Review: A moving thriller with a great storyline
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2013
When I read the description of this book, I had a feeling that it would be good, but I just didn't know how much the story would affect me.  I love a good thriller, especially ones with strong characters and believable plot twists, and this one does not fail in that department.  The story is told primarily through the eyes of three female characters, Ruby, a journalist determined to tell a good story about sex trafficking in Thailand; Phikul, a young woman from a poor village who only wants to marry a wealthy farang or Westerner to take care of her family, and the tragic Mae, who has been forced into prostitution by traffickers after she tried to marry through a marriage agency.The story moves quickly, and is very suspenseful.  Although the point of view shifts from chapter to chapter, each chapter notes who is speaking, which I found very helpful, especially at the beginning of the book.  The characters are all very likeable, and I found myself actually crying as I read the book because, although this story is fictional, I know that the events inside the book actually do take place every day all over the world.  The author does an amazing job at capturing the voice of each character distinctly, so each one really stands out in your mind.Even the male characters are well written, although there is a little less detail to these.  Anders is the best written male, and his seemingly nonchalant, womanizing ways both contrast with Ruby's determination and complement the tone of the story.  His character metamorphoses during the course of the story and shifts from someone a bit smarmy to someone you'd really like on your side in a tough spot.I really enjoyed this book for several reasons; the characters and plot were believable, and the storyline was very moving.  As a woman and mother, I can't imagine what these girls go through every day to support their own families, and knowing that girls as young as or younger than my daughters are forced into sex trafficking in this day and age is simply unthinkable.  I am glad Ms. Quinn was brave enough to write this story, and I am a now a firm fan of hers for sure!