What do You think about Jade Lady Burning (2003)?
Jade ladyA woman is found burned to death in postwar Korea, and we get to see how George Sueño and Ernie Bascom go around solving the murder case even when both the Korean Police and US Military don’t seem too interested to, once they got a most likely suspect on custody. I really liked the backstory on Kimiko. And the author has a nice way of keeping you reading and describing the interactions between us military and Korean society. Final part goes a bit overboard for a while but still gets to make a solid ending somehow. Maybe get to read the next one.
—Jesus Flores
I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who has spent time in country. I often found myself daydreaming about my own adventures in Korea while I was reading this story. I did 3 tours for a total of 7 years in Korea and I really enjoyed the backdrop of the story. The Hamilton Hotel, Moyer Rec Center, the clubs, bars, the "hill", and other locations were really easy to relate to as I've been to each many times. I feel sorry for the young troops who are stationed there now as there isn't much fun to be had anymore. I had a great time in the early 90's, but my last tour in 2013 was very boring. The bar scene so vividly portrayed in this story does not exist anymore. I guess a lot of our PC nation nowadays would say that's for the best. But at least they can't take away my memories, lol!
—Whisky Kilo
I love Martin Limón's detective series--featuring an US Army sergeant detective, and set in South Korea in the early 1970s--for two reasons (besides the great writing and entertaining mystery plots):1) The time and place Martin has chosen as a setting are fascinating: 20 years after the end of the Korean War, the US is still very much interfering with Korean politics and government. In a chilly valley of the Cold War, Sergeant George Sueño is caught in a pivotal but overlooked moment in history: Asia--Korea in particular--is rapidly changing. America may have already forgotten the Korean War, but Koreans are very much still experiencing its aftermath. Meanwhile, on top of those tensions are the evolving threats from the Communist Bloc. I love the series for its attention to this forgotten but important (and endlessly interesting) period in world history.2) As someone who has spent time in Asia, I often get irritated with depictions of Asia by American writers. Martin's view is deft and fresh, respectful and warm and honest. Without shying away from any of the less savory sides of expat American soldier life, Martin still manages to create a lovely, detailed and absorbing picture of South Korea. I definitely recommend to history buffs, military history fans, and/or Asiaphiles.
—Soho Press
