"Smith gets the details of mid-level rock stardom just right ... mixing laughs and satire like a cross between Carl Hiaasen and Ross Thomas. A-" -- 'Entertainment Weekly' From the author of 'Moist' and 'Delicious' comes a raucous comic novel where anything goes. Turk Henry, an overweight, unemployed rock star married to a supermodel, has discovered that Thailand is probably the last place a recovering sex addict should go on vacation, yet here he is, surrounded by topless groupies and haunted by the stares of hundreds of luscious bar girls. Turk's struggles with monogamy, however, pale beside a greater challenge when his wife is abducted by a group of renegade, shipless Thai pirates. As Turk, whose life skills are limited to playing bass and partying, navigates the back alleys of Bangkok and the deadly jungles of Southeast Asia to save his wife, 'Salty' heats up and sweats bullets. Featuring skinflint American tourists, topless beaches, a hypochondriac U.S. government agent, suitcases loaded with cash, an over-eager full-service personal assistant, a horny Australian commando, inventive prostitutes, and an urbane pirate with a fetish for alabaster skin, this is a hilariously entertaining, thoroughly debauched caper novel -- with a happy finish.
I hadn't enjoyed a book this much in a really long time. It may sound trite, but I couldn't put it down. It was hilarious and as soon as I finished it I went online to see what other books by this author were available. Like others have mentioned, it reminded me of a Carl Hiaasen novel and maybe a little of Maarten Troost thrown in.
Satisfying on every level
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Great setting, great on the details, and a great read. You'll be happy with the love angles and triangles, the premise and the plot. For some reason I'm reminded of "Sick Puppy" by Hiaasen, in the very best way. Light and satisfying. Enjoy!
Great summer read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Could not put book down. Aging rock star implants himself in your heart. Evil kidnapper evolves into sensitive caring man thanks to powers of love. Sexy, spicy and constantly drawing you in. Read it on plane trip to Hawaii, and read it again on trip home to JFK, NYC. This guy Smith really knows how to write a tantalizing story!
Hilarious!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
More fun than a frozen margarita on the beach! Salty is hilarious, raunchy, and continuously entertaining! I read it all in one sitting, and couldn't put it down. Take a fun trip to Thailand with an aging rock star, oh and be careful of pirates and FBI agents along the way. Seriously, what could be more fun than that?
Carl Hiassen meets Bangkok 8
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I bought my favorite book of all time, "Boy Wonder" by James Robert Baker because someone described it as "Citizen Kane meets Blue Velvet." I'm a sucker for the one-line Hollywood pitch, and bought this book because of the quote on the cover: "Graham Greene meets the Marx Brothers." I was not disappointed, although, having just read it, I might say: "Carl Hiassen meets Bangkok 8." As in a Hiassen novel, I loved the quirky characters. Turk Henry, the second-fiddle bass player in a wildly successful, recently defunct heavy-metal band fumbles through a mid-life crisis on the beaches of Thailand, determined to rescue his super-model wife from the clutches of kidnappers. His wife finds the kidnapping a perfect opportunity to deal with some of her own issues. As in Bangkok 8, we are treated to a wonderful portrayal of the sensuality of Thailand, from the stunning food and smells to the rich depths and variety of the sex industry. Graham Greene is brought to mind by expatriate government agents acting on their own behalf, and actually trying to undermine the rescue effort. As for the Marx Brothers, well, I suppose they ate some Duck Soup, among the many mouth-watering meals. I had a great time with this book, and put it down with a big smile on my face. I am certainly looking forward to reading Smith's previous books.
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