Royal Thai Police Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep has a new assignment—one which pits him against some of the most diabolical criminals of his career.

His assigned task of ending trafficking in human organs also takes him for the first time out of the familiar neighborhoods of Bangkok and as far afield as Dubai, Monte Carlo and China.

There probably isn’t another detective like Sonchai anywhere in the world. How many other police detectives are also Buddhist arhats and pimps? It’s been said Buddhists revel in contradictions and Sonchai is a prime example. And, that’s part of the joy of reading his adventures.

As usual, his life is complicated by his boss, the corrupt Colonel Vikorn, who is using Sonchai’s assignment to aid his election campaign and as another attempt to thwart his rival the equally corrupt General Zinna, and fears Chanya, Sonchai’s ex-prostitute wife is having an affair.

Among the important places associated with the life and teachings of Buddha is a Vulture Peak in India, where he set forth the second turning of the wheel of Dharma. The Vulture Peak of this novel is an entirely different location.

In Buddhism the Lord of Misfortune sometimes assumes the form of a vulture. The vultures here are represented by the Yip sisters and a variety of other colorful characters you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley or anywhere else.

This isn’t my favorite Bangkok novel, but it does have its solid moments.