This book is the fourth in a series, but the first I have read. The protagonist is Sonchai Jitpeecheep, would be enlightened Buddhist, Thai cop, and neck deep in corruption on behalf of his cop boss. There is a crazy - like Rasputin - enlightened monk with a mission to free Tibet through the proceeds of a gigantic heroin deal, reincarnation and tantric sex. Naturally, there is going to be a wrestling match between good and evil, but not western good and evil. I liked the book because John Burdett makes no apologies for Buddhism, nor does he try to sugar coat it for us monotheists. On the other hand, it was a little "I am the walrus, you are the walrus, we are the walrus" for me to really appreciate. And the ending left me hanging philosophically. None the less, it was well written, interesting, and different.