ISBN: 1-57023-221-0



By Bob Bergin

Set in exotic Thailand, Burma, and southern China, this adventure thriller centers on intrigue surrounding a lost aircraft in the jungles of Southeast Asia. When a rare P-40 Tomahawk, flown by the famed Flying Tigers in World War II, mysteriously appears in a photograph, antiques dealer and veteran sleuth Harry Ross investigates its origin and fate.

He and others travel into the remote terrain of Burma and southern China, where they discover the aircraft in the collection of a local Chinese warlord. They concoct a scheme, fraught with danger, to steal the warlord's collection. A tapestry of intrigue unwinds and leads readers to the stunning, totally unanticipated conclusion. 292 pages. Softcover. 2005.


CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK!


THE AUTHOR:Bob Bergin is a former U.S. Foreign Service officer and Southeast Asia specialist who deals in Asian art and antiquities. When not pursuing art treasures, he tracks down and writes about historic aircraft and the men who flew them in Southeast Asia and China. His specialty is the American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers." His articles have appeared in many publications in the U.S. and Asia. His previous novel, Stone Gods, Wooden Elephants, is an adventure set in the world of Asian antiques. Be sure to explore his numerous articles.


PRAISE FROM REVIEWERS

"An engrossing tale of adventure that reflects the history of the Flying Tigers. An enjoyable, well-written book. It will definitely appeal to aviation enthusiasts as well as to readers of action novels."
--Maj. Gen. Charles R. Bond, Jr., USAF (Retd), Vice Squadron Leader, First Pursuit Squadron, AVG "Flying Tigers," and author of A Flying Tiger's Diary

"Bergin has taken every warbird restoration fanatic's dream - finding an original AVG P-40 Tomahawk - and juxtaposed it against the background of Burma's remote, warlord-ruled jungle. Primitive tribes, devious antiquities hunters, powerful mystery men, scam artists, and millionaire aircraft collectors all enter into a tale that probably won't happen - but, what if you got the telephone call...It's a good read."
--Ralph Royce, The Airboss, President, Lone Star Flight Museum

"Bob Bergin has made good use of his long experience in Southeast Asia and his knowledge of the Flying Tigers. He has written an exciting warbird adventure - full of details that put you right into the middle of the action."
--Group Captain Veerayuth Didyasarin, RTAF (Retd.), President, Foundation for the Preservation and Development of Thai Aircraft

"Bob Bergin has woven historical fact about the AVG into a thrilling
novel. It will grab your interest and hold it to the very end."
--Bob Layher, Flight Leader, 2nd Squadron "Panda Bears", AVG Flying Tigers

"A story that shows great imagination. It's set in exotic places that are remarkably well-described. The characters are fascinating, the plot moves quickly and leads to a surprising climax. The AVG background is a great touch. In my opinion the details are very accurate. A very interesting book."
--Ken Jernstedt, Flight Leader, 3rd Squadron "Hell's Angels," AVG Flying Tigers

"The plausibility of finding original AVG P-40s was handled well. To me, as an historian of the AVG, the plot at first seemed far-fetched. But Bergin even had me going at times: 'Hmmm, maybe it is possible! Awww com' on!' I really enjoyed it."
--Frank Boring, Co-producer of "Fei Hu," The Story of the Flying Tigers documentary

"Harry and Mouse are back, and Bob Bergin does it again. This time he leads us deep into the jungles of Burma on a hunt for a rare "tiger." With more plot twists than the Salween River, this is a whopping good read."
--Richard Rashke, author of Stormy Genius: The Life of Aviation's Maverick Bill Lear, Escape from Sobibor, and The Killing of Karen Silkwood

"We've all heard tales of pristine, original WWII aircraft found
tucked away in some dirty barn or garage. Some of these tales even proved
to be true, but cynics always suspend judgment until they have seen
authentic photographs. And that's precisely how this fascinating new Bob
Bergin novel begins - wih a picture, but it's a vivid mental image.

