Bangkok Rules

by Harlan Wolff

Alternate cover for ASIN B00BB2RLPI

Thailand is terrified. A sadistic serial killer has been abducting young innocents for his ritual horror and the authorities are clueless. Carl Engel is an enigma. The blunt Londoner has forged a thirty-year career as a private investigator amid the chaos of Thailand's political history. Struggling with advancing years and a decreasing workload he is approached by an elderly American with a lucrative missing persons case.

The case descends into the sordid world of the elusive serial killer and a menacing web of political intrigue dating back to the Vietnam War. Carl must use his guile and experience to stay alive, find the killer and negotiate the dangerous military interests that lurk behind the scenes. Based on a real character Carl Engel lives in a world rarely seen by outsiders and hauls the reader on a pulsating ride to the explosive conclusion.

Genres: Fiction, Asia, Mystery, Crime, Thriller

Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2013

About the author

Harlan Wolff has lived in Thailand since 1977 and before becoming a writer was a successful Private Investigator and corporate troubleshooter specialising in major crime. The Carl Engel series is a gritty and real account of a Bangkok based PI's milieu.

Reviews

[Paul Ataua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having lived in Bangkok for about thirty years now, I try to stay away from fiction that centers on the city as it is most often a very expat vision of Thailand that almost always takes place in the red light districts of the city through the eyes of an American or Englishman with the usual stereotypical Thai characters. Sometimes, however, books are brought to my attention, and I duly read them. There are many positives here. I liked Wolff’s style, the way he developed the story, his handling of the investigative process, and his sensitivity to how even after many years of living in Thai society and culture, it is so totally misguided to think you really understand it. It still remains, however, an expat vision, mostly taking part in the red light districts of the city through the eyes of a ‘westerner’ with the usual stereotypical Thai characters. I think Harlan Wolff has real talent as a writer and hope he will use that talent to transcend this genre in the future.

[John Beta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story - style a bit like a Sam Spade or Rockford Files story. Found it educational as well as I now know which bars to hit in the infamous sections of the Big Mango! Ha! Lastly, I was totally flabbergasted to read that such corruption would ever exist in the fine city of BKK!

[Ashley Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bangkok Rules
By Harlan Wolff
****1/2 – Clever book!

Bangkok Rules, the international mystery/crime/thriller book by Harlan Wolff was certainly a page turner. It’s the story of an expatriate private detective living in Thailand that happens upon the case of a lifetime. I couldn't put it down. It was a page turner with a clever story that kept me immersed in Bangkok until the very end. All it took was the first two pages or so to hook me.

In Bangkok, Thailand lives a private detective by the name of Carl Engel. Although considered farang (of European decent, white) by the natives, he came from London over 30 years ago as a teen. He typically lives case to case until approached by a portly American who hires him to find a man he claims is his brother that has been missing for several decades. The client makes it clear that money is no object, which immediately raises the suspicions of the seasoned PI.

As Carl works his sources that range from police colonels to CIA agents to taxi drivers, a sadistic serial killer is on the loose in Bangkok. Young, female students are being found with their bodies burned and ears cut off. The police seem to think it’s a boyfriend, but Carl isn’t so sure.

Wolff leads the reader through the streets of Bangkok during monsoon season. The sights, smells, tastes, and even the sex trade are so vivid one might think they are there right along with him. With a strained political climate where greed rules, a serial killer, and his ongoing case there isn’t a dull moment. Wolff keeps you guessing with the clever way the story line develops.

Bangkok Rules was well edited, intellectually stimulating, and challenged your imagination with the provocation of your senses. My suggestion, however, would have been that Wolff didn’t assume some things about Thailand were common knowledge to the reader. I also have to warn readers about the explicit language, the plenitude of sexual situations, and violence.

