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A review by saareman
Blood Rubies by Mailan Doquang
4.0
Gems of Thai
Review of the Mysterious Press hardcover edition (May 7, 2024).
[3.5 rounded up to 4]
There are a lot of unrealistic elements to Blood Rubies as it makes some rather sudden leaps with abandoned subplots, deus ex machina rescues and not always likeable characters making questionable decisions. But it was a fast read which kept me engaged to find out what would happen. The atmosphere and character of the various Bangkok, Thailand settings were especially well done. You do root for the protagonist jewel thief Rune Sarasin as she presses ahead to overcome the various quests and challenges.
A view of the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand which is somewhat hidden in silhouette on the cover of "Blood Rubies." Image sourced from Wikipedia.
You gradually learn the backstory of how Sarasin, of mixed Thai/American heritage ended up as a safe-cracking thief in Bangkok, having been disavowed by her family in the USA. After an initially successful heist from a ruthless blood rubies merchant, Sarasin and her boyfriend accomplice Kit are captured by the villains. Kit is held hostage with Sarasin tasked to find and return the loot. To add to the troubles Kit's younger sister Madee has disappeared, perhaps trafficked by some shady youth centre characters. And the rubies have been lost as well during a scuffle. Can Sarasin find a solution that will save both Kit and Madee?
It becomes a race against time and then even across continents with ever more dangerous villains to outwit. A good outing for an academic turned first-time thriller author.
Trivia and Links
Thriller writer Mailan Doquang is also the architectural historian [a:Mailan S. Doquang|17426592|Mailan S. Doquang|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], author of [b:The Lithic Garden: Nature and the Transformation of the Medieval Church|36949000|The Lithic Garden Nature and the Transformation of the Medieval Church|Mailan S. Doquang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513451786l/36949000._SX50_.jpg|58721191] (2018).
Read an interview with Mailan Doquang about the process of writing Blood Rubies at Writer's Digest from May 8, 2024.
Read Mailan Doquang's note to readers of Blood Rubies at her website.
Review of the Mysterious Press hardcover edition (May 7, 2024).
[3.5 rounded up to 4]
There are a lot of unrealistic elements to Blood Rubies as it makes some rather sudden leaps with abandoned subplots, deus ex machina rescues and not always likeable characters making questionable decisions. But it was a fast read which kept me engaged to find out what would happen. The atmosphere and character of the various Bangkok, Thailand settings were especially well done. You do root for the protagonist jewel thief Rune Sarasin as she presses ahead to overcome the various quests and challenges.
A view of the Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, Thailand which is somewhat hidden in silhouette on the cover of "Blood Rubies." Image sourced from Wikipedia.
You gradually learn the backstory of how Sarasin, of mixed Thai/American heritage ended up as a safe-cracking thief in Bangkok, having been disavowed by her family in the USA. After an initially successful heist from a ruthless blood rubies merchant, Sarasin and her boyfriend accomplice Kit are captured by the villains. Kit is held hostage with Sarasin tasked to find and return the loot. To add to the troubles Kit's younger sister Madee has disappeared, perhaps trafficked by some shady youth centre characters. And the rubies have been lost as well during a scuffle. Can Sarasin find a solution that will save both Kit and Madee?
It becomes a race against time and then even across continents with ever more dangerous villains to outwit. A good outing for an academic turned first-time thriller author.
Trivia and Links
Thriller writer Mailan Doquang is also the architectural historian [a:Mailan S. Doquang|17426592|Mailan S. Doquang|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], author of [b:The Lithic Garden: Nature and the Transformation of the Medieval Church|36949000|The Lithic Garden Nature and the Transformation of the Medieval Church|Mailan S. Doquang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513451786l/36949000._SX50_.jpg|58721191] (2018).
Read an interview with Mailan Doquang about the process of writing Blood Rubies at Writer's Digest from May 8, 2024.
Read Mailan Doquang's note to readers of Blood Rubies at her website.