Bangkok 8 (Sonchai Jitpleecheep, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 26, 2018 Tony rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime, novels, setting-asia

I'm a sucker for crime fiction set in unusual locales, so it was with great anticipation that I dove into this Bangkok-set debut novel. Burdett does a magnificent job in bringing Bangkok to life-from the neon-lit sex industry to shocking poverty, endemic corruption, widespread yaa baa (methamphetamine) trade, ever-present Buddhism, and the lingering effects of the Vietnam war. Things kick off with straight-arrow cops Sonchai and Pichai tailing an American marine-allowing Burdett to give Bangkok' I'm a sucker for crime fiction set in unusual locales, so it was with great anticipation that I dove into this Bangkok-set debut novel. Burdett does a magnificent job in bringing Bangkok to life-from the neon-lit sex industry to shocking poverty, endemic corruption, widespread yaa baa (methamphetamine) trade, ever-present Buddhism, and the lingering effects of the Vietnam war. Things kick off with straight-arrow cops Sonchai and Pichai tailing an American marine-allowing Burdett to give Bangkok's legendary traffic a cameo. However, in the middle of their task, the marine is killed by poisonous snakes, one of whom also kills Pichai when he tries to rescue the marine. From here on out Sonchai is a man on a mission, dedicated to solving the marine's (and thus by extension his partner's) murder. The death of the marine brings with it the involvement of the U.S embassy, and a female FBI agent comes over to liase with Sonchai. The plot is a typically convoluted thriller effort, involving international jade smuggling, a powerful American with White House connections, extreme S&M, Khmer thugs, Chui Chow Chinese gangsters and more. Actually, the story itself if the weakest part of the book, succumbing to stereotypical thriller elements and scenes. And it has to be said-the ending is really, really lame.

Still, there's lots to recommend the book. This is a thriller with many shades of gray to delight in. For example, on the one hand, Sonchai is an arhat (kind of a Buddhist living saint), the one clean cop in the district, and yet he's clear that the only justice he intends to bring his partner's killer to is that found in the barrel of his gun. Similarly, his boss is totally corrupt, but Sonchai respects and reveres him. Most interesting is the portrayal of the sex industry, which is much less condemnatory than one might expect. (Although whether or not it accurately represents Thai attitudes to sex is not for me to judge.) The straightforward story also veers into the supernatural, with Sonchai able to see the past lives of people he encounters. Others love this aspect of his character, but it struck me as an unnecessary gimmick that detracts from the book's excellent portrayal of Buddhism. Sonchai is a wonderfully laconic character, and all the more surprising for having come from the pen of a Westerner. On the whole, this is a very enjoyable thriller with a wonderful protagonist and great insight into Thai culture and Bangkok, however don't approach it with overly high expectations or you'll be disappointed-it is still of the airplane/beach read genre.
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Mar 08, 2008 Janet Whalen rated it it was amazing

Introduction to the characters and world created for this series by John Burdett. As yall know I believe it is sinful to read a great series out of order, and this is book one. Farang, you must read this first as the setting is a character in it own way in the genre I call 'exotique'(cuz exotica sounds too much like erotica.)We are intrduced to Sonchai Jitpleecheep, cop and practicing Buddhist who's mother is a beautiful and sucessful bargirl. Mystical and totally whack things happen side by sid ...more

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Sep 02, 2019 Megan rated it it was amazing

Starts with a murder by a meth-snake and ends with... well, I'm not going to spoil it here. I'll just say I never would have guessed the twists and turns in a million years. But, more importantly, each step towards the end made logical or narrative sense. ...more

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May 11, 2008 Jessica rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, southeast-asia

Despite the detective protagonist, definitely not a police procedural in the normal sense - Burdett makes excellent use of his setting to take some creative liberties with the form. Ultimately I found the story a little disjointed, which while probably intentional just isn't quite my taste; readers with an affection for a more post-modern style will enjoy it more. ...more

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