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Bangkok Bob and the Missing Mormon
Long-term Bangkok resident and former New Orleans cop Bob Turtledove has the knack of getting people out of difficult situations.So when a young man from Utah goes missing in Bangkok, his parents are soon knocking on Bob’s door asking for help.But what starts out as a simple missing person case takes a deadly turn as Bangkok Bob’s search for the missing Mormon brings him up against Russian gangsters, hired killers, corrupt cops and kickboxing thugs.And he learns that even in the Land of Smiles, people can have murder on their minds.Bangkok Bob and The Missing Mormon is about 63,000 words, equivalent to about 250 pages.Stephen Leather is one of the UK's most successful thriller writers and is published in more than twenty languages. He was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. Before that, he was employed as a biochemist for ICI, shovelled limestone in a quarry, worked as a baker, a petrol pump attendant, a barman, and worked for the Inland Revenue. He began writing full time in 1992. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series, and two of his books, The Stretch and The Bombmaker, were turned into movies.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
16 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
246 books1,531 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 18, 2016
Another excellent read by author Stephen Leather, a crime story with a difference by being set in Bangkok. I have long been a fan of this author so I have had this novel on my to read list for quite some while. The story is perhaps a little slower than the authors usual pace but nevertheless the tension grows throughout.
The story centres around a Mormon boy who has gone missing. New Orleans cop Bob Turtledove is asked by the boys parents to find their son and uncover the mystery to why he disappeared. What seems to be a fairly straight forward missing person case takes a dangerous turn as Bangkok Bob’s investigations put him up against Russian gangsters, hired killers, corrupt cops and kickboxing thugs.
A fairly good quick read that features decent characters and is more light-hearted approach than the usual Stephen Leather novels.
The story centres around a Mormon boy who has gone missing. New Orleans cop Bob Turtledove is asked by the boys parents to find their son and uncover the mystery to why he disappeared. What seems to be a fairly straight forward missing person case takes a dangerous turn as Bangkok Bob’s investigations put him up against Russian gangsters, hired killers, corrupt cops and kickboxing thugs.
A fairly good quick read that features decent characters and is more light-hearted approach than the usual Stephen Leather novels.
July 13, 2020
I counted at least 25 typos, omissions and grammatical errors. Other than that, this is a fun and easy read. Perfect if you’ve traveled to Thailand, read “Private Dancer”, and were left wanting more!
May 30, 2012
A charming little novel that has a mystery but no murder, no horror, lots of suspicion and possible conspiracies and lots of local color.
Bob Turtledove is a former New Orleans cop now married to a beautiful Thai woman (and she’s much smarter than he and very well connected.) He runs an antique store but over the years he has helped numerous people with their business dealings in Thailand. Mr. and Mrs. Clare of Salt Lake City want him to find their perfect (saving himself for his wife) son with whom they have lost contact. Bob is the antithesis of the macho cop and his investigation reveals much of how business is done in Thailand. Patience is rewarded; a sense of humor, essential.
Stephen Leather must have a lot of knowledge of Thailand (he lives there part of the year) as the story reeks of authenticity. One might even say that Bangkok is the major character of the novel. It also reveals some of the cultural conflicts and mistaken seductions of those who visit the country. I hope Leather brings Bob back in several reincarnations.
Jai yen (Cool heart, don’t worry, be happy)
Bob Turtledove is a former New Orleans cop now married to a beautiful Thai woman (and she’s much smarter than he and very well connected.) He runs an antique store but over the years he has helped numerous people with their business dealings in Thailand. Mr. and Mrs. Clare of Salt Lake City want him to find their perfect (saving himself for his wife) son with whom they have lost contact. Bob is the antithesis of the macho cop and his investigation reveals much of how business is done in Thailand. Patience is rewarded; a sense of humor, essential.
Stephen Leather must have a lot of knowledge of Thailand (he lives there part of the year) as the story reeks of authenticity. One might even say that Bangkok is the major character of the novel. It also reveals some of the cultural conflicts and mistaken seductions of those who visit the country. I hope Leather brings Bob back in several reincarnations.
Jai yen (Cool heart, don’t worry, be happy)
April 11, 2017
As first the cover sucks as second... somehow just few pages I read and what I found out was... I was the connection... Of the whole story...
