Publisher Description

George Sueno and Ernie Bascom return for their thirteenth outing, which takes them from Seoul to the DMZ in their most politically charged murder case yet.The Korean Demilitarized Zone, 1970s- A battered corpse is found a few feet north of the line dividing North and South Korea. When 8th Army CID Agents George Sueno and Ernie Bascom pull the body to the South Korean side on orders from their superiors, they have no idea of the international conflict their small action will spark. Before war breaks out, they must discover who killed Corporal Noh Jong-bei, a young Korean soldier working with the US Army.The murderer could be from either side of the DMZ. But without cooperation between the governments involved, how can two US military agents interrogate North Korean witnesses? What George and Ernie discover gets them pulled off the case, but fearing they've put the wrong man behind bars, they disobey orders in an attempt to discover the truth.

Author Biography

Martin Lim n retired from military service after twenty years in the US Army, including ten years in Korea. He is the author of twelve previous Sueno and Bascom investigations- Jade Lady Burning, Slicky Boys, Buddha's Money, The Door to Bitterness, The Wandering Ghost, GI Bones, Mr. Kill, The Joy Brigade, The Iron Sickle, The Ville Rat, Ping-Pong Heart, and The Nine-Tailed Fox, as well as the short story collection Nightmare Range. He lives near Seattle.

Review

Praise for The Line

"A fascinating inside look at Korean culture as well as the world of overseas Army personnel in the late 1970s."
—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

"The thirteenth novel in this outstanding series is one of Martin Limon's best . . . [Limon] brings an authenticity to the stories of soldiers caught in the machinery of the post-War era . . . It is all told with an irreverent humor, yet the tension never lets up."
—Deadly Pleasures Magazine

"Limón's fiction comes from personal experience, with some obvious parallels between his own life and main protagonist Sueño's. As well as sharing a Hispanic heritage, Limón also served in Korea, first arriving in 1968 . . . Rare foreign fiction set in Korea."
—The Korea Times

"Superb . . . Limón has never been better at incorporating a logical mystery plot into the politics of his chosen time and place."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"One of the most powerful episodes in an always-strong series."
—Booklist, Starred Review

"[The Line] entertains with its easy banter and fascinates with deep insight into its precise historical moment."
—Kirkus Reviews

"I have read every Limón book since 1992's Jade Lady Burning, and I have every intention of continuing to do so; they are that good."
—Bruce Tierney, BookPage

"Acclaimed author and army vet Martin Limón again hits the target with his 13th military murder mystery."
—Critics on the Aisle

Praise for the Sueño and Bascom Investigations
 
"Limón is one of the best military writers ever. His stories are addictive entertainment today—and valuable slices of history tomorrow."
—Lee Child
 
"An enduring and freshly relevant series . . . Limón, himself a former US Army man who served 10 years in Korea, writes with knowledge of the travails and rewards of military life."
—The Wall Street Journal
 
 "Limón is an expert guide to Korea and the US army whose passionate commitment to his subject is expressed in direct, searing prose."
—John Burdett, international bestselling author of Bangkok 8
 
"As always, the author vividly contrasts adventures in the seamy side of Seoul's nightlife with a sensitive appreciation for Korea's ancient culture."
—The Seattle Times
 
"Altogether engaging."
—The Washington Post Book World

"A fast-paced, action-packed yarn that will keep you glued to your seat from the first page to the last."
—San Antonio Express-News

Praise for The Nine-Tailed Fox

"An enduring and freshly relevant series . . . Limón, himself a former US Army man who served 10 years in Korea, writes with knowledge of the travails and rewards of military life."
—The Wall Street Journal  

"Clever plotting and superior characterizations lift this suspenseful, atmospheric installment."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review  

"A fast-paced, action-packed yarn that will keep you glued to your seat from the first page to the last."
—San Antonio Express-News

Promotional

George Sueno and Ernie Bascom return for their thirteenth outing, which takes them from Seoul to the DMZ in their most politically charged murder case yet.

Review Quote

Praise for The Line "Lim

Promotional "Headline"

George Sueno and Ernie Bascom return for their thirteenth outing, which takes them from Seoul to the DMZ in their most politically charged murder case yet.

Excerpt from Book

Chapter 1 The Imjin River rushed, gray and churning, toward the Yellow Sea. A South Korean soldier used his flashlight to check our emergency dispatch, then shouted back to his comrade, who in turn barked guttural phrases into a field radio. "What''s the hangup?" Ernie asked. "They''re worried about sabotage," I said. "All along the DMZ." "Us?" Ernie asked. "Our motives are pure." "Maybe they think we''re Russian spies," I said. Ernie crossed his arms. "Tell them I don''t even like vodka. Makes me puke." "Which designates it as unique amongst alcoholic beverages." A convoy of M48 Patton tanks rumbled up behind us, adding a layer of urgency to the guards'' discussion. Finally, the soldier on the radio walked toward us and waved his arm. "You go," he said, motioning toward the bridge. "About time," Ernie grumbled. He shoved the jeep in gear and we rolled forward. Freedom Bridge is narrow, only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, and the guards on either end of the bridge coordinate via field radio to control the flow of traffic. Armed soldiers in parkas, M16 rifles slung over their shoulders, paced the edge of the deck, studying us warily. In the muddy water below, basketball-sized chunks of ice swirled in the rapid current, smashing randomly into massive cement abutments. In the past, wooden boxes filled with explosives had been launched into the river from north of the Demilitarized Zone by our Communist brethren upriver. Sometimes the explosives floated harmlessly toward the Yellow Sea. Other times they hit something--or someone--and exploded, serving as a sort of North Korean forget-me-not. My name is George Sue

Description for Sales People

Sociopolitical tensions between North Korea, South Korea, and the West are constantly in the news cycle. The thirteenth novel in the Sueno and Bascom series of military investigations. Martin Limon is a military veteran, whose novels ring with authenticity that will appeal to this market. Set against an uncommon, vividly portrayed backdrop of 1970s post-war Korea.

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