Bangkok 8
by John Burdett

Modern thriller writers like to inject exotic locales into their plots. Most of the time this is nothing more than window dressing, a way to give a little depth to otherwise faulty, lackluster stories. In John Burdett’s Bangkok 8, the locale is as important to the central theme of this rollercoaster, page turner of a story, as his Buddha obsessed Thai detective.

This intriguing, suspenseful, and at times deeply fascinating novel follows the adventures of Thailand’s only honest policeman as he tries to solve the murder of an American Marine. I particularly enjoyed the occasional heavy doses of Asian insights that serve to deepen the story considerably. I highly recommend this ambitious and very enjoyable couldn’t be put down book. Don’t be surprised if after finishing it, you get an overwhelming urge to jump on a plane to Bangkok.