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Na tropie Węża. Prawdziwa historia seryjnego mordercy i mistrza oszustwa Charlesa Sobheraja
Czarujący.
Przebiegły jak wąż.
Śmiertelnie niebezpieczny.
Poznajcie Charlesa Sobhraja, psychopatę doskonałego, jednego z najsłynniejszych oszustów i seryjnych morderców na świecie. Na celownik brał zachodnich turystów przemierzających szlaki Azji w poszukiwaniu duchowej odnowy, tanich narkotyków i dobrej zabawy. Zdobywał ich zaufanie, oczarowywał uśmiechem, po czym… dosypywał coś do drinka.
Był prawdziwym wirtuozem farmacji: mogadon dla tych, których czujność trzeba było na chwilę uśpić, kilka czekoladowych pastylek regulet na przeczyszczenie dla ofiar, które chciał zatrzymać przy sobie na dłużej, a dla opornych – zastrzyk z largactilu.
Gdy odurzone ofiary stawały się zupełnie bezbronne, kradł czeki, biżuterię, pieniądze i przede wszystkim – dokumenty, dzięki którym mógł szmuglować drogie kamienie przez granicę. By zdobyć partię paszportów, nie zawahał się otruć sześćdziesięcioosobowej wycieczki Francuzów!
Zarabiał góry pieniędzy, kupował ekstrawaganckie prezenty kochankom, a po jego mieszkaniu dosłownie walały się szafiry, rubiny i diamenty. Był poszukiwany w niemal trzydziestu krajach. Mordował bez litości: dusił, topił i podpalał, a zwęglone zwłoki porzucał na rajskich plażach Tajlandii, by znaleźli je niczego niespodziewający się turyści lub okoliczni rybacy…
Na tropie Węża to niesamowita podróż przez Azję lat 70. – spowitą oparami haszyszu, ociekającą seksem i przesiąkniętą zbrodnią… Pociągającą i niebezpieczną jak narkotyczny odlot.
Przebiegły jak wąż.
Śmiertelnie niebezpieczny.
Poznajcie Charlesa Sobhraja, psychopatę doskonałego, jednego z najsłynniejszych oszustów i seryjnych morderców na świecie. Na celownik brał zachodnich turystów przemierzających szlaki Azji w poszukiwaniu duchowej odnowy, tanich narkotyków i dobrej zabawy. Zdobywał ich zaufanie, oczarowywał uśmiechem, po czym… dosypywał coś do drinka.
Był prawdziwym wirtuozem farmacji: mogadon dla tych, których czujność trzeba było na chwilę uśpić, kilka czekoladowych pastylek regulet na przeczyszczenie dla ofiar, które chciał zatrzymać przy sobie na dłużej, a dla opornych – zastrzyk z largactilu.
Gdy odurzone ofiary stawały się zupełnie bezbronne, kradł czeki, biżuterię, pieniądze i przede wszystkim – dokumenty, dzięki którym mógł szmuglować drogie kamienie przez granicę. By zdobyć partię paszportów, nie zawahał się otruć sześćdziesięcioosobowej wycieczki Francuzów!
Zarabiał góry pieniędzy, kupował ekstrawaganckie prezenty kochankom, a po jego mieszkaniu dosłownie walały się szafiry, rubiny i diamenty. Był poszukiwany w niemal trzydziestu krajach. Mordował bez litości: dusił, topił i podpalał, a zwęglone zwłoki porzucał na rajskich plażach Tajlandii, by znaleźli je niczego niespodziewający się turyści lub okoliczni rybacy…
Na tropie Węża to niesamowita podróż przez Azję lat 70. – spowitą oparami haszyszu, ociekającą seksem i przesiąkniętą zbrodnią… Pociągającą i niebezpieczną jak narkotyczny odlot.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1979
184 people are currently reading
1807 people want to read
About the author
Richard Neville
46 books17 followersIn early 1967, Neville founded the London Oz with the brilliant artist Martin Sharp as graphic designer. Many soon to be significant writers including Robert Hughes, Clive James, Germaine Greer, David Widgery, Alexander Cockburn and Lillian Roxon, amongst others, contributed. Felix Dennis (later to become one of Britain's wealthiest publishers with Dennis Publishing) came on board as advertising manager.
