Bangkok Blues: An NJA Club Novel

by Stephen Shaiken

Wealthy American expat Glenn Murray Cohen, a former criminal defense lawyer, is celebrating his birthday in Bangkok for the thirteenth year in a row. It’s been four years since his last tangle with danger, when he and his NJA Club friends battled North Koreans and an American traitor. Since then, Glenn’s been stuck in a rut, managing the career of Phil Funston, Bangkok’s most talented guitarist and most obnoxious foreign resident. Glenn’s sense of honor won’t let him abandon Phil until he finds a replacement. His enigmatic friend, the General, offers to find one if Glenn will represent him on a business deal, and Glenn reluctantly accepts. When the buyers turn out to be thugs pursuing an American scientist investigating a mysterious virus from China, Glenn and the NJA gang are again drawn into a web of intrigue and danger. Another exotic thriller from a master of the genre.

298 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

I was born and raised in New York City. I spent over three decades as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. Before I became a lawyer, I earned an MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. These days I split my time between Bangkok, Thailand, and Tampa, Florida.

I write short stories in several genres ,some of which can be read on my blog, http://www.stephenshaiken.com/ , listed below.

I have written three novels in the NJA Series, featuring American expat lawyer Glenn Murray Cohen: Bangkok Shadows, Bangkok Whispers, and Bangkok Blues, all available on Amazon as an E book or in paperback. I describe the novels as "exotic noir thrillers." A fourth book in the series will be released early next year.

I just released Queensborough Rock inNovember, 2022. It's genre is historical fiction, but the soul is rock 'n' roll.
It’s set in 1971. Young Jack Bernstein is a struggling rock ’n’ roll manager in New York City. Instead of a fancy office in Manhattan, a flashy car and backstage passes, he operates out of a basement apartment in working-class Queens, driving a cranky eight-year-old Volvo as he trolls third-string venues for hidden talent. Jack finances a demo tape for his top talent by borrowing from a loanshark and pawning a friend’s guitar. When the tape fails to land a deal, Jack’s last hope is an offer from a friendly Queens mobster. New York City in the late sixties and early seventies comes alive with all its intensity.

Reviews

[Barry Weissman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Shaiken has done it again. After being engrossed in his first two NJA novels I couldn't wait for this third one to drop. Although never being in Thailand I feel like I know the country, the people and the customs as if I've lived there my whole life. His familiar cast of intelligent loyal and ruthless characters, some you love and some you love to hate, embark on yet another mysterious journey to save the unsuspecting population from catastrophe. If not CIA, Russian mobsters, North Korean drug dealers or a widespread pandemic his writing is always fresh, relevant and entertaining. Please tell me this third "Bangkok" series novel is not the last? I'd be very disappointed if it was.

[Henry Pratt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first two book in this series but stopped 1/3 of the way thru this one and will never read another book by Steven Shaiken as he imposes his political views on the reader. His praise for the Democrats is certainly unwarranted as they have destroyed cithies like San Francisco with there not enforcing the current laws and bow allow tent of homeless people and deficating of its streets. Crimes like shoplifting are not enforced unless it is over $1,000.

Shaiken's characters are weak and smoke way too much pot. I read fiction to get away from the problems caused by the leaders in charge.

[David Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sucks due to politics!

Can’t you keep politics out of anything? I’ll never read this guy’s books ever again! I can’t stand someone fouling up a book because of the screwed up political views.

[TC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked the characters and plot. Funny and a lot of twists and turns

[Doug Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as always! This group of characters work so well together.

[Robert H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the series keeps getting better

The author and series continue to grow together in their storytelling. A great read and an accurate portrayal of Thailand with remarkable insight.