- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press (21 May 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593055446
- ISBN-13: 978-0593055441
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 857,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
Exotic, intoxicating - the headspinning new novel featuring Sonchai Jitpleecheep, Thai Buddhist detective extraodinaire.
Product Description
Sonchai has seen just about everything on his beat in Bangkok's crime-riddled District 8. But the video he's sent anonymously is something else. What he watches is a snuff film, and the person he sees die is Damrong, a woman he once loved and whom he still dreams about. And there's more: a twist at the end that turns the film into murder, and Sonchai into a man obsessed and - it becomes increasingly clear - literally haunted. His investigation forms a dizzying route from his own apartment - where he sleeps next to his pregnant wife while his fantasies deliver him up to Damrong; through the office of his corrupt and worldly wise boss, Captain Vikorn; to the backstreets of Phnom Penh where street gangs are only the most visible threats; to the gilded rooms of the most exclusive men's club in Bangkok, whose members will do anything to protect their identity, and to explore their own darkest fantasies. Caught in a multi-dimensional web of intrigue and deception, Sonchai confronts the terrifying consequences of a lesson he should have learned long ago. In Bangkok nothing is as it seems ...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I more or less liked Burdett's first Thai thriller (Bangkok Eight), but felt that the second (Bangkok Tattoo) left quite a bit to be desired -- so much so that I didn't plan on reading this third in his series featuring Thai policeman Sonchai Jitpleecheep. However, I did eventually pick it up, and found it to be pretty much in line with the other two: strong on atmosphere and Thai culture, weak on plotting and pacing.
Burdett is great at capturing Bangkok and other parts of Thailand (in this book, the story makes excursions to Isan province and Phnom Phen, Cambodia). However, it's unfortunate that he does so with some of the most outlandishly lurid plots I've come across. In this case, the story revolves around a snuff film featuring a former employee and lover of Sonchai. Naturally, he feels compelled to investigate and bring the film's backers to justice -- even as his superior (Colonel Vikorn) has him overseeing a high-end porn film operation.
As in the first two books in the series, the story brims with explanations of Thai culture and how it's different from the West. This is interesting material which is unfortunately undercut by a rather snide, condescending tone. As in the other books, pretty much every farang (white foreigner) is revealed to be a bumbling idiot or soulless jackal. FBI agent Kimberly Jones makes another appearance (although her presence seems completely artificial in terms of how the FBI actually works), acting as a proxy for the reader, so that Sonchai has someone to explain cultural differences to. More engaging is Sochai's deputy, a katoey named Lek, who is getting close to having his sex change operation.
The plot is full of vivid (if somewhat cartoonish) supporting characters and scenes. There's an exclusive sex club, ghosts, sex with ghosts, ex-Khmer Rouge thugs, elephants stomping on people, HiSo (high society) multimillionaires, and a mysterious monk (whose identity is easily guessed by the reader long before Sonchai clues in). Then there is the supernatural element -- present in the previous two books, and even more front-and-center here. The climax features a spirit entering another person's body and taking control of it to do battle with Sochai -- complete with levitation. If you don't mind that, great, but personally, I prefer the more restrained mysticism of Colin Cotterhill's Laotian-set mysteries (see The Coroner's Lunch).
Ultimately, despite all the flourishes, the book feels pretty much like the other two in the series. Improbable plots and groan-inducing climaxes juxtaposed with some interesting cultural fodder. I doubt I'll be reading another in the series, but then again, I said that last time...
Burdett is great at capturing Bangkok and other parts of Thailand (in this book, the story makes excursions to Isan province and Phnom Phen, Cambodia). However, it's unfortunate that he does so with some of the most outlandishly lurid plots I've come across. In this case, the story revolves around a snuff film featuring a former employee and lover of Sonchai. Naturally, he feels compelled to investigate and bring the film's backers to justice -- even as his superior (Colonel Vikorn) has him overseeing a high-end porn film operation.
As in the first two books in the series, the story brims with explanations of Thai culture and how it's different from the West. This is interesting material which is unfortunately undercut by a rather snide, condescending tone. As in the other books, pretty much every farang (white foreigner) is revealed to be a bumbling idiot or soulless jackal. FBI agent Kimberly Jones makes another appearance (although her presence seems completely artificial in terms of how the FBI actually works), acting as a proxy for the reader, so that Sonchai has someone to explain cultural differences to. More engaging is Sochai's deputy, a katoey named Lek, who is getting close to having his sex change operation.
The plot is full of vivid (if somewhat cartoonish) supporting characters and scenes. There's an exclusive sex club, ghosts, sex with ghosts, ex-Khmer Rouge thugs, elephants stomping on people, HiSo (high society) multimillionaires, and a mysterious monk (whose identity is easily guessed by the reader long before Sonchai clues in). Then there is the supernatural element -- present in the previous two books, and even more front-and-center here. The climax features a spirit entering another person's body and taking control of it to do battle with Sochai -- complete with levitation. If you don't mind that, great, but personally, I prefer the more restrained mysticism of Colin Cotterhill's Laotian-set mysteries (see The Coroner's Lunch).
Ultimately, despite all the flourishes, the book feels pretty much like the other two in the series. Improbable plots and groan-inducing climaxes juxtaposed with some interesting cultural fodder. I doubt I'll be reading another in the series, but then again, I said that last time...
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Have to agree with other reviewers - Bangkok 8 was brilliant, Tattoo not so hot, and Haunts is drivel. He cannot get away with the 'magical/mystical' trick and the plot is simply absurd. I read this in Thailand last week but that didn't make the story seem any more authentic! A pity, but I think this franchise is well and truly exhausted.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I really liked Bangkok 8, it was a refreshing spin on the maverick detective story, but Burdett's last two offerings have been well below the high standard he has set himself. Now he's just trying to be clever. Bangkok Tattoo was okay but I struggled to get through Bangkok Haunts. I hope Burdett doesn't turn out to be a one-hit wonder.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting read
I enjoyed this, but not as much as his previous book Bangkok Eight, which was gripping - I have read it twice. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Gower Enterprises Limited
John Burdett
Another brilliant novel from the John Burdett stables. His journeys through the wonders of Bangkok are entertaining and informative - a learning curve about another culture as well... Read more
Published 18 months ago by PeteTheFeet
Different enjoyable romp
I liked Bangkok Haunts. It was bought as a trash airport read, but was well worth the money. I think that a large part of this author's entertainment comes from the cultural... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by Robert
The phantom of the Thai opera
Could you picture yourself having sexual intercourse with a ghost ? Or being kicked by some elephants that play football together ? Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by Marc Deschryvere
A Brilliant Talent
Bangkok Haunts is the first of Burdett's books that I have read and I'm looking forward to reading his previous works. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2008 by Rej Brown
Fair continuation
The third novel of Bangkok Det. Sonchai. In this thriller we have his ex-lover (and working girl)Damrong killed and exploited in a snuff video. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2007 by Clive
Not the best of the series
This is the weakest of the 3 books to date. You get the impression Burdett is trying too hard to pile in references to karma, buddhism and the psychology of East versus West. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2007 by John Heavey
Jitpleechip's Back!!
Our intrepid Buddhist detective is back in the 3rd installment of the series. Read the first two before tackling this one though
Published on 30 Jun 2007 by Miran Ali
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