably a little more violent than I would like. It sounded like it was written well, might go back to it at some point in the future, but not right now. ( )

Noir story where a Thai cop & American FBI agent attempt to get to the bottom of the murder of an American Marine in Thailand. I generally found the characters interesting & compelling, especially the protagonist, Sonchai. However, there was some characterization that I found rather confusing. The plot itself was engaging, though could also be confusing at times because it tended to meander. From what I have read online, the author has a good understanding of Thai culture, which I think is important for him to tell such a story. Overall, I enjoyed this & will likely read the other books in the series. ( )

An interesting, twisty turning mystery but somehow the determined juxtaposition of the selfishly decadent West with the serenely decadent East seems simplistic and naive. If I were Thai, I would be a bit insulted by this nasty little portrait of a country full of beautiful whores and crooked cops. ( )

What a winner. Charm on a stick. Setting and characters are 5 star. Plot veers around but I don't care. See review here. ( )

Thai policeman solves snake murder of American marine by transsexual ex lover

Thai detective working to solve the death of his partner at the scene of a murder where drug crazed snakes have killed a U.S. marine involved in nefarious business. Vivid portrayal of Thailand (drugs, sex, corruption) and Eastern philosophies. Worth reading. ( )

Sonchai Jitpleecheep and his soul’s partner and fellow detective are known as the only non-corrupt cops in Bangkok.

But when Sonchai’s partner is killed in the opening chapter as they are investigating the gruesome death-by-snakes of a black U. S. Marine, it becomes personal. Sonchai vows to kill the killers.

There was a lot that I liked about this book. The novel had lots of twists and turns and was both clever and had some humor. The descriptions of Bangkok and Thailand were amazing.

Sonchai’s character was complex. There is an interesting play between Sonchai trying to live up to his Buddhist values, and existing within the underbelly of Bangkok. He is able to see others’ past life connections and how they affect the current incarnations.

And yet, this book was a bit too noir – a bit out of my comfort zone. It revolves around the Thailand sex industry – and apparently, anything can be had from Thailand’s sex market which is described as not suffering from the prudery of western nations. It is apparently the only option available to many poor street kids, including Sonjai’s own mother.

But the women tortured to death were very disturbing. Torture is not my gig. No to animal torture, political torture, and especially torture of women.

Since this series is a of favorite of several of my online book friends, I won’t rule out eventually trying the next in the series. ( )

The novel was an uphill battle to grasp the plot, sort out who was actually alive or some form of spiritual conversation going on in Sonchai Jitpleecheep’s head (the main protagonist). I have doubts whether the Buddhism or the city of Bangkok were accurately portrayed. The city seemed too spiritually impoverished to engage my attention, although the author’s characterization of Sonchai was absorbing. The ending left a feeling of “is that all?”. ( )

Sex, drugs, and murder in a disorienting mix which makes as much of a statement about the poisonous lack of western culture as it does about the growing flexibility of the east in confronting that vast vacuum. A frequently disorienting read but a relentlessly interesting one as conventional mystery tropes are melted and remodeled with Buddhist meditations. ( )

My brother raved about this book and then sent it to me. After the first 20 pages, I was worried about what I was going to tell him about why I didn't finish it. But, first I was going to finish the chapter to get to the foreshadowed 'death by bite'. Of course, by the time I got there (one of the creepiest scenes I have ever read), I was hooked. The story takes you to the center of modern Bangkok - all the sights and sounds and smells and tastes to solve the murder of a US Marine. It's amazing. ( )

This noir detective story set in Bangkok took me to a far away place and messed with my head with its touches of magical realism. It was fun and surprising - even though the ending was weird and goofy. The narrator was fine, though a bit strained on the female parts. ( )

Nick did not like this book. (“Too much sex.”) It wasn’t really sex; it was talking about sex in our culture and in Thai culture and where the two intersect. I was left with a sense that we Americans have a consumer attitude towards sex not shared, until now, by Thais, but change is coming and it’s not to the good. Exchange of money does not really define what it means to have a consumer approach to people’s bodies, but it’s part of it.
There was also examination of what it means to be Buddhist and I don’t know how true this portrayal is. I went to a Zen Buddhist ordination this morning, and two of the ten precepts which the priest vowed to live by were (a) not to misuse sexuality and (b) to remain clear, without intoxicating oneself or causing the intoxication of another. How this fits into this particular portrait would strain credulity.
The first 100 pages and the last 100 pages were action-packed. I took no notes – but in the middle 100 pages I noted 18 different engaging thoughts worth discussing – pg. 122, for example, on eating alone or p. 133 on what being a holistic people and going to war.
( )

The detective story gives enough action to keep you engaged in what is essentially a thorough comparison of Western and Thai culture, and insight into the Thai sex industry. The clashes between moral systems are a delight - discovering the honor code of a completely rotten ( by Western standards) police chief and an feisty Thai prostitute (who is also the mom of our protagonist, a half-white Thai cop) offer food for thought way beyond the bounds of a traditional mystery. ( )

this is an extremely unique novel. ( )

A titillating orientalist hoodoo thriller with a big dose of Western materialism trashing, one slathered with sex, crime, off-hand Buddhism, whores, transexuals, and snakes. ( )

Buddhist detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep's partner is killed at the same time as a US Marine in Bangkok and Jitpleecheep takes on his superiors and the FBI in order to find the killer so that he can avenge his partner's death. This was a decent read and I enjoyed reading about all the cultural aspects of Thailand and the denouement is clever and semi-surprising. The main character is engaging as well in that he does a lot of philosophizing (and is quite funny) while also trying to solve a murder mystery. There are a lot of side stories and local color, which is really nice, but on occasion, I did want the story to just get a move on as it gets a little too convoluted and chock-a-block with conspiracies. Glad I read it, but am not continuing the series. ( )

I am so thoroughly amazed at this book. I had read interesting reviews about it, so when I saw this next to the next book (Bangkok Tattoo) at the Friends of the Library sale, I jumped on it.

Allow me to preface by saying that I love good crime noir book- one where the heroes are as flawed as some of the bad guys and things are gritty and the subject matter is dark. I also adore reading about other cultures where you are so enmeshed that it feels a little like culture shock when you turn the pages. And I also love a good Buddhist philosophy book. So now take all of those elements and mix them together!
Yeah- astounding. ( )

Started while in Bangkok and understood all the Thai references! ( )

An entertaining crime novel set in Bangkok with genuinely interesting characters. I read it during a trip to Thailand. ( )

Captures the look and feel of Bangkok better than any other novel I've read. Also, a must read to learn of some of the culture shocks that will be faced by the typical "farang" (foreigner) who thinks they will actually be able to live there. The main character's brutally honest mother makes for great comic relief. ( )

Couldn't finish this because the author's portrayal of Thai people, language and culture seems off to me. I would be interested to hear from another Thai speaking person who have read this book. ( )

The weirdly beautiful thing about this book is that it weaves a decent bit of Thai social commentary into a guilty pleasure kind of detective pulp novel. I picked this up at a thrift store for 99 cents and got more than my money's worth. ( )

Just couldn't get into the story. Too focused on Thailand cliches and not enough on the story. The writing style was a big turnoff for me as well. ( )

This is the fourth of this series that I've read. It is the first of the series. It is just as enjoyable to read as the others have been. It is funny, well written, with an interesting well-constructed plot. It is more than just plot oriented though; there is a lot of character development, philosophical discourse, and commentary on contemporary society. ( )