“The Queen of Patpong,” by Timothy Hallinan (William Morrow, 320 pp.) is the fourth in a series of novels following the exploits of travel writer Poke Rafferty. Finally settled with Rose and their adopted daughter, Rafferty is threatened by an evil man from his wife’s past. Years ago Rose’s circumstances forced her from her village to the red light district where she met Howard Horner. Now, it falls to Rafferty to confront this manipulative figure.