Expat American Poke Rafferty, world traveler and travel writer living in Bangkok, lives life on his own terms. He loves his adopted city, loves Rose, the tall and beautiful former Patpong Road go-go dancer and prostitute-turned-entrepreneur that he intends to marry, and he loves Miaow, the street-smart orphan he wants to adopt.

Though sometimes complicated, Rafferty's life—seldom boring, rarely intense—differs little from the lives of other American expatriates living in Thailand (except that Rafferty has a social conscience). But just when he thinks he has a handle on things, trouble intervenes, dragging him into the dark shadows of a violent underworld of pedophilia, torture, theft, blackmail, and murder.

Rafferty's slide into danger begins when his generous nature and good intentions lead him, against his better judgment, to take in Miaow's friend "Superman," a feral street urchin whose cunning and ferocity are known to many, including the police. And how can Rafferty say no to Arthit, his policeman friend, when Arthit suggests he help an Aussie woman search for her missing uncle? But saying no to the wealthy-but-scary harridan, Madame Wing, who offers him an ample reward to recover stolen property and reveal the identity of the thief, is not an option—he needs the money.

These events, which at first seem unrelated, soon reveal a connecting thread that runs through them all. As danger and violence threaten to engulf Rafferty and his loved ones, he goes on the offensive to put an end to them.

Timothy Hallinan's A Nail Through the Heart—brilliantly conceived and beautifully rendered—is more than just a good tale about an exotic culture; it operates on a deeper level to further one's understanding of that culture, and it does so in an artful, compelling and entertaining way. Kudos to Hallinan for an exceptional story.

A gifted writer and storyteller, Timothy Hallinan divides his time between Los Angeles and Bangkok. Visit his Web site for more information. And if you're an aspiring writer in need of some sage writing advice, don't miss Tim's Writers' Resources. They're the best.

Review by Phil Hanson, for FSB Associates