Stone Gods, Wooden Elephants

This action-paced adventure story, centered in the world of Asian antiques, involves colorful characters in settings ranging from the remote mountains on northern Thailand and Bangkok's exotic nightspots to an antique shop in America.

"A fast-paced page-turner by an old Asia Hand with an insider's knowledge of the antiquities trade... Harry Ross, a now respectable antiques dealer, and a former lotus eater pal Aloysious Grant uncover a previously unknown Khmer site - replete with statuary of unsurpassed beauty and value. Unable to resist the chance to make a fast buck, these modern day musketeers, along with Wit, their long-suffering Thai retainer, swashbuckle their way through a series of daring encounters with elephant-mounted Karen tribesmen, a ring of vengeful, tenacious counterfeiters, and even mange to outwit the Thai army and constabulary. Their exploits are bankrolled by a Mr. fixit - the shadowy Sato, a Japanese with a murky past. A sprinkling of beautiful (and intelligent) women not only satisfy the protagonists male fantasies, but save the day for them on a number of occasions as the story draws its unexpected conclusion."

- - with gratitude to Asian art expert Sylvia Fraser-Lu