The Godfather of Kathmandu

Sonchai Jitpleecheep #4

by John Burdett

Sonchai Jitpleecheep—John Burdett’s inimitable Royal Thai Police detective with the hard-bitten demeanor and the Buddhist soul—is summoned to the most shocking and intriguing crime scene of his career. Solving the murder could mean a promotion, but Sonchai, reeling from a personal tragedy, is more interested in Tietsin, an exiled Tibetan lama based in Kathmandu who has become his guru.

There are, however, obstacles in Sonchai’s path to nirvana. Police Colonel Vikorn has just named Sonchai his consigliere (he’s been studying The Godfather on DVD): to troubleshoot, babysit, defuse, procure, reconnoiter—do whatever needs to be done in Vikorn’s ongoing battle with Army General Zinna for control of Bangkok’s network of illegal enterprises. And though Tietsin is enlightened and (eerily) charismatic, he also has forty million dollars’ worth of heroin for sale. If Sonchai truly wants to be an initiate into Tietsin’s “apocalyptic Buddhism,” he has to pull off a deal that will bring Vikorn and Zinna to the same side of the table. Further complicating the challenge is a Tantric practitioner who captivates Sonchai with her remarkable otherworldly techniques.

Here is Sonchai put to the extreme test—as a cop, as a Buddhist, as an impossibly earthbound man—in John Burdett’s most wildly inventive, darkly comic, and wickedly entertaining novel yet.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Asia, Thriller, Buddhism, Detective

298 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2009

About the author

John Burdett is a novelist and former lawyer. He was born in England and worked in Hong Kong; he now lives in Thailand and France.

Reviews

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I enjoyed this book as well, but less than the first three. Again, we have the mysterious and fascinating woman character key to the plot, which is getting a bit repetitive in the series. The soul searching of the main character and his religion, trapped between corruption and personal tragedies, is what drew me in again. I learned a lot about Buddhism and Tibet and that was interesting too.

I would just suggest breaking up the series and not reading it straight through if you're loving it, save this one after a small break.

[Skip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sonchai Jitpleecheep is called to investigate the sensational killing of a famous Hollywood director, and becomes embroiled in a major heroin trafficking deal between his Thai police boss, his primary competitor (a Thai Army general), and a Tibetan Buddhist mystic. Meanwhile, Sonchai suffers a personal tragedy and is looking for meaning from the mystic, a Tibetan party girl, and a Chinese-Thai high society lady with unparalleled pharmacology expertise. This book is a letdown from the prior ones because the story is convoluted, disjointed, unbelievable, and perverse. Also, the continued and pejorative addressing the reader as farang was condescending, unnecessary and annoying. I sure hope the last book (#5) is better.

[Laura T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. I gotta let this one marinate before I write a review, but a few things stand out:

1. I'm gonna have to take a break from "Americans are stupid" lit for a while. I just read all four of these back to back and I've had it right up to "here" with people telling me I suck. You know what's amazing? That's probably 1000 pages detailing why I should be ashamed of my culture and my country, and I'm not. So that's good. (for me, anyway)

2. Sonchai started as a guy I enjoyed and understood, even tho I've never been to Thailand and I'm not a Buddhist. I so enjoyed him. I just thought he was a fantastic character. Now I sort of hate him. He's too whiny.

3. I didn't really enjoy all the jet-setting in this novel. I wish Burdett would have left it in Bangkok...the claustrophobia of the city is something that gave the previous novels more power. Once Sonchai went spreading his narcissism all over the world, it got less cute, and for me, the mystery lost its urgency. Since everyone universally in all the cities he visits in this book hate white people, and Americans especially, it got a little confusing as to where he was. I had to keep flipping back a couple pages to see which location he in. Ugh.

4. And that's another thing (oh snap--I think I'm writing a review). Sonchai actually tells us in this book that it doesn't matter at all if he solves this particular crime or not. And then he proceeds to solve it. A fellow cop of his tells him not to bother, and I'm with that guy. If it didn't matter, then why did he waste so much time on the silly thing???!!!

5. Here's my positive stuff: the huge drug deal makes the whole book. I won't talk to much about it lest someone accuse me of spoiling, but that part I enjoyed greatly. I did enjoy learning a bit about different types of Buddhism. And gems. And it's not like the story doesn't move itself along--it does. Burdett is a great writer. I guess I just feel like he made this book more of a lecture of his world view, than a book for us readers to enjoy.

