Snowing in Bali

by Kathryn Bonella
Snowing in Bali cover
Good Books rating 3.5
True Crime
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2841
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781782062660
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2012-12-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Snowing in Bali offers an unflinching look at the island's thriving drug underworld, where dealers live lives of extreme wealth and excess fueled by cocaine trafficking. Author Kathryn Bonella provides unprecedented access to the stories of the biggest players, detailing their rise to power and the eventual downfall that lands them on death row in Indonesian prisons. Through vivid storytelling and firsthand accounts, the book explores the highs and lows of this hidden world, from multi-million dollar deals to the stark reality of incarceration. It's a raw and uncensored glimpse into a lifestyle of orgies, extravagance, and surfing, contrasted with the harsh consequences of a life in crime.

Reviews
Medium · 2023-08-13
captivating 4.00

The writing is taut and interesting, building a story of wealth and opulence around key characters. The reviewer appreciates the engaging narrative and the insight into the lives of the subjects.

The reviewer found Kathryn Bonella's writing style to be particularly engaging, describing it as taut and interesting. They appreciated how the author builds a compelling narrative around characters like Rafael, Andre, Mario, and Dimitrius, providing a vivid picture of wealth and opulence. The reviewer enjoyed the way the story unfolds, making it a captivating read that sheds light on the intricate lives of the subjects involved.

Quick quotes

    Kathryn's writing is taut and interesting, as she builds a story of wealth and opulence, about Rafael and Andre and Mario and Dimitrius.

    The author has a knack for making the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of the action.

    The book provides a fascinating glimpse into a world that is often shrouded in secrecy and mystery.

Roadblog101 · 2018-05-06
immersive 4.50

The writing style is vivid and captivating, reminiscent of the author's previous work. The reviewer enjoys the immersive narrative and the detailed portrayal of the subjects' lives.

The reviewer immediately recognized Kathryn Bonella's writing style as vivid and captivating, comparing it favorably to her previous work. They appreciated the immersive narrative that draws the reader in from the very first pages. The detailed portrayal of the subjects' lives, filled with hedonism and adventure, makes for a compelling read that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Quick quotes

    The first few pages immediately reminded me of Kathryn Bonella's writing style: it was vivid and captivating, just like Hotel K.

    The book's narrative is so immersive that it's hard to put down.

    Bonella's detailed portrayal of the subjects' lives adds depth and complexity to the story.

Swellnet · 2013-08-13
disturbing 2.00

The book is described as sad, focusing heavily on the sordid behavior of its subjects while neglecting the victims of their crimes. The reviewer finds the content disturbing and one-dimensional.

The reviewer characterizes the book as sad and disturbing, highlighting its focus on the sordid sexual behavior of the main characters. They criticize the author for not providing enough context or empathy for the victims of the crimes described. The reviewer feels that the book dwells too much on the negative aspects of the subjects' lives without offering a balanced perspective, making it a somewhat unsettling read.

Quick quotes

    This is a sad book that dwells long on the sordid sexual behaviour of its subjects while hardly sparing a paragraph to consider the victims of the criminality.

    The book feels one-dimensional, focusing solely on the perpetrators and their actions.

    It's a disturbing read that leaves the reader with a sense of unease and discomfort.

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