Jason Schoonover

Readers' Letters

Like all writers, it’s a real pleasure to receive emails and letters from readers—they really make one’s day. All that can be answered are, of course.

Some of these have all been edited to remove writers’ email addresses and phone numbers etc, extraneous material, and anything which would give away plots.

This first is one of my favorites and from one of my favorite people, Sue Hendrickson who discovered the giant T.rex now at the Field Museum in Chicago:

Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 18:08:58 -0400 (EDT)

From:

Subject: winette

i read your thai gold book...and laughed, and laughed...and loved the plot twists....your characters (and i suspect it was mostly you) are so much like all the guys i've worked with on boats, ships, diving, etc...the character you left out was the girl buddy who would go to the clubs everynight to translate for the french divers speaking to their girls of the night.....and who would sit in the "lobby" as they all got their thai massage befoer we would all head to dinner...

i truly enjoyed the book...you are quite excellent with language,.....i ordered the other ones...when i fly through seattle next week (for ten hours) i hope they've arrived in the mail, to go with me to japan for nighttime reading (after my nice japanese massage)

Jason:

While in Bangkok three weeks ago, I purchased your book, "THAI GOLD". I just finished reading it. What a great novel! I could hardly put the book down after I started reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the suspense and the intrigue of the story. You should contact the movie industry and have a movie made about the story with NOTHING CHANGED.

...while at the airport waiting for my plane trip back to the Philippines, I was browsing in the Duty Free book section and saw your book. I purchased and started reading it. I have to admit, the story in this book really kept me keenly interested. It kept me going the entire time I read it. The chase after the Head, involvement with your friends, Tysee's father, the terriorists, your sadness and disappointment about Tysee running away with your best friend, especially after your sacrifices, etc. were several things that really kept my interest. The entire book is a fantastic piece of writing. I thought that you wrote a great story and really enjoyed reading it. I almost put myself in the story with you.

Just wanted to say your book was great reading. Let me know when you write another one.

With best wishes,
Claude Cochran
Angeles City, Philippines

Transcribed from a letter:

Story wise, your book is a true work of art. I just wanted to tell you that I liked your book. I look forward to the next one.

Tally – ho,
Eric Mowrey
Bursins, Switzerland

Just completed Thai Gold, and it was a great read. Probably more so for me, as I have been in and out of Thailand since 1966 with full time residence from 1967 to 1969 and again from 1999 to the present (and future).

You did cause me some concern with the "Dear John" Lee received. I was so upset that I almost threw the book off my 13th floor balconey in Jomtien Beach.

Thanks a great deal for writing the book. Will you be in Bangkok in the future for a book signing possibly?

Gene Johnson

Transcribed from an email hard copy:

Hello Jason – I just wanted to tell you I’ve almost finished your book and absolutely LOVE it – when will the next one be out – I can’t find enough books here that I’ve not read and am an avid reader – especially on long flights and I have one to London coming up. I really enjoyed your book – firstly as it was set in Thailand where I lived (at Regent C/Mai) for 4.5 years, and then in Egypt (where my husband is from) – and now I’m back in Phuket launching this magnificent resort – just wanted to let you know I LOVED it and your style of writing is fabulous – loved the funny bits to. I DO hope you will write another one soon or better still have one coming out tomorrow for my London trip.

Best regards,
Lee Sutton
Director of Public Relations
JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa

Transcribed from a handwritten letter from Cape Cod:

I am writing to you, mostly, to thank you so much for “Bangkok Collection” – the copy I purchased was “Thai Gold” which I found here at a local drugstore two days after I returned fro my third trip to Thailand. I had seen “Bangkok Collection” in a bookstore on Sukhumvit Rd...but at the time, I didn’t have the dollars or the baht to spend on it so I was thrilled to find “Thai Gold” here on the Cape.

I bought it lao-lao and fell in love with it as quickly – the characters, the locales, the storyline were all perfect! I’ve read it countlessly since the first time I bought it and I can honestly tell you it’s my favorite book of all time and probably always will be. You are a fantastic writer and “Thai Gold” has helped me so much when I am fiscally-imprisoned here and halfway around the world from my beloved second home, Thailand.

I just want to tell you how much your book meant to me and always will. I’d also like to meet you sometime and buy you a drink and see what I can do to convince you to possibly write another Lee Rivers novel!

Sean Bunzick

From: "Sean Bunzick" Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 1:31 AM Subject: Outstanding News, Puen!!!

