The Line

(Paperback)

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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.

Reviews

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

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

Superb . . . Limn 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 Limn book since 1992sJade 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 Limn again hits the target with his 13th military murder mystery.
Critics on the Aisle

Praise for the Sueo and Bascom Investigations

Limn is one of the best military writers ever. His stories are addictive entertainment todayand valuable slices of history tomorrow.
Lee Child

An enduring and freshly relevant series . . . Limn, 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

Limn 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 Seouls nightlife with a sensitive appreciation for Koreas 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 . . . Limn, 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

Author Bio

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.