Customer Reviews

Murder at the Horny Toad Bar: & Other Outrageous Tales of Thailand

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Murder at the Horny Toad Bar has various sections, some fiction, some non-fiction, but each section is loaded with "outrageous" stories or recollections of life in Thailand. Barrett engages us with his directness and he never spares himself in his criticism. He is almost always outwitted or bewitched by some gorgeous Thai woman (in one case Cambodian) but his writing keeps the reader from ever being bored. The main story, Murder at the Horny Toad Bar, is as sassy as it is humorous. Yet it is in fact a well plotted detective story. The writing is sexy, funny, and at times hilarious.

"Murder at the Horny Toad Bar" is a great title for a book. But, the title is more engaging than the detective story it leads. The story itself reads more like the script from the movie, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". After reading it I thought `Barrett could make a good screenwriter for a Loony Tunes sequel... "It all started with that phone call. I wish now I had never answered it. But I did. And right away I could tell something was wrong from the tremor in the voice on the phone. `You're tremoring', I said."

I bought `Murder at the Horny Toad Bar' to take with me on a business trip (really!) to Thailand. I bought it as a good diversion from the in-flight movies that United Airlines carefully selects from last year's movies that bombed at the box office. Look, I am not ragging on airline movies; I can squint with the other 443 economy class sardines, and with them try to make out the images on the 9" color-challenged monitor. From my seat, 20 feet away, when I squinted with intent, I swear the image was `Nemo' swimming home (my 5th time with this movie). However, saving my eyesight, I started to read `Murder at the Horny Toad Bar'.

His `Horny Toad Bar' story is one of several escapades (erotic/exotic and oversexed) that you will be privy to. So, if you are looking an escape, with a Thai flavor, or if you are want to know more about Bangkok life (it can be outrageous) seen from below the belt; then Barrett provides a lot of vistas from that vantage point. But, if you are in the market for a great (excellent) Bangkok detective story, then by all means get `Bangkok 8' by John Burdett - (see my review). And, if "Horny Toad Bar" may be too risqué for you, then consider getting the highly recommended, "Travelers' Tales: Thailand" (see my review).

This book is part fiction and also some non-fiction and is a lot of fun to read. The author obviously has been around the block a bit and is now most likely more contemplative than when he first arrived in Thailand. The non-fiction is good reading especially the article on Cambodia, Just One Beer. The fiction is fun and the sexy detective story is a scream! The last part about the author's relations with Thai women over the years is the real winner here though. I often laughed out loud. Been there, done that, myself. A great book for lovers of Asia.

I love Bangkok and I like this book because the author talks about his experiences in fiction and non-fiction with an honesty that grabs the reader. And he knows how to write. His narration of his trip to a Cambodia refugee camp is worth the price of the book alone but of course his Memoirs of an Oversexed Farang (foreigner) section reveals how much he loves the women of Thailand. Lots of Fun and great information for open-minded readers.

I leave the Kingdom tomorrow loaded down with books to read when I get back but this book intrigued me enough to dip into it while I'm here and then I had to keep reading. It is fiction and fact and a satirical takeoff on detective fiction written by someone who obviously knows Thailand. His encounters with Thai women shows he knows a few things about them too - not enough to come out ahead - but still more than most. Writing was good, usually witty. Great looking woman on the cover sure attracts a reader at least a male reader to the book. Some of the encounters with Thai women are really funny. Highly recommended. Not a book for the whole family though.

I very much enjoyed this book. It is sexy, funny and informative about Thailand and about how an oversexed Western male is overwhelmed by the beauty of Thai women. And the non-fiction section has some very fine writing. The cover story is a satirical look at a sleazy Western detective in Bangkok and is a hilarious sendup of detective novels. The writer obviously has a gift for humor and he is not afraid to honestly show his own weaknesses and shortcomings. A great read.

I think most male readers might be attracted to this book by the beautiful lady on the cover but the book is also well woorth buying for the writing inside. Lots of amusing stories and factual accounts by someone who has had more than his fair share of experience with Asia and with Thai women. I found myself laughing out loud on the plane and had to explain a bit to those seated next to me. Anyway, a very worthwhile read.

I'm not always keen on fiction and non-fiction in the same book but for this title I will make an exception. Lots of interesting and often hilarious material on Thailand and a great spoof of a detective novel. I love the last section with actual incidents in Thailand esp. with Thai women and my favorite in the first section is how the Cambodian women uses the author to get what she wants. The writer never spares himself and usually pays the price for any vanity or lust on his part. A very funny book which also makes one think.

I felt compelled to write this review because this parody of John McDonald's writing style does not work on any level. The work must have been self published. I'm ashamed to take this book to the used book store. Save your money.

The book was a fun, lighthearted look at the life of a detective encountering situations and people who could only come from Thailand. Anyone interested in a look at life in Thaiand should enjoy this book.