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The Mean Streets of Asia Crime Novels #5
Killing Plato
Plato Karsarkis was an international celebrity straight out of Vanity Fair until a New York grand jury indicted him for smuggling Iraqi oil and charged him with racketeering and espionage. There was also the matter of a woman he may or may not have murdered to cover it all up. When Karsarkis flees the United States just ahead of the FBI and promptly vanishes, the world's media whips itself into a frenzy.
Jack Shepherd was a politically connected American lawyer until he traded the fierce intrigues of Washington for the quiet life in Bangkok. Then one day he walks into a bar on the jet-set island of Phuket and finds the world's most famous fugitive waiting for him.
Karsarkis wants to hire him. He wants a presidential pardon so he can return to American and he knows Shepherd's connections to the White House just might get it for him. But the U.S. Marshals are in Phuket as well and they want something from Shepherd, too. They're there to kidnap Karsarkis and take him back to the US for trial and the Marshals want Shepherd to help them set a trap.
What Shepherd wants is for everybody to go away and leave him alone. At least he does until he discovers a chilling secret, one that plunges him a violent spiral of friendship and betrayal and pulls him straight back into the life he thought he had left behind in Washington.
The Marshals aren't really in Phuket to arrest Plato Karsarkis. They're there to kill him.
Jack Shepherd was a politically connected American lawyer until he traded the fierce intrigues of Washington for the quiet life in Bangkok. Then one day he walks into a bar on the jet-set island of Phuket and finds the world's most famous fugitive waiting for him.
Karsarkis wants to hire him. He wants a presidential pardon so he can return to American and he knows Shepherd's connections to the White House just might get it for him. But the U.S. Marshals are in Phuket as well and they want something from Shepherd, too. They're there to kidnap Karsarkis and take him back to the US for trial and the Marshals want Shepherd to help them set a trap.
What Shepherd wants is for everybody to go away and leave him alone. At least he does until he discovers a chilling secret, one that plunges him a violent spiral of friendship and betrayal and pulls him straight back into the life he thought he had left behind in Washington.
The Marshals aren't really in Phuket to arrest Plato Karsarkis. They're there to kill him.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Jake Needham
54 books403 followersJAKE NEEDHAM received the Barry Award at Bouchercon 2024, the world's largest convention of mystery readers, for BEST PAPERBACK MYSTERY OF 2024. He is a three-time Barry Award nominee, as well as a nominee for the International Thriller Writers' award for BEST PAPERBACK THRILLER OF THE YEAR.
Needham is an American screen and television writer who has lived in Thailand for over thirty years. He started writing crime novels when he realized he really didn't like movies and television all that much. Since then, he has published twenty popular mysteries and thrillers in three different series — The Charlie Trust Legal Thrillers, the Inspector Samuel Tay Novels, and the Jack Shepherd Novels — as well as the international bestseller, THE BIG MANGO.
"Jake Needham is Asia's most stylish and atmospheric writer of crime fiction," says the Singapore Straits Times. "Jake Needham is Michael Connelly with steamed rice," says the Bangkok Post.
Needham is an American screen and television writer who has lived in Thailand for over thirty years. He started writing crime novels when he realized he really didn't like movies and television all that much. Since then, he has published twenty popular mysteries and thrillers in three different series — The Charlie Trust Legal Thrillers, the Inspector Samuel Tay Novels, and the Jack Shepherd Novels — as well as the international bestseller, THE BIG MANGO.
"Jake Needham is Asia's most stylish and atmospheric writer of crime fiction," says the Singapore Straits Times. "Jake Needham is Michael Connelly with steamed rice," says the Bangkok Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 16, 2018
It was all right
Nothing to exciting for this one in my opinion. The characters are believable enough, but not necessarily that engaging. Found myself a few times rolling my eyes when the main character spends a few moments to tell the reader that he wished this or that but that's not how it played out, before going on. These things are a bit useless since we're still in the middle of the story. Might as well tell how things go instead of attempting to build some kind of tension in the plot that really doesn't work. I found myself disconnecting from the story because of these useless moments. The story overall does deliver though. Entertaining enough.
