Christopher G. Moore’s prize-winning series of crime novels set in Bangkok has been translated into eleven languages and critically acclaimed around the world. Featuring Vincent Calvino, a disbarred American lawyer working as a PI in the dangerous and steamy Thai capital, the books offer gripping plots, fascinating characters, and unparalleled insight into one of the world’s most entrancing cities. In Paying Back Jack, Calvino agrees to follow the “minor wife” of a Thai politician and report on her movements. His client is Rick Casey, a shady American whose life has been darkened by the unsolved murder of his idealistic son. It seems to be a simple surveillance job, but soon Calvino is entangled in a dangerous web of political allegiance and a reckless quest for revenge. And, unknown to our man in Bangkok, in an anonymous tower in the center of the city, a two-man sniper team awaits its shot, a shot that will change everything. Paying Back Jack is classic Christopher G. Moore: densely-woven, eye-opening, and riveting.
Paying Back Jack
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Bangkok, the city where Vincent Calvino ekes out a living, teems with all sorts of characters, as shown in Moore's sprawling 10th thriller to feature the disbarred American lawyer turned PI (after The Risk of Infidelity Index). Calvino foils an assassination attempt on an important new client, General Yosaporn; makes a deadly enemy of Thai businessman Apichart; watches a woman fall to her death past his hotel window; tails the mia noi (minor wife) of political candidate Somporn; and repeatedly crosses paths with two professional killers. He also helps a female Spanish U.N. worker, for whom he falls, rescue a young girl about to be sold for sex. In the process of tying a bunch of elaborate plot knots with these diverse strands, Moore reveals the seething stew of wealth, corruption, cultural clashes, poverty and lust that is modern Bangkok. While some readers might wish for a glossary of the many Thai terms, all will appreciate the raw passion that drives the action. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"Moore creates a cast of vibrant characters worth of the best Elmore Leonard caper for this hard-edged, stylish mystery.... His VIncent Calvino is at once in the finest tradition of the lone private detective and a complete original." --Matt Beynon Rees, author of The Samaritan's Secret
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Burleigh-Boy
Format:Hardcover
Christopher G. Moore's Paying Back Jack is one of his best Calvino mysteries yet. He links CIA shenanigans and rogue agents to local Thai politics and the ubiquitous, yet barely visible Bangkok (and Pattaya) underworld of girls, guns, and graft. The book is filtered through the eyes of the cynical expat detective Calvino trying, as always, both to make a living and to hold on to his humanity. He ties these and other stories together with the skill of a master weaver and, in the process, Thailand and its generals, superstitions, mia noys, politicians, heat, American expats, and food stalls come to life. The book is the next best thing to being in Thailand, and it doesn't require a plane ticket.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Paying Back Jack is another in the excellent Vincent Calvino series by CG Moore. I first read the Risk of Fidelity Index several years ago and was pleased to learn it was preceeded by 8 other novels all featuring the PI, Vincent Calvino. Unfortunately, none were published in the US so I had to e-mail order them from Thailand. They were all worth it. Mr. Moore's characters are believable, entertaining, humerous at times, but the setting (Thailand) makes these terrific crime stories even more interesting because of the huge cultural differences between east and west. I strongly recommend Paying Back Jack as well as all the previous books if you can find them.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Scot Bedford
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Vincent Calvino series is a rock solid detective series. I have enjoyed this series for a few years. For a while it was "bootleg" in the US. It was as hard to get and had the same mystique as a can of cold Coors before it went national. Calvino is a disbarred New York attorney with a quick head and quick hands to match. He was framed for something he didn't do in Gotham City ; he has a good heart which is warmed by the heat he packs under his loose fitting unlined Brioni knock-off sports jacket on the steaming hot streets. His haunts are the sois
(streets) of Bangkock. He pursues his capers with a unique combination of Western sensibility but with an understanding of Eastern sensitivity. He is savvy and tough and no babe in the woods. The action explodes off the page as Calvino is the only obstacle between his client the Thai General and a street hit, Bangkock style. I have read other authors and Bangkock procedurals, but, after returning to PAYING BACK JACK C.G.Moore must be crowned the king of this genre. His writing is taut, descriptive and explosive. His protagonist is likeable, believable, fallible and capable. Moores' knowledge of Bangkock as filtered through a knowing occidental's eyes is unbeatable. In short; a winning combination of entertainment.
(streets) of Bangkock. He pursues his capers with a unique combination of Western sensibility but with an understanding of Eastern sensitivity. He is savvy and tough and no babe in the woods. The action explodes off the page as Calvino is the only obstacle between his client the Thai General and a street hit, Bangkock style. I have read other authors and Bangkock procedurals, but, after returning to PAYING BACK JACK C.G.Moore must be crowned the king of this genre. His writing is taut, descriptive and explosive. His protagonist is likeable, believable, fallible and capable. Moores' knowledge of Bangkock as filtered through a knowing occidental's eyes is unbeatable. In short; a winning combination of entertainment.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Calvino mystery
Christopher Moore's Vincent Calvino series is priceless! Now, can we just get Amazon to agree to provide all of the titles, and not just on Kindle??
Published on December 31, 2010 by K. peterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paying Back Jack
Christoper G. Moore knows Bangkok probably better than most Thai's. And he probably embarrasses the hell out of them. Another great Vincent Calvino novel.
Published on March 9, 2010 by William L. Callaway
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Up To His Usual Standards!
I have been a fan of Moore since his proverbial salad days and even promulgated his appearance as a guest at several of my social group's Thanksgiving Dinners @ Bourbon Street in... Read more
Published on February 26, 2010 by Joseph Kohout Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paying Back Jack
Moore has done it again. His descriptions of the soi(s) and the way everything comes together and falls into place in the end is unmistakable classic Moore. Read more
Published on February 10, 2010 by Michael A. Smith