[Anya Weber · Rating 2 out of 5]

John Burdett started out so strong with Bangkok 8 and Bangkok Tattoo, mainly due to his appealing protagonist, the biracial, trilingual Thai cop Sonchai Jitpleecheep. Sonchai's the bomb--an ex-drug addict, devout Buddhist, fashionisto, and detective in one of Bangkok's roughest neighborhoods, where he grew up among the prostitutes in his mom's brothel. In both those books, he investigates horrifying crimes, using his Buddhist perspective and street savvy in equal measure.

But with the third book in the series and with this one, Sonchai's story has wandered off-track. The plots meander instead of driving; I almost stopped reading this one in the middle--actually, almost at the end--because I'd become so bored with the story. The characters, so pungent in the earlier novels, here feel inauthentic, as if they're action figures being moved around by the author.

I highly recommend Bangkok 8 as an intro to Sonchai and his world, but be warned: it's all downhill after Book 2.

[Vakaris the Nosferatu · Rating 3 out of 5]

All reviews in one place: Night Mode Reading | LT
Sonchai has made a grave mistake. He got the Godfather movies for his boss, which then triggered a chain reaction of real ill trash luck. His boss kindly worked up Sonchai’s family with deals of good raise, and little to no change to Sonchai’s work, in attempts to make Sonchai his consilieri, like an adviser. Which then directly took a hit to Sonchai’s karma. That son, reincarnation of his beloved friend and partner, whom he wanted to put in a good school on his wife’s advice, with the new money he’ll be getting? Decided the world is too corrupt, and suicided. Wife? Guilt ridden ran away to a monastery to become a monk. FBI agent, his friend and former partner in USA? She felt disappointed in his new line of work, and due to broken arm – won’t rush to help him with the new case. As for the new case, Sonchai is determined to give this chance of promotion to his colleague, who hates his guts. Hates him for being the first choice for the boss. Hates him for being a better detective. And now also hates him for being morally superior about this promotion too, for showing this kindness and giving him the damn promotion. The only consolation Sonchai right now has is also not a spotless piece of sunshine. It is a a highest ranking monk who promised to teach him to reach the peace of mind. It’s just that this same monk has 14 mil worth of drugs he wants to sell to his boss.

As for the murder, now that’s something to get distracted by, no matter how unpleasant. A movie director was found dead, skull open, brain eaten. He was well loved in Bangkok by the bar girls, who describe him as kind, caring, loving, but a sex addict. He wasn’t visiting them for a while before his death, so they assumed he finally found that “something wilder” he was after. Did that wilder thing kill him too? And to top it all off, he left clues directly for Sonchai. Yes. Of course he did.

This was a strange book, with quite a few lines to follow, and Sonchai’s wasn’t the best. The murder was the most dull one though, so I had to remind myself this isn’t really a detective story to begin with a lot. But there were great points, like that monk, or such a shift in Karma. So all in all another 3/5, I guess.

[Damon · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the fourth entry in the Bangkok series, detective Sonchai is given a case (complex, as is usual for the series) at the same time he goes through some major personal tragedies. These persona crises, naturally, leave Sonchai intensely vulnerable to addiction and influence, which he struggles with, however unevenly, throughout the book. In addition to a complex case, and an altered relationship between Sonchai and his boss, Burdett adds to the mix the fish-out-of-water element of Nepal.

This is the point where the book becomes slightly overburdened.

Skillfully done, taking the detective out of his natural element (Hound of the Baskervilles, the Lady in the Lake are good examples), the detective can interact with his new environment and reveal new facets to their personality, or draw insightful comparisons witht he normal background. I found it less effective here because Sonchai is struggling with his own personal crises, a brand-new responsibility and a murder all at once, so it is hard to disentangle the lens through which he sees the new environment. Nepal, in this sense, strikes me as a metaphor for the tortured psyche, rather than a setting in its own right. In adding all of these elements, Burdett misses the chance to examine the differences between Nepal and Bangkok on its own terms.