What does cold hearth and the other gang members or whatever group is there with the woman in the Mercedes!?...
...
Okay... great beginning... but as deep we go as more empty and details start to miss... that's how I saw the story.
What does cold hearth and the other gang members or whatever group is there with the woman in the Mercedes!?...
...
Okay... great beginning... but as deep we go as more empty and details start to miss... that's how I saw the story.
December 10, 2023
Bangkok Bob is an ex-cop who's been in Thailand for decades. He's fluent in Thai, makes his living selling antiques, and is married to beautiful, well-connected Noy, who amazingly appears to love him as much as he does her. Officially, Bob's not a private detective, but he has the skills, and the friends, to be an effective amateur. Now and then he'll agree to investigate some situation just to help someone out.
In this volume, he's trying to discover the whereabouts of an innocent, upstanding Mormon young man who came to Thailand on holiday, then disappeared. After not hearing from their son Jon for more than a month, his parents are understandably worried. As it happens, Jon doesn't want to be found. Meanwhile, Bangkok Bob's inquiries manage to antagonize a variety of nasty and influential people, and his good deed starts to become downright dangerous.
The title of this lively novel had me chuckling before I'd read the first page. The book kept me entertained to the very end. It's far from deep, but it demonstrates an impressive understanding of contemporary Thai society and culture, which varies from the sublime to the absurd. Funny, insightful and ultimately quite satisfying.
In this volume, he's trying to discover the whereabouts of an innocent, upstanding Mormon young man who came to Thailand on holiday, then disappeared. After not hearing from their son Jon for more than a month, his parents are understandably worried. As it happens, Jon doesn't want to be found. Meanwhile, Bangkok Bob's inquiries manage to antagonize a variety of nasty and influential people, and his good deed starts to become downright dangerous.
The title of this lively novel had me chuckling before I'd read the first page. The book kept me entertained to the very end. It's far from deep, but it demonstrates an impressive understanding of contemporary Thai society and culture, which varies from the sublime to the absurd. Funny, insightful and ultimately quite satisfying.
August 15, 2020
A great fun read. The Audible narration by Jeff Harding was perfect. He nailed the voice of the likeable and irrepressible Bangkok Bob. I read Steve Leather’s Private Dancer and thought it a great representation of the pitfalls of the Bangkok night scene. But Bangkok Bob is much more likeable than the hapless chief character in Private Dancer. He’s winning in Bangkok with a beautiful and talented wife, and he dodges death amicably while solving cases. The characters in Fatso’s Bar, some of whom we saw in Private Dancer, add flavor to the story, especially Big Ron. A highly recommended read for lovers of Bangkok and Thailand. I would have liked to see more of Bangkok Bob in a series.
March 6, 2020
Asian locations seem to be a constant in the Leather books I've read so far. Explorations of the cultures and how stupid farangs get worked over in them are also constant. Though I've never been a denizen of Walking Street here in Angeles City, not even 50 years ago before it existed as such, that culture and the foreigners prowling its streets are commonplace.
While this story isn't quite as embedded in Thai culture as the Bangkok 8 series by Burdick, it's close enough to ring true. Mormons are consistently funny, and this one holds true to unlikely form.
While this story isn't quite as embedded in Thai culture as the Bangkok 8 series by Burdick, it's close enough to ring true. Mormons are consistently funny, and this one holds true to unlikely form.
August 13, 2017
I liked it. Reminded me a tiny bit of the stories set in Cambodia by Colin Cotterill. This was an easy read, something to send you off to sleep without nightmares. It's pretty much as the title says- bob looking for a missing Mormon who is a young US boy travelling in Thailand and taking off with an underage schoolgirl - well you get the drift. Mystery solved. all is well with the world. on to bob's next adventure.
November 12, 2023
This was a fun book to read. I found it in a second-hand bookstore in Chiang Mai.
With the story being based on a ‘farang’ living in Thailand, there were parts that made me smile because I could relate to it.
Although I wasn’t gripped until the end of the story, where I felt it got interesting.
It was a nice break from the usual writing style I’m used to.
With the story being based on a ‘farang’ living in Thailand, there were parts that made me smile because I could relate to it.
