A Killing Smile

If you've ever been to Bangkok, known someone who went or just want to get an education while being entertained about the mystique and pitfalls of living and/or visiting Thailand - the Land of Smiles as it is known - you will enjoy this book. This is the first in a trilogy and I plan to read the other two in 2010. Although written a few years ago it stands up perfectly well today. Moore paints pictures you might have seen before but with brush strokes beyond the pale of most people's imagination. The characters are well constructed and may remind you of people you know, if not yourself. The ending conjures up visions of an action packed and suspenseful screenplay with believable twists and turns along the way. If you like this writer you may also like books by Jake Needham, Stephen Leather and John Burdett.

It was a little over ten years ago that I purchased "Spirit House" and "A Killing Smile" at DK Books on Sukhumvit Rd and I immediately fell in love with Christopher G. Moore's writing style. I always hunt down and consume his latest books when I return to my "second home" of Chiang Mai. "A Killing Smile" is probably the best fictional version of a bible or guidebook to the Thermae that I have ever encountered and I highly reccomend it to anyone who would A.) love a wonderful story, B.)learn about the Thai/expat world and C.) go to visit Thermae for the first time. The characters are so much like the regular customers I've meet there since I first visited the original Thermae in 1995. If you haven't been to Thermae, Bangkok or Thailand itself, I'd say this is more-than-likely the best motivation for doing so.Moore's writing just grabs you and won't let you go until you hit The End and desperately wish you had another of his books to read.I went with a good British friend of mine down to Bangkok in February specifically to purchase "Minor Wife", his latest Calvino novel that I couldn't find in Chiang Mai, and found it within minutes of us getting rooms at Asoke Place. That little trip also included watching two Russian prostitutes, street vendors killing a LARGE rat and my friend and I visiting Soi Cowboy, Thermae and the Grace Hotel Coffee Shop. During my hangover, I once again realized that Moore's books are so much sanuk because all the odd-ball "normal events" I'd gone through the night before are part of the "usual routine" in his outlook on Bangkok and you feel right at home as you read them. If you haven't already read this, buy it and read it and do likewise with his other novels. Christopher G. Moore is truly an artist beyond belief and also a friendly, helpful man.

This is the first novel by Christopher G. Moore that I read. It hooked me. I have read all of Moore's books that explore Southeast Asia. I studied Slavic literature in Poland and Chinese literature in Japan. I must say that I enjoy Moore's novels just as much or more than many of the classics. I think it is they way he brings a character to life that keeps me glued to each page. He shares with the world his keen observations about Thailand and life in general through his characters and the narrative voice. It is a definite read for people who would like to experience some excitement, humor and wisdom, and of course sheer pleasure.

The true purpose and potential power of a novel is to give the reader, in an intimate, truthful and exciting way, a unique experience and insight into life in general, or lives in particular. Christopher G. Moore's works, set in Thailand, are such novels, and do both. "A Killing Smile" is a compelling story that will introduce the reader to people and places that are fictional, but absolutely real in that Mr. Moore pulls no punches and spares no detail in telling his and therefore the characters' story. This book will not be enjoyed by everyone however. It contains a few real world topics, places and people undoubtedly some readers would rather not admit exist or read about. However, the novel is fascinating. The characters are compelling. Mr. Moore's fortunate readers (I have read ten of his books - I am a fan) get an honest portrait of human lives, no matter how distant from their own they may seem, filled with hope, love, pain, desire and despair - in short, the entire spectrum of the human condition. The characters are presented without judgment as to their lives' validity and worth. They are accepted and reflected as they are. One comes away with the true belief Mr. Moore finds respect and merit in all of his characters, and through them a respect for the Thai culture in its entirety, and all of mankind for that matter. Mr. Moore's work appears to be a true reflection, without editorial distortion, of what he sees after years of living in Bangkok. I, having spent some time in Bangkok, the Thermae, Nana Plaza, Patpong and throughout Thailand, as well as time with some of the residents and those just passing through, find Mr. Moore's books (dense with images as visceral and real as any documentary) serve as actual road maps for the reader through the vast, and initially incomprehensible, world that is Bangkok and Thailand. While Mr. Moore's books may not cure whatever ailments you may have, reading them will make living with those ailments a lot more bearable and interesting. His insights and philosophy help put life in its proper perspective. Start with "A Killing Smile" and work your way through the entire series set in Thailand. It will be a unique education and great reading.

I first read Moore on my initial visit to Bangkok and found his books a sort of orientation to life in Thailand in that I began to feel a lot more comfortable with my stay there.Subsequently I have purchased all of his published works and anxiously await his next title.As a primer to the life of a "farang" in Thailand he captures all the characters you are likely to encounter in your visit and at the same time you will be a better tourist because of what you will pick up from your reading about the Thai thought process and how they view foreigners-which may make your visit safer and a lot more fun too. His Calvino books will satisfy the most demanding of mystery readers. Even if you never thought of visiting Thailand after a small helping of Moore you may find yourself booking a ticket.