Nothing to exciting for this one in my opinion. The characters are believable enough, but not necessarily that engaging. Found myself a few times rolling my eyes when the main character spends a few moments to tell the reader that he wished this or that but that's not how it played out, before going on. These things are a bit useless since we're still in the middle of the story. Might as well tell how things go instead of attempting to build some kind of tension in the plot that really doesn't work. I found myself disconnecting from the story because of these useless moments. The story overall does deliver though. Entertaining enough.
January 8, 2012
This is a story that wastes no time dropping the reader into a web of lies, international fugitives and questions about the very nature of good and evil itself… while simultaneously transporting you to the tropics of Thailand with its sparking blue Andaman Sea, white sands and only the finest Cuban cigars.
Killing Plato is the second novel I’ve read by Jake Needham. The other being The Big Mango, a classic and fully realized Thriller in its own right. This novel, written after Mango, demonstrates an evolution and confidence to tackle larger issues in literature by Needham. There are no two-dimensional characters in this story. Particularly, and perhaps most importantly the villain Plato Karsarkis. He is calm, thoughtful, and dignified. Yet he stands accused of heinous crimes that make him both wanted and respected by prominent figures around the world. We wonder how a man of this depth could have committed the heinous crimes that he stands accused of. There must be more to the story, and of course there is… and it requires a compelling protagonist like Jack Shepherd, internationally respected lawyer with a self-deprecating bent to unfold.
In the story, considerable style and writing skill are evident. Often with a single line a character is developed through their pattern of speech, manner and thought process. In addition Thailand serves as the perfect setting for this intricately woven story with its exploration of what is right, what is wrong and how contradictory points of view can be reconciled. Thailand itself is a land of contradictions. It is an eclectic mix of the modern, the primal, the understated and the extreme. Jake, very much at home in this part of the world weaves these Siamese elements into the story allowing them to serve as a living, breathing tapestry of the struggles the characters themselves must face.
Though the tone of the story is quite serious, as I’ve come to expect from Needham, there is an abundance of humor and clever quips which make reading more enjoyable. One line I particularly liked stirring in the mind of Jack Shepherd, “There was a period in my life when I’d understood women-I must have been about six or seven at the time-but since then, almost everything about them has been a complete mystery to me.”
The plot itself resolves around Jack being presented with a dilemma. Should he assist Plato who has requested his help? After all a lawyer’s role is not to judge their client, but to defend them even if they may be the embodiment of evil itself. This dilemma is not taken lightly or skimmed over, but given the meditation and reflection it deserves... leading to larger questions about just how far a country and its citizens should go to uphold its image and honor. Is it right to break the law, to protect the law? Is it just if you yourself did not commit a crime, but do nothing to prevent it?
These riddles of justice are explored and unraveled as the story barrels forward. At times several games of chess are played at once. Needham challenges you to not only resolve the characters personal dilemmas, but to determine if justice itself will be kept alive. If there was a single line that epitomizes the story this is it:
“I knew I had to forget all about abstract concepts like good and evil, fairness and injustice, honor and shame. What I had to focus on now was power. Who had it, how they used it, and where it was.”
Just an all around great thriller with an existential twist.
Killing Plato is the second novel I’ve read by Jake Needham. The other being The Big Mango, a classic and fully realized Thriller in its own right. This novel, written after Mango, demonstrates an evolution and confidence to tackle larger issues in literature by Needham. There are no two-dimensional characters in this story. Particularly, and perhaps most importantly the villain Plato Karsarkis. He is calm, thoughtful, and dignified. Yet he stands accused of heinous crimes that make him both wanted and respected by prominent figures around the world. We wonder how a man of this depth could have committed the heinous crimes that he stands accused of. There must be more to the story, and of course there is… and it requires a compelling protagonist like Jack Shepherd, internationally respected lawyer with a self-deprecating bent to unfold.
In the story, considerable style and writing skill are evident. Often with a single line a character is developed through their pattern of speech, manner and thought process. In addition Thailand serves as the perfect setting for this intricately woven story with its exploration of what is right, what is wrong and how contradictory points of view can be reconciled. Thailand itself is a land of contradictions. It is an eclectic mix of the modern, the primal, the understated and the extreme. Jake, very much at home in this part of the world weaves these Siamese elements into the story allowing them to serve as a living, breathing tapestry of the struggles the characters themselves must face.
