Crime

Not my favorite book in the series, but overall it was a good read. ( )

Sonchai Jitpleecheep is called to investigate the sensational killing of a famous Hollywood director, and becomes embroiled in a major heroin trafficking deal between his Thai police boss, his primary competitor (a Thai Army general), and a Tibetan Buddhist mystic. Meanwhile, Sonchai suffers a personal tragedy and is looking for meaning from the mystic, a Tibetan party girl, and a Chinese-Thai high society lady with unparalleled pharmacology expertise. This book is a letdown from the prior ones because the story is convoluted, disjointed, unbelievable, and perverse. Also, the continued and pejorative addressing the reader as farang was condescending, unnecessary and annoying. I sure hope the last book (#5) is better.

( )

Yet another try. This time bringing in tantric yoga. Prostitution, sex-travel, trans-voyeurism, Buddhism, Thai food, high fashion, corruption, and materialism bashing have had a good stir in the earlier books. Burdett needed a new spice for his brew. ( )

We 'farang' often have a hard time accepting that our understanding of Thai culture is fragmented - Burdett helps us along and also gives us unique insight into the seedier sides of Bangkok. The investigating and detecting are both supplementary to Burdett's gift for characterization. Having lived in Bangkok for four years, I can say Burdett gives the reader a very accurate glimpse into the city and the Thai perspective. ( )