London Oz became increasingly influenced by hippie culture, and oscillated wildly between psychedelia, revolutionary political theory, idealistic dreams of a counter-culture, with much discussion of drug-taking thrown in. Oz campaigned to legalise marijuana through various events such as the Legalise Pot Rally in Hyde Park, London, in 1968. Oz, however, was clearly against hard drugs. There was also much discussion and theoretical rumination regarding feminism and the "sexual revolution" and by contemporary standards it often seems glaringly sexist.
While Neville had a reputation for being wild and stoned, he revealed in his autobiography Hippie Hippie Shake that he was more of a workaholic, obsessed with the magazine deadlines and his editorials, which often tried to make sense of all the competing philosophies that were exploding from the "youthquake". Neville was known as a charismatic and charming figure who had a wide circle of friends among London's intellectual and publishing elite, rock stars, socialist revolutionaries and criminals.
While Neville was holidaying on Ibiza, an edition of the magazine entirely produced by high school students—Schoolkids Oz (May 1970)—was published, edited by Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis. The issue depicted Rupert Bear sporting a penis (1971) and lead to the conviction of Neville, Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis. The then-longest obscenity trial in British history then ensued.
The Oz defendants had the brilliant and eccentric barrister, author and creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, John Mortimer on their team, and Geoffrey Robertson, the now internationally renowned human rights lawyer made his debut in the trial. The trial turned the Old Bailey into a circus, with a bizarre array of celebrities called on to give evidence in its favour. John Lennon wrote and recorded "God Save Oz" and he and Yoko Ono marched the streets surrounding the Old Bailey in support of the magazine and freedom of speech. London Oz ended in November 1973.
In the 1990s, across a variety of media, Richard explored social responsibility for businesses in the 21st Century. This led to keynote addresses at national conferences, and the essay collection Out of My Mind (Penguin). He also published his memoir Hippie Hippie Shake, which has been adapted as a film by Working Title. The film was not released for unknown reasons.
Neville was also the co-founder of the Australian Futures Foundation.
Neville was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in his mid sixties. The Australian Oz magazine has been digitised by the University of Wollongong. He died on 4 September 2016, at the age of 74.
Yale University has acquired Neville's archive, which is now located in Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. - wickipedia
London Oz became increasingly influenced by hippie culture, and oscillated wildly between psychedelia, revolutionary political theory, idealistic dreams of a counter-culture, with much discussion of drug-taking thrown in. Oz campaigned to legalise marijuana through various events such as the Legalise Pot Rally in Hyde Park, London, in 1968. Oz, however, was clearly against hard drugs. There was also much discussion and theoretical rumination regarding feminism and the "sexual revolution" and by contemporary standards it often seems glaringly sexist.
While Neville had a reputation for being wild and stoned, he revealed in his autobiography Hippie Hippie Shake that he was more of a workaholic, obsessed with the magazine deadlines and his editorials, which often tried to make sense of all the competing philosophies that were exploding from the "youthquake". Neville was known as a charismatic and charming figure who had a wide circle of friends among London's intellectual and publishing elite, rock stars, socialist revolutionaries and criminals.
While Neville was holidaying on Ibiza, an edition of the magazine entirely produced by high school students—Schoolkids Oz (May 1970)—was published, edited by Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis. The issue depicted Rupert Bear sporting a penis (1971) and lead to the conviction of Neville, Jim Anderson and Felix Dennis. The then-longest obscenity trial in British history then ensued.
The Oz defendants had the brilliant and eccentric barrister, author and creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, John Mortimer on their team, and Geoffrey Robertson, the now internationally renowned human rights lawyer made his debut in the trial. The trial turned the Old Bailey into a circus, with a bizarre array of celebrities called on to give evidence in its favour. John Lennon wrote and recorded "God Save Oz" and he and Yoko Ono marched the streets surrounding the Old Bailey in support of the magazine and freedom of speech. London Oz ended in November 1973.
In the 1990s, across a variety of media, Richard explored social responsibility for businesses in the 21st Century. This led to keynote addresses at national conferences, and the essay collection Out of My Mind (Penguin). He also published his memoir Hippie Hippie Shake, which has been adapted as a film by Working Title. The film was not released for unknown reasons.
Neville was also the co-founder of the Australian Futures Foundation.
Neville was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in his mid sixties. The Australian Oz magazine has been digitised by the University of Wollongong. He died on 4 September 2016, at the age of 74.
