This modern novel by John Burdett is classified by my local library as a mystery, but I prefer the description on the back of the jacket: "An electrifying, darkly comic, razor-edged thriller, unlike any you've read before."

Truth be told, I didn't think I'd like the book, since Thai culture really doesn't appeal to me, however, after the first few pages, I was hooked. I also learned a lot about Eastern beliefs and some of their feelings about the West, and learning new things is always a joy. The most fascinating parts of the book involved Buddhist reincarnation beliefs and the main character's insights into past lives.

Great read!