Killing Grace: A Vietnam War Mystery

by Peter Prichard

The year is 1967 and the Vietnam War is raging. Lieutenant Ben Kinkaid of the US military police is patrolling the chaotic streets of Saigon after curfew when he crosses paths with US Army clerk Tommy Banks and his girlfriend, Grace Waverly. Grace says she’s a peace tourist, but she’s also a member of RAW—an anti-war group bent on stopping the war by any means necessary.

When Grace turns up dead in the Saigon River, Ben gradually uncovers a much larger conspiracy that involves an opium-pushing arms dealer and spies of every stripe. Rich with authentic details, this gripping thriller will immerse you in the tumultuous atmosphere of the 1960s as two very different men pursue justice, love, and survival in a world torn apart by war.

Genres: Mystery, War

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Bill Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great…although many aspects of the history of America’s involvement in Vietnam (both what was happening at home and in the war itself) are clearly true, all of them coming together at the same time in this particular way seems very unlikely and too much of a stretch to be believable—but it does make for an engaging and entertaining story. The novel lacks polish and seems a bit formulaic (the characters are stereotypes, the plot developments are predictable, there are the requisite bits of romance, mystery, and political commentary)—but it’s clearly a labor of love and full of good intentions. 3+ stars.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Prichard has written an excellent book, not only for a first time novelist, but for any novelist.
He captures the sights, sounds, and odors of war while portraying the moral ambiguity, treacherous alliances and betrayals both personal and political of the Vietnam war and its entire era.
Mixed with descriptions of the street food, bar girls, and random rocket attacks, he has written an intricate plot in which the lowest and highest players in the war and government are all trying to survive and turn events to their own advantage.
The author is an experienced journalist who knows how to write clear descriptive prose free of the cliches you find in beach-read thrillers. In a personal favorite device, he names a character Phuong after a woman in Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, the seminal book about American involvement in Southeast Asia. And he quotes what the novel’s British journalist Thomas Fowler has to say about the American CIA agent, Alden Pyle, the personification of western interference. ““I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused.”
Do the author Peter Prichard a favor and buy his book, then do yourself a favor and read it.

[Dianne Sexton]

Excellent read. Very descriptive of Vietnam. I was just out of college when the war ramped up. I felt like I was back in the middle of all the chaos. Looking forward to Peter’s next book

[Timothy McQuay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heat, spice and danger of the times washes over the reader in this marvelous rift on Vietnam. “Killing Grace” is a mystery novel about an unfolding criminal plot, but also touches on the mystery of our nation’s descent into a quagmire. Saigon, MPs, anti-war protestors, Hoover, CIA, and sex, drugs and FUBAR. An authentic look at an era of lost innocence, which we have never regained. A compelling read.

[Tracy Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down. Set during the Vietnam War, Killing Grace involves protesters and draftees, spies and journalists, ambassadors and arms dealers. This is the finest thriller I’ve read in a long time.

[Jessica Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story by the author, and emphasized how terrible war is and how it affects all sides. Thank you for putting the ‘Cast of Major Characters’ at the beginning! So helpful!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I was a teenager during the Vietnam war and this was a good mystery that reflected that time. I won a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway and am glad I got to read this book.

[Lynn Herlihy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Killing Grace, a Vietnam War Mystery”, is a moving account of a War, which literally tore our country apart. Peter Prichard served in Army Intelligence in Vietnam or as it is often referred to as “in country”. His book is compelling because he draws you in with humor, a description of the beauty of Vietnam and a riveting story line.

Most of all, I adored the strong female characters. Grace and Lien, both followed their conscience and suffered incredible loss, one of her life and one of a calm and peaceful daily life. Lien says, “To Vietnamese, it about freedom. For centuries other peoples occupy our land. They breathe for us. Vietnamese people, in every land, they just want to breathe free-live free. That what I always tell you”Isn’t that what we all want?

[Stephen Norcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific read. Peter Prichard knows about the Viet Nam conflict because he was in Saigon during the war. He has created a spellbinding mystery. Dig into it and you will not be disappointed.
I found it very interesting and informative.

