The Curse of The Turtle: The True Story Of Thailand's "Backpacker Murders"

by Suzanne Buchanan

Koh Tao--a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by pristine beaches, swathed in sunshine, and a mecca for tourists, divers and backpackers. But "Turtle Island" has its dark side. In 2014, Koh Tao was the site of the brutal double murders of two British backpackers, but theirs weren't the only suspicious backpacker deaths.
My name is Suzanne Buchanan. I am the former owner and editor of the Samui Times, a news publication on Koh Samui, and covered the stories of the so-called "backpacker murders" and other suspicious deaths. Although I am a British citizen, because of my investigation and stories, as well as my support for the two Burmese migrant workers sentenced to death for the murders, I had to flee Thailand for my own safety. There is currently an active warrant for my arrest should I return to Thailand, which had been my home for more than twenty years, and I continue to receive death threats.

In "THE CURSE OF THE TURTLE" readers can make up their own minds on who is responsible for the murders that so devastated the victims' families. Were the Burmese migrant workers responsible? Or were the powerful, tribal families who run Koh Tao involved? And if so, were they aided by corrupt law enforcement?

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, History

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing case from an island off Thailand called Koh Tao (AKA Death Island), and two people who were killed while visiting there. It’s written by a British lady who lived there for two decades and ran a newspaper. That is, until she got involved in this case. Suzanne knew the culture of corruption and powerful families who are able to buy their way out of trouble. She tells of other deaths that were strange as well. What a scary place for a holiday destination. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terry Solfest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story but somehow I did not care for the presentation.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Curse of the Turtle by Suzanne Buchanan is a gripping account of her time on the islands of Thailand. As a local news source, she was invaluable in telling the truth in a corrupt world.

When two British citizens are found brutally murdered on a beach on Turtle Island, mismanagement by incompetent police, rampant cover ups and collusion, destruction of evidence, and death threats to anyone seeking justice are just the tip of the iceberg.

There are graphic descriptions of violence told in the story, but it is all necessary to portray the truth and the attempts to free the two Burmese men falsely accused of the murders.

It turns out there have been many more murders attributed to accidents, suicide, and such on this Death Island. But those seeking to find the truth are banished, arrested, and threatened.

The author of this book has basically given up her life and safety in trying so prove the innocence of the accused and bring to light the corruption that rules the island.

I could not put this book down while reading of the bravery & fortitude of all involved with trying to solve these murders.

[Susan Kasza · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, this lady needs an editor! I’m not sure how I feel about this book. The author seems crazy, but there is a ring of truth to the story.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Really loved this book, and it is the story on an island off Thailand called Koh Tao (Death Island). Suzanne lived there for two decades and ran a newspaper, so she knew of the corruption, the culture, and powerful families who are able to buy their way out of trouble.
The book is about two people who were killed while visiting Koh Tao and how the Thai police arrested two Burmese and how Suzanne has fought for them since believing their innocents. Suzanne brings all the other deaths since then which were strange as well. It is strange how each one was dismissed as an accident or suicide according to the Thai police.
Suzanne has spent a lot of time researching this book. A real page turner and there is a lovely dedication to the victim’s family’s and some lovely pictures at the end of the book.
Thanks to Wildblue Press I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MJ Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline of this non-fiction true crime book written in first person by the editor of a Thai newspaper grabbed my attention from the start. The author had insights into the Thai culture and government that were fascinating and her description of the workings of the Thai police and courts in a series of murder cases kept me reading as she tried to unravel the truth. While she was unable to tie up all the loose ends in murders, she delved deeply into the minds and hearts of the surviving victims and their families and effectively exposed the dangers of traveling to a foreign country where everything is not what I seems and where the beauty of one’s surroundings can create a false sense of security that vacationers accept at their peril. In the end, I found the author to be performing a public service when she explodes this myth of safety during international travels and possibly risks her own life in doing so..

[Shirley Brunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very disturbing

[Ian Yarwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling reading. As a person who ran a scuba diving business on the island of Koh Tao, Suzanne Buchanan has unique insights into a string of violent crimes including multiple homicides that the locals try to dismiss as “accident” and “suicides.” The author was also the founder and editor of the Samui Times online news service which was a crucial source of information for the international mainstream media following the most savage murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on Sairee Beach, Koh Tao.

[Pablo Ramirez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insightful book on the terrible events that happen on Koh tao. However, terribly written for a journalist. It goes back and forth without following a clear path.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love true crime and I initially loved this book when I first started reading it. The case is deeply interesting and I couldn't wait to find out more. But as time went by and I got to the halfway point, I realised it's not worth the effort. The writing has no flow or rhythm and seems to go back on itself time and again. It's written in a strange style that can be succinctly described as 'I said this, and he said this, then I did this, and he did that'. It makes for a poor, uninspiring read devoid of any substance. Finally, I am convinced that no editing efforts were made whatsoever on this book. It is absolutely littered with typographical errors, structural faults, and grammatical abhorrences. It is, by far, the most poorly edited book I have ever had the misfortune to read. How it was published in such an unfinished state is a mystery as compelling as the case itself.

Do yourself a favour: if you find the case interesting, read about it online. This book, sadly, will not match the intrigue.

[Ruth Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Must read for all those interested in unsolved deaths, crime and Thailand!

I loved this book by Suzanne Buchanan and couldn't put it down. I use to live in Thailand and this book uncovers the dark side of Thailand that few know about. She writes insightfully and her arguments and analysis is spot on. She's also one very brave lady who has come forward to tell her story and that of others.

[Roger Coakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Koh Tao is the pretties place I've ever visited. After visiting I wanted to learn more. Being an avid podcast fan I started researching podcasts about the island. I went straight down a rabbit hole uncovering the extensive mafia and corrupt police there. Wowey! Kudos to Suzanne for uncovering this.

[Duane Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing story

This book should be read by anyone planning travel to exotic destinations, we take comfort that the laws in our country are for our protection, that may not be true in other countries.

[Mrs Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read

What an excellent book. Had it sitting on my kindle.Once I started to read it I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, yet rambling story. Suzanne used to run a newspaper on the island of Koh Tao, until she was pushed out due to her involvement in a case - one involving murder and visitors to the island.

There were a lot of things that I just could not connect with through this story. It was hard to follow at times, and there were areas where it seemed so jumpy, that it was almost as though the author was pacing the floor and spewing words into a recorder, that was then put on paper.

Enjoyed the aspects of the case overall.

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been working on this for over a month and a half. I love true crime and thought maybe I was having trouble reading it because I prefer hard copies to my kindle.

That’s not it. I was having trouble following the author. The writing didn’t seem to flow, and it was very choppy. I wanted to know more about the story and what happened over in Thailand and how these murders were covered up but I just couldn’t.

This was my first DNF, and I hate that I couldn’t do it.

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

illuminating

This book is disturbing and absolutely heart-breaking. My heart goes out to all of the effected families and friends. The author put a lot of research into this work, and it shows. I hope that justice is served.