On the Trail of the Serpent: The True Story of the Killer who inspired a hit TV drama

Charles Sobhraj, a serial killer, was born in Vietnam to a Vietnamese mother and Indian father. He grew up with a fluid sense of identity and became the consummate con artist, stealing passports, smuggling drugs, and guns. He turned to murder and preyed on Western tourists, leaving a trail of dead bodies and gruesome crime scenes in his wake. On the Trail of the Serpent is the definitive book about Sobhraj, a riveting tale of sex, drugs, adventure, and murder.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2020
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Charles Sobhraj, a notorious serial killer, remains one of the most captivating figures in the annals of criminal history. Born in Vietnam to a Vietnamese mother and Indian father, Sobhraj experienced a fluid sense of identity throughout his upbringing, moving to France before being imprisoned and stripped of his multiple nationalities. Driven by an insatiable desire for adventure and a thirst for wealth, Sobhraj embarked on a life of crime that spanned continents and decades. He became a master of deception, stealing passports, smuggling drugs and guns, and breaking out of prisons with remarkable ease. However, as his circumstances grew more perilous, Sobhraj turned to murder, preying on Western tourists who ventured along the hippie route during the 1970s. His reign of terror left a trail of dead bodies and gruesome crime scenes in his wake, earning him the nickname "The Serpent" among law enforcement agencies worldwide.

On the Trail of the Serpent, first published in 1979 and recently updated to include new material, offers a captivating and definitive account of Sobhraj's life. Written exclusively for journalists Richard Neville and Julie Clarke, this book blurs the boundaries between true crime and novelization, providing readers with a riveting tale of sex, drugs, adventure, and murder. Through meticulous research and extensive interviews, Neville and Clarke have pieced together the intricate details of Sobhraj's criminal career, shedding light on his motivations, methods, and the enduring legacy of his crimes.

Sobhraj's journey began in Vietnam, where he was born into a family of mixed ethnicity. Despite his upbringing in a foreign land, Sobhraj developed a strong sense of identity and a love for adventure. He moved to France in his early twenties, where he worked various odd jobs and honed his skills as a con artist. Sobhraj's ability to manipulate and deceive people was unparalleled, and he quickly gained a reputation as a master of deception.

In France, Sobhraj began his criminal career by stealing passports and traveling to various countries, including India, Thailand, and Nepal. He used his stolen identities to evade law enforcement and engage in illegal activities, including drug smuggling and prostitution. Sobhraj's success in these endeavors led him to expand his operations to other continents, including Asia.

In Asia, Sobhraj became a notorious figure in the criminal underworld. He established a network of accomplices and used his skills as a con artist to evade detection and evade capture. Sobhraj's modus operandi was simple yet effective: he would befriend his targets, gain their trust, and then exploit their vulnerabilities to steal their belongings or extort money from them.

One of Sobhraj's most notable achievements in Asia was his ability to escape from prison multiple times. He was arrested and imprisoned several times for various crimes, but he always managed to find a way to break out. Sobhraj's escapes were often daring and ingenious, and they involved a combination of cunning, bribery, and sheer luck.

Despite his criminal career, Sobhraj was not without his flaws. He was known for his womanizing and his love of luxury, and he often indulged in lavish parties and expensive lifestyles. However, his greed and his desire for power ultimately led him down a path of destruction.

In the 1970s, Sobhraj's criminal activities began to attract the attention of law enforcement agencies worldwide. His exploits became the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and television series, and he became a household name in many parts of the world.

Sobhraj's capture in 1976 was a major turning point in his criminal career. He was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, after a lengthy international manhunt. Sobhraj was sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple murders, but he continued to evade capture for several years.

Despite his imprisonment, Sobhraj remained a controversial figure. Some people admired him for his audacity and his ability to evade capture, while others condemned him for his crimes and his disregard for human life. Sobhraj's life and crimes continue to fascinate and intrigue people to this day, and his story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, power, and the allure of the criminal underworld.

In conclusion, Charles Sobhraj remains one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures in the history of crime. His life as a serial killer and con artist is a testament to his extraordinary abilities and his disregard for the law. On the Trail of the Serpent, first published in 1979 and recently updated to include new material, offers a captivating and definitive account of Sobhraj's life. Through meticulous research and extensive interviews, Neville and Clarke have shed light on his motivations, methods, and the enduring legacy of his crimes. Sobhraj's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, power, and the allure of the criminal underworld, and it serves as a reminder that even the most skilled and audacious criminals can be brought to justice.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529112436