Though the tone of the story is quite serious, as I’ve come to expect from Needham, there is an abundance of humor and clever quips which make reading more enjoyable. One line I particularly liked stirring in the mind of Jack Shepherd, “There was a period in my life when I’d understood women-I must have been about six or seven at the time-but since then, almost everything about them has been a complete mystery to me.”
The plot itself resolves around Jack being presented with a dilemma. Should he assist Plato who has requested his help? After all a lawyer’s role is not to judge their client, but to defend them even if they may be the embodiment of evil itself. This dilemma is not taken lightly or skimmed over, but given the meditation and reflection it deserves... leading to larger questions about just how far a country and its citizens should go to uphold its image and honor. Is it right to break the law, to protect the law? Is it just if you yourself did not commit a crime, but do nothing to prevent it?
These riddles of justice are explored and unraveled as the story barrels forward. At times several games of chess are played at once. Needham challenges you to not only resolve the characters personal dilemmas, but to determine if justice itself will be kept alive. If there was a single line that epitomizes the story this is it:
“I knew I had to forget all about abstract concepts like good and evil, fairness and injustice, honor and shame. What I had to focus on now was power. Who had it, how they used it, and where it was.”
Just an all around great thriller with an existential twist.
June 23, 2018
Suspense filled book that keeps You wanting more. I have never traveled but
I feel like I have been in Thailand. Jack is a colorful attorney. All details are wrapped up by the end. It is action packed. This has much intrigue as far as world politics and the under side.
I feel like I have been in Thailand. Jack is a colorful attorney. All details are wrapped up by the end. It is action packed. This has much intrigue as far as world politics and the under side.
June 22, 2018
Good Read
A well-written story with characters that were well-developed that made for an excellent book. There was never a dull moment. The story was even more believable because of what is happening in the world today. A thriller from beginning to the end.
A well-written story with characters that were well-developed that made for an excellent book. There was never a dull moment. The story was even more believable because of what is happening in the world today. A thriller from beginning to the end.
March 24, 2021
This is very similar to the first book, which I liked primarily for its presentation of Thai culture within the context of a so-so story. Just like the prior novel, when Jack and his new wife go out to dinner, and his wife leaves for the toilet, the world's most wanted criminal walks up to Jack and invites him to dinner. Jack gets more and more involved, despite attempts on his life and the murders of the criminal's friends. The dialogue is uninspired and the secondary characters are less prominent than before. Jack's relationship with his wife, which never felt authentic, undergoes further stress for reasons that eluded me. The story follows the same thread as in the first novel, with less discussion of the Thai culture that worked so well in his first book. All of this is unfortunate because Needham is a good writer. He needs a better story as well as working on the elements I have mentioned.
August 22, 2015
Things this book lacks: drama, humour, suspense. There are no good bad guys in this book. The character I disliked the most was Jack's wife and she wasn't even a main part of the plot.)
Things this book has: unmemorable characters, an unmemorable plot (especially the flatline ending where NOTHING happens,) unmemorable descriptions (this book makes Thailand seem boring and colorless.)
This book started out well and I was prepared to be taken on a wild ride. But a wild ride, it was not. The author seemed bent on draining all the color out of his prose. Maybe he was aiming for a Chandler-esque noir effect, but the end result was no fun at all to read!
That, I guess is my main criticism of this book. It wasn't fun. I was glad when I got to the end.
It seemed like it was written by a lawyer.
Things this book has: unmemorable characters, an unmemorable plot (especially the flatline ending where NOTHING happens,) unmemorable descriptions (this book makes Thailand seem boring and colorless.)
This book started out well and I was prepared to be taken on a wild ride. But a wild ride, it was not. The author seemed bent on draining all the color out of his prose. Maybe he was aiming for a Chandler-esque noir effect, but the end result was no fun at all to read!
That, I guess is my main criticism of this book. It wasn't fun. I was glad when I got to the end.
It seemed like it was written by a lawyer.
March 5, 2014
When you suddenly become the popular person to people on both sides of an issue it is generally a good time to start worrying. Especially when the game everyone is playing is not the one you think it is, or the one they say it is. Confused? So is our hero, Jack Shepherd. And when you lose something precious, you have to start deciding if you are going to come out ahead.
There are plenty of twists is this story, all masterfully handled by the author. I was a little sorry that Jack suffered the loss he does, I would have preferred a different ending. But let's see what happens next time.
(I read the Kindle edition which I downloaded for free during a promotion.)
There are plenty of twists is this story, all masterfully handled by the author. I was a little sorry that Jack suffered the loss he does, I would have preferred a different ending. But let's see what happens next time.
(I read the Kindle edition which I downloaded for free during a promotion.)
August 20, 2017
Jack Shepherd is teaching in Thailand, and he is surprised to see Plato Karsarkis, a man of mystery and shadows on the international scene. When Plato invites Jack and his wife to dinner that night, Jack doesn't want to go but Anita insists. He just wishes he hadn't gone.
Jack travels a slippery path in choosing between what is better path that has no good options. Many people want Plato dead. But who will end up killing him, why, and exactly who is involved.
Jack travels a slippery path in choosing between what is better path that has no good options. Many people want Plato dead. But who will end up killing him, why, and exactly who is involved.
June 17, 2018
I stopped reading this one because I couldn't find a single character I cared about.
July 2, 2026
Jake Needham's Killing Plato is another finely crafted thriller featuring Jack Shepherd, whose analytical mind and understated determination continue to make him an engaging protagonist. Needham's prose is precise, informative and economical, almost as though it were written by a lawyer—which suits both the protagonist and the intricate legal and criminal landscape in which the novel unfolds.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the way the novel begins with Kasarkis sizing Jack up. He opens with compliments, but it quickly becomes apparent that he is laying the groundwork for the favour he intends to ask later. Jack recognises the manipulation almost immediately, yet his curiosity keeps him engaged. That subtle psychological battle establishes the relationship between the two men long before the real conflict begins.
In Chapter 3, we're introduced to Jack's wife, and through their conversations Needham conveys her beauty, intelligence and cosmopolitan nature without resorting to lengthy descriptions. Their interactions feel natural and help ground Jack as more than simply another thriller protagonist.
Needham also injects moments of dry humour into the narrative. One passage that particularly amused me was the observation that "every nationality in the world seemed to have imported its own peculiar driving habits into Singapore." It captures both the city's multicultural character and Needham's understated wit.
The novel's title takes on greater significance as the story unfolds, reflecting some of the philosophical questions running beneath the investigation. Rather than simply referring to the murder at the centre of the plot, it also evokes broader questions of justice, loyalty and moral compromise without ever becoming heavy-handed.
What continues to distinguish Needham's writing for me is his ability to blend legal procedure, international politics and cultural observations into an entertaining crime novel. The exposition never feels like a lecture; instead, it emerges naturally through Jack Shepherd's observations and conversations.
Overall, Killing Plato is a thoughtful, character-driven thriller that rewards careful reading. It combines sharp dialogue, intelligent plotting and believable characters with insights into Singaporean society and the legal profession, making it another strong entry in the Jack Shepherd series.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the way the novel begins with Kasarkis sizing Jack up. He opens with compliments, but it quickly becomes apparent that he is laying the groundwork for the favour he intends to ask later. Jack recognises the manipulation almost immediately, yet his curiosity keeps him engaged. That subtle psychological battle establishes the relationship between the two men long before the real conflict begins.
In Chapter 3, we're introduced to Jack's wife, and through their conversations Needham conveys her beauty, intelligence and cosmopolitan nature without resorting to lengthy descriptions. Their interactions feel natural and help ground Jack as more than simply another thriller protagonist.
Needham also injects moments of dry humour into the narrative. One passage that particularly amused me was the observation that "every nationality in the world seemed to have imported its own peculiar driving habits into Singapore." It captures both the city's multicultural character and Needham's understated wit.
The novel's title takes on greater significance as the story unfolds, reflecting some of the philosophical questions running beneath the investigation. Rather than simply referring to the murder at the centre of the plot, it also evokes broader questions of justice, loyalty and moral compromise without ever becoming heavy-handed.
What continues to distinguish Needham's writing for me is his ability to blend legal procedure, international politics and cultural observations into an entertaining crime novel. The exposition never feels like a lecture; instead, it emerges naturally through Jack Shepherd's observations and conversations.
Overall, Killing Plato is a thoughtful, character-driven thriller that rewards careful reading. It combines sharp dialogue, intelligent plotting and believable characters with insights into Singaporean society and the legal profession, making it another strong entry in the Jack Shepherd series.
September 20, 2017
I was telling my friend Sophie about the plot of this book, and one of the first things I said to her was that I felt like I had read this story before - but not *this* story. I therefore wasn't overly surprised to find out I'd actually read the first book in this series (thank goodness for Goodreads and cataloguing my reads!) Unfortunately for me, my review of the first book has done nothing to remind me of the plot points... all I really said was that I'd read more by the author. Given this is now two books of his I've read, neither of which have impressed me, I don't think I'd necessarily give a third a try.
I'm trying desperately to wrack my brain and remember the first book, and I can't - but I know a lot of the things I felt were familiar - the super computer-nerdy friend, Bangok and its ways of life - are because they were in that first book. So its no real wonder I felt like this book was familiar.
The overall impression that Killing Plato left me with, was that Jack felt like a bystander in his own life. None of the decisions felt like he had made them, they all felt dictated to him by his wife (who I hated), by Plato, by his so-called friends... not once did I really feel that Jack himself made a decision. Others might read this and disagree, and that is fair enough, but for me this just lacked oomph.
The overall story was perfectly adequate, no real twists or turns for a crime/thriller though, the big reveal was fine... if I had been more invested in the book maybe I'd say it was a good reveal. The ending though... that I am really unsure about. If this were a duo of books, and this was the ending, I think I'd be quite satisfied. Oddly enough it's an ending without real closure, but given the way I felt the book came across it works well. However, knowing there are at least two more books in this series... I don't really know how it will tie in.
Part of me does want to know... so maybe I'll read the third book someday. Maybe.
I'm trying desperately to wrack my brain and remember the first book, and I can't - but I know a lot of the things I felt were familiar - the super computer-nerdy friend, Bangok and its ways of life - are because they were in that first book. So its no real wonder I felt like this book was familiar.
The overall impression that Killing Plato left me with, was that Jack felt like a bystander in his own life. None of the decisions felt like he had made them, they all felt dictated to him by his wife (who I hated), by Plato, by his so-called friends... not once did I really feel that Jack himself made a decision. Others might read this and disagree, and that is fair enough, but for me this just lacked oomph.
The overall story was perfectly adequate, no real twists or turns for a crime/thriller though, the big reveal was fine... if I had been more invested in the book maybe I'd say it was a good reveal. The ending though... that I am really unsure about. If this were a duo of books, and this was the ending, I think I'd be quite satisfied. Oddly enough it's an ending without real closure, but given the way I felt the book came across it works well. However, knowing there are at least two more books in this series... I don't really know how it will tie in.
Part of me does want to know... so maybe I'll read the third book someday. Maybe.
July 1, 2018
There have been numerous posts here that address the storyline. I don't feel a need to add to it and usually don't. I prefer to focus on the expertise of the writer in telling the story and how characters are developed. I believe Jake Needham has great skill in keeping the story on the edge with things happening that may not be what the reader has guessed. There are a lot of surprises and I like the way that keeps things moving along. As for the characters, there is a variety of good vs. evil with a few in-betweens that can compel a reader to like them regardless of their role in the way of things. I didn't particularly like Anita, Jack's wife. She was totally whiny and constantly wanting to have her way. One could almost see her stamping her foot and frothing at the mouth when things didn't go her way. Poor Jack Shepherd. I felt sorry for him.
I enjoyed reading this novel. The main reason I gave it five stars is I can see the vast amount of work that went into the creation of the background material, and that must have taken a good amount of time to research. I like the way it's written peppered throughout with a real sense of place and culture. It was fascinating to have a glimpse of a setting that is seldom seen in novels. At least those I have read usually take place in more familiar locales like London, Tokyo, Paris, countless landscapes of the British Country and of course, the United States. I would enjoy reading more novels featuring Jack Shepherd.
I enjoyed reading this novel. The main reason I gave it five stars is I can see the vast amount of work that went into the creation of the background material, and that must have taken a good amount of time to research. I like the way it's written peppered throughout with a real sense of place and culture. It was fascinating to have a glimpse of a setting that is seldom seen in novels. At least those I have read usually take place in more familiar locales like London, Tokyo, Paris, countless landscapes of the British Country and of course, the United States. I would enjoy reading more novels featuring Jack Shepherd.
May 4, 2024
Putting his past behind him, former lawyer Jack Shepherd spends his working life teaching at a Thailand college. But an apparently chance encounter in a Phuket bar brings him face to face with an infamous criminal who seeks Jack’s legal expertise. Indicted for murder, Plato Karsarkis needs someone with Jack’s influence at the White House, but Jack isn’t interested. Then US Marshals appear on the scene and Jack finds himself in a difficult position – until he learns why the marshals are really after Karsarkis.
This is book two in the Jack Shepherd series, and the ninth book I’ve read by this author. This time we get into political shenanigans and shady oil deals, along with several individuals waving guns and shooting people for reasons that aren’t clear. While Jack Shepherd digs into the mystery surrounding the mysterious Karsarkis, author Jake Needham entertains us with his usual wit and quirky writing style. This is an entertaining read that is packed with cultural insights and vivid descriptions of Thailand and its people – one of the reasons Mr Needham’s books rise above the usual murder/mystery tales set in foreign climes.
A cracking good read that held my attention all the way through.
This is book two in the Jack Shepherd series, and the ninth book I’ve read by this author. This time we get into political shenanigans and shady oil deals, along with several individuals waving guns and shooting people for reasons that aren’t clear. While Jack Shepherd digs into the mystery surrounding the mysterious Karsarkis, author Jake Needham entertains us with his usual wit and quirky writing style. This is an entertaining read that is packed with cultural insights and vivid descriptions of Thailand and its people – one of the reasons Mr Needham’s books rise above the usual murder/mystery tales set in foreign climes.
A cracking good read that held my attention all the way through.
July 16, 2019
Another plot twisting story. Plato Kasarkis is an international thief and supposedly wanted by many countries for his selling of drugs and guns. Jack meets him in a restaurant where Plato wants to hire him to ask the President ( through Jack’s college roomie Billy Redwine —- now White House Counsel to POTUS) for a presidential pardon. Jack finds out, after kind of becoming friends with Plato, that the CIA used Plato to get guns to some people and them they framed him for it when their plan collapsed. Jack believes Plato and goes to Redwine to try to find out about it. Turns out it’s true and CIA ends up killing Kasarkis to keep him quiet. Jack told Redwine that Plato had left his confession on tapes and told of what the CIA had done. Redwine committed suicide after hearing this.
Jack and Anita have split up and divorced. She has moved to London. And Jack to Hong Kong. Score another black mark for the CIA!
Jack and Anita have split up and divorced. She has moved to London. And Jack to Hong Kong. Score another black mark for the CIA!
Read
May 25, 2024Plato appears to be a crook who's made a lot of money by illegally trading Iraqi oil. He's currently living in Thailand but his daughter in the US is seriously ill. He wants Jack to try to negotiate a pardon from the president so he can return. He's offering a lot of money.
Jack isn't keen but he's contacted by Thai security services who want him to help Plato.
Meanwhile US marshalls are on the scene. They know the Thais aren't keen on extradition so are they planning a kidnap or an execution.
Jack want looking to be involved in anything like this but once his curiosity is aroused he's unable to step back whish has consequences for his relationship with his wife Anita.
Much more action in this book.
As usual the real forces behind what's going on are soon apparent. Then it's a question of whether there is any moral justification for what has happened and for the events that follow.
Jack isn't keen but he's contacted by Thai security services who want him to help Plato.
Meanwhile US marshalls are on the scene. They know the Thais aren't keen on extradition so are they planning a kidnap or an execution.
Jack want looking to be involved in anything like this but once his curiosity is aroused he's unable to step back whish has consequences for his relationship with his wife Anita.
Much more action in this book.
As usual the real forces behind what's going on are soon apparent. Then it's a question of whether there is any moral justification for what has happened and for the events that follow.
December 6, 2022
Another great Jack Shephard story
Jake Needham can always be relied upon to dish up a compelling story repeat with great characters and extremely accurate descriptions of Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and the people that inhabit those cities.
As an American who has lived in Thailand since 1966, the detail and accuracy are very much appreciated. I originally read Jake's books in paperback and now enjoy them once again on my trusty kindle. They are always enjoyable to go back to.
Jake Needham can always be relied upon to dish up a compelling story repeat with great characters and extremely accurate descriptions of Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and the people that inhabit those cities.
As an American who has lived in Thailand since 1966, the detail and accuracy are very much appreciated. I originally read Jake's books in paperback and now enjoy them once again on my trusty kindle. They are always enjoyable to go back to.
January 23, 2025
not his best
Jake Needham is one of my favorite authors but, honestly, to me, this one was unsatisfying. The ending was ambiguous and most of the characters seemed to be somewhere between good and evil with no clarity either way. I saw no chemistry whatsoever between Jack & his wife. If this was the first Jake Needham book I ever read, I wouldn’t be very tempted to try a second one! Sorry.
Jake Needham is one of my favorite authors but, honestly, to me, this one was unsatisfying. The ending was ambiguous and most of the characters seemed to be somewhere between good and evil with no clarity either way. I saw no chemistry whatsoever between Jack & his wife. If this was the first Jake Needham book I ever read, I wouldn’t be very tempted to try a second one! Sorry.
August 8, 2018
Quite amazing that it kept my interest throughout, written sort of as a biography. It may have been fiction, but it probably has more truth than I’d like to think. Needham is another great writer spinning tales that keep you involved in the story. I definitely enjoyed it and will probably read more of his writing.
July 10, 2020
😊
Pretty well done political thriller based in Thailand.
An American lawyer now staying in Thailand for a quieter life gets his world turned u upside down when one of America's most wanted criminals is awaiting him in a bar.
Not very exciting for a political thriller but it was done in a pretty good way that it still kept the pages turning and kept me reading.
Pretty well done political thriller based in Thailand.
An American lawyer now staying in Thailand for a quieter life gets his world turned u upside down when one of America's most wanted criminals is awaiting him in a bar.
Not very exciting for a political thriller but it was done in a pretty good way that it still kept the pages turning and kept me reading.
September 18, 2022
What a great read. There was everything you wanted in a good action novel. My hat is off to Jake Needham. He brought Thailand to a land of discoveries. The story centers on the most wanted man in the world. Jack being one of the best retired lawyers in the US is once again involved with the US government in Thailand. I can’t hardly wait to read # 3. Keep up the great work Jake.
October 3, 2018
Very intriguing story of deceit and murder
The author has written a very interesting story of corruption and deceit initiative by high ranking government officials. A story with many interesting and entertaining twists and turns.
The author has written a very interesting story of corruption and deceit initiative by high ranking government officials. A story with many interesting and entertaining twists and turns.
April 16, 2022
Great Story
Jake Needham’s fiction reads like it was torn from the headlines. His mean streets of Asia series is some of my favorite reading. Can’t wait for his new book THE NINETEEN next month!
Jake Needham’s fiction reads like it was torn from the headlines. His mean streets of Asia series is some of my favorite reading. Can’t wait for his new book THE NINETEEN next month!
July 3, 2025
The Big Mystery
I first read the Tay mysteries and realized Needham’s stories were compelling so I have started on the Shepherd books. Killing Plato is the best so far. I loved the characters, the suspense, and the location details. I can’t wait to read more.
I first read the Tay mysteries and realized Needham’s stories were compelling so I have started on the Shepherd books. Killing Plato is the best so far. I loved the characters, the suspense, and the location details. I can’t wait to read more.
April 8, 2026
The secrets
An interesting story of the workings of how plotting and covering up takes place in high offices. When the truth must not be revealed it is to kill the person involved and make it looks like murder. Good reading.
An interesting story of the workings of how plotting and covering up takes place in high offices. When the truth must not be revealed it is to kill the person involved and make it looks like murder. Good reading.
December 7, 2017
It took me several tries to get this book read. Not one I would recommend
June 24, 2018
In and out of Trouble
Jack Shepherd is seemingly always in some sort of trouble and manages to get out of it. With a little humor thrown in, the book makes for a good read.
Jack Shepherd is seemingly always in some sort of trouble and manages to get out of it. With a little humor thrown in, the book makes for a good read.
July 4, 2018
Great story!
A clever story with government intrigue and lots of local detail. Strong characters, this author really knows his stuff! Really enjoyed it!
A clever story with government intrigue and lots of local detail. Strong characters, this author really knows his stuff! Really enjoyed it!
September 12, 2018
It seem like I read this when I read Nelson Demille's Gold Coast....
January 15, 2019
Honestly, the author portrayed such colorful life of Thailand but the plot is kind of exciting in the middle before it slowly becomes dull. but will re-read it if i don't have any materials to read.
March 26, 2019
Another thrilling crime novel set in Thailand.
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