Jumpers

by Christopher G. Moore

Calvino investigates the death of a friend, a Canadian painter. The medical examiner finds the young man has ingested an exit drug, and the police verdict of suicide seems justified. But in Bangkok appearances have a habit of deceiving. Sometimes jumpers are given a leg up in their leap to the next life. Fingering the helper can be a risky business, and for Calvino this promises to be one of those times.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2016

About the author

Christopher G. Moore is a Canadian author who has lived in Thailand since 1988. Formerly a law professor at the University of British Columbia and a practicing lawyer, Moore has become a public figure in Southeast Asia, known for his novels and essays that have captured the spirit and social transformation of Southeast Asia over the past three decades.

Moore has written over 30 fiction and non-fiction books, including the Vincent Calvino novels which have won including the Shamus Award and German Critics Award and have been translated to over a dozen languages. Moore’s books and essays are a study of human nature, culture, power, justice, technological change and its implications on society and human rights.

Starting in 2017, the London-based Christopher G. Moore Foundation awards an annual literary prize to books advancing awareness on human rights. He’s also the founder of Changing Climate, Changing Lives Film Festival 2020.

Reviews

[David C Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too didactic and long winded. Wants to be be philosophical about suicide, Thailand, memory etc and just is pretentious. The plot is indecipherable, I guess because it's a stand in for the mysterious opaqueness of the East. Needs a big swerve at the end to resolve the crime. Also Calvinos laws and Pratt quoting Shakespeare get tiresome. Once good series needs a reboot.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jumpers returns Christopher Moore to form. His previous three books in the Calvino series had been something of a letdown. But this volume makes up for it. Beginning with the suicide of a young painter, the story soon branches out into a broad allegory about the Chinese subversion and takeover of Bangkok and Thailand. For it is a Chinese conspiracy that rests behind the death of Raphael Pascal, the painter. It all revolves around a six piece installation depicting suicidal people right before they die. Then the actual models begin to die of suicide. Calvino becomes worried, because he is one of the six models.

Without spoiling things, Jumpers seems to conclude the Calvino series, although I know it doesn't, because the official end is supposed to be the next volume, Dance Me to the End of Time. But Jumpers, with the Chinese chasing Calvino out of Bangkok--just as they chased him out of New York City to Bangkok originally--has the now 60 year old Calvino seemingly ready to call it quits. His pal, now General Pratt, has already retired from the police, and even his secretary, Ratana, is seen trying to hold back the effects of aging in her cosmetics and wardrobe. Calvino appears tired. And maybe Moore is tired of Calvino. I'll see how it all works out in the final story.

Note: This might be Moore's most Bangkok-centric novel yet. In addition to the malls, streets, and neighborhoods, all the mentions he makes about ThaiVisa (now rebranded into Aseannow), Villa, and Foodland, must leave people outside the city wondering. Will wait to see if he mentions Gourmet Market and CP in the last novel. As someone living in the far West suburbs on the Thonburi side, the closest I ever get to "Moore's Bangkok" is Pinklao and Siriraj. His Bangkok is not mine. I don't think he could take the peace and comfortable pace of life out here in Phutthamonthon.

[BoardInMalibu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bangkok...feel like I am right there with Vinny Calvino, Christopher G Moore’s enduring protagonist. Beautifully atmospheric as always. This installment was much darker and introspective. Strong, recurring supporting characters that add depth to the plot. Enjoyed this book very much, missed the 5th star because of rambling narrative. Surprise ending. Will be very interested to see where Moore takes the protagonist next. Recommend.
Editor/Publisher: NO excuse for typos! It’s “fair” NOT “fare” You do NO CREDIT TO AUTHOR!

[Bernard Fanin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Used to love the old ones of the serie, could not finish this one, utterly boring and pretentious.