Yale University has acquired Neville's archive, which is now located in Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. - wickipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 8, 2021
I have recently been on a Bangkok binge, having read Bangkok Burning (by Robin Newbold!), Lawrence Osborne's The Glass Kingdom and now the trilogy with the The Serpent. Having stayed at the Malaysia Hotel, where the protagonist - Charles Sobhraj - picked up some of his victims, and knowing the city extremely well made this true crime book a particularly poignant, if salutary tale.
I also backpacked around Asia and probably had the same carefree attitude that a lot of the backpackers serial killer Sobhraj met. This is where authors Richard Neville and Julie Clarke, former hippies - their description - succeed, since they too put themselves in the well worn boots of the victims. The tale is at once an expose of a psychotic killer that only saw relationships for what he could get out of them and a paean to his innocent victims.
It is meticulously researched and tells a coherent story from Sobhraj's dysfunctional upbringing to his life of crime and eventual downfall. This version contains an epilogue as it was republished to coincide with the excellent BBC/Netflix drama based on the book that aired this month. It gives Clarke a chance to reflect on the work 40 years later and what it means to her now, given that co-writer and husband Richard Neville recently died. It is a fitting tribute to him and the victims.
I also backpacked around Asia and probably had the same carefree attitude that a lot of the backpackers serial killer Sobhraj met. This is where authors Richard Neville and Julie Clarke, former hippies - their description - succeed, since they too put themselves in the well worn boots of the victims. The tale is at once an expose of a psychotic killer that only saw relationships for what he could get out of them and a paean to his innocent victims.
It is meticulously researched and tells a coherent story from Sobhraj's dysfunctional upbringing to his life of crime and eventual downfall. This version contains an epilogue as it was republished to coincide with the excellent BBC/Netflix drama based on the book that aired this month. It gives Clarke a chance to reflect on the work 40 years later and what it means to her now, given that co-writer and husband Richard Neville recently died. It is a fitting tribute to him and the victims.
December 6, 2023
The hippie trail across Asia in the 1970s is vividly described here. A different world, in which picking up mail once a week was the only contact with home and young travellers flocked to places like Freak Street in Katmandu for limitless ganja. It's hard to fathom today, but the trail even included Afghanistan.
Sobhraj entered into this freewheeling scene with his bag of pharmaceuticals to drug unsuspecting travellers. He wanted passports and money. Based in Bangkok, but making predatory trips around the region, he sold jewels and gambled. Many women found him irresistible even after they discovered his crimes. He had no qualms about killing people if they knew too much, and it's hinted that he also killed for pleasure. A resourceful character, he escaped from prisons in France, Greece, Afghanistan and India. He thought nothing of dropping everything and driving from France to India.
Neville, the author, an Australian journalist and an expert on counter-culture, researched the book with the help of his wife, Julie. For this updated version she wrote a new introduction and conclusion. Richard Neville's account deserves four solid stars. Julie Clarke's conclusion, written forty years later, bumps the book up to five. She really hits the nail on the head:
I’ve come to see that these ‘hero’s journey' stories, which occur in all cultures, are a fascinating tool. We are the hero of our own stories. Setting off in innocence down whatever road we randomly choose when we are too young to know what we are doing, we all meet helpers, and tricksters. We face dangers, find and lose friends and love, trip over cliffs, and usually in one way or another, survive adversity. Through our mistakes and our suffering, most of us slowly learn the lessons of kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, tolerance, gratitude, and of living in the present. As we mature through this process, if we are fortunate, we realize that life is a mixture of light and dark. It’s an adventure which ‘must be lived forwards but can only be understood backwards,’ as Kierkegaard said. But psychopaths are on a mission to exploit everyone and every situation for their own purposes. Their journey is a different one. They are not pebbles to be smoothed by the ebb and flow of life’s currents. They are igneous rock that stay for ever jagged and dangerous, with remorse and empathy unknown emotions. Their journey is one solely of exploitation. One of the lessons of this cautionary tale should be an awareness that such ‘inhuman humans’ do live amongst us. Many don’t end up in jail, but rather reach the highest level in the corporate and political spheres. By their very existence they can allow us to appreciate what it means to be a flawed, suffering, well-meaning human being.
Sobhraj entered into this freewheeling scene with his bag of pharmaceuticals to drug unsuspecting travellers. He wanted passports and money. Based in Bangkok, but making predatory trips around the region, he sold jewels and gambled. Many women found him irresistible even after they discovered his crimes. He had no qualms about killing people if they knew too much, and it's hinted that he also killed for pleasure. A resourceful character, he escaped from prisons in France, Greece, Afghanistan and India. He thought nothing of dropping everything and driving from France to India.
