You might feel wary of a story in which the hero is a mixed-race Buddhist cop working in modern Bangkok, and in which Zen Buddhism underpins practically every page of the book. But take the plunge, do. John Burdett has the extraordinary knack of explaining the Buddhist perceptive to whatever happens in a single sentence every time. By the time you're a quarter way through the story you're practically a Buddhist yourself. And what a story this is. Jade and drug smuggling, prostitution, trans-sexuality, a debt of honour, endemic corruption, interracial misunderstanding -- all on the beat of the teeming city's one honest cop. This riveting and delightful book delivers a witty and evocative portrait of an amazing exotic world. Jostling for your attention are death, detection and dastardly deception -- plus Burdett's affectionate and provoking vision of Bangkok's prostitutes and call-girls. On top of this, a primer on the Buddhist view of life. It's mind-shifting. After you've read this book the world will not change. But you will.