Although I wasn’t gripped until the end of the story, where I felt it got interesting.
It was a nice break from the usual writing style I’m used to.
September 9, 2020
I was more interested into missing mormon but the bangkok bob parts were the unnecessarily thick fillers. The mystery was below par. I also wonder the cognitive and intellectual abilities that Bob had as an ex police officer. Such a shame!
August 11, 2023
Luchtig vakantieboek. Tijdens het detectivewerk geeft de hoofdpersoon zijn mening (ervaring?) weer over Thaise corruptie, de cultuur en de expats wat extra leuk leest voor wie het meer wil leren over farang in Thailand.
April 13, 2018
A fun read that in true Leather fashion has you learning a little more about things, while pouring through the pages.
December 24, 2018
A romping great read through the murky streets and mysteries of Thailand—wit, intrigue, wry insight, and human frailty—it is all here. Plot, read it for yourself!
January 17, 2020
Awesome mystery book
Great book!!! Couldn't stop reading. If you've been to Thailand you'll appreciate it. I don't leave reviews often, this is a good book.
Great book!!! Couldn't stop reading. If you've been to Thailand you'll appreciate it. I don't leave reviews often, this is a good book.
April 9, 2021
A fun, entertaining, and easy read.
December 18, 2023
Couldn’t put this book down , and it’s very interesting to read about the Thailand language and culture along the way . Just Excellent.
December 4, 2011
Mystery-thrillers with a Bangkok setting seem to be a whole sub-genre: there's Timothy Hallinan's Poke Rafferty series (which I love), John Burdett (a great writer), Christopher G. Moore (who I gather is the granddaddy of them all), and more. (Incidentally, at a bit of a tangent, if you want to go a little beyond Bangkok while staying in Southeast Asia, try Colin Cotterill's multiple series - what's the plural of series, anyway, serieses?).
I only recently became aware of Stephen Leather's existence, and this is the first of his books that I've read. I picked this one from his many, many offerings (the lad is fecund in a way that would please the author of Genesis 1: "Go forth and multiply," said the Lord, and by golly he has!) because of the Bangkok setting - I have a personal fondness for the region. (Speaking of which, is anyone writing anything set in Rangoon or Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh? Let me know if you are). Here's my assessment:
1. Initial reaction: The story opens with a chapter describing a traffic jam. Not, you might think, the most gripping of ways to open. But, and this is important, it builds the atmosphere: great poverty and great wealth meet side by side in the traffic, and great moral carelessness (or amorality if you like) meets great social injustice. (Sounds like New York, doesn't it?) And so the stage is set. And yes, I wanted to keep on reading, which is what a first chapter (page, paragraph, sentence) should do. Ultimately, it's about bums on seats and a reader who'll come back for more. (Or Morre, if he's reading Christopher G. - sorry, couldn't resist).
2. Characters: For me, a novel MUST be character driven. Setting is important (the book must create its world), and plot (ho-hum, might come back tomorrow...or not), but without engaging characters you've lost me. The hero of Bob is Bob Turtledove (um, Stephen, I'm sure you had your reasons, but Turtledove?????). He runs an antiques business, and sleuths in a private capacity. Now let me say right here that this is where Southeast Asian settings have it all over US or UK ones: in our world there are NO private sleuths. Not investigating major crimes. The reason is that they're all dead. They got shot long ago. Or arrested. Murders and kidnappings are for the police. In SEA it's a different story. I actually know a real-life private sleuth in Cambodia. But that's another story. Anyway, Bob runs a business, and the US embassy sometimes sends him people with problems that the embassy can't solve. That's just about everything in Real Life - embassies, contrary to poluar opinion, are not there to solve your problems. You get a problem, they'll visit you in jail after it's over. That's the fact. Anyway, it makes for a great and genuine mise-en-scene.
I was talking about Bob. He's engaging, likeable, and has a life. We care about Bob. We care about Bob's battle with a colonoscopy. We even care that Bob gets kidnapped by thugs and taken to meet a mysterious Thai honcho who refuses to show his face. That's nice.
In addition to Bob there's a whole host of minor characters, all convincingly realised, ranging from English teachers in a shabby school (Eglish teachers occupy the very lowest rung of the expat social ladder, fact), to Thais in mansions living on incomes that most Americans will only ever dream of. So on characters I'm ok.