Neville, the author, an Australian journalist and an expert on counter-culture, researched the book with the help of his wife, Julie. For this updated version she wrote a new introduction and conclusion. Richard Neville's account deserves four solid stars. Julie Clarke's conclusion, written forty years later, bumps the book up to five. She really hits the nail on the head:
I’ve come to see that these ‘hero’s journey' stories, which occur in all cultures, are a fascinating tool. We are the hero of our own stories. Setting off in innocence down whatever road we randomly choose when we are too young to know what we are doing, we all meet helpers, and tricksters. We face dangers, find and lose friends and love, trip over cliffs, and usually in one way or another, survive adversity. Through our mistakes and our suffering, most of us slowly learn the lessons of kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, tolerance, gratitude, and of living in the present. As we mature through this process, if we are fortunate, we realize that life is a mixture of light and dark. It’s an adventure which ‘must be lived forwards but can only be understood backwards,’ as Kierkegaard said. But psychopaths are on a mission to exploit everyone and every situation for their own purposes. Their journey is a different one. They are not pebbles to be smoothed by the ebb and flow of life’s currents. They are igneous rock that stay for ever jagged and dangerous, with remorse and empathy unknown emotions. Their journey is one solely of exploitation. One of the lessons of this cautionary tale should be an awareness that such ‘inhuman humans’ do live amongst us. Many don’t end up in jail, but rather reach the highest level in the corporate and political spheres. By their very existence they can allow us to appreciate what it means to be a flawed, suffering, well-meaning human being.
January 27, 2024
2,5/5
Przez pierwszą połowę książki sądziłam, że będzie petarda. Niestety druga połowa skutecznie zaniżyła poziom, choć spodziewałam się, że będzie lepsza niż początek tej historii.
Bezwzględnie Sobheraj to ciekawa postać. Może nie pod względem osobowościowym (typowy psychopata), ale tego jak "sprytnie" zbudował na tym swoje życie. Rzeczy, które nie mogły się udać, ciągle mu się udawały. Zadziwiająca była przy tym pewność siebie i luz tego człowieka, ale tak to już mają psychopaci.
Mając na uwadze to jak ciekawe były losy Sobjeraja jestem trochę rozczarowana sposobem ich przedstawienia. Książka jest fabularyzowana (lubię taki typ literatury faktu), ale momentami trochę się to autorom rozlazło. Historia dzieciństwa, dorastania i pierwszych "interesów" Charlesa była opisana bardzo konkretnie i interesująco. Potem weszło trochę masło maślane i miałam wrażenie, że czytam o tym samym przez 100 stron. Spodziewałam się, że finał (procesy sądowe) sprowadzi książkę na dobry tor, ale nie wyszło. Końcówka została potraktowana po macoszemu w porównaniu do początku książki i zaczęła zbaczać na osobiste wynurzenia autorów. Nie wiem jak innych, ale mnie nie obchodzą przeżycia i losy autora książki, który nijak nie jest faktycznie związany z historią, o jakiej pisze. Nie obchodzi mnie jak im się pisało tę książkę, jak to robili, jak to wspominają - takie rzeczy to do podziękowań/posłowia czy czegokolwiek innego, a nie do fabuły/zakończenia. Zawsze psuje mi to ogólnie wrażenie z lektury i tutaj też tak się stało. Mam wrażenie, że końcówkę pisała samodzielnie autorka, gdyż drugi z autorów - jej partner Richard - zmarł. Jeśli tak było to był to zły pomysł. Przez te osobiste wynurzenia nie jestem w stanie dać pełnej, trzeciej gwiazdki.
Podsumowując - historia Sobheraja bardzo interesująca, ale sposób jej przedstawienia przez autorów dużo jej odbiera. Można to było zrobić trochę lepiej.
Przez pierwszą połowę książki sądziłam, że będzie petarda. Niestety druga połowa skutecznie zaniżyła poziom, choć spodziewałam się, że będzie lepsza niż początek tej historii.
Bezwzględnie Sobheraj to ciekawa postać. Może nie pod względem osobowościowym (typowy psychopata), ale tego jak "sprytnie" zbudował na tym swoje życie. Rzeczy, które nie mogły się udać, ciągle mu się udawały. Zadziwiająca była przy tym pewność siebie i luz tego człowieka, ale tak to już mają psychopaci.
