Shaitan by Cody W. Benjamin
Jim Fairchild, the new Peace Corps rep in Borneo, East Malaysia, discovers one of his volunteers in a torrid affair with a gorgeous Malay woman. She is a shaitan, a femme fatale with supernatural powers, who can turn herself into a deadly tiger.
When the volunteer appears to have died in an auto accident and the woman disappears, Jim wants answers. His investigation leads to three CIA agents masquerading as butterfly collectors, a Malay army colonel on a mission, and Chainsaw Chan, a Chinese timber tycoon and master spy for Red China. Chan oversees a secret lab to find and train shaitans for use as super weapons against the West. The CIA wants Jim to use his Peace Corps cover to locate the spy lab.
As the agents and Malaysian colonel struggle to destroy Red China's clandestine operation in Borneo, Jim and his beautiful Eurasian bride have their own secret score to settle with Chainsaw Chan.
Shaitan will transport you into a thrilling world of unforgettable characters, exotic locations, sex, murder, international intrigue, and Malay black magic
About the author
Cody W. Benjamin grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1970, joined the Peace Corps, and spent two years in India as a volunteer in a farm management program. Cody returned to the States to go to graduate school, completed his Master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh, and did another two-year tour in Sudan, East Africa, with Lutheran World Relief and the Harvard Institute for International Development. Cody rejoined the Peace Corps in 1979, and spent almost five years in Malaysia as a member of the staff. In 1983, Cody returned to his hometown of Albuquerque and spent the rest of his working life in the USA.
Cody met his wife, Karin, in Malaysia, the setting of his novel Shaitan. Karin is Malaysian-Chinese, and she and Cody have a daughter, Jessica, who was born in Malaysia. Cody spent over eight years in Africa and Asia, but his aspirations as a writer were mainly influenced by his long association with Malaysia.
Review
‘Shaitan’ is an intriguing historical read that delves into Malaysian mysticism, regional politics and obsession. The book is full of rich details that are a reflection of the author’s experience working in Malaysia with the Peace Corps and this works as a counterbalance to the more supernatural elements of the book. I am always interested in books from this area as my husband was born in Borneo and therefore I want to learn more about its history and culture.
When Jim receives a letter from an old friend Bob Clancy wanting to meet up he isn't that enthusiastic but since he is travelling to Malaysia anyway he drops in on him. What follows is a surreal tale of obsession with the supernatural and a volunteer who begins an affair with a Shaitan - a female fatale who can turn herself into a tiger! At first Jim doesn't believe it but when Bob goes missing soon after he finds himself involved in an investigation that involves the CIA and Red China, one that will change his life.
I was engrossed from this book right from the start due to its exotic location, strange narrative and mystery aspect to the novel. I thought it was a great debut read and could have been outstanding with a few changes. The beginning and the endings were brilliant but I felt the middle section where they planned the operation could have been a bit shorter. I would have also loved a Lily and Chainmail showdown rather than her relying on Jim to fight her battles. But they are small niggles and I really did enjoy the book. Jim was a nuanced and well-developed character. What also was clear was the love of the author for this area of the world and its people. The writing made you feel as if you were there with them due to its rich world-building and realistic details. The location is definitely its own character in this book.
I do love it when you pick up a book and it causes you to start googling! I went down many a rabbit hole when learning about a shaitan, which is essentially a jinn. Many hours were happily spent researching and the author has done a great job at putting his own spin on the topic. This book was many things - historical, magical, espionage with a mystery to boot! Let me know if you pick it up!