Outside of the characters and the backgrounds, the crime is satisfying in its delivery and its conclusion, which is a credit to Burdett. As is typical for the series to this point, he does a fantastic job of building a noir atmosphere, and masters the voice of his characters. If you have read the first three books in the series, then you would be selling yourself short if you didn't put the time into this one.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved reading crime novels set in foreign lands ever almost from the beginning of my obsession with the genre in the 70's, moving my way through Amsterdam, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Japan, and other lands. Rarely have I fallen so head over heels in love with a character and setting as I have with Burdett's Bangkok protagonist, Sonchai Jitpleecheep -- precisely because the tale exemplifies the pleasures one takes these international policiers, namely the culture as character. Of course I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the detail, produced as it was by a Westerner, but on its face, the hairball of official Thai corruption, the drug trade, the flesh trade, the tolerance for sexual diversity, and, above all, the tangibility of Buddhism in daily life made this whole caper an utter delight, enabled by Burdett's charm, humor, and sheer narrative skill. The characters are unforgettable, even when a touch over-showy, and the stream of consciousness by Sonchai's narration rally works, because (as in Buddhism), his consciousness is part of the mystery. I could have done with a bit less self-consciousness of the "dear-reader" type -- are we really supposed to think of this as a 300 page epistle? Now I'm going to go back to the beginning of the series, you can bet your life on it.

[Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Burdett book are simply delicious

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being formerly a huge mystery fan at one time, I reached a point where except for a few writers, I just found too many plots going for shock value & for me, this being akin to a skip in a record, I gravitated towards genres where fresher things were happening. That is until the day I happened upon the Thai Royal Detective Series, bringing to life the complex Buddhist Thai-American cross in the form if one Sonchai Jitpleecheep. From, the very 1st in series, up to "Godfather of Kathmandu," this series has taken me into the mind of international criminals & also into the complexities where the Thai/American/Asian cultures collide.
This particular book was slightly less compelling than those that precede it, however if the series should captivate, you'll likely not want to pass over a single one!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Buddhist detective Sonchai returns. Half Thai and half Western, he takes joy in the best of both worlds, but they collide when he takes up the case of a murdered Hollywood movie director. And when his wife and mother persuade him to become the consigliore of his boss, a corrupt police chief, his Buddhist faith is challenged by the role he must play in a large heroin deal with a Tibetan expatriate in Nepal and the dangers from competition from an equally corrupt military office. The latter turns out to be quite charismatic and becomes a guru for Sonchai. Good character development, a fascinating mystery, engaging moral dilemmas, a diverting love interest, and lots of exotic atmospherics. What more could you want? Well, it has a nice balance of humor for dessert.

[Stacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one -- an interesting police/crime procedural set in Thailand. Burdett deftly mixes Thai & American modes, mores, & thoughts with various other cultural traditions & backgrounds included too. A murder mystery with a second storyline of drug trafficking that is a bit off the beaten path. This particular book is also one for movie buffs. Recommended for fans of international mysteries.

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series starts so well, but by book four is starting to struggle.
This book didn't really bring much new character development, and just rehashed the relationships.
Not sure I will seek out the fifth book of the series.

[Alicen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author and his main character, Detective Sonchai Jipleecheep, but this book didn't pack the punch like his other books. Hope there is a #5 and that it gets closer to #1 in style and pace!

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well-written, even though the author's/protagonist's habit of speaking directly to the reader quickly became annoying. The places visited are really interested, characters are well-crafted and the story gives us a glimpse into the minds of people from a culture very different than the Western one. It's also surprisingly funny in some places, despite the grim plot.

That said, not all was good - the B plot distracted from the A plot, which, to be honest, wasn't that gripping in the first place. I also didn't enjoy the resolution as the plot became too needlessly convoluted and overly complicated and the majority of the facts we've learned at the end weren't properly telegraphed.

It doesn't change the fact that it was interesting enough for me to want to read more about Sonchai's cases.

[Erika Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like 2.5 stars. The author is talented, and the writing is skilled. This story was complex with several different plot lines going on at the same time. Detective Jittelcheep (sp?) struggles with his spirituality, his grief and his conscience...all themes that are present in each installment of the Royal Thai Detectives series, but for some reason they didn't suck me in as much in this book. In fact, these themes seemed to overshadow the good old fashioned detective work and brilliant mind of our hero. I will say that the last few chapters read fast and furious, and everything was tied together neatly in the end...for this I am grateful. Hands down, my least favorite in the series thus far.

[Ver · Rating 3 out of 5]

That wasn't a very entertaining book, especially the first half where mostly drug dealings were described, not the murder case. Later, it got more interesting but it still felt like the murder was just an excuse to write about drug problem in Thailand and talk about buddism. Funny enough, buddism isn't in contradiction with drug dealings. Generally, I would say only one third or even one fourth concerned the murder and I had problems to finish reading the book.

