… The Godfather of Kathmandu,’’ the fourth and newest book in the series, lacks the snap and bite of “Bangkok Haunts,’’ its tauter predecessor, or “Bangkok 8,’’ the first book. And like “Bangkok Tattoo,’’ the second book in the series, the story is convoluted, and Burdett doesn’t quite manage to tie together all the plotlines.
Still, “Godfather’’ is written with Burdett’s characteristic zest, serving up pungent slices of Bangkok’s bazaars and waterways, the Buddhist stupas of Kathmandu in Nepal, and the wrinkles of ancient Chinese ritual. It also brings Jitpleecheep back together with Vikorn, a police colonel who tries to look out for the stoner detective, Kimberley Jones, an FBI agent, and Lek, the “ladyboy’’ who helps him navigate Bangkok’s sexual crazy quilt.
In this latest installment, Jitpleecheep, a movie buff, is called in to investigate the death of Frank Charles, a Hollywood filmmaker and a regular in Bangkok’s sex tourism trade. His obese, mutilated corpse is found in the red light district. Jitpleecheep’s inquiry leads him to sources in Hollywood and to Mimi Moi, a sociopathic pharmacist and a power in Bangkok’s high society.

See the full article from “Boston Globe”




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