Tuk Kae - In Search of Looted Gold - Tuk Kae Series, #2

In this second Tuk Kae novel the feisty Thai heroine accompanies her friend Helen Childs on a search for Japanese looted gold from the second world war. Rumours of huge hoards of gold left by the retreating Imperial Army have circulated for years but no real evidence of hidden treasure has ever been found. Then an old Mon man from the border province of Kanchanaburi appears at Helen's office with an intriguing story and some persuasive gold artefacts.
Helen sets out to investigate the old man's story and asks Tuk Kae to accompany her. At first, they have little to go on and then a map is discovered but its secrets cannot be read as it appears to be written in a strange code. A chance encounter provides the key and Tuk Kae, Helen and her team close in on the location where they hope to find the treasure. Along the way they encounter some suspicious Japanese who are also treasure hunting but by chance they discover that this small Thai lady with the lizard tattoo might be worth more than any hidden gold. Not for the first time Tuk Kae is hunted by the Yakuza who are determined to secure Katakiuchi (Blood Revenge) and secure the treasure as a bonus.