3. Plot: I don't intend to give the plot away, but it involves a Mormon boy who's gone missing. He came for a holiday and decided to stay for ... what? That's what his parents would like to know, and what they hire Bob to find out. (They went to the embassy first, and the embassy, would you believe, told them to go to the police! I mean, what for do we pay our taxes? Why isn't the ambassador out there trawling the streets and ricefields looking for the lad? These are the thoughts of every American). From that point on (I mean the point at which Bob gets his orders - chapter 2, right after the traffic jam) everything moves very cleanly. Not a lot of suspense (if you want suspense, try Moore and Burdett), but a good, clean read.
On the way we meet a lot of Bangkok. And it's real, I can vouch for that. It's absorbing, it's instructive even, and it's a Great Read.
Buy this book, you'll be so glad you did.
I only recently became aware of Stephen Leather's existence, and this is the first of his books that I've read. I picked this one from his many, many offerings (the lad is fecund in a way that would please the author of Genesis 1: "Go forth and multiply," said the Lord, and by golly he has!) because of the Bangkok setting - I have a personal fondness for the region. (Speaking of which, is anyone writing anything set in Rangoon or Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh? Let me know if you are). Here's my assessment:
1. Initial reaction: The story opens with a chapter describing a traffic jam. Not, you might think, the most gripping of ways to open. But, and this is important, it builds the atmosphere: great poverty and great wealth meet side by side in the traffic, and great moral carelessness (or amorality if you like) meets great social injustice. (Sounds like New York, doesn't it?) And so the stage is set. And yes, I wanted to keep on reading, which is what a first chapter (page, paragraph, sentence) should do. Ultimately, it's about bums on seats and a reader who'll come back for more. (Or Morre, if he's reading Christopher G. - sorry, couldn't resist).
2. Characters: For me, a novel MUST be character driven. Setting is important (the book must create its world), and plot (ho-hum, might come back tomorrow...or not), but without engaging characters you've lost me. The hero of Bob is Bob Turtledove (um, Stephen, I'm sure you had your reasons, but Turtledove?????). He runs an antiques business, and sleuths in a private capacity. Now let me say right here that this is where Southeast Asian settings have it all over US or UK ones: in our world there are NO private sleuths. Not investigating major crimes. The reason is that they're all dead. They got shot long ago. Or arrested. Murders and kidnappings are for the police. In SEA it's a different story. I actually know a real-life private sleuth in Cambodia. But that's another story. Anyway, Bob runs a business, and the US embassy sometimes sends him people with problems that the embassy can't solve. That's just about everything in Real Life - embassies, contrary to poluar opinion, are not there to solve your problems. You get a problem, they'll visit you in jail after it's over. That's the fact. Anyway, it makes for a great and genuine mise-en-scene.
I was talking about Bob. He's engaging, likeable, and has a life. We care about Bob. We care about Bob's battle with a colonoscopy. We even care that Bob gets kidnapped by thugs and taken to meet a mysterious Thai honcho who refuses to show his face. That's nice.
In addition to Bob there's a whole host of minor characters, all convincingly realised, ranging from English teachers in a shabby school (Eglish teachers occupy the very lowest rung of the expat social ladder, fact), to Thais in mansions living on incomes that most Americans will only ever dream of. So on characters I'm ok.
3. Plot: I don't intend to give the plot away, but it involves a Mormon boy who's gone missing. He came for a holiday and decided to stay for ... what? That's what his parents would like to know, and what they hire Bob to find out. (They went to the embassy first, and the embassy, would you believe, told them to go to the police! I mean, what for do we pay our taxes? Why isn't the ambassador out there trawling the streets and ricefields looking for the lad? These are the thoughts of every American). From that point on (I mean the point at which Bob gets his orders - chapter 2, right after the traffic jam) everything moves very cleanly. Not a lot of suspense (if you want suspense, try Moore and Burdett), but a good, clean read.
On the way we meet a lot of Bangkok. And it's real, I can vouch for that. It's absorbing, it's instructive even, and it's a Great Read.
Buy this book, you'll be so glad you did.
