What do readers think of Hunters in the Dark by Lawrence Osborne? Write your own review.

"Hunters in the Dark" is a thrilling read. Robert is a naïve British English teacher on a summer pilgrimage to Cambodia when he comes into a large sum of money. He questions where his mundane life is leading him and decides to disappear for a time. Unfortunately in Cambodia, Robert's new found riches do not go unnoticed. This leads to many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The author also goes into a lot of pictorial detail about Cambodia and the way of life there. So if you like thrillers with very descriptive prose you will enjoy reading this new book by Lawrence Osborne.

The past is ever present in this intriguing book set in modern Cambodia. Decades after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, atrocities of that era still resound, and as they mingle with more ancient beliefs in ghosts and karma an interesting dynamic is created in a nation trying to find its place in the world. Using shifting viewpoints and a number of different storylines, Osborne creates a steamy atmospheric novel with a compelling storyline. The beginning is a tad slow, but it is well worth making your way through it to get to the heart of the story.

I had a very time hard getting into this book. And even when I finally did, I didn't really care very much about the collection of characters. But, I was almost mesmerized by Osborne's precise and elegant writing style. He captures Cambodia's atmosphere so well that I could almost feel the sweltering heat of the jungle. His characters are brilliantly described and his comments about human nature are spot on. I'm glad that I experienced Osborne's suspenseful novel, but I wouldn't seek out another one of his works.

The first 125 pages meandered and made me wonder when will the book actually begin. I felt as if I was reading a philosopical travel book by a member of the hippie generation. Part two picked up the pace and actually started to bring the book to life, but the final section dove back into the lives of two very uninteresting characters. Only one person, Duluth, rings true, and is not mind numbingly lost.

I really wanted to like this book. I initially thought that if I just get past the first 50-60 pages, then things will pick up. I was wrong. This book, for me anyway slogged all the way to the end. The pace was so slow. I didn't even care for the writing. I didn't like any of the characters either. I did like the setting. I really tried to like this book, but in the end I just didn't.

Why say "It was a dark, rainy night" when you can add so many descriptors to change the statement into a literary masterpiece??? This was a very difficult read for me, even though the locale was a big draw. Robert was not a likable character and his "whatever" attitude just grated on me...Davuth, however WAS interesting but was used indifferently. The ending was too neat...full circle, no resolution. Disappointing all around.

I wanted to like this book but I found it difficult to get into. When I become interested in the characters up popped sentences such as: "Through this paradoxical dark brightness the people moved with a vivid lethargy and calm." Then I came upon 'disburdened, desultorily, sussaration", etc. I finished the book because I cared about Robert (though I'm not sure why) and I'll be traveling soon so wanted my review online before I left. I didn't think this was an 'evocative new work of literary suspense.' I thought it was boring and a waste of my time.