Mostly Murders

“Malinee told me about you.” Her gaze was guarded. “The detective,” she said, making it sound like an eccentric hobby.

Many thanks to Joffe Books at www.joffebooks.com and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

When an antiques dealer falls to his death from his balcony, British Indian translator and private investigator Vijay Mistry can’t help jumping at the chance to impress his ex-girlfriend Malinee by investigating what at first seems like an obvious accident or suicide. But as Vijay begins to dig deeper, the clues he encounters take him from Bangkok high society to Cambodian antiques, the ghosts of Khmer Rouge and the tragic fate of an investigative journalist.

A murder mystery with film noir/hardboiled private detective vibes, but instead of being set in San Francisco or Los Angeles, this story plays out in Bangkok, Thailand. Rich in details and references, this story shows the good and bad sides of a Thailand that most tourists will never see. From the luxurious lives of the hi-so, the Thailand high society types, to the dingy streets and exploitation of foreign workers, the respect and hate of the farang, the foreigners and white westeners, and the rich, deep, ancient culture, history and traditions that walk hand in hand with modern living, the portrait of Thailand presented in this novel is nuanced, unflinching and adds a level of depth and flair that transports the reader right to the sweltering hot streets of Bangkok.

Highly recommended for readers looking for a character-driven mystery with historical and cultural threads, featuring a somewhat down-on-his-luck and out-of-place private investigator, and for anyone interested in a portrayal of Thailand going beyond the usual mass-tourism promotions and cutting through the glitter and glamour of the rich and famous Thailand hi-so crowd.

Expected release date for The Case Of The Two-Faced Killer by Mithran Somasundrum is June 16th 2026.