The door to bitterness

the long version

The pair of G.I. cops Martin Limon first introduced in Jade Lady Burning (a New York Times Notable Book of the Year) are back with a vengeance in their latest adventures in Seoul and the sin cities surrounding the capital in the 1970s. North Korea is menacing, Vietnam is burning as these two weave through the back alleys and bordellos, as they try to tip back the scales of justice in the right direction. This time they are not only pursuing criminals, they're chasing themselves in a way, too. Homicidal thieves have gotten hold of Sueno's badge, and are using it to lull their victims just long enough to strike-with his gun. That they are murderous makes it all that much worse for the dynamic duo. The army wants its equipment accounted for, the I.D. and weapon recovered. George and Ernie want to recover their reputation and catch the culprits.