Book Review: Eastern Shadows by Peter Nordgren

Reviewed by Tessa Wegert

Welcome to a world of neon, ancient temples, and exhaust, where a city with a dark side hides a missing girl—and possibly a killer

Southeast Asia is the setting for this richly-drawn mystery with the heart of a P.I. novel. Featuring a former investigative journalist, Peter Nordgren’s debut, Eastern Shadows, is a no-holds-barred journey through a criminal underworld led by a protagonist readers will be eager to see in a sequel.

“Neon signs glowed in all directions. Shane took to the middle of the narrow asphalt road. Once again, he found himself navigating the mean streets of Thailand. But now he would face them alone.”

When nineteen-year-old Ploy, Thai-born but raised in America, goes back to her homeland, she discovers that it’s fraught with secrecy and danger. Back in the states, her mother Sumali worries about Ploy’s safety after noticing something’s off about her social media posts.

Enter Shane Morris, a freelance writer and frequent customer at Sumali’s restaurant. In between jobs and eager to return to Thailand, where he once lived and worked as an investigative journalist, Shane agrees to fly back and launch a search to find the missing girl. Shane is haunted by a crime he failed to solve when he was last in Thailand, and he’s determined to do right by Sumali.

Sumali believes that Ploy may be looking to reconnect with her estranged father, a real estate mogul with a shady reputation. Shane calls on his old local pal, Hall, to help him locate the friends Ploy made while on her trip and navigate Bangkok’s dark underbelly. Shane thinks he knows the landscape and culture from his working days, but this visit reveals another side of the city where corruption, sex trafficking, and drug deals abound. Reconnecting with a girlfriend from his past puts Shane on a ruthless criminal’s radar, and soon, his investigation draws the attention of Ploy’s father with surprising results.

Between the ticking clock and a number of credible red herrings, Shane’s search for Ploy feels urgent and authentic. Despite multiple points of view, a technique that may have readers wanting more time with Shane, it’s the intrepid journalist who serves as the guiding light in this story. He’s a relatable sleuth who isn’t immune to the city’s temptations and who looks for allies in dangerous places while tackling criminal elements. In his friend Hall, Shane finds an unflinching foil adept at ferreting out clue after clue even when the inquiries lead to violence. The deeper Shane travels into Bangkok’s shadows, the closer he gets to a killer. The stakes couldn’t be much higher.

This atmospheric mystery doesn’t skimp on action and well-timed twists. Unpredictable storytelling coupled with solid characterization make Eastern Shadows a satisfying, sharply executed thriller.

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