Review of Eastern Shadows by Peter Nordgren

A thrilling tale of international intrigue, Eastern Shadows takes the reader on a suspense-filled ride through Thailand’s underbelly. A missing woman and a worried mother send one man on an action-packed mission to uncover shocking secrets from their past and present. From the compelling first chapter through to the final shocking revelations, author Nordgren’s page-turning plot leads to one surprising twist after another. 

When struggling journalist Shane Morris is enlisted to travel to Thailand to search for a friend’s out-of-touch daughter, his expectation for a reasonable explanation quickly crumbles. The fun expense-paid trip that he initially envisions becomes a journey to the seedy, corrupt, criminal side of the country. What happened to Ploy? Video clips on social media indicate that she needed a break from her life, that she is fine, and no one should look for her. But both her mother and Shane sense something is off. 

When his search for Ploy results in the murder of possible leads, the investigation takes an ominous detour, putting Shane in danger and throwing him under the bus as a suspect. Not knowing whom to believe and whom to trust, he is dragged deep into the depravity of human nature as he navigates the cities and towns of the country where he once worked as an English teacher. Shane’s determination and resilience as he perseveres to complete the job he has been paid for highlight his integrity as a human being, in contrast to the sinister forces at play.

Author Nordgren’s knowledge of the language, culture, and landscape of Thailand shine through the pages in this gritty novel laced with realism. Eastern Shadows is a gripping missing person story in a locale that is both exotic and sordid, with a mix of honorable and despicable characters. The no-holds barred violence and vivid descriptions create an atmospheric read, the setting as dark as the plot and characters. If you love international noir, you’ll want to get your hands on this book.