The story takes place in Southeast Asia, which Bergin knows well; he
lived in Thailand for seven years as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer and
specialist on the area and its people. He consequently writes an
exceptional first-hand account that few could match. In addition, he has a
deep interest in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) and its members. What
better way to tie both passions together than by writing a clever tale
about finding an original, flyable AVG P-40 Tomahawk in the jungle. The
imagination runs wild at the possibilities as protaganist Harry Ross and
his eclectic crew investigate the likelihood that accounts of the aircraft
could be true, and if they are, how will they gain possession of it?

The plausible plot, with its inevitable twists and turns, holds your
interest; Bergin has taken the ultimate warbird dream, and the result is a
wonderful story that fans of historical fiction will a mighty tough time
putting down. Now, if only it were indeed true!"
--Flight Journal

"Old Asia hands love Bob Bergin's novels because the author's adventures help stir up memories of their own. The sights, sounds, smells and feel of the Far East come alive on his pages. In "When Tigers Fly", Bergin works another element into his exciting story telling: expertise in aviation and its role in winning the Pacific War. Buffs of history and fiction will have an equally hard time putting down the book."
--Brett M. Decker, former Editorial Writer and Books Editor, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong

Harry placed two photographs directly in front of Reggie. But now look at the photos of the same area. There have been great changes made to the airfield on the lake. Have a look, Reggie. Maybe you can tell me whats going on.

Reggie looked back at the map to locate himself, then examined the photograph. I see what you mean. The airfield has obviously been improved. Considerably.

For both Reggie's and Aloysious's benefit, Harry said, "The airstrip is a lot longer than it was in photos taken about five years ago. Also in the interval between our photos and the old ones, a couple of big hangars were added, and everything was paved. If you look at the apron to the left of the two hangars you can see two twin-engine aircraft."

"Now look at this area," Harry continued, showing where he meant with his finger. "Here, near the top of the photo."

Reggie studied the photo for a while and said, "Yes, isn't that interesting? These buildings are very substantial, nothing like what one would expect to find up in this neck of the woods. Very large and modern. Almost like a resort hotel. The heart-shaped area here - it's probably a swimming pool. And there's something back here that looks like a barracks area." He moved the photo closer to his eyes. "There's a cleared area that seems to enclose the entire area. Could that be a security perimeter?"

"I think thats exactly what it is. Also, it's hard to make out." Harry fumbled around the inside of his briefcase and pulled out what looked like a jeweler's loupe. "Here's a magnifier. If you look beyond the far side of the largest building, you can see among the trees large individual structures that look like houses. It's hard to see detail, but the look of the houses is not what you would expect to find here. They look more like Western houses. Most have swimming pools."

Reggie bent over the photo with the magnifier. After examining it, he turned back to the map and studied that for a while. Finally, he said, "I know this area. I was there during the war. There was only the airstrip. It was an auxiliary field. With the exception of a few huts out on the perimeter and a cache of gasoline in steel drums, there was nothing. It's a remote area. Someone had to put a great deal of effort into bringing in the materials and machines to put those buildings up. It must have been a tremendous project."

"Do you have any idea what the complex might be?" Harry asked.

"Oh, yes, I know what it is."

Harry was completely taken aback. He had studied that photo for hours and thought about it for days. He had not one clue that might help explain what he was looking at. He watched Reggie, hoping for an explanation, but Reggie sat quietly, looking at the photo. Finally, he had to ask. "Reggie, what is it?"

Reggie lifted an eyebrow at Harry. "You know what it is. If you think about it."

"I have thought about it a great deal, and I don't have a clue."

You're an Asian expert, Harry. Tell me, what's more Asian than eating rice?"

"Gambling!" Harry said, without a moment's hesitation. Of course. The light had been turned on. "It's a casino!"

"Yes, it's a casino. I have not been there, but I've heard reports of a gambling den in the jungle."

Aloysious had been listening quietly to this exchange with skepticism growing on his face. "Hey guys, nobody puts a casino out in the middle of the jungle. How the hell do you get the customers to go there?"



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