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Summary: Hard-to-put-down Mystery in an Exotic Locale
Review: This book has it all: a Buddhist detective who depends on his intuition to solve a ghastly murder; corrupt cops; the American FBI; lots of prostitutes; and, an on-the-ground look at a Third World City's chaos. You'll get a glimpse of Thai culture, a critique of the West and more than a few laughs. A well-plotted mystery that is hard to put down. I recommend it if you're interested in foreign cultures and excellent writing.
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Summary: Great setting, great main character, great world
Review: Actually, there are worlds within worlds in this mystery-thriller: Thailand, and inside that Bangkok, and inside that the skin trade, and then there is the Royal Thai Police Force and the Buddhist philosophy. All this is brought to bear on a killing that is over-the-top unbelievable. The Thai Buddhist take on the American psyche is the most memorable thing. The characters are intriguing and well fleshed out. Overall, it is fascinating and a good ride. But the writing is clunky and the syntax strained at times. And the ending is way too convoluted and very unsatisfying. A near miss. Almost a great thriller. Worth a look, though.
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Summary: Jonathan Yardley is right on about about Bangkok 8 !!
Review: Mr. Yardley, book critic for the Washington Post, does not often review books that I might have any interest in - and when he does the review is rarely a positive one. So I was surprised and delighted to see a very favorable review for John Burdett's novel, Bangkok 8. The title comes from the name of a police district in which our hero works. While drugs and sex and some very good plot twists are major ingredients of the story, what sets this book apart are the characters, Buddhism, Bangkok, a murder that I had to reread at least three times, and some sex that doesn't happen. What has stayed with me a week after I have read this book is Bangkok itself, a city I have never visited, but one that now both fascinates me and feels familiar to me. Perhaps with a different ending I would have rated this a "5", but it did not detract significantly from the pleasure this book gave me. One tip to potential readers who may be on the fence - read the first chapter (2 pages) - it gives an excellent flavor of what is to come, and I expect that most will be hooked, as I was.
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Summary: Spot on the three pillars of Asia!
Review: Wow! I just finished B-Eight and loved it. I live in the Philippines and saw Asia in almost every page. The boy has lived here and knows what's going on. The three pillars, of course, are drugs, prostitution, and corruption. I thought his insights were quite clever, and he's researched Jade, transexual surgery, and Buddhism quite deeply as well. I marked off one star because the story became a "stretch" toward the end (I'm a doctor) and some of this characters just couldn't speak the way they did in the story. But, hey, write up some more John-boy, I'm one of your fans!
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Summary: Excellent
Review: I picked this up b/c it was on the Wall Street Journal's list of summer books to read. I was not disappointed. I was a little weary of the whole murder-mystery in Thailand angle, but it turned out to be excellent. The author sprinkles little factoid about Thai society throughout the book; they are interesting, educational, and never overwhelm the story. There are lots of twists and turns, which you would expect in a mystery, but they are never trite or far-fetched. I tore through this book very quickly - it's an excellent summer read.
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Summary: Really great book!
Review: Wow! A really great book. Burdett knows his subject well. Not only a great detective mystery but a real education on Thai and Buddhist ways. Brings you right up the the edge, makes you look over the abyss, and then leaves a smile on your face after such sordid carryings on. What a book! I got a big laugh out of the ending. Well worth the read!!!!
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Summary: Alluring plot in great locale..anti usa bias too heavy!
Review: I enjoyed this book for about 200 pages then soured on it's endless anti usa theme. To blame all the worlds ills on the usa is just to simple and ignores the worlds complexities. This guy blasts the usa but will take our money for this book? What a joker. I buy a book for entertainment not moral lambasting..If I want that I go to church (which I never do).
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Summary: Really liked this one.
Review: I would have to number this book among my favorite mystery reads for the year. It was cleverly written,had interesting insites into the Thai culture, and an unusual plot line. I will be looking out for this author for his next release. Would not be surprised if it made the New York Times best sellers list soon.
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Summary: Burdett is an up and comer!
Review: If this was not a "first novel" I might say it is a three, maybe four star mystery/thriller. But as first efforts go, this is amazing. The writing is tight, the plot as complex as more experienced masters of the craft, and the setting is refreshing, if a bit over written at times. The characters are familiar, yet drawn with an astute observer's eye. If there is a major flaw it is the dialogue which at times just doesn't ring quit true, though it does work in moving the story along.It is always exciting to discover a new writer, and I look forward to Burdett's next effort, and will no doubt add him to my list of "must read" if he lives up to the promise of this first effort.
Rating:
Summary: Wild Ride, Weak Ending
Review: Bangkok 8 is indeed a well written, fast paced, page-turner of a mystery. The characters are fascinating, none less so than our protagonist, Sonchai Jitpleecheep. The novel starts with the murder of a US Marine in the most bizarre of manners - drug crazed poisonous snakes. Unfortunately, Sonchai and his partner were ordered to follow this Marine and were at the scene of his death where Sonchai's partner is bitten and killed by a snake. Sonchai is determined to seek out the killer and revenge. As a mystery Burdett has done a good job of unfolding the layers of the Sonchai's search for the truth behind events and the characters are truly fascinating. So too is the locale and culture that is the backdrop of the novel. Thailand's sex trade, drug dealing, psychotic powerful Westerners, and Buddhism are blended into the tapestry. The end, however, is very weak and disappointing and really a downer after an otherwise very enjoyable story.
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