Sawadee, Jason! I DO want to tell you how much I enjoyed your update of "Thai Gold" and the changes you made in it! It was a joy to buy it on Sukhumvit and enjoy it after recovering from the Air America party at the Ambassador!

And my big kob khun mahk for the news about "Opium Dream"!If it is out today, I'll pick up a copy before I begin partying it up for Halloween here in Chiang Mai. Take care of yourself and thanks--at long, LONG last--for that bloody sequel!!! Cheers! Choke dee!!! Sean!

(Sean, in 2004, published his first novel Missing in Asia, available on Amazon.com.)

Hi Jason, Just finished reading your book Thai Gold and I thought it was excellent. I have just spent one year in Thailand and the places you speak of in you book brought great memories of time spent there. Is this your first book or do you have any others. Have you written any in the same vein as this if so, could you flick me the titles. Are there any more awaiting release.

Anyway just thought I would let you know that it has been difficult to put the book down and complete it as I bought it on my last journey out of Thailand to read on the plane. It feels that if I complete the book then I finish my experience of Thailand and the people for ever. Not sure if I want that but at the moment my job is not taking me back there. But hey 18 months a go and I wasn’t contemplating going there either. It’s a weird feeling.

Thanks for the good memories.

Kind regards,
Robert Boxall

Transcribed from an email hard copy:

'Thai Gold' has been a favorite of mine for a number of years, a friend of mine recently returned from Thailand, which brought up a discussion of your book. I turned him onto it a few years ago and I think that helped open his eyes and lead to his fascination with that area of the world and of course the beautiful women of the region. He never did return my copy, which led me on a hunt for a replacement ever since. I finally found two copies for sale just this week in a Massachusetts bookstore's on-line listing.

We have also been discussing the idea of turning your book into a movie. Why hasn't it been done yet, we can't have been the only ones to have that idea. Have you ever thought of that? I wrote a mini review of 'Thai Gold' on the Amazon.com website. Like I said there, this story is like Indiana Jones on steroids. I think it's got tremendous

mass appeal, although I doubt that a two hour format could do it justice.

Something about the story really rang true and I haven't forgotten it or your name to this day.

Take it easy, (so-watee-kap)
Lance Mullen

Transcribed from a letter:

I have been a fan of yours for over 10 years, having read Thai Gold in 1991. I would like to say "hello" if you are still in Bangkok, and at least buy you a beer. Take care.

Sincerely,
Ted Stone

Transcribed from an email hard copy:

I have just finished reading Thai Gold and, needless to say, thoroughly enjoyed the whole rollicking ride. Having not shared a Mekhong and Coke with you since Patpong in 1986 it had me chuckling away like a drunken stoat. Here in front of me Lee Rivers was Jason Schoonover incarnate or should it be the other way around? It was great to “hear” you and your humour so clearly and after so long.

Jeremy Callow
England

(Jerry, if you read this, please email me. Jason)

Sept 2002 – transcribed from a letter:

Jason,

I read your book that I picked up in Hong Kong on a trip in April. I liked it a lot. Well done.

Bill Leithead

Transcribed from a letter:

Before I finished your book “Thai Gold” I checked to see what else you had written because – it is so good I wanted to read more of your “stuff." When I saw no other credits I called the book store and they confirmed it was the first book under your name. But I find it hard to believe it is your first fiction adventure book. Have you published under another name? (No – Jason)

Please let me know when your next book is to be published. I like your style, pace, imagination and originality.

Cordially,
W. E. Dwyer
Pennyslvania

Transcribed from an email hard copy:

First of all, I’m a big fan of your fellow Canuck Christopher Moore. White in Phuket last year I stopped in an English bookstore asking if they had his latest book. The older lady working there (also Canadian) said no, but took me over to where books of the same genre were located. She recommended your book “Thai Gold,” amongst some others.

Well, I finally got around to reading this past week. I found it to be a very enjoyable story. As you wrote this book approximately 15 years ago, and the inside covers didn’t mention any other books by you, I was wondering if you have similar books out in print. If so, could you point me to a place where I can find them.

Sincerely,
Christopher J. Carr
San Diego

Dear Jason,

I have been a fan of yours for over 10 years, having read Thai Gold in 1991. I would like to say "hello" if you are still in Bangkok, and at least buy you a beer. Take care.