[Christopher Connaughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book overall. Very interesting characters were well developed. Highly recommended

[Dennis R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killing Grace ..an epic saga of the Vietnam war

Killing Grace is a fast paced engrossing war mystery that grabs and
holds your attention from beginning to end. I recommend reading for people who were too young to know how it all went down, the deception and the humanity, the death and destruction and how it altered America’s perceptions to this day

[Gary Eisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam at its finest!

Definitely worth a read if you were at all affected by the war and the times surrounding them. I just missed the draft and am thankful for it!

[Sue :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really started out slow for me but by the half way point I couldn't put it down. I was in my teens when the war was going on. I protested as my male friends were drafted. Only one didn't come back. We were lucky.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway contest. Very much enjoyed it, good characters and plot.

[David Congdon]

Very good read

This was a Goodreads win for me. So glad I entered the sweepstakes. I particularly liked the location of this book.

[Shanon Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book well written

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read.
I didn't really know much about the war, other than a lot of people were against it.
I don't like any war.
Thanks to Goodreads and the author for the digital copy.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this compulsively readable mystery in one day.

From the book's opening at the Girdiron Dinner in 1966 to its closing amid violence at the same Washington DC dinner two years later, much happens to main character Ben Kinkaid, to the country, to its leaders and to the world. Readers spend most of those two years in VietNam with Kinkaid and a cast of characters worthy of Joseph Heller. Along the way, the dead body of a beautiful young American woman is found, and a conspiracy that involves an opium pushing arms dealer and spies of every stripe is uncovered. Fast paced and gripping, I can't think of a mystery I've enjoyed as much since the Da Vinci Code.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I was thoroughly engaged by this story. It is very much a noir mystery and reads like a classic movie complete with a diverse cast of supporting characters. The various characters can be challenging to keep straight, but it is worth the effort! The plot is easy to follow. The setting adds another layer of complexity and is what brings everything together. Overall, I give it 4.5 stars and would definitely recommend this book.

[Mike B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The saddest legacy left by the Vietnam conflict and also the Watergate cover-up was the eroded trust Americans have in their government. This book reinforces that, and it also paints war protestors as radical, violent enemies. A novelist writing today cannot possibly capture and convey the general naïveté Americans had at the time. The anti-establishment spirit was stronger in the sixties than we understand now.

[Jonathan Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue and mystery set in the war zone of Viet Nam during the "conflict." Everyone seems to be up to mischief: the radical anti-war folks, the FBI and the CIA. The plots are uncovered by a diligent Army Military Policeman in a world where you can trust no one. Great period detail and excellent writing.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Killing Grace

For me, it was a little confusing to keep up with all the characters. Additionally, you were expected to remember which character has which job, who was under cover. All of that on top of keeping track of the details to solve the murder and figure out why. Too much to follow along with.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good mystery wrapped up in an excellent description of the Vietnam era. It brings back memories of those days that changed me and this nation. Well-written with good pacing, if you're looking for a nostalgic thriller, I'd recommend this book.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Dana]

I entered the giveaway for this book for my husband and it was DNF for him. He did not like the writing style and couldn’t get engaged with the book.
Thanks to the publisher for the Goodreads giveaway.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline held me attention from the first page to the last

[Kathy Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Interesting book.

[Jessica Hecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very intriguing. I found the mystery compelling and it shone a light on a time period I know very little about. It was slow in places but overall a good read!

[Tracy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is closer to a 3.5-3.75.

[Ann Prichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent murder mystery set in 1967 in Vietnam during the war, with two military MPs as the investigators. The plot involves the military, CIA, FBI, war protestors at home, war correspondents and spies. Great evocation of Saigon and all the violence, intrigue and romance in its storied history. Killing Grace weaves together an intricate plot with great suspense, but also taught me a lot about the wages of war for combatants and civilians caught in what was often termed a quagmire. Full disclosure, I’m related to the author and greatly admire his writing and reportage.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpleasant.

A murder mystery set in Vietnam. Filled with unpleasant details and the plot is less important than the characters. Shoot