Mając na uwadze to jak ciekawe były losy Sobjeraja jestem trochę rozczarowana sposobem ich przedstawienia. Książka jest fabularyzowana (lubię taki typ literatury faktu), ale momentami trochę się to autorom rozlazło. Historia dzieciństwa, dorastania i pierwszych "interesów" Charlesa była opisana bardzo konkretnie i interesująco. Potem weszło trochę masło maślane i miałam wrażenie, że czytam o tym samym przez 100 stron. Spodziewałam się, że finał (procesy sądowe) sprowadzi książkę na dobry tor, ale nie wyszło. Końcówka została potraktowana po macoszemu w porównaniu do początku książki i zaczęła zbaczać na osobiste wynurzenia autorów. Nie wiem jak innych, ale mnie nie obchodzą przeżycia i losy autora książki, który nijak nie jest faktycznie związany z historią, o jakiej pisze. Nie obchodzi mnie jak im się pisało tę książkę, jak to robili, jak to wspominają - takie rzeczy to do podziękowań/posłowia czy czegokolwiek innego, a nie do fabuły/zakończenia. Zawsze psuje mi to ogólnie wrażenie z lektury i tutaj też tak się stało. Mam wrażenie, że końcówkę pisała samodzielnie autorka, gdyż drugi z autorów - jej partner Richard - zmarł. Jeśli tak było to był to zły pomysł. Przez te osobiste wynurzenia nie jestem w stanie dać pełnej, trzeciej gwiazdki.
Podsumowując - historia Sobheraja bardzo interesująca, ale sposób jej przedstawienia przez autorów dużo jej odbiera. Można to było zrobić trochę lepiej.
April 16, 2021
I read this book in 1980, and it terrified me. I was never able to get this man completely out of my head. He became my own personal Charles Manson, my Ted Bundy, my Unabomber.
But I couldn't remember his name.
Then I saw that Netflix made a movie about a serial killer in Southeast Asia in the 1970's.
Here he is.
I am not going to watch the movie. I have enough real things to be scared about. Besides, I am not a hippie any more and you cannot dazzle me with shiny objects, which is what he did to his victims.
I think this book is OOP.
But I couldn't remember his name.
Then I saw that Netflix made a movie about a serial killer in Southeast Asia in the 1970's.
Here he is.
I am not going to watch the movie. I have enough real things to be scared about. Besides, I am not a hippie any more and you cannot dazzle me with shiny objects, which is what he did to his victims.
I think this book is OOP.
March 19, 2016
Quite simply one of the most chilling true crime books I've ever read. For it's time, The Life and Crimes of Charles Sobhraj must have stood out as something so different. The authors, Australian journalists Richard Neville and Julie Clarke weave a story of one the most cunning and cruel killers of modern times. Charles Sobhraj became somewhat of a self-made folk hero and heartthrob but was a man in a moral vacuum. He exploited the times - the 1970s in the far east where western travellers went to explore the "hippie trail". Vietnamese-born Sobhraj was an expert thief, con artist and jail breaker. He callously murdered travellers he befriended for little more than their possessions. It is meticulously researched and a story you almost can't believe is true.
October 7, 2021
Gdyby nie to, że ta historia wydarzyła się naprawdę i są na to liczne dowody, to chyba bym w nią nie uwierzyła. Książkę czyta się jak wciągający thriller, choć są w niej też momenty, gdy zwyczajnie człowiek zaczyna żałować, że pewne szczegóły się w niej znalazły, bo są aż tak makabryczne. A to, że najpierw widziałam serial (swoją drogą, bardzo polecam!) nie miało żadnego znaczenia.
December 21, 2022
This is so good. Better even than the Netflix series, which was really good too.
September 2, 2023
This guy is a truly fascinating individual. A piece of shit, of course, but his ability to con people, make them do whatever he wanted them to do, is impressive.
October 8, 2011
Tales of charismatic conman, thief and murderer, Charles Sobhraj.
December 31, 2022
Post his release recently from Kathmandu, I was watching an episode of "Cut The Clutter " on Charles Sobhraj when Shekhar Gupta mentioned this crime classic based on the life of Charles . I picked up the book the next day in Kolkata and have been reading it since then .it is a fairly well researched book written by writers who have a first hand experience of the "hippie trail" of South East Asia where most of the scary crimes were committed by this psychopath. The book delves into his childhood, youth, crimes committed & jail escapades all around the world . While reading the book, it seemed to me that Charles had a very charismatic personality with a deep flair for psychology which played an important role in how he manipulated these unfortunate youngsters and ultimately got away with it in many cases. As with many criminals, in this case too it seems that a lost childhood was deeply responsible for making a monster out of this man. A lost childhood has no prosthetics as they say. Overall excellent read.
February 5, 2022
Don’t often read true crime books but glad I stumbled on to this fascinating one about a conman extraordinaire and the trail of bodies he leaves behind. Main character is stuck between multiple nationalities owing to his birth in Vietnam and upbringing in France. Crime emerges as the only viable option for fulfilling his economic aspirations, and what a villainous mastermind he becomes.
Key takeaways:
1) Never rely on the kindness of strangers in a foreign land. You’ll eventually be drugged and likely set aflame.
2) Easiest way to manipulate gullible young Western travelers is via a friendly demeanor and appearance of wealth, coupled with free-flowing booze and abundance of drugs.
3) If you experience intestinal issues while traveling in a foreign country, it’s because someone is intentionally poisoning you. Prime suspect will be the first person who offers to help you get well.
Did not know this story is now a Netflix series. It’s one I will definitely watch from the safety of my living room and not whilst backpacking around Asia, ever.
Key takeaways:
1) Never rely on the kindness of strangers in a foreign land. You’ll eventually be drugged and likely set aflame.
2) Easiest way to manipulate gullible young Western travelers is via a friendly demeanor and appearance of wealth, coupled with free-flowing booze and abundance of drugs.
3) If you experience intestinal issues while traveling in a foreign country, it’s because someone is intentionally poisoning you. Prime suspect will be the first person who offers to help you get well.
Did not know this story is now a Netflix series. It’s one I will definitely watch from the safety of my living room and not whilst backpacking around Asia, ever.
May 6, 2022
Watched the TV show and bumped into the book. It’s
gripping at the beginning but maybe it’s because I already knew the story that it began to drag toward the end (then again it is crime fiction so idk). Didn’t actually finish the book bc exam stews obviously and not planning to anyway
gripping at the beginning but maybe it’s because I already knew the story that it began to drag toward the end (then again it is crime fiction so idk). Didn’t actually finish the book bc exam stews obviously and not planning to anyway
February 12, 2025
so interesting and SO detailed, read like a novel
however, it’s almost too detailed, to the point that the authors couldn’t possibly have known some of the stuff in the book, which suggests other parts of it are made up
the start is also quite slow and the ending felt quite rushed
overall 3.75 stars, would recommend and would also 100% recommend the show
however, it’s almost too detailed, to the point that the authors couldn’t possibly have known some of the stuff in the book, which suggests other parts of it are made up
the start is also quite slow and the ending felt quite rushed
overall 3.75 stars, would recommend and would also 100% recommend the show
December 26, 2020
Totally incredible brilliant read , a tour de force ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 13, 2020
Mention the name Charles Sobhraj and the chances are not many have heard of him.
On the Trail of the Serpent: The Life and Crimes of Charles Sobhraj, a book I simply couldn't put down over the weekend.
Richard Neville, Julie Clarke take you through the captivating life of the Serpent. How one man could captivate so many people and ultimately be responsible for their demise is truly shocking.
A well researched and written book and a highly recommended read for any True crime fan!
https://instagram.com/truecrimebunker...
On the Trail of the Serpent: The Life and Crimes of Charles Sobhraj, a book I simply couldn't put down over the weekend.
Richard Neville, Julie Clarke take you through the captivating life of the Serpent. How one man could captivate so many people and ultimately be responsible for their demise is truly shocking.
A well researched and written book and a highly recommended read for any True crime fan!
https://instagram.com/truecrimebunker...
May 28, 2021
Much better and detailed than the series
September 26, 2025
3.5/5
Postać Charlesa mnie zainteresowała, co bardzo ciągnęło mnie z powrotem do lektury, jednak czegoś brakowało.
Pomimo tragicznej historii tak wielu młodych ludzi, nie odczułam ich morderstw dosadnie - zabrakło mi relacji ich rodziny (które autorka sama przyznaje ze otwarły stare rany na rzecz wywiadu) oraz cała historia kręci się wokół przestępstw, gdzie handel kamieniami jest stawiany trochę na tej samej linii co zabijanie.
