Tom Vater
Author of The Cambodian Book of the Dead
About the Author
Image credit: Tom Vater in Laos, 2011
Series
Works by Tom Vater
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- writer, journalist, scriptwriter
- Organizations
- Crime Wave Press
- Short biography
- Tom Vater writes non-fiction books and novels, documentary screenplays, travel guides and articles investigating cultural, social, environmental and political trends and oddities, predominantly with a focus on Asia. His articles have appeared in publications such as The Asia Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
He is the author of two crime novels, both currently available through Crime Wave Press (www.crimewavepress.com)
His book Sacred Skin (co-authored with photographer Aroon Thaewchatturat), the first English language title on Thailand’s sacred tattoos, has received more than 30 reviews and is a regional bestseller. He also co-authored The Most Secret Place on Earth, a feature documentary on the CIA’s largest ever covert operation, in 1960s Laos, which has been broadcast in more than twenty countries.
www.tomvater.com - Nationality
- German Empire
- Places of residence
- Thailand
- Map Location
- Germany
Members
Reviews
TW: torture, murder
Tom Vater is an excellent noir writer, as he exhibits in The Cambodian Book of the Dead. Fans of the genre will appreciate his deftness, while newcomers can appreciate the way he draws his readers into his books like a spider collects prey in its web. Readers who enjoy reading Asian literature will find a compelling story but definitely not one for the faint of heart.
The story is set in Cambodia, where Detective Maier is sent to find the missing German heir of a coffee show more empire. Maier had been a war correspondent during the Khmer Rouge genocide in the mid-1970’s. Maier returns to Cambodia searching for Rolf and encounters the brutality and corruption that has emerged since the war ended. Will he successfully complete his mission? Will he even survive the mission?
What makes Vater’s writing addictive is how he draws a reader into his world. He says in 50 words what some writers say in 10. If he were to cut down his word count, the remaining story would be so dry it would turn to dust. You feel the booming of the nightclub speakers, smell whatever’s being smoked, and see nearby people struggling in his chaotically presented scene. He presents a vivid picture to readers even those who have never been to Cambodia, never tried to survive in a war zone, never been a detective.
Tom Vater won’t let you sit in the bleachers as he presents his tale - he grabs you and demands your attention to everything going on. The story is ugly, it’s cynical…and utterly riveting.
Thank you, Blackthorn Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. show less
Tom Vater is an excellent noir writer, as he exhibits in The Cambodian Book of the Dead. Fans of the genre will appreciate his deftness, while newcomers can appreciate the way he draws his readers into his books like a spider collects prey in its web. Readers who enjoy reading Asian literature will find a compelling story but definitely not one for the faint of heart.
The story is set in Cambodia, where Detective Maier is sent to find the missing German heir of a coffee show more empire. Maier had been a war correspondent during the Khmer Rouge genocide in the mid-1970’s. Maier returns to Cambodia searching for Rolf and encounters the brutality and corruption that has emerged since the war ended. Will he successfully complete his mission? Will he even survive the mission?
What makes Vater’s writing addictive is how he draws a reader into his world. He says in 50 words what some writers say in 10. If he were to cut down his word count, the remaining story would be so dry it would turn to dust. You feel the booming of the nightclub speakers, smell whatever’s being smoked, and see nearby people struggling in his chaotically presented scene. He presents a vivid picture to readers even those who have never been to Cambodia, never tried to survive in a war zone, never been a detective.
Tom Vater won’t let you sit in the bleachers as he presents his tale - he grabs you and demands your attention to everything going on. The story is ugly, it’s cynical…and utterly riveting.
Thank you, Blackthorn Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. show less
I received an eBook copy of this title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for the review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
I adore a good mystery, always have. Add in sharp detail that feels like “feet on the ground” research and it becomes a near perfect setting for me. Being acquainted with several people who are either Cambodian or were in refugee camps as a result of either the Vietnam War or the Khmer Rouge, and having my own visions of show more the beauty and history of the people: I instantly was interested in the story and where it would go. So, I was predisposed to like the book on those grounds alone. What I did not expect was the intelligent and very liberal sprinkling and references to the history of the country that all serve to better define and help the reader to ‘understand’ the interactions.
Maier is a former war correspondent from Germany: his speciality was the Southeast Asian area. Nearing the end of the “defined” war in Cambodia, his fixer Hort was killed by a bomb, left to kill him. Maier returned to Germany, handed in his resignation and accepted a position with the leading Investigative Agency in the area. He returns to Cambodia, with his memories and knowledge to track down and ‘return’ a German ex-pat to his family per his mother’s request.
During his investigation, we encounter many of his connections: Carissa an Australian who left her country for the freewheeling world of the “all night” Cambodia, and has entrée into the ‘now and current’ happenings in the country.
What starts as a fairly straight line to the finish mystery / detective story is so peppered with twists and references to violence remembered and current, juxtaposed against the stark beauty amid devastation from 20 years of war, and the actual beauty of the people seen through the jaded eyes of Maier: this story is haunting and palpable with tension.
