Timothy Hallinan is a terrific author. A NAIL THROUGH THE HEART, set in Bangkok, depicts the complete spectrum of human existence. The tale draws you into a city where veins of poverty and depravity pulse through a heart of beauty. Poke Rafferty, a travel writer fascinated by the city and its people, knows well the darkness but chooses the light, even while the shadows whisper and claw.
I can’t say the book is for everyone. The blackest human nature is clearly shown, and is neither whitewashed nor sensationalized. It’s simply a fact of life in Bangkok, and has to be dealt with. All I can say is that it’s been a long time since I had to finish a book in a single read. This one kept me up until 2:00 am, and the game was well worth the candle. My next purchase will be THE FOURTH WATCHER, the second in Mr. Hallinan’s Poke Rafferty series.
You can see summaries of all four stories at http://www.timothyhallinan.com/poke.html
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