There is no doubt that I would highly recommend Bangkok Rules to the readers everywhere while readily admitting that I didn't expect to feel this way about it. I could compare Wolff to the likes of John Sanford or one of the other popular thriller/crime/psychological thriller writers, but that would be doing a disservice to Wolff because in Bangkok Rules he offers a story line and in-depth world all his own.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally read books based in Bangkok for the thrill of recognizing the places mentioned but usually find them poorly written and/or simplistic. Bangkok Rules gives me that thrill in a well written,, uptempo romp in a Bangkok I scarcely knew existed. Harlan gives us a great protagonist in Carl Engels in that we relate to him being damaged goods, get to know him warts and all and can side with his character because he's just like us while leaving enough undiscovered territory for a sequel.

The plot (for my personal tastes) could have stood a little more intrigue and the bad guys proved a bit more resourceful but that was more me wanting the adventure to continue for longer than any detraction from the highly enjoyable delve into the seedy underbelly that we got. I look forward to learning more about Engels' Bangkok ...

[James Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlan Wolfe, in this debut novel writes like an author who has published over 30 novels. An amazing accomplishment for a first time author, and what is more amazing is that the author has produced something fresh and original in what some might consider a saturated market. This is a book I read from cover to cover in a matter of a few hours. It is not a mystery but a thriller - a well plotted beautifully crafted thriller from page one to the end. Congratulations to the author.

[Susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reading..... a novel that takes place in the seedy city of Bangkok.
Very well written. Read it in a day.

[Veronika Gasparyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The international mystery/crime book by Harlan Wolff was certainly a page turner. It’s the story of an expatriate private detective living in Thailand that happens upon the case of a lifetime. I couldn’t put it down. It was a page turner with a clever story that kept me immersed in Bangkok until the very end. All it took was the first two pages or so to hook me.
In Bangkok, Thailand lives a private detective by the name of Carl Engel. Although considered farang (of European decent, white) by the natives, he came from London over 30 years ago as a teen. He typically lives case to case until approached by a portly American who hires him to find a man he claims is his brother that has been missing for several decades. The client makes it clear that money is no object, which immediately raises the suspicions of the seasoned PI.
As Carl works his sources that range from police colonels to CIA agents to taxi drivers, a sadistic serial killer is on the loose in Bangkok. Young, female students are being found with their bodies burned and ears cut off. The police seem to think it’s a boyfriend, but Carl isn’t so sure.
Wolff leads the reader through the streets of Bangkok during monsoon season. The sights, smells, tastes, and even the sex trade are so vivid one might think they are there right along with him. With a strained political climate where greed rules, a serial killer, and his ongoing case there isn’t a dull moment. Wolff keeps you guessing with the clever way the story line develops.
Bangkok Rules was well edited, intellectually stimulating, and challenged your imagination with the provocation of your senses. My suggestion, however, would have been that Wolff didn’t assume some things about Thailand were common knowledge to the reader. I also have to warn readers about the explicit language, the plentitude of sexual situations, and violence.
There is no doubt that I would highly recommend Bangkok Rules to the readers of my blog while readily admitting that I didn’t expect to feel this way about it. I could compare Wolff to the likes of John Sanford or one of the other popular thriller/crime/psychological thriller writers, but that would be doing a disservice to Wolff because in Bangkok Rules he offers a story line and in-depth world all his own.

[Bradley West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlan Wolff joins Jake Needham as my co-favorite authors of thrillers based in Bangkok. Wolff's Bangkok Rules oozes authenticity down to recognizable bars and characters, though I'm not certain I would appreciate being featured in the book as the author can be savage with his portrayals. The book starts out fast, with a diabolical serial killer and a likeable, believable overweight, middle aged localized expat set in opposition early on. There are several good plot turns, plenty of wry commentary on Bangkok high (and low) society and enough danger to keep the pages turning. My only disappointment was an ending that was too tidy to be believable. Up until the last act, however, Bangkok Rules lived up to the advanced billing of being a gritty thriller with a real-life feel to it. Recommended.