The style is very much one of a war correspondent: while details are beautifully described and details are clearly presented, the prose is spare and less flowery than many would like. When reliving his memories of times past, we see what feels like a wish for it to be different – for him to reencounter scenes and places of the past again, with fresh eyes and the ability to appreciate the beauty without the knowledge of horrors contained in the history of the spaces and places. By the end of the book, you are treated to an understanding, at least as complete as Westerners are able to have on the feel of the place, and the history of its people. It is a beautiful testament, in an offhanded way, to the power of the human will to live, to survive and the equally powerful ability to forget because remembering is far too painful.
I really did enjoy this book, while parts were slower for me than others; the indescribable need to read with my back against a wall was nearly constant. The tension that Maier feels as a westerner in a land that tends to view all outsiders with scepticism, if not outright hostility, was transmitted through the words and plot. It was a great read for mystery and history fans alike. show less
I adore a good mystery, always have. Add in sharp detail that feels like “feet on the ground” research and it becomes a near perfect setting for me. Being acquainted with several people who are either Cambodian or were in refugee camps as a result of either the Vietnam War or the Khmer Rouge, and having my own visions of show more the beauty and history of the people: I instantly was interested in the story and where it would go. So, I was predisposed to like the book on those grounds alone. What I did not expect was the intelligent and very liberal sprinkling and references to the history of the country that all serve to better define and help the reader to ‘understand’ the interactions.
Maier is a former war correspondent from Germany: his speciality was the Southeast Asian area. Nearing the end of the “defined” war in Cambodia, his fixer Hort was killed by a bomb, left to kill him. Maier returned to Germany, handed in his resignation and accepted a position with the leading Investigative Agency in the area. He returns to Cambodia, with his memories and knowledge to track down and ‘return’ a German ex-pat to his family per his mother’s request.
During his investigation, we encounter many of his connections: Carissa an Australian who left her country for the freewheeling world of the “all night” Cambodia, and has entrée into the ‘now and current’ happenings in the country.
What starts as a fairly straight line to the finish mystery / detective story is so peppered with twists and references to violence remembered and current, juxtaposed against the stark beauty amid devastation from 20 years of war, and the actual beauty of the people seen through the jaded eyes of Maier: this story is haunting and palpable with tension.
The style is very much one of a war correspondent: while details are beautifully described and details are clearly presented, the prose is spare and less flowery than many would like. When reliving his memories of times past, we see what feels like a wish for it to be different – for him to reencounter scenes and places of the past again, with fresh eyes and the ability to appreciate the beauty without the knowledge of horrors contained in the history of the spaces and places. By the end of the book, you are treated to an understanding, at least as complete as Westerners are able to have on the feel of the place, and the history of its people. It is a beautiful testament, in an offhanded way, to the power of the human will to live, to survive and the equally powerful ability to forget because remembering is far too painful.
I really did enjoy this book, while parts were slower for me than others; the indescribable need to read with my back against a wall was nearly constant. The tension that Maier feels as a westerner in a land that tends to view all outsiders with scepticism, if not outright hostility, was transmitted through the words and plot. It was a great read for mystery and history fans alike. show less
Tom Vater wrote the three novellas in Kolkata Noir during his Indo-European Art residency in Kolkata. He brings that vibrant city’s energy and the contrast between opulence and poverty while relating three slices of life for a police Inspectress and a British consultant.
Vater’s trio of novellas show the rapidly changing society in the city now known as Kolkata. The first novella offers a murder mystery set in 1999 Calcutta. A prominent businessman’s body was found stuffed into a crate. show more His wife, her British lover, and his brother were all suspects. Inspectress Madhurima Mitra was set up to fail in this high-profile case by her sexist colleagues. She meets Becker, who has met the British lover before and helps in the investigation. By the time the crime is solved, the two share a deep connection.
The second novella is set in 2019 Kolkata. Becker was hired to bring back two British teens who have run away to Kolkata and are trying to get rich by claiming to know the whereabouts of Mother Teresa’s gold. He again crosses paths with Madhu as she’s investigating a kidnapping related to the boys’ scheme. Becker and Madhu work together to extract the boys and apprehend Kolkata’s underworld thugs who have their sights set on the boys.
The third novella is set in 2039 Killkata. Global warming has turned Kohlkata into a flooded, lawless city. Becker returns to Kolkata to rescue Madhu, only to discover her husband has been kidnapped. Kolkata has two precious airline tickets originally intended for Becker to reunite Madhu with her daughter in Scotland. Does anyone use those precious tickets to escape the flood? If so, who uses them? And what happens to those who remain in India?
Vater’s inspirations are obvious - noir fiction and Kolkata. He beautifully weaves them together as he unveils Becker and Madhu’s surroundings. He doesn't need many words to develop interesting characters in lively backdrops. I enjoyed Vater drawing me into the story and wanting to see his vision. He has a gift for providing settings that puts readers right into the story, even people like me who have never been to India. Previous exposure to Indian culture is not necessary to enjoy Kolkata Noir.
