Skytrain to Murder

by Dean Barrett

Book Overview

Skytrain to Murder is a detective novel set in Bangkok. An American detective and scuba diving teacher chases a murderer through Bangkok's seedy underbelly incuding dangerous slums, high class... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966189965
• ISBN13: 9780966189964
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Village East Books
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

fun read

I'm not a big reader but I like this guy's work. "Skytrain" is a good one.

It's Truly Sukhumvit, Isn't It?

Being a big fan of private detective tales (Mike Hammer in NYC, Nate Heller in Chicago and Vinnie Calvino in Bangkok), I knew I'd be enjoying this novel as soon as I got it and that's exactly what transpired! Once again, Dean's love for the Sukhumvit Rd area, especially the bar areas where many farang men hang out (Soi Cowboy, Washington Square), cannot be missed and what this writer has learned/discovered/ouright lived through for more than a few rainy seasons is perfectly melded into the storyline so even were I to be reading this novel here in the States, I could still smell that bizarre mixture of street vendor food, joss sticks, pollution and Buddha-Alone-knows-what-else, I could still hear tuk-tuks drag racing with motorcycles and I could still see all the lovely and not-so-lovely Thai bargirls parading under sizzling neon signs in the redlight districts that partially make Bangkok what it is. And that's just the background! The main character is someone most of us will relate to at once as you follow him all over the place first wondering "What the hell?" followed by "Whodunit?" and finally "How does he solve this case without going home in a body bag?" If these are the kinds of elements you require in a mystery novel NOT taking place in New York, Chicago, LA or London, get a copy of this and prepare for a good ride on a blood-washed avenue.

Fast paced and exciting!

Scott Sterling, an American expatriate living in Bangkok, Thailand, spends most of his time hanging out in bars and teaching scuba diving. Occasionally he uses his expertise as an ex-CIA agent by doing a little detective work, mostly following cheating spouses. His Thai girlfriend, Dao, is a boxer and an extremely jealous woman. When Lisa Avery, a blonde knockout from the States, starts hanging around, Scott begins to feel a bit uncomfortable caught between the two women. Lisa requests a meeting with Scott, and he thinks he might get to the bottom of her odd behavior--maybe she wants to hire him for some detective work. Their meeting doesn't end as planned, and Scott leaves with many more questions about Lisa than when he started. Then Lisa turns up dead, and he makes it his mission to find out why she was killed and who killed her. There are people who would prefer Scott stay far away from the investigation. As he starts to uncover clues, he finds that Lisa was not who she appeared to be. Will Scott discover the motive for the crime and the identity of the killer before the culprit eliminates him from the equation? SKYTRAIN TO MURDER is a brilliantly written novel. The author,Dean Barrett, a resident of Asia, delivers firsthand knowledge of what it is like to live and work in this fascinating country. Sprinkled throughout the book are funny accounts of the different bar patrons and their interactions between themselves and the locals. Scott is a well developed character and the reader has a rapport with him and his plights, even the uncomfortable ones he brings on himself. The mystery of SKYTRAIN TO MURDER is detailed and intriguing, and will keep readers guessing until the exciting climax where all is revealed. I take it as a sign of a good mystery when I can't figure out the identity of the villain, and this novel delivers a well-crafted surprise. The dialogue is fresh and fast-paced, full of Thai cultural references, both funny and shocking at times. One criticism I have is that a few of the things referred to in the book are unfamiliar to me, and may be unfamiliar to other readers. It would have been helpful for some commonly mentioned things to be defined, such as "bargirl" and "muay-Thai." Overall, SKYTRAIN TO MURDER is one of the most fascinating mysteries I have read in a long time. The exotic locale coupled with captivating suspense make for a winning combination. I definitely recommend this book for all mystery lovers on your holiday shopping list--and buy a copy for yourself as a treat! Courtesy of www.AllAboutMurder.com

The Real Deal

A very well written detective novel set in Bangkok. A down and out American detective and his martial arts trained Thai girlfriend and lots of bizarre characters both Thais and foreigners living there. The author obviously knows the place. For example: "Thais are the nicest people in the world. Until they're not."A great read and I learned a lot. If this book doesn't make you want to go to Thailand, nothing will.

Chandleresque Crime Novel set in Thailand

I really enjoyed this one. It reminded me of the Thailand I used to know in the 80's but I never had the same exciting life as the main character, detective and part-time bar hopper, Scott Sterling. The plot involves a murdered woman and several people who might have wanted her dead. But I learned a lot about everything from slums to scuba diving and Thai dominatrixes. We didn't have cell phones and dominatrixes and a skytrain in Thailand when I was there but the writing made me feel like I was really back in Thailand. That I liked more than anything else. A fine book. One that makes me want to get back to that crazy city!