Bangkok 8

By: John Burdett

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

A thriller with attitude to spare, Bangkok 8 is a sexy, razor-edged, often darkly hilarious novel set in one of the world’s most exotic cities.

Witnessed by a throng of gaping spectators, a charismatic Marine sergeant is murdered under a Bangkok bridge inside a bolted-shut Mercedes Benz. Among the witnesses are the only two cops in the city not on the take, but within moments one is murdered and his partner, Sonchai Jitpleecheep - a devout Buddhist and the son of a Thai bar girl and a long-gone Vietnam War G.I. - is hell-bent on wreaking revenge.

On a vigilante mission to capture his partner’s murderer, Sonchai is begrudgingly paired with a beautiful FBI agent named Jones and captures her heart in the process. In a city fueled by illicit drugs and infinite corruption, prostitution and priceless art, Sonchai’s quest for vengeance takes him into a world much more sinister than he could have ever imagined.

©2003 John Burdett (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A tour de force.... Burdett is purely and simply a wonderful writer.” (The Washington Post)

"A stiletto-sharp mystery/thriller... brilliantly rendered." (The Seattle Times-Post Intelligencer)

“Like Thai cuisine, Burdett’s comic thriller blends spicy, sour, salty and sweet - and makes for a delicious wake-up for jaded palates.” (People)

"Bangkok 8 is one of the most startling and provocative mysteries that I've read in years. The characters are marvelously unique, the setting is intoxicating and the plot unwinds in dark illusory strands, reminiscent of Gorky Park. Once I started, I didn't want to put it down." (Carl Hiaasen)

“The wildest ride in modern crime novel exoticum. A novel so steeped in milieu that it feels as if you’ve blasted to mars in the grip of a demon who won’t let you go. Read this book, savor the language - it’s the last and the most compelling word in thrillers.” (James Ellroy)

Learn About Krung Thep

Liked the discussion of drugs traffic sex corruption Buddhist mindset in Thailand. Police procedural story also fine. Sorry to say there are not enough travel chances these days to visit exotic places, but books can give a helpful introduction. Thankfully the book is well-researched so learning curve was positive. Similar to Wind-Up Girl. Dark but not too dark.

Fascinating, Informative & Unique!

Definitely not your classic "whodunnit"... but wow is this one of the most unique books I have ever read/listened to! You must keep an open mind to enjoy this book haha, I found it VERY interesting. A think outside-of-the-box mystery with lots of historical and philosophical tidbits. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Great story, but mediocre narration

The story is great! I just don’t love the reader. He’s a little too straight and narrow for me. There’s not as much acting as I like, more of a straight read.

Same, same but different

While agreeing with some of the other reviewers, Thai words and inflection are hard, having been to Bangkok, and other parts of Thailand, many times, I cringed at some of the pronunciations. Listen to the story dont get caught up in the "that cant happen" moments or pronunciations. Because in Thailand, it happens. All too often. The story itself is why I'm listening and it holds my attention. If you've been there more than once you can smell it at times and you'll know where Sonchai is once in a while. If you were lost and confused, well you might just understand why after listening to it. The story is told well and really does keep you wanting more. The characters are believable because it is Thailand. The tidbits are spot on with regard to the people and culture, both Thai and Farang. If you thought it was far fetched, you've never been. You cant explain most of S.E. Asia to someone whose never been there. Its a magical, corrupt, beautiful and hard to comprehend place. Bangkok 8 is much the same. The series is worth sticking with to the end. It gets better. Afterward, you'll need to find Poke Rafferty.

Outstanding.

Great novel. Great characters, including the main character, a Buddhist detective. Easy to get lost in. There is some violence and there’s a lot of sex, but it’s all in the service of the gripping story.

Loved it! Well-written and original

I love the pace of the writing and how Burdett has his half-breed detective go back and forth between Buddhist pontifications, Thai superstition, and actual police work. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

Thailand, the real deal !!!

fascinating story, deep dive into Thai culture and Buddhist thoughts.
gives a new meaning to ghosts.

Tales from Thamkrabok?

This book is a great story but it's not so much a work of fiction. Having lived in BKK for many years. This story is all to true and repeats itself regularly. I left BKK in 2555 (2012) and this is still very much the way of the kingdom, the land of fake smiles and deep feeling Jai Dee locals doing what they must. I myself loved the book but had a hard times with some of my own memories that this book kicked up! The author gets it spot on and then some.

as Twisted as a hangman's knot

Perfect combination of mystery and Asian philosophy. My first read by this author, and I might not choose to do another for awhile for fear of it being repetitious, but this was a delightful surprise.

Buddha as a modern man

Would you listen to Bangkok 8 again? Why?

yes, there were a lot of details I probably missed the first time around because I was focused on the plot line.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Our hero, because he was conflicted. We got to see his thought process as a buddhist apprentice .

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Good. He added color to the story that was good At some times , though, it was hard to distinguish between characters, like between our hero and his boss.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

it became clear , how intricate the web of corruption can get. Even "honest " people get caught up in it