If you enjoy literature set in India, then check out Tom Vater’s luscious Kolkata Noir. If you enjoy character stories set over an extended period of time, then check out Tom Vater’s reflective Kolkata Noir. If you enjoy noir fiction, then check out Tom Vater’s riveting Kolkata Noir.
Oh, just check out Tom Vater’s Kolkata Noir.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours or providing a copy of the book. show less
Vater’s trio of novellas show the rapidly changing society in the city now known as Kolkata. The first novella offers a murder mystery set in 1999 Calcutta. A prominent businessman’s body was found stuffed into a crate. show more His wife, her British lover, and his brother were all suspects. Inspectress Madhurima Mitra was set up to fail in this high-profile case by her sexist colleagues. She meets Becker, who has met the British lover before and helps in the investigation. By the time the crime is solved, the two share a deep connection.
The second novella is set in 2019 Kolkata. Becker was hired to bring back two British teens who have run away to Kolkata and are trying to get rich by claiming to know the whereabouts of Mother Teresa’s gold. He again crosses paths with Madhu as she’s investigating a kidnapping related to the boys’ scheme. Becker and Madhu work together to extract the boys and apprehend Kolkata’s underworld thugs who have their sights set on the boys.
The third novella is set in 2039 Killkata. Global warming has turned Kohlkata into a flooded, lawless city. Becker returns to Kolkata to rescue Madhu, only to discover her husband has been kidnapped. Kolkata has two precious airline tickets originally intended for Becker to reunite Madhu with her daughter in Scotland. Does anyone use those precious tickets to escape the flood? If so, who uses them? And what happens to those who remain in India?
Vater’s inspirations are obvious - noir fiction and Kolkata. He beautifully weaves them together as he unveils Becker and Madhu’s surroundings. He doesn't need many words to develop interesting characters in lively backdrops. I enjoyed Vater drawing me into the story and wanting to see his vision. He has a gift for providing settings that puts readers right into the story, even people like me who have never been to India. Previous exposure to Indian culture is not necessary to enjoy Kolkata Noir.
If you enjoy literature set in India, then check out Tom Vater’s luscious Kolkata Noir. If you enjoy character stories set over an extended period of time, then check out Tom Vater’s reflective Kolkata Noir. If you enjoy noir fiction, then check out Tom Vater’s riveting Kolkata Noir.
Oh, just check out Tom Vater’s Kolkata Noir.
Thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours or providing a copy of the book. show less
TW: torture, murder
Tom Vater is an excellent noir writer, as he exhibits in The Cambodian Book of the Dead. Fans of the genre will appreciate his deftness, while newcomers can appreciate the way he draws his readers into his books like a spider collects prey in its web. Readers who enjoy reading Asian literature will find a compelling story but definitely not one for the faint of heart.
The story is set in Cambodia, where Detective Maier is sent to find the missing German heir of a coffee show more empire. Maier had been a war correspondent during the Khmer Rouge genocide in the mid-1970’s. Maier returns to Cambodia searching for Rolf and encounters the brutality and corruption that has emerged since the war ended. Will he successfully complete his mission? Will he even survive the mission?
What makes Vater’s writing addictive is how he draws a reader into his world. He says in 50 words what some writers say in 10. If he were to cut down his word count, the remaining story would be so dry it would turn to dust. You feel the booming of the nightclub speakers, smell whatever’s being smoked, and see nearby people struggling in his chaotically presented scene. He presents a vivid picture to readers even those who have never been to Cambodia, never tried to survive in a war zone, never been a detective.
Tom Vater won’t let you sit in the bleachers as he presents his tale - he grabs you and demands your attention to everything going on. The story is ugly, it’s cynical…and utterly riveting.
Thank you, Blackthorn Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. show less
Tom Vater is an excellent noir writer, as he exhibits in The Cambodian Book of the Dead. Fans of the genre will appreciate his deftness, while newcomers can appreciate the way he draws his readers into his books like a spider collects prey in its web. Readers who enjoy reading Asian literature will find a compelling story but definitely not one for the faint of heart.
The story is set in Cambodia, where Detective Maier is sent to find the missing German heir of a coffee show more empire. Maier had been a war correspondent during the Khmer Rouge genocide in the mid-1970’s. Maier returns to Cambodia searching for Rolf and encounters the brutality and corruption that has emerged since the war ended. Will he successfully complete his mission? Will he even survive the mission?
What makes Vater’s writing addictive is how he draws a reader into his world. He says in 50 words what some writers say in 10. If he were to cut down his word count, the remaining story would be so dry it would turn to dust. You feel the booming of the nightclub speakers, smell whatever’s being smoked, and see nearby people struggling in his chaotically presented scene. He presents a vivid picture to readers even those who have never been to Cambodia, never tried to survive in a war zone, never been a detective.
Tom Vater won’t let you sit in the bleachers as he presents his tale - he grabs you and demands your attention to everything going on. The story is ugly, it’s cynical…and utterly riveting.
Thank you, Blackthorn Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. show less
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 17
- Also by
- 1
- Members
- 125
- Popularity
- #160,150
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 16
- ISBNs
- 34
- Languages
- 3
