While exploring the Bankock, our hero lives with a long, tall, drink of water named Rose. This former bar girl is struggling to set up a legitimate house cleaning business manned by over-the hill prostitutes who want out of the game. His family is completed by a young ex-street girl wise beyond her years named Miaow; and, the recent acquisition of a feral child who bites, has an infected eye, and a reputation for murder; known on the streets as Superman. Well, a 300 pound Australian named Uncle Klaus has gone missing. His niece has come to Bangkock to find him. Poke snoops around. He finds that Uncle Klaus was into deviant Japanese niche pornography. The investigation leads to the home of a powerful Cambodian dragon lady. Soon trouble finds Poke and little Superman in a Bangkock alley. This beating by 4 Thai goons is meant to deter not kill. Superman shows his mettle and his fierce loyalty. His teeth are a formidable weapon as he and Poke rally to a stirring defense in the street brawl. The novel goes on to hold a mirror up to the sex trade. All glamour associated with sex tourism is stripped off. Also Hallinan does a good job of showing how a western man must change his mental assumptions to live with a Thai woman. Americans usually look for rational, mechanical, and immediate solutions. Thais are religious, superstitious, and think in terms of many life times. This was a good and worthwhile read.

Share/Like this Review?