The Solitary Man

This was probably one of the largest books I read in what must be couple of hours (although spread over several days, for this I can only blame my everyday chores). Story was so fast-paced it kept me glued to the end (or inevitable sleep :)). Story of a man who tries to live his life but finds himself brought back to the underworld, betrayed and left to fight for himself under circumstances he had no power over.

Author manages to paint a vivid picture of Thailand, busy Bangkok, overcrowded prisons and wilderness of the so called Golden Triangle, area that drug-lords and war-lords keep under their thumb. When chain of events triggers a revenge campaign aiming to kill off the most powerful of drug-lords our hero's mission goes from show more high-level-of-failure to almost suicidal.

What I liked is the rather realistic approach to criminal underworld - anyone snooping around pretty soon gets offed and it does not matter if they are locals or foreigners. People die after betrayals or in ambushes - it is not guaranteed who will manage to survive. I was kept on my toes urging the characters to be smarter and avoid stupid mistakes and make it to the last pages of the novel (and unfortunately some did not). This is dog-eat-dog world and one can only hope to bring more firepower against the enemy if one wants to survive. In this way book reminds of [a:Tom Clancy|3892|Tom Clancy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]'s "[b:Clear and Present Danger|32669|Clear and Present Danger (Jack Ryan, #5; Jack Ryan Universe, #6)|Tom Clancy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1291440438l/32669._SY75_.jpg|5054704]" (another great book on anti-drug operations, highly recommended if you have not read it). Characters are well portrayed. Main hero Chris Hutchison is interesting guy. Unwillingly brought into the world of crime he manages to escape from the long term jail sentence but he is forced to start new life on the other end of Earth. After he gets pushed back into criminal world through blackmail we can see that he is more than capable to take care of himself - he manages to manipulate and fight off the criminals and make allies in what must be one of the worst prisons in the world. Author also emphasizes the crucial role friends play in everyone's lives. And lets be honest Chris would not survive single day without friends.

Book ends on a positive note and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I think that lately happy endings are becoming somewhat extinct - it is always some gloom ending or capital loss. So when things end up on a positive note I find it truly refreshing.

Great action, great characters. Highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and action. show less

I've just dug this out to read again - I'd always remembered the way Hutch trained his dogs (and there's no way mine are as well trained!!).

Stephen Leather has created a character that's been on the wrong side of the tracks and who is now trying to live a normal life - until his past catches up with him. I'm not going to give the plot away, but if you like your thriller characters with depth, emotion and mixed in with a lot of action, The Solitary Man is for you.

Add it to your bookshelf now!