Suzanne
Rating:
Review
Sonchai Jitpleecheep (what a great name!) is back in this first sequel to Bangkok 8, and expounding more than ever on how little we Westerners (farangs) understand about Thai people, and how arrogant it is to think we do. I must admit, Burdett's books do make me curious about visiting Thailand for myself someday. While still a police detective in a very corrupt system, Sonchai has also ended up in a partnership with his boss and his mother in The Old Man's Club, a brothel catering to the Viagra set of Westerners. When a CIA man with ties to their most profitable whore, Chanya, is found murdered and mutilated, Sonchai's investigation begins. To top it all off, he's long been in love with Chanya ("Even the Buddha doesn't glow like her"). The world has changed with the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on the U.S., and the story reflects this. The exotic culture here on the seamy side of Thai life is still half the fun, and like its predecessor the book is full of funny one-liners. For better or worse, Sonchai shows us Buddhism like we've never imagined Buddhism could be.
Best Line:
In the karma of crap the fakes are indistinguishable from the originals. (pg. 220)
Kim
Rating:
Review
We are back in Thailand for Mr. Burdett's second Sonchai Jitpleecheep story, and it does not disappoint. Picking up from where Bangkok 8 left off, Sonchai is still with the Royal Thai Police Force, but has added co-owner and papasan of his mother's brothel to his resume. When one of their prostitutes, Chayna, returns from an evening with a client soaked in blood, Sonchai begins his investigation into the murder of an American CIA agent, while trying to protect their best employee. The "tattoo" angle takes awhile to get going, but it's worth the wait. In the meantime, there is a lot of background given about Chayna, prostitution and one particular vendetta that is most interesting. And instead of snakes making a graphic appearance, in this story it is eels. There are some gory passages regarding unusual tattooing practices, but it's easy to take it all in stride when Sonchai is narrating the story. For whatever reason, while reading this book I wondered how Mr. Burdett might profile his "ideal reader", since I'm nearly convinced such a description would not include me, but I'm sold. Can't wait for Sonchai's next adventure.
Best Line:
"Only when karma is very favorable do such soul mates succeed in having a full-blooded relationship; after all, that would be the next best thing to enlightenment itself."
