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lavoiture's review against another edition
3.0
I think I'd give this a 3.5. Pretty good mystery/thriller, set in Bangkok. Worth a read if you found it for cheap or at the library...unfortunately, I have to buy them all. Oh well!
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
First book in a series featuring a travel book writer set in Bangkok. For the most part, a really well written thriller though some of the subject matter was a bit hard to listen to. I thought the characters were great, the suspense and action quite good, and the setting very interesting. My only one small quibble was with a plot turn that was over obvious. The audio was ably read by Victor Bevine.
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
Child pornographers, bar girls, Khmer Rouge killers, corrupt cops, orphaned street kids are all in the world of Poke Rafferty, a travel writer turned PI in Bangkok. Poke is in love and wants to adopt a street kid but all his good intentions are about to confront some of the most evil and repulsive people he has ever met or not met. Another page turner in the first of this series. Aptly named this mystery makes you wonder about karma, balance, and whether sometimes to defeat bad you must be badder.
lisanussd's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Hallinan's other series. The writing in this book with Poke Rafferty had the same cynicism and witty dialog. Poke was also an interesting character that was like-able and conflicted. The subject matter become to gruesome for me, and I found myself skimming a lot of pages towards the end.
jpalmason's review against another edition
4.0
Fast moving story, great characters.. will read more of the series!
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable read. Fast moving. Have to stretch reality a bit and stomach some grim images at times.
Still was a quick read. Characters were a little too shallow and very matter of factish rather than developing a lot of interest in them. Might read another book in the series, more because I like SEAsia than this series was more compelling than others though that is true too
Still was a quick read. Characters were a little too shallow and very matter of factish rather than developing a lot of interest in them. Might read another book in the series, more because I like SEAsia than this series was more compelling than others though that is true too
lizab's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vanessakm's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book suffered because I read it after John Burdett's tres excellent [b:Bangkok 8 (Sonchai Jitpleecheep, #1)|706011|Bangkok 8 (Sonchai Jitpleecheep #1)|John Burdett|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388333732s/706011.jpg|692291] which made me obsessed with Thai culture and their unique worldview (unique to a farang, that is.) This book was good but just couldn't compare.
Also set in Bangkok (shortly after the Indian Ocean Tsunami), this is the first in a series about American-born and half-Filipino adventure travel writer Poke Rafferty. He has settled in Bangkok and fallen in love with a former bar girl named Rose who is trying to set up a cleaning business that will provide safe work for her old colleagues. He is also hoping to adopt a once homeless street kid who now lives with him. Into his lap falls several mysteries simultaneously: a missing Australian mystery man, a possibly homicidal homeless boy named Superman from his would-be daughter's past, a dead safe cracker and a rich, scary old lady who hires him to recover some stolen property. Hallinan writes in the spirit of Henning Mankell, using the mystery to delve into Thailand's pressing social problems: the Khmer Rouge hiding in Thailand, child pornography, the fate of bar girls and Tsunami orphans.
The best parts of the story are the Thai atmosphere and Buddhist philosophy. I found the main characters likable but mostly wooden. And since the story picks up after Poke has met and fallen in love with Rose and his prospective daughter, it's hard to really get invested in their relationships. Arthit, Poke's friend on the police force, was the most memorable character. There's also a scene that strains credulity near the end involving a misunderstanding with Poke's laptop-no spoilers here.
I liked this book despite my complaints and Hallinan has the best intentions in raising these issues. I also really liked the ending. I might read more of this series to see where it goes and if it improves.
Also set in Bangkok (shortly after the Indian Ocean Tsunami), this is the first in a series about American-born and half-Filipino adventure travel writer Poke Rafferty. He has settled in Bangkok and fallen in love with a former bar girl named Rose who is trying to set up a cleaning business that will provide safe work for her old colleagues. He is also hoping to adopt a once homeless street kid who now lives with him. Into his lap falls several mysteries simultaneously: a missing Australian mystery man, a possibly homicidal homeless boy named Superman from his would-be daughter's past, a dead safe cracker and a rich, scary old lady who hires him to recover some stolen property. Hallinan writes in the spirit of Henning Mankell, using the mystery to delve into Thailand's pressing social problems: the Khmer Rouge hiding in Thailand, child pornography, the fate of bar girls and Tsunami orphans.
The best parts of the story are the Thai atmosphere and Buddhist philosophy. I found the main characters likable but mostly wooden. And since the story picks up after Poke has met and fallen in love with Rose and his prospective daughter, it's hard to really get invested in their relationships. Arthit, Poke's friend on the police force, was the most memorable character. There's also a scene that strains credulity near the end involving a misunderstanding with Poke's laptop-no spoilers here.
I liked this book despite my complaints and Hallinan has the best intentions in raising these issues. I also really liked the ending. I might read more of this series to see where it goes and if it improves.
jfl's review against another edition
3.0
First in a series featuring Poke Rafferty as a part time private investigator. The plot is well paced and the writing, clear and direct. Made my trip between Kansas City and Charleston with a return to Kansas City pass easily.