[Scott Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Bangkok Rules a delightful romp that made me feel like I was living in Bangkok as a foreigner. I could taste the alcohol, smell the smoke, and few the touch of the characters. The moment I finished reading it, I began writing my own novel (The Ang Moh Murders). I am terribly saddened to hear of Harlan Wolf’s death - I will continue writing to try to create the same sense of excitement for readers of this genre in the future.

[Editions Gope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Est disponible en français sous le titre "La cité de l'Ange Noir" !
Le roman noir s'accommode bien au climat tropical et s'hybride volontiers avec le thriller, Harlan Wolff le prouve avec "Bangkok Rules".
De part son style, son atmosphère, ce polar se démarque des romans de John Burdett.

[don freggens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down but I made myself

So that I could digest what I read, make the story last longer. Great characters in this novel. Very cool insight into living in Bangkok, the people, housing, daily life. I hope Mr. WOLFF writes many more stories.

[Rhonda Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carl

Long and convoluted but a great read. Characters are fleshed out and backstories give a depth. I enjoyed it and want to read more.

[Anthony Edward Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read.

A real page turner,I couldn't put it down.I recommend this book highly.Grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the ride to a pleasant ride.

[James O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book.

Not totally believable but fun just the same. If this is part of a series, and I suspect it is, I will try another.

[Kevin Grigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable thriller, with the difference of Thailand as a backdrop. Great lead protagonist , real and believable.
Not going to test your intellect, but great chewing gum for the eyes.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly excellent

I love crime stories but this one is surprisingly excellently written. I love it when I can't figure out the end before I get there.

[Béatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assez original, et bien rythmé.

[John Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle unlimited. Outline to remind me of the story.
At first the constant in/out of Patpong and other red light areas seemed to be over the top but for a PI an ideal place to get information and so on. So in the end it blended in and the plot and politics was first rate. In fact the concept of law and order, bribes and corruption—I would guess very realistic. As to sadistic serial killers, no idea if any exist. There have been a number of serial killers. Not many but the sadistic part! In war times probably. Point is- a great plot but hope never to read it in the news.
Thailand is terrified. A sadistic serial killer has been abducting young innocents for his ritual horror and the authorities are clueless. Carl Engel is an enigma. The blunt Londoner has forged a thirty-year career as a private investigator amid the chaos of Thailand's political history. Struggling with advancing years and a decreasing workload he is approached by an elderly American with a lucrative missing persons case.
The person is not the brother but a former operative Vicktor.
The case descends into the sordid world of the elusive serial killer and a menacing web of political intrigue dating back to the Vietnam War. Carl must use his guile and experience to stay alive, find the killer and negotiate the dangerous military interests that lurk behind the scenes. Based on a real character Carl Engel lives in a world rarely seen by outsiders and hauls the reader on a pulsating ride to the explosive conclusion.
Anthony Inman is the killer and has taken on Thai citizenship and Thai name. He has money and likes to cut up and kill young girls. He is in illegal arms trade partnership with one of the Thai generals. In fact a number were aware of him and his illegal arms trade. But more protected. The CIA on the ground operative Bart is delusional in his belief that Inman is not evil and a serial killer, in spite of his past.
Carl at the end gets all the parties together at Inman's empty building where he killed his vistims. The general turns against Inman as Carl has a set up to bluff the general. The general takes $1 million dollars that three friends stole by picking up Inman and transferring from his bank accounts under threat. $3 million in total. $1 million to the boiler house fraudsters for their help in bank account etc. $1 million to the General as a trade off/compromise and Carl who is not getting younger $1 million retirement fund. Carl also set up the two ex army assassins and shoots them and buries them to his knowledge only, in the countyside. Good all round ending. And in line with current prctices.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl is a long-term expat living in Bangkok and working as a private detective. When a new client comes around asking Carl to find his long lost 'brother', Carl knows something is fishy when the man pays too much too quickly, but he's too busy counting the money to figure out what's really going on. However, when Carl begins to close in on the man he's hunting, it soon becomes clear that he's become entangled in an affair that goes to the very core of Thai society.

