The Lady in the Tree picks up right where book three, Maya – Illusion, left off. Lek remains in business with her longtime friend Ayr, and they are serious about their work, especially when local rivals attempt to intimidate them. The two friends devise a bold plan that they cannot even share with their friends, family, or husbands. Soom is still thriving at university in Bangkok, despite her own challenges, including the impending final exams, which are threatened by political turmoil in the capital. Craig continues his writing, but suddenly realizes that he faces more significant issues than just completing and selling his books. An old friend and an elderly woman provide the three women with remarkably similar and insightful advice, but what will come of it?
The Behind The Smile Series tells the story of Lek, a bar girl in Pattaya, Thailand. Lek is the eldest of four children in a typical rice farming family from the northern agricultural region of Thailand. One day, an unexpected catastrophe struck when her father passed away young, leaving behind substantial debts that the family was unaware of. At just twenty years old, Lek found herself as the only one capable of preventing the foreclosure of their family farm, enabling her younger sister and two brothers to continue their education. However, the only option she saw was to work in her cousin’s bar in Pattaya.
Can a bar girl from Pattaya ever return to being a conventional girlfriend or wife? 'Behind The Smile' offers a glimpse into one facet of Thailand, known globally as 'The Land of Smiles.'
The Lady in the Tree continues straight on from book three, Maya – Illusion. Lek is still in business with her old friend Ayr and they mean business as well, especially when rivals from nearby try to intimidate them. The two friends come up with a daring solution, which they can't even discuss with their friends, family or husbands. Soom is still at university in Bangkok and doing well in spite of having problems of her own, let alone looming final exams, which political upheaval in the capital threatens to disrupt. Craig continues to write, but he realises all of a sudden that he has bigger problems than finishing and selling his books. An old friend and an old lady give the three women some remarkably similar and accurate advice, but where will it get them?
Translator: JOHN ROBERTS
PUBLISHER: TEKTIME