Bangkok 8 Audiobook By John Burdett cover art

Bangkok 8

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Bangkok 8

By: John Burdett
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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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. International Mystery & Crime Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Crime Fiction Mystery Crime Thrillers Vigilante Justice Suspense Crime Thriller Fiction Noir Revenge Witty Heartfelt

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

“Vividly written and even more vividly imagined. . . . This novel is as wild as the city in which it takes place. . . . Read it to blow your mind.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“A thriller as exotic as it is enthralling, and as provocative as it is obscene.” –Harper’s

“One of the year's most seductive thrillers. . . . Think of Bangkok 8 as a destination spot for any reader with a taste for the exotic and desire for a really good time.” –New York Daily News

“Gruesome and memorable.” –The New York Times

“Burdett knows how to dole out engagingly gory details and hard-boiled platter.” –Entertainment Weekly

“A different kind of mystery, one you’re not likely to have seen before. . . . Bangkok 8 makes you change your perspective. It takes you into another world and exposes you to different ways of thinking.” —Rocky Mountain News

“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

“Edgy, intricate and atmospheric . . . [Burdett] uses plenty of narrative sleight-of-hand to weave together character development, comic relief and inspired plot twists while steering clear of facile exoticism.” —Time Out, New York

“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

“Characters are well-developed and the tale is carefully woven and fun to read.”
–Columbus Dispatch

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Unique Mystery • Engaging Plotline • Great Narrator • Wonderful Protagonist • Cultural Insights • Philosophical Depth

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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!

Fascinating, Informative & Unique!

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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.

Great story, but mediocre narration

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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.

Same, same but different

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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.

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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.

Outstanding.

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