Bangkok Rules is a very interesting mystery, set against a very accurate background of modern Bangkok. The observations about Thais and expats is so accurate that this book could well be read as a non-fiction story. The author is obviously a long-term expat as well. However, the level of detail is so great that it might prove to be a bit of a problem for some readers. Little tidbits of information, like why street addresses in Bangkok are almost useless, may make for interesting trivia, but it has no bearing on the story. In a way, it's like the author is trying to prove how knowledgeable he is about Bangkok. Of course, "information dumpers" are one of the common types of expats you'll meet in Bangkok.

The mystery at the heart of the story is quite good, and you won't know until the very end just how Carl will get out of the mess he got himself into.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of a private investigator who lives in Bangkok, writing novels about a private investigator who lives in Bangkok. Harlan Wolff's writing is packed with what you might call 'insider knowledge'. He knows where all the seedy bars are, where to find the ex-pat CIA guys, and of course, where to find the girls.

There's a sadistic serial killer on the loose in the city, but long-suffering PI Carl Engel has other things on his mind - he's short of cash, so when a high-paying new client comes along, Carl gets to work searching for the man's long-lost brother. However, he soon finds everything is not as it seems and Carl's comfort zone begins to look non-existent.

This is not a rollicking, rollercoaster, bang-bang, kill-the-bad-guys sort of tale. No, this one takes its time, sets up the scenes, lets us see the punters, the villains, the low-lifes and the high-flyers.

With well-drawn and absorbing characters, it's a great story that builds towards the inevitable shoot out with the bad guys. Except that Carl doesn't like guns, so maybe not so inevitable...

My only criticism (and it's a really small one) is that Wolff has a tendency not to use contractions, so some of the dialogue comes over as a little too formal. But otherwise, it's great. I'll be coming back to this writer soon.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author Harlan Wolff has been a Private Detective in Bangkok for more than twenty years and knows the streets. His creation Carl Engel delivers authenticity and takes the reader into the Thailand that the tourists don't see. Bangkok Rules is available on Amazon Worldwide.

Thailand is terrified. A sadistic serial killer has been abducting young innocents for his ritual horror and the authorities are clueless. Carl Engel is an enigma. The blunt Londoner has forged a thirty-year career as a private investigator amid the chaos of Thailand's political history. Struggling with advancing years and a decreasing workload he is approached by an elderly American with a lucrative missing persons case.

The case descends into the sordid world of the elusive serial killer and a menacing web of political intrigue dating back to the Vietnam War. Carl must use his guile and experience to stay alive, find the killer and negotiate the dangerous military interests that lurk behind the scenes. Based on a real character Carl Engel lives in a world rarely seen by outsiders and hauls the reader on a pulsating ride to the explosive conclusion.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl Engel, a private investigator who has mastered the workings of the underbelly of Bangkok, is approached by an American and asked to take on the case of locating his brother, one suspected of being a serial killer back in the US more than 20 years ago. He suspects his brother might be behind the terrifying murders that have recently taken place in Bangkok, even though there are no clues left behind on the mutilated corpses.

Carl's investigations lead him to uncover a dangerous man who will not hesitate to kill anyone he considers a mere nuisance to his lucrative operations. When Carl finds himself now the hunted and not the hunter, it takes every trick he's learned through the years and some good friends to keep him alive long enough for him to stage a most thrilling expose.

The seediness of Bangkok is brought under the full glare of stage lights in this novel, the corruption that everyone considers the norm for oiling the cogs of getting anything done in this city, and the world that expats have carved for themselves.