[Warren Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am in awe of Burdett’s writing. While I struggle to get depth of characters in my writing attempts, he does so with amazing skill. Not just your basic descriptive run-down of mood and appearance, but his characters are such we tend to know their souls, their inner thoughts, their demons.
HOWEVER, in the Godfather of Kathmandu, I have to say that Burdett, through his main character Sonchai does I believe go am little too far trying to impress his ‘dear readers/farang’ with his knowledge or in fact his own take on things Thai, Hindu, Tibetan, Buddhist and all the way to Nirvana and all points along the way.
The repeated use of ‘you dear reader/farang’ borders on being derogatory to me. As I believe the first westerner to run a large (400 + staff) hotel in I-sarn or North Eastern Thailand, I can say that although only a handful of my Thai and Cambodian staff spoke any English, not one did any address me directly as farang. As Burdett’s character is supposedly ‘luk-krung’ or half western himself, it is even more unlikely he would use this phrase, that is often uttered with a slight sneer, to signify a westerner or western tradition. Also, does Burdett imagine Asians are incapable, or do not wish to read his work ? Why assume all readers are farang?

I also have to take him to task over his/Somchai’s perception of Thai Psyche.
Again in my own, rather extensive experience ; the epistemology of the Roi-et taxi driver, the Buriram rice farmer, the high ranking Police or Army official or even those connected to the Kingdoms Royal family – all of whom I have dealt with personally - are not in the main as Burdett/Somchai make out.
Certainly his take on Thais is very correct as far as Bangkok born middle to upper class citizen with a Chinese heritage go’s, but I found Somchai becoming a little too arrogant or pompous in so far as his general outlook and/or need to explain details of Thai- Tibetan theological beliefs to the hapless farang reader.

Looking forward to a light, detective type tale based in South East Asia, at times it seemed The Godfather of Kathmandu may have been better catalogued in the Psychology or Theology section.
While I again applaud/admire Burdett for his wonderful wordsmith ways, I wonder if its perhaps time for Detective Somchai to follow his brother and son ?

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't let the title locale fool you: this fourth installment of John Burdett's Sochai Jitpleecheep series is firmly based on the original formula of the earlier Bangkok books. Six years after Bangkok Haunts, Sonchai, now 37, is called to the scene of a gruesome murder. Hollywood director Frank Charles is eviscerated with a chunk of skull and brains removed, in the fashion of foreign noir novels found at the scene. Although this spectacular case is a chance for promotion, Sonchai is not terribly inspired.

Instead he is preoccupied by both personal tragedy and his unofficial promotion. Appointed consigliere to Police Colonel Vikorn's Godfather, Sonchai is responsible for coordinating the joint purchase of forty million dollars of heroin with Vikorn's archrival Army General Zinna from Tietsin, the title Tibetan character exiled to Nepal, raising money to invade China before the Beijing Olympics. Sonchai is drawn to his brand of Buddhism, blade wheel and all.

Unlike previous stories in the series, these two plotlines do not converge to a satisfying climax. Burdett rolls out some new interesting characters, but there is less of a local feel as the operation is scaled up to international levels. Sonchai is slowed down by rolling joints all over town to cope with his loss, while dealing with his largest moral crisis yet. However, there is a refreshing look at the underside of Tibetan-Chinese relationship served up in Burdett's pointed style. I have come to regard this series as a guilty pleasure, primarily on the strength of the original. Now I'm just happily along for the ride with Sonchai.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sonchai Jitpleecheep is back, fresh from a personal tragedy and still trying to balance his desire to be a good, clean cop while working for one of Thailand's most powerful druglords (who also happens to be the police chief).

Sonchai is investigating the gruesome murder of a successful Hollywood director, while working to arrange a huge heroin shipment from a Buddhist...something...in Kathmandu. While I really like to say "Kathmandu" (go on - say it), that whole part is confusing and random and full of a bunch of lectures that got very skimmable. Not really sure why he even had to go there, unless it was so Burdett could have his say about China/Tibet.

I'm tired of farang this and farang that. The good part of the story is Burdett took us (mostly) out of the brothels and (mostly) out of the bedrooms, so at least there wasn't...anatomy...on nearly every page like the last book.

I think it's time for Sonchai to evolve a little. The series has taken place over the course of at least seven or eight years in book-time, and he hasn't changed at all. I'd like to see a Sonchai who's different from the Sonchai we met in Bangkok 8 (the fact that he can afford Armani cologne now doesn't count), and I'd also like to see a storyline that doesn't just ramble on and on before it eventually comes to some sort of non-ending.

