The Siamese Connection (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781960721334)

Blood on the Keyboard - The rise of the Anti-Hero.

The Siamese Connection begins in Bangkok 1947, shortly after the end of WWII and the Axis occupation. The vampire, Ramonne, becomes involved in a quest for a mysterious artifact, "The Oracle," stolen and hidden during the war by the Japanese. He joins forces with famous American expat - Jim Thompson (before he was the 'silk king, ' Thompson was an OSS agent.) Together they do battle with a secret Japanese paramilitary organization called the Black Dragons. It is revealed that the Japanese believe the Oracle possesses the power of immortality and that power could have meant invulnerability for the Japanese in the war.

The story shifts to present-day Bangkok, where we find Martin and his pregnant wife Areeya and their adopted Cambodian son, Hon (9). Martin has a visitor - Toshiro Muraki. Muraki claims to be looking for Ramonne, whom Martin admits to knowing, but says he drowned eight years earlier. Muraki thought a terrorist bomb blew him up more recently. Martin debunks that. Muraki mentions Ramonne recently being involved in an incident in Cambodia, which also included Martin. The incident occurred near an orphanage Martin endows. He shows Martin a grainy picture of the Orphanage at a night. A man's face is seen reflected in the moonlight.

Next Muraki shows Martin a photo of Ramonne and Jim Thompson from the Bamboo Bar's grand opening back in 1947. Ramonne appears to be the man in the photo of the Orphanage. Martin claims the photo must be a fake, but Muraki insists Ramonne hasn't changed since then, convinced Ramonne possesses something of great importance to them. Something powerful enough to grant Ramonne apparent immortality. Martin considers the claims absurd.

The tale shifts back and forth between 1947 and present day. Ramonne and Jim Thompson end up doing battle with The Black Dragons when Ramonne reveals he has the Oracle.

Back in the present - Ramonne knows the Japanese have contacted Martin. He reveals what he knows about the Black Dragons and The Oracle.

Areeya is admitted to the hospital for the baby's birth. But she is kidnapped from the hospital and Ramonne and Martin trace her to the Hernando Cemetery where Muraki is prepared to make her a human sacrifice in his mad quest for immortality.