Czytało się bardzo dobrze, jednak na końcu zamiast opisu życia autorów wolałabym może jakąś opinię psychiatrów na temat mordercy.
Czuję szczery niedosyt.
+ sięgnęłam po książkę przez opis “wirtuoz farmacji” co zostało bardzo pominięte - podał tabletki i koniec xd
Postać Charlesa mnie zainteresowała, co bardzo ciągnęło mnie z powrotem do lektury, jednak czegoś brakowało.
Pomimo tragicznej historii tak wielu młodych ludzi, nie odczułam ich morderstw dosadnie - zabrakło mi relacji ich rodziny (które autorka sama przyznaje ze otwarły stare rany na rzecz wywiadu) oraz cała historia kręci się wokół przestępstw, gdzie handel kamieniami jest stawiany trochę na tej samej linii co zabijanie.
Czytało się bardzo dobrze, jednak na końcu zamiast opisu życia autorów wolałabym może jakąś opinię psychiatrów na temat mordercy.
Czuję szczery niedosyt.
+ sięgnęłam po książkę przez opis “wirtuoz farmacji” co zostało bardzo pominięte - podał tabletki i koniec xd
April 16, 2024
answered all my questions i had when i watched “the serpent” tv series :) obsessed
November 25, 2021
A compelling story but you can tell they interviewed him and fell for his garbage a little bit. This furthers my strongly held personal belief that murderers should not be spoken to.
April 30, 2021
Astounding that he evaded justice for so long and so many times!
gave-up-on
March 9, 2021I'd like to thank Penguin Publishing and Edelweiss for allowing me a chance to read this book.
Apparently this book is a reprint/update of an older book. While the subject is of interest to me, I for some reason cannot gel with the writing of the two authors. It bores me and they really don't have a way of making it exciting and or of interest to the reviewer.
I may return to the book in the future but for now I'm going to DNF.
Apparently this book is a reprint/update of an older book. While the subject is of interest to me, I for some reason cannot gel with the writing of the two authors. It bores me and they really don't have a way of making it exciting and or of interest to the reviewer.
I may return to the book in the future but for now I'm going to DNF.
November 6, 2022
Przeszkadzało mi jedynie gdy autorzy umieszczali określenie "mrazacy krew w żyłach" na temat opisu morderstw po czym opisywali płasko morderstwa i nijak nie da się odczuć tego w ten sposób. Mrazacy krew w żyłach był fakt jak długo ten facet unikał sprawiedliwości czy fakt że koniec końców nie został skazany za wszystkie swoje zbrodnie. Jednak mam wrażenie że ten reportaż jest zbyt poprawnie/neutralnie napisany, nie wzbudzał tak silnych emocji jak powinien.
June 9, 2024
This book is written like a textbook with contrived dialogue added to make it “more interesting”. It doesn’t work. The book was written during the trial of Charles Sonhraj in 1977 - and it’s obvious the author basically just took recorded interviews with Sonhraj and tried to make them into a story. It ends up being disjointed, confusing, and not interesting to read.
I’ve heard that Netflix has Charles Sonhraj’s story on a series. I would suggest you save some time and just watch that.
I’ve heard that Netflix has Charles Sonhraj’s story on a series. I would suggest you save some time and just watch that.
August 10, 2025
pierwsze 150 stron było fajne a później zaczęło się masło maślane cały czas to samo jakieś wstawki o niezwiązanych rzeczach kompletnie bez sensu. Ta książka nie musiała mieć 400 stron, liczyłam na więcej opisu tego co się stało po złapaniu i podczas sądzenia Charles'a a zamiast tego dostałam krótką opowieść o życiu autorów i osób które pomogły w złapaniu Sobhraja - a to szczerze mnie kompletnie nie interesuje.
April 7, 2025
I don't really know where to start with this. The book was like kind of fine but I found it super disjointed, with lots of unnecessary info scattered about in a way that was hard to keep track of. Most importantly it felt weird to have the author imagine entire conversations and dialogues with no mention of sources, transcripts or who he learned this info from. It was just not for me :/
February 23, 2021
Having watched the crime drama The Serpent on BBC and thereby knowing the story of Charles Sobhraj and his victims and wanting to know more about what kind of upbringing created such a monster, as well as the culture in which he was able to operate, this book was a fantastic read.
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