February 21, 2013
This story of a former New Orleans cop moonlighting in Bangkok as a private investigator for friends and acquaintances, has some enjoyable intrigue as well as genuinely funny moments. The dialogue is sharp, although repetitive at times. Where the book really falls short of the mark, however, are its lack of plot complexity, minimal suspense and not-quite believable characters. The character of Bangkok Bob, for example, would have been better served if he was single, not married, (thus introducing some much-needed sexual tension), and his ability to "speak perfect Thai" (ie, without even an accent) is simply not believable. I enjoyed the book anyway because I've spent time in Thailand, and can vividly picture the scenes.
Incidentally, Stephen Leather's earlier book on Bangkok bargirls and the foolish western foreigners who fall in love with them - titled "Private Dancer" - is a must-read for anyone venturing into that world! On the back of that book, I was hoping this one would be better than it was.
Incidentally, Stephen Leather's earlier book on Bangkok bargirls and the foolish western foreigners who fall in love with them - titled "Private Dancer" - is a must-read for anyone venturing into that world! On the back of that book, I was hoping this one would be better than it was.
January 21, 2015
Long-term Bangkok resident and former New Orleans cop Bob Turtledove has the knack of getting people out of difficult situations.
So when a young man from Utah goes missing in Bangkok, his parents are soon knocking on Bob’s door asking for help.
But what starts out as a simple missing person case takes a deadly turn as Bangkok Bob’s search for the missing Mormon brings him up against Russian gangsters, hired killers, corrupt cops and kickboxing thugs.
And he learns that even in the Land of Smiles, people can have murder on their minds.
Finds Jon Junior Mormon waiting for girl to turn 18 to get married. Calls parents in salt Lake city to get him to talk to parents. Girlfriend in hiding but Bob Turtledove search has taken pressure off. No sex either waiting until firl 18 he is a morman and 21. Marrying young common amaong Mormons
So when a young man from Utah goes missing in Bangkok, his parents are soon knocking on Bob’s door asking for help.
But what starts out as a simple missing person case takes a deadly turn as Bangkok Bob’s search for the missing Mormon brings him up against Russian gangsters, hired killers, corrupt cops and kickboxing thugs.
And he learns that even in the Land of Smiles, people can have murder on their minds.
Finds Jon Junior Mormon waiting for girl to turn 18 to get married. Calls parents in salt Lake city to get him to talk to parents. Girlfriend in hiding but Bob Turtledove search has taken pressure off. No sex either waiting until firl 18 he is a morman and 21. Marrying young common amaong Mormons
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2011
OK, so as a former Bangkok P.I. I am a little biased, but the thing I like about Bob/Stehen Leathers books, is that they are pretty much accurate as far as the local people and idiosyncrasies go. If I have a pet hate about books featuring slueths in Asia, its that often they or their pursuers seem to run amok with guns ! I just wish those authors would try presenting a toy gun themselves in downtown bangkok and see how far they get ! Foreigners would be jumped on by police, army, and half the population if they presented any sort of weapon -
Anyway, bob is a good read, all based on what does go on in the kingdom, and I look forward to his next adventure !
Anyway, bob is a good read, all based on what does go on in the kingdom, and I look forward to his next adventure !
May 1, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this easy read whilst on holiday in Bangkok and Koh Samui places mentioned in the novel.
October 31, 2011
Interesting story. Likeable characters, slightly predictable plot.
September 14, 2011
This is an interesting mystery set in Bankok. The author's expertise about Thailand is evident throughout the novel. The story moves slowly but surely, just as the Thai culture does.
April 7, 2012
3.5/5
August 27, 2012
A really enjoyable read. The investigation leads to a whole cast of characters that reflect different aspects of Thai society.
December 8, 2012
This book deserved 3 stars up until the end where you realise nothing actually happens. It does however give an impression of the seediness of Thailand.
October 4, 2013
highly entertaining. Always did like Stephen Leather, he knows how to write an gripping thriller
January 2, 2014
Though not a crime novel fan I am a Stephen Leather fan and I really enjoyed this entertaining run around Bangkok. I hope there are plenty more Bob Turtledove stories to come.
April 6, 2016
I have to confess I enjoyed it. A thai speaking farang antique dealer, happily married, solving mysteries is charming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews