Stolen tuk-tuks. Scandal in the Ladies' Bridge Club. A lost disco-dancing superstar. If you've got a problem and you don't know which way to turn, then Bob Lowe is your man; Bangkok's newest expat private investigator. Ex-womaniser and sometime drunk, Bob is desperately trying to clean up his act. His bumbling methods may not be conventional but with his trusted friend and translator, Pat, by his side he may just have finally found his calling in life. If you enjoy quirky mysteries with a touch of humour and the bizarre then check out the first book in the Bob Lowe Investigation series.
Bob Lowe may have only been semi-serious when he decided to become Bangkok's newest expat private investigator, but before he has time to think he's on the trail of a tuk-tuk thief. As he uncovers something deeper he's hired to check on a cheating boyfriend and clear up a scandal in the Ladies Bridge and Lunch Society. Meanwhile an ex-disco dancing star sets Bob on a journey to find a long lost friend. Bob Lowe is trying to put his drunken womanising days behind him and follow a path to ‘New Lowe’. Set up as a private investigator with a 'no job too small' strategy Bob takes on anyone who can or might be able to pay him. His bumbling methods may not be conventional and often owe more to lack than judgement but with his trusted friend and translator, Pat, by his side he may just have found his calling in life. If you like your mysteries with a big slice of the bizarre and a strong hint of humour, you will love The Mysterious Case of the Missing Tuk-Tuk. The first in the Bob Lowe PI Series.
They Mysterious Case of the Missing Tuk-Tuk is Zach J Brodsky's second novel, after the success of Bangkok Delusions which introduced the infamous Bob Lowe to the world.
About Zach J Brodsky
Zach J Brodsky spent much of his youth traipsing around the world where he was fascinated by observing people and creating absurd back stories in his mind about their lives. The result was the creation of an endless list of characters. He roamed around East and Southern Africa in the early 1990s sneaking into what was Zaire to spend some time with mountain gorillas, and later travelled extensively in South East Asia and the West Coast of the USA. Zach experimented with traditional employment for many years before deciding to base himself in Bangkok where he began to observe all the oddities that Bangkok has to offer, ultimately motivating him to try and patch some characters together in creating his first full novel "Bangkok Delusions".
Zach continues to roam the globe milling around South East Asia and quietly observing places and events that might inspire a new storyline.
Zach J Brodsky spent much of his youth traipsing around the world where he was fascinated by observing people and creating absurd back stories in his mind about their lives and with it he created an endless list of characters. He roamed around East and Southern Africa in the early 1990s sneaking into what was Zaire to spend some time with mountain gorillas, and later travelled extensively in India, Nepal, South East Asia and the West Coast of the USA. Zach experimented with traditional employment for many years before deciding to base himself in Bangkok where he began to observe all the oddities that Bangkok has to offer. Ultimately motivating him to try and patch some characters together in creating his first full novel "Bangkok Delusions".
Zach continues to roam the globe milling around South East Asia and quietly observing places and events that might inspire a new storyline.
Ex Pat Bob Lowe starts a private detective business
Expat Bob is no saint. He is in fact, an arrogant sexist who thinks he is a wonderful person. He is in fact, a bumbling fool who has success mostly by accident and luck.
The Thais appear to accept this fool. Maybe, be because his actions and personality are amusing or just innocent. He lives and works in the neighborhoods where prostitution is accepted and ignored by the authorities.
I am well aware of Thailand's problems with sex trafficking and the sex trade. The book's plot is immersed in it, depicting it in a matter of fact way. Bob's incompetence and self depreciating attitude is supposed to be humorous but for me falls flat in a cliche way.
Zach Brodsky takes the reader into the everyday world of Thailand's streets, bars, and alleys, and leaves the reader in the unsteady hands of Bob Lowe, avid self promoter and fledgling Private Investigator. Following Bob on his first case, the reader is surrounded by the whirlwind mix of international ex-pats, Thai locals, and foreign visitors who bob (no pun intended) in and out of the story. Bob didn't study to be an investigator; he was simply looking for a way to support himself without having to do much work. Passing himself off as a private investigator seemed like a simple enough plan, but "the Lowe" quickly finds himself in over his head. While trying to solve the case of the missing tuk-tuk, Bob is suddenly flush with clients, each convinced that Bob is every bit the professional he claims to be - although he really hasn't a clue what he doing. Nevertheless, Bob Lowe fumbles along, ultimately resolving the case of the missing tuk-tuk and surprising himself with his abilities. Bob Lowe then becomes something even he didn't expect - a successful private investigator who not only resolves every case that falls his way, but leaves all his clients happy with the results.
Bob Lowe is very different from the hardened P.I. of pulp fiction. His story plays out in a quiet manner, following the self proclaimed "best investigator in Thailand" through the streets and bars of Nana and surrounding locales, while he stumbles his way to success. The setting, characters, and flow of the story make this a delightful novel.
There's no doubt about it....you are going to fall in love with Bob Lowe when you read The Mysterious Case of the Missing Tuk-Tuk by Zach J. Brodsky.
Now it will take the reader a little time getting use to being in Bangkok but hanging around with Bob Lowe will make it easier and you will have a lot of fun !! Bob Lowe is living there, currently on his friends living room couch while he gets his private investigating business going. Bob has made his own business cards and is leaving them on the tables in an area known for it's bars and "evening ladies". By doing this Bob finds himself a handful of unbelievable cases and while following through on one he becomes good friends with the gentleman and ends up renting a room from him.
You will have a lot of fun hanging around with Bob as he navigates his private investigation business and you will look forward to meeting up with him again in the future. I highly recommend picking this book up and getting lost in the story for a while. It's a trip worth taking and you don't have to leave the comforts of your own living room !!!
quick and simple mysteries are a break from reading some of the loaded novels i have read. it does get a bit repetitive though
with that being said, i bought this book with the rest of the series while in Bangkok. i have a fondness towards this series which might be biased because of the nostalgia i have.
Fascinating story! Bob certainly is quirky but a strong character. I felt character development was a strong suit from the author. Loved the characters! Story lines were a bit slow. Happy with all the outcomes. I gave it a 4 rating because of the overly strong language at times. I thought the Nana street scene was done tastefully, thanks for that.
I enjoyed this book, the fumbling and somewhat bizarre actions of Bob low we're often hysterical and truthfully somewhat mysterious. It was a fun book to read not particularly exciting but I intend to read the rest of the series
To be truthful, I did not care for this story. The main character, Bob, was not likeable. He seemed to try to redeem himself but he was a loser to me. I just didn’t enjoy the read.
Very interesting series. I signed on for the other three. Bob Lowe is a hoot! Love how he talks about himself in the third person. Thanks Zach for an engaging story. Look forward to the next Bob Lowe mystery.
Refreshingly different, this quirky tale follows the life of the hapless Bob Lowe, and ex-pat in Thailand, as he starts his career as a private investigator.
Here is a book to read to reenergize your mind if you need a break from dry readings. I definitely recommend this beautifully written book to everyone.
This was a fun book but it was extremely cringe at times and it felt like it was written by a backpacker. It feels almost forced when he mentions lady boys and 7/11’s.