Sincerely,
Ted Stone

From: Tom & Wilma Myers
To: jason_schoonover@hotmail.com
Subject: Gold & Opium
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 08:51:14 +0800

Just a note to say I really enjoy your books. My wife and I were flying out of Bangkok to Chaing Mai in November when I discovered Opium Dream on the book rack. In '88 I was working as a vendor on Subic Naval Base and purchased Thai Gold in the Stars & Stripes bookstore. A few days later I returned and bought all 5 remaining copies and gave them out as Christmas presents. I love that story. I'm an American and still live in Olongapo in a barrio called Barretto. Our bar/restaurant is on the beach and called Mango's. If you're ever in the area stop by.

Best wishes,
Tom Myers

From : BRETT LADIN
Sent : February 11, 2004 6:56:36 PM
Subject :Fan Mail

Hello Jason Schoonover. My name is Brett I am a down but not out Musician living on Phuket. I have read Thai Gold, and Opium Dream, and look faward to reading more Lee Rivers or anything else you write. My favorite is Snake, because he is the only Aussie I've heard of who drinks Fosters. This is Apre Po because I'm the Only Ceptic Tank(cockney slang for Yank) I know of who drinks Budweiser(sp) I also loved Collin Piprell's Kicking Dogs.., and am glad to hear of two writers around this loony bin encoureging each other.. Thanks, and please do a Prequil, The Lion was one of my favorite Characters also, Best wishes Brett p.s. is their a real Walter E Kurtz??? (Brett means Max, and yes, he was based on the late and legendary super-spook Tony Po – Jason.) I don't want to know his real name or where he is, but to me it's very fascinating to be true.

Hi - got the book finally - it's at the airport here but balked at their outrageous prices and decided to buy it in BKK - bt then it was evern more in BKK - over B700 - amazing - I hope these profits are being passed onto YOU but seriously doubt it. A book used to cost B350 not so long ago and recently doubled overnight. Anyway - I read it in a few days while in Tokyo and thoroughly enjoyed it - congrats. I think I enjoyed the first one more however, but this one also. So when is the next one????? Great way to cleanse the system of an old lover (altho glad I'm not at Hyatt!!) – and loved the twist with the bombs in the statues which I never realized till the moment it was sprung, altho did realize the body guard wasn't straight up at the start - keep them coming.

Ciao,
Lee Sutton (Mrs)
Director of Public Relations
JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa

The Manila Galleon
31 May 2006

Hi Jason!

    I just finished The Manila Galleon last night after getting it delivered here a few days ago and just like Thai Gold and Opium Dream, I absolutely loved every second of it. Nice work!
    I enjoyed seeing a "younger" New York and Jan's character but I have to admit I felt more at home with Chase and his buddies in the modern-day world of the Philippines. Being an Air America junky, I particularly loved that you brought Earthquake McGoon "back" from the past--the average person reading your novel wouldn't get it but those of us who have learned about the most unique airline in the world find Earthquake in the begiining of the story and can't stop laughing. What a fun idea and creative, too.
   Bringing in Abu Sayaaf pleased me too because--after all--they've been a major problem in the PI within the last few years, especially down to the part of the islands I was in waaay back in '93--Mindanao. I loved Zamboanga (the name alone is enough to get your attention) and the people--both Christians and Muslims--were quite friendly (although the Bible-bangers did get a bit old to a cynical Buddhist like myself) but there was still smuggling, piracy, Moro National Front, Moro National Liberation Front and Abu Sayaaf.
   I also appreciated you throwing in a "corrupt Thai general" so we could still get a piece of the kingdom even though this tale occurs in the Philippines.

   Anyway, Jason, enough of my blathering!
   Once again, congratulations on your latest novel and thanks for providing it!
   Please continue writing (another Lee Rivers novel wouldn't offend me, nope).

   Best regards,

   Sean (Bunzick)

Thai Gold
May 28, 2006 1:56:18 PM

Hi Jason,

I just wanted to drop you a note (as your email address IS in the back of the book!) to say how much I enjoyed Thai Gold. What a romp, what a story - and what imagery! You had me chuckling over many a metaphor.
I have had to come to Thailand for an extended (and unintentional) stay, as my father, who lives here, has been in a car accident (he's going to be ok).
I picked up your book at his house on Koh Samui and it's been great to have something so entertaining and informative to read between all the arranging, hospital visits etc!

This place is so different as a holiday destination, as opposed to a place to live, and I've really seen that since I've been here. The underbelly of the beast...not always pretty!

Thanks for your great book and all the best!
Veronica

PS I am also an author, of only 1 book so far. Not nearly so much fun as yours, as it's on health and longevity -ALL factual I'm afraid! If you're interested, drop me a reply, as the book is available online, and I'll send you a free copy.