One more (maybe), and I'll probably drop this series for good.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this one to be a very unusual detective novel. Set in Thailand, the main character is one Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep of the Royal Thai Police and in addition to being the protagonist, he is our guide to Thai culture, religion and of course, language. As readers, we are referred to as “farang” or “foreigner” in the Thai language and this provides his platform for guiding us through a labyrinth of customs, religious curiosities and Asian historical anomalies that would be unfathomable to anyone other than a native born Thai. Of course, we find out early on that since Sonchai is only half Thai he must wrestle with many of these cultural anomalies himself. While attempting to solve a murder case Sonchai finds that he is morally stranded between a corrupt police chief, an even more corrupt Royal Thai Army general and best of all, a Tibetan Buddhist tantric monk, who may or may not be corrupt depending on his (and Sonchai’s) karma. All of this is handled with a great deal of humor as well as a mixture of self-deprecating soul searching and some actually clever detective work. As the investigation moves forward Sonchai finds himself more and more conflicted, much to the entertainment of the reader. It was a most unusual approach and a very engaging story.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never buy books...as a librarian I am surrounded by them and know how to find any one I want to read. However, I made an exception and ordered this one so I would not have to wait my turn in the holds queue. I am so glad I did because it is yet another complex and riveting story starring the brilliantly conflicted Sonchai Jitpleecheep who is as interesting as his name. My brother has lived in Bangkok for years but I have learned more about the city from the details of Burdett's books than I have from brother. This author can tell a story highlighted by a healthy disgust for the rampant materialism and greed of our age. Unputdownable...and now I will donate it to the library.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is awesome. While the murder-mystery genre is generally plot driven, the "Bangkok" series uses the paradigm to give us lush characters who are often hilarious and always complex. Constantly reminding the reader of the flaws in Western society while illuminating the context for the apparent cultural conundrums of the East. Although the tour of Thai society is a learning experience, don't expect enlightenment to lead to understanding. East, West, who cares: we're all screwed up. Might as well kick back and enjoy the exotic, exciting, absurdity of it all.

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You see, the essentially sociopathic nature of corporations worldwide is easy to explain when one remembers it originated in the needs of professional opium traffickers, viz, the British East India Company under Clive. To see it as anything other than the expression of a criminal mindset is catastrophically naive. The long-term effect? The Destiny of the world has been handed over to Gamblers Anonymous."

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sonchai Jitpleecheep - the most interesting character in a crime novel since Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). This is the first one I've read but it is fun, funny and fast read. Now back to Ulysses.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sonchai Jitpleecheep is one of the more interesting additions to the growing ranks of international detectives, just as John Burdett is one of the more underrated authors in this growing genre. If you like international mysteries (i.e., Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), you should equally like Burdett's stories -- although you may want to start with one of his earlier books, such as Bangkok 8.

[Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thought this story was the best one yet, except for Bangkok 8. twisty, Buddhists, way over the top. everything we come to expect from john burdett cop/mystery. And has references to Hannibal and silence of the lambs and and Thomas Harris. and tantric Buddhism/sex techniques.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of his best. Love the main character but all the asides to you and me the farang started to annoy me. The plot is pretty confusing too. I hope the next one is better because I like Sonchai and his musings - as long as they dont go on and on and bang you over the head with a club. Duh!

[Lynn]

Really enjoy this series though certainly gritty murders. The main character gives us a glimpse of Buddism and Thai culture while immersing us in a complex mystery.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the series up to this book, which wandered way off track into religious soul searching by Sonchai. It really put me off reading more of the series.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice. This detective story went exceptionally well. I do love it when a good writer spills out several seemingly unrelated pieces as you go along and then brings them seamlessly together at the end. Burdett does that with a page one murder of a Hollywood director/producer and the more obscure suicide of a Japanese gem dealer. Interspaced is a drug smuggling rivalry between a Thai police colonel and army general. Meanwhile, Detective Jitpleecheep goes through a personal crisis and near mental breakdown. All these events are funneled through a connection in Nepal, where a Tibetan "counterinsurgency" is building against the Chinese. As I say, pieces of a puzzle whose only initial picture to work with is solid black.

If I do have one criticism, it's a side effect of the novel. I've never been to Kathmandu, although I've always wanted to go. Burdett, whose cynicism blends with his humor throughout, does a very good job of popping that little balloon of mine. Kathmandu loses its exotic allure and takes on the atmosphere of a dirty, grimy little hole set against the magnificent backdrop of mountains and glaciers. I guess I'm still looking for yetis and hidden civilizations or secret religious cults with mysterious keys to enlightenment. That sort of gets laughed off, here, except for the last bit.