If you now feel like reading this book, it couldn’t be easier. Published 2003 (so, yes, agreed, it took me a while to discover Sonchai). And I can’t wait to start on the next book in the series… As you read, you learn about Thai culture and manners and thought processes, but all done in such a way that it is a natural part of the narrative.Ī great read. Burdett wears his obvious scholarship and deep knowledge of Thailand lightly, while letting his equally obvious love and affection for the country and her people shine through. So I won’t.īut this much I will say : be prepared for action, humour, drugs, food, sex, and a voyage of discovery into the world of Bangkok prostitution which makes these young women some of the most likeable people you will meet. The drawback of reviewing a crime novel is that you don’t want to spoil the plot. The story opens with a shocking brutal murder, and the death of Sonchai’s closest friend and partner, so within a few seconds we are plunged headlong into a world of death and horror and retribution, and the pace doesn’t let up from that point onwards. On any and all of the many strands, in fact, that make this clever beautifully written narrative such a good, entertaining read.

His half and half status (and his excellent lingustic skills, rare in the Bangkok Police force) give this delightful man a totally different perspective on life, on Thailand, on Bangkok, on Buddhism, on morality, on prostitution, on corruption. And his fabulously practical mother refuses to tell him what he wants to know. Not obsessively so, but he does wonder about his father. His father, one of her clients we learn, he has never met, but he is part of Sonchai’s thoughts. Hmm…using the word “works” makes him sound rather like the hookers who people his world – hardly surprising, given that his delightful mother, Nong, is a former whore. Sonchai Jitpleecheep is an unusual Bangkok cop.įor another thing, he is not on the take, which is why he knows he will pretty much always languish at the bottom of the police food chain.Īnd since he can see people’s past lives, he has a unique take on the people he meets as he works the streets of Bangkok. of violence and chases 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 30% How society works & physical descript.There is such a delight in discovering (admittedly well after everyone else) a fabulous new detective hero, and after reading “Bangkok Eight” I am a fan, a firm, verging-on-embarrassingly-enthusiastic fan of Sonchai Jitpleecheep. Bangkok 8: A Royal Thai Detective Novel (1) Paperback Jby John Burdett (Author) 1,146 ratings Book 1 of 6: Sonchai Jitpleecheep See all formats and editions Kindle 7.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook 0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover 24.43 Other new, used and collectible from 1. Click on a plot link to find similar books! Plot & Themes Composition of Book descript.

Bangkok 8 by john burdett