[Steven Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always get a slight thrill reading a book set in the place I am living and this was no exception. For a début novel, there are a lot of positives in Harlan's writing but perhaps still some places where he could tighten up his prose and his character development.
It is not Harlan's fault, but perhaps I am growing tired of detectives/private detectives in the crime genre always being 'damaged goods'. How refreshing it would be to see a happy, non alcoholic, family man as the central character.
There are some well woven themes in Bangkok Rules, and Wolff shows a good insight into the complexities of living in Thailand as a farang and of the often multi levelled problems of dealing with Thai bureaucracy.
Other parts of the story seem too simple at times. I felt the relationship with Carl's ex girlfriend was not explored enough, but perhaps that is something he is leaving for future books.
Overall, an impressive first novel with some room for improvement.

[Alex Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carl Engel a Londoner who has worked as a P.I. in Thailand since the 70's, is down on his luck until he lands what he senses could be a lucrative case. Asked to track down a missing American, Carl enters the murky waters of political secrets and murder that date back to the Vietnam War. Succeeding where others have failed Carl finds his own life is now at risk...

I was pleasantly surprised, impressed and entertained by this novel. Mr Wolff has an enjoyable writing style that does not dip too much into narrative detail about location nor use overlong exposition. As a reader he gave me just enough information to get a sense of Bangkok, which made it easy for me to follow. The characters were vivid, quirky, memorable and believable. Their dialogue is realistic, natural and carries the story. The plot was engrossing and original. As a detective novel this really deserves a place with the `big boys'. I think a literary star has been born.

[Cassandra Debrown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bangkok rules starts off slowly but well planned, with a narrative that sets the stage nicely for the drama that is soon to come.The main protagonist is a wise old expatriate who always seems to be one step ahead of the goons even when he freely admits that his best plan is often to have no plan.
The CIA joins the party in the Thailand expatriate community, along with serial killers, coke addicts, club girls, jazz singers and a whole lot of classical music.
After a lot of dead bodies and a couple of rants about political correctness, corruption and government ineptitude in both developing and developed countries (Ahem!), the book comes to a satisfying conclusion. It's a good read and I'm glad to have featured it in my Fiction Fest.
Cassandra DeBrown
Author of Fiery Gemstones, Our Urban Utopia and Legitimate Issues

[David Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that makes me want to move to Thailand. Being an expat can't be all that bad can it? Oh to live the free life. This book made me feel like I was really there. A stranger in a stange land. Buy a round of drinks and hug a pretty young girl. What could go wrong? Well...... plenty if you are Carl. Stuff like the CIA, a Thai general, and a whole buncha people with a whole lot of money. Did I mention that Inman should not be messed with? You decide.

[George Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been in Bangkok a number of times I was impressed to discover in the book many places which I was was familiar with (not all the girlie bars I would add). I like this in a novel where real places give a much more authentic feel to the plot. Great thriller and with so much detail about Carl the private investigator the main character in the book. When I read that the author is in fact a private investigator in Bangkok that explained the sense of realism throughout the plot.

[David Rubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced book set in current-day Bangkok involving few Thais but lots of foreign expats. Good beach reading and interesting plot development. The books offers a nice landscape of the seedier parts of Bangkok and the delights they offer the expat community. Are foreign expats living in Bangkok all drunken sex-maniacs as Mr. Wolff portrays? Probably not, but those who are more sedate do not make as interesting characters for a novel.

[Karunakaran N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bangkok Rules by Harlan Wolff... Bangkok...The oriental setting for this crime thriller reminds me of the song of Murray in the 80's. Numerous visits to the various soi's of the city brings in a live depiction of the happenings as portrayed by the author. An American serial killer tracked by Carl the private investigator amid the political instability of the Kingdom along with the corruption and free lifestyle of the country is explicit in the writing. A break theme to read...

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Interesting story and since the author is a PI and lives in Thailand, I can only assume that
a lot of the areas spoken of in the book, do exist. Very interesting information about their government and how the laws work and the countries contention to the American soldiers during the Vietnam war. Worth reading
Good story line and strong characters