THE NINETEEN: A Jack Shepherd Novel (The Jack Shepherd Novels)

Don’t equivocate – buy this book!

Another excellent read in the Jack Shepherd series, this one set back at the turn of the millennium bookending the tragic and world-changing event that became known simply as 9/11. Although the book is a work of fiction, it begins with a meeting that actually happened in Malaysia back in 2000, and then ingeniously weaves a fictional story out of that singular meeting that is hard to put down. Not the proverbial hard to put down, where you pick it up every other time you have a few minutes, read a couple pages, then go back to what you had been doing. The literal hard to put down. As in, be prepared to lose significant amounts of sleep when you start this book.

If you’re already acquainted with Mr. Needham’s books, this is another top-notch and indispensible read. If you’re NOT acquainted with Mr. Needham’s work, boy are you in for a treat. His prose and stories are top shelf. I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok specifically and SE Asia generally, and Mr. Needham communicates the complicated culture, smells, sights, feelings, nuances, city vibes, and interactions between the locals and farang (Thai for ‘foreigner’) with aplomb. It’s a very difficult ask, and he does it better than anyone. If you haven’t read any of the other Jack Shepherd novels, its not a prerequisite as this one stands on its own. But you’ll want to read the other Shepherd novels after this. And you should. But I digress.

This is a book that has great characters that you’ll rally behind, become invested in, and root for, because you already know what happens historically, but you don’t know where these guys are headed as they try desperately to sort through threads of intel that may or may not be relevant, and run down leads that may or may not be connected, chasing characters that may or may not be involved. It was a time when, as the book remembers, there was very little inter-agency cooperation back then (is there now?), and the indelible event of 9/11 that, as the author points out, defined an entire generation in our history, will forever haunt our collective conscience.

The book is a work of fiction, but it tells a fascinating story that could’ve happened woven around a generational-defining moment that did happen, and it does it in a way that is both ingenious and very well written and makes a significant contribution to the entire 9/11 genre. It’s that good. If you’re equivocating, don’t - just pick up a copy and read it. You’ll see precisely what I mean.

Jake Needham excels at following the threads of clues through the warp and weft of Thailand, all the while eluding being stomped on by the elephants. At a very worn but fit forty, this Jack is just the right age for a noir hero. And his attache in this book, Ryan, is just the right age for a quick-study action hero. It's a smooth, engrossing read right up to the end. The little bits of hard-earned Thai perspective are the chocolate in the cookie. Much cheaper than plane fare, it's a bargain.

The superb artistry of Jack Needham, who transports you to foreign lands and creates completely believable tales of mystery, adventure, and intrigue, is on display in this sixth Jack Shepard novel. The tale travels both back in time to when Jack was still teaching at a Bangkok university and forward 20 years to a shocking ending. Only someone of Needham’s talent could craft such a believable yet horrendous final chapter. On the other hand, Needham is a savvy observer of international politics, so he undoubtedly knows a lot of things we don’t. I find his novels completely believable, and I could not put this novel down, despite guessing one major happening early in the story.

A good story taking place in Hong Kong before the city’s demise

I've read all of Mr. Needham's work to date, and this novel raises what was already a very high bar. The plotting is tight, the atmospherics give the reader a real sense of place, and the character development is top notch. Since this novel takes place immediately before 9/11, the reader will start out thinking he knows where things are headed; he's only partly right. And that's just the first twist of many in this brilliantly crafted, taut narrative. Others have noted that Needham is very much in the tradition of Chandler and Hammett, and they're on the mark. I'll read this one many more times.

Jake Needham just keeps getting better and better. His latest is a cliff-hanging thriller as timely as tomorrow's headlines. If you're new to Needham's excellent Southeast Asian mystery series then this is your opportunity to get hooked. Read one and you'll want to read them all! And you should! Get The Nineteen today.

Love the character Shepherd.

I have read all of the Jack Shepherd series many times so could not wait for book 6 ....called 'nineteen'
I will say this....its a prequel to all the other novels so if you care about sequence get them in the correct order to follow the character development and interplay that becomes a gripping part of these books.
This is the best Jake Needham so far....it is not another one in the series as stated it precedes the series and its based on matters around 9/11 but still based in Thailand....where Jakes descriptions put you on the beach tasting that salt air and distant BBQ squid!....in a word AWESOME! .....now must wait for book 7!

A senior DEA officer in Washington decides to send junior staff lawyer Lucas Ryan to Bangkok to determine if there is a connection between the laundering of drug money in Southeast Asia and the laundering of operating funds for terrorists in the same region. At the American Embassy in Bangkok, Ryan hooks up with Pete Logan, the resident FBI agent, and Everest Tucker, the DEA’s Regional Director for the Far East. The three of them decide to launch a covert investigation into the possible existence of a senior Al-Qaeda cell currently in Bangkok for the purpose of funding a large-scale terrorist attack targeted at Americans somewhere outside of Thailand. Primarily for his expertise of money laundering, Jack Shepard is invited to join this off-the-books investigation. Note that no one from the CIA is asked to participate.

As the investigation proceeds, the reader is exposed to the complicity of the banking system in facilitating money laundering, the challenges of combating terrorism on the ground, and the multi-faceted culture of Thailand. The author is obviously highly knowledgeable about Southeast Asia and its less than savory denizens. This is his sixth novel to feature the colorful Jack Shepherd. Each of them exhibits the same high quality of storytelling and characterization as did Ross Thomas in his superb novels.

I waited for this book as was not disapointed. I have read all his books. I spend a lot of my time in BKK in the medical field and home ( USA) and have the same view points as Mr. Needham about Bangkok. Most ot the places he metioned I have been there which adds "realness" as you read. The book is absolutly fantastic and it is amazing how the author can conjure up such suspense that will keep you glued to the end . A gifted author I hope to meet some day.