The Ville Rat

(Paperback)

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Description

South Korea, 1974: A young Korean woman dressed in a traditional chima-jeogori is found strangled on the frozen banks of the Sonyu River with only a calligraphed poem in her sleeve. US Army Sergeants George Sueno and Ernie Bascom are called in to investigate. But all that George and Ernie are able to glean before being kicked out of town is that they are close to the truth - and that a mysterious smuggler, known locally as 'the Ville Rat', holds the key to the woman's murder...

Reviews

Praise for The Ville Rat

"Action-filled."
TheWallStreetJournal

"The Ville Rat, the [10th] in Limns series, confirms the authors knack for creating sturdy plots, solid writing and well-rounded characters."
The Seattle Times

"Propulsive . . . If youre not familiar with this superlative series, The Ville Rat will give you a taste of everything youve been missing. The books palpably recreate the tension that existed in the decades after the Korean Conflict as Vietnam ragedwhile offering a vivid picture of military milieu."
TheArizona Republic

"The Ville Rat, set 40 years ago, provides insight into tensions and conflictsracial and otherwisein the military and society as a whole that are still relevant today."
Shelf Awareness

"The chemistry between intense Sueo and laconic Bascom is the clear reason to follow this series, but alongside that chemistry as a draw for these books is Limns masterful evocation of military life."
Open Letters Monthly

"Pulse-pounding . . . This police procedural, with its unusual locale, admirable protagonists, and well-developed plot, stands as a superior entry in a consistently impressive series."
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Often praised for his knowledge of Korean society and culture and the massive footprint of the U.S. Army on Korea, Limn has an outstanding series going, and this one may be the best installment yet.
Booklist, Starred Review

"Sueo and Bascom's [tenth] appearance has vivid characters, and its searing portrait of the sins of our recent past bids fair to transcend the genre."
Kirkus Reviews

Praise for the Sueo and Bascom series

Limn is one of the best military writers ever.
Lee Child

Amazingly vivid . . . [Limns] wild men heroes are just as good company.
Los Angeles Times

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

Limn, who was stationed in Korea for the Army, writes with empathy for the Korean people as well for the young GIs dropped into a foreign culture.
The Boston Globe

This series is a must not only for procedural fans but also for anyone who enjoys crime fiction set in distinctive international locales.
Booklist, Starred Review

"Excellent . . . A vivid view of Asia, from the Demilitarized Zone to the Yellow Sea, and an insightful look at the era."
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

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 nine previous novels in the Sueno and Bascom series, including Jade Lady Burning, Slicky Boys, and The Iron Sickle, and the short story collection Nightmare Range. He lives near Seattle.