sexual gratification, but rather by the thirst for re-
venge. Although he had not recognized it at the
time, Merrick is gay and was in love with Tindale.
His revenge is embodied in his own blood, which
carries the HIV infection.
In the hands of a lesser writer, this could have
been a tawdry tale with a trick ending. Simmons
transforms a relatively simple idea into a complex
story of obsession and self-destruction. The story
won the Bram Stoker Award in 1993.Dying in Bangkok 101