"Ernie and I finished the black-market case in Pusan, did a little celebrating, and caught the Blue Line night train back to Seoul."
But this book is about more than two GI's and the high life in Korea.
What appears to be a ritual murder of a young Korean prostitute has the Eighth Army command very jittery. In an investigation that should have been left to the Korean police the military police are called in because the young woman was known to have many clients amongst the American servicemen stationed in and around Seoul. The Korean media would have a field day with this American angle, so the Eighth Army's criminal investigation division takes charge. Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom are put in charge of finding out who murdered the young woman. Needless to say he is good at his job and you just know he is going to solve the murder of Miss Pak that every one else is trying to brush under the rug, the army and Korean police alike.
Their investigation leads them to Itaewon, the section of Seoul known for alcohol, music and prostitution. It is the type neighborhood with which the two are very familiar. Sueño is Hispanic, from East LA. George and both he and his partner Eddie prefer the life in Korea to that in Southern California. Sueño appreciates the housing, the regular meals, and the pay of Army life. He speaks some Korean and appreciates the culture. This is probably because he sees the country differently than most, and is impressed by the fact that life in Korea is a hard fight to survive:
"I loved Korea. It was a whole new world of different tastes and smells, and a different, more intense way of looking at life. People here didn't take eating and breathing for granted. They were fought for."
Sueño has learned Korean (somewhat), and he is young, not too attracted to older women yet. He doesn't look down on the business women (prostitutes) because as he says, he makes $500. per month and gets food and lodging and they make $30. per month and nothing is free. The author paints a sympathetic portrait of the women who are forced to make their living on the streets and in the clubs of the nightlife of Seoul.
It becomes clear to Sueño that the only reason for such a crime to be glossed over is because it must involve powerful people. So even though both the Korean National Police and the American forces are content to let the blame lie on the GI boyfriend because this would bring a rapid resolution to the case, George Sueño, while no angel himself, feels he has a responsibility to those who are the innocents in the case and he continues to pursue the truth and Eddie will go along with him.
Martin Limón has a spare very evocative style and the characters are very real, cynical and intense. The good guys are flawed as well as the bad guys and his portrayal of the military and military police is truthful and insightful.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Frequently bought together
$31.36
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2015
