Please see my latest critique on my book.

Book Title
Title: The Blacker Side of Buddhism: The Revenge of the Kuman Thong
Author: Harry J. Blackwood
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 979-8856549156
Pages: 184
Genre: Mystery / Thriller & Suspense
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Pacific Book Review
For so many, religion is not only part of the fabric of their daily lives, but the foundation
for which they live. To do that, a person’s faith needs to be infallible, with no failings or
holes in that faith to make them question anything. Yet for so many, discovering that
there are elements of their faith that aren’t perfect can be a difficult moment in their
lives, and so much disconnect occurs when dealing with changes to that faith when it
comes to a difference in culture.
Changes in culture affect not only one particular faith, but all faiths. One that author
Harry J. Blackwood investigates is Buddhism in the book The Blacker Side of
Buddhism: The Revenge of the Kuman Thong. The novel is a mystery thriller which
investigates a unique twist on the Buddhist faith in Taiwan, after a man discovers that
some believe in harnessing the souls of babies after they are taken and ended eight
months into a woman’s pregnancy. Seeking to not only understand but stop this
practice, the man travels to Thailand and will stop at nothing to end the group seeking to
destroy him in the process, the Kuman Thong.
The author immediately draws the reader in with an abrupt and haunting conversation
between the protagonist and the driver who introduces him to this practice. The fast
pace of the narrative instantly heightens the drama of this plot, and the adrenaline which
the protagonist endures as the story progresses will keep the readers enthralled as the
narrative plays out. The imagery and atmosphere not only capture the rich setting of
Thailand but the culture and divides not only between the protagonist and the people of
Thailand, but the different factions of Thailand overall.
Taking on unique twists to the thriller genre will instantly draw readers into the story, as
well as fans of mysteries, suspense dramas, and explorations of different cultures and
beliefs. The unique exploration of Buddhist culture and faith was so fascinating, as it
allowed the reader to educate themselves on the practice overall, as well as the
different approaches to the faith based on location and culture. The twists and turns this
narrative takes, from the price left on the protagonist’s head in the wake of this novel’s
events to the promise of a sequel after that shocking finale that will see this case go
global, will instantly connect readers and see a promising new voice in international
thrillers rise.
Pacific Book Review, LLC [email protected]