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Sergeants Sueño and Bascom #5
Wandering Ghost
Praise for Martin Limó “It’s great to have these two mavericks back. . . . Mr. Limón writes with . . . wonderful, bleak humor, edged in pain, about GI life.”—The New York Times Book Review “Limón’s crisp, clear storytelling opens a door to another world and leaves one hoping the next installment won’t be so long in arriving.”—The Baltimore Sun “Limón has the military lingo and ambience down to a T. Plot, pacing, and plausibility are just about perfect.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer (editor’s choice) “As usual, Limón paints a picture of Korea in the mid-1970s that is so detailed and richly atmospheric that the reader’s senses are flooded with the sounds, smells, and tastes of the place. Fans of the Sueño-Bascom series, who have been waiting eagerly for a new novel, can relax. It was well worth the wait.”—Booklist (starred review) The only female MP assigned to a base in the DMZ is missing. Has she been abducted, killed, or, possibly, gone AWOL? Eighth Army cops George Sueño and Ernie Bascom, sent to find her, discover a murder that has been concealed, rampant black marketeering and corruption, crooked officers, rioting Korean civilians, and the wandering ghost of a schoolgirl run down by a speeding army truck. It is up to them to right egregious wrongs while being pursued by criminals who want to kill them. Martin Limón is the author of four earlier books in the Sueño-Bascom series. His debut, Jade Lady Burning, was a New York Times Notable Book.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Martin Limón
46 books96 followersMartin Limon retired from U.S. military service after 20 years in the Army, including a total of ten years in Korea. He and his wife live in Seattle. He is the author of Jade Lady Burning, which was a New York Times Notable Book, Slicky Boys and Buddha's Money.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 18, 2013
This is the fifth book in Martin Limon's excellent series set in the South Korea of the 1970s and featuring George Sueno and Ernie Bascom, two Army officers from the Criminal Investigations Division. Sueno, the narrator, is the brains of the pair and the one who will usually attempt to find a peaceful resolution to the difficult situations in which he and his partner all too often find themselves. Bascom has the shorter fuse and would sooner use his brawn rather than his brains, and together they made a powerful team.
In this case, the two are dispatched to Camp Casey, near the DMZ, to find Corporal Jill Matthewson, the only female MP on the base and one of the few in the Army at that time. Matthewson has disappeared; the investigators on the base itself have been unable to find her; Matthewson's mother has written to her congressmen seeking his help, and thus Sueno and Bascom have been dispatched from HQ in Seoul to assist in the investigation.
Upon arriving at the base, they get a pretty frigid reception and it soon becomes clear that the Powers That Be don't seem to be all that interested in finding Matthewson. As usual, Sueno and Bascom are less than impressed by the PTB, and are determined to complete their mission in spite of the obstacles that are thrown up in their way.
Before long, it becomes clear that the Case of the Missing Corporal is only the tip of a very rotten iceberg at Camp Casey. Sueno and Bascom are resolved to unearth and expose the corruption and other crimes that seem to permeate the base and to find Jill Matthewson as well. But before long, their own careers and lives are in grave danger as they press ahead with an investigation that a lot of people would rather be short circuited.
This is a very entertaining story, and as usual, the real pleasure of the book lies in the setting that Limon creates. His descriptions of the culture and geography of South Korea and of the relations between the Koreans and the G.I.s are extremely interesting and have the ring of truth. Limon has created a world unlike any other in contemporary crime fiction and it's hard to imagine any fan of the genre who would not enjoy visiting it.
In this case, the two are dispatched to Camp Casey, near the DMZ, to find Corporal Jill Matthewson, the only female MP on the base and one of the few in the Army at that time. Matthewson has disappeared; the investigators on the base itself have been unable to find her; Matthewson's mother has written to her congressmen seeking his help, and thus Sueno and Bascom have been dispatched from HQ in Seoul to assist in the investigation.
Upon arriving at the base, they get a pretty frigid reception and it soon becomes clear that the Powers That Be don't seem to be all that interested in finding Matthewson. As usual, Sueno and Bascom are less than impressed by the PTB, and are determined to complete their mission in spite of the obstacles that are thrown up in their way.
Before long, it becomes clear that the Case of the Missing Corporal is only the tip of a very rotten iceberg at Camp Casey. Sueno and Bascom are resolved to unearth and expose the corruption and other crimes that seem to permeate the base and to find Jill Matthewson as well. But before long, their own careers and lives are in grave danger as they press ahead with an investigation that a lot of people would rather be short circuited.
This is a very entertaining story, and as usual, the real pleasure of the book lies in the setting that Limon creates. His descriptions of the culture and geography of South Korea and of the relations between the Koreans and the G.I.s are extremely interesting and have the ring of truth. Limon has created a world unlike any other in contemporary crime fiction and it's hard to imagine any fan of the genre who would not enjoy visiting it.
July 30, 2012
I really like this series by Seattle author Martin Limon, which features two tough Criminal Investigation Division detectives assigned to solve military crimes in South Korea in the early 70's. The protagonist, Sueno, is Hispanic from the streets of Los Angeles, and brings a senstivity to the cultural clash between the 4,000 year old Korean society and the American Army. This one features a search for a missing female Military Policeman which leads to possible links with several other deaths, including a middle-school girl, a male MP, and a black market criminal. Numerous and dangerous roadblocks lie in our heroes path from many quarters. Subjects such as racism and sexism in the military, the social impact of prostitution and black market for American goods, and Korean shamanism and Confucianism are elucidated through the fascinating cast of characters. The series is satisfying to me because of the portrayal of a microscosm of American culture transposed to a novel setting, the diversity and resilience of the Koreans, and the combination of brains, boldness, and brawn required of the detectives.
August 30, 2017
Another quick, riveting read. Man, the pace is swift & the action unrelenting. I foresaw part of the plot's resolution coming fairly early on, but then again, I am a seasoned reader of mystery & detective fiction. It was well worth the read.
October 24, 2010
Limon just keeps getting better. Couldn't put this one down. The dynamic duo are called to the DMZ region to find a missing MP, a woman MP. A congressional inquiry has precipated their visit. They don't encounter much cooperation from the local command which is not connecting the dots to other related incidents. Perhaps they don't want to connect the dots. Is it embarassment or willful misconduct by a cabal of honchos from both the US and the ROK. I don't always agree with the wrap-up of the story but Limon has me ready to go back to Korea for a visit. Only one more in this series left to read.
November 24, 2019
A novel I really enjoyed. The setting is exotic and set slightly in the past and the central mystery is engaging. The characters are flawed but willing to do the right thing even at a personal cost.
April 8, 2015
Maybe the dead don't care about vengence.
Justice however, concerns the living which brings readers to the 5th entry in Martin Limon's outstanding Sueno and Bascom mystery series.
Set in South Korea during the 1970's, Army CID officers Sueno and Bascom are summoned to an unusual location for their experise: the Korean DMZ to investigate two crimes at the same time. One Soldier is found dead with a suspicious head injury while another, the sole female police officer in her unit, has suddenly vanished. As Sueno and Bascom investigate further they realize it all ties in with the ghost of Korean schoolgirl...
This story is so unique because the author has great knowledge of two worlds rarely written about in mysteries: modern Korean culture and the US Army as it was in 70's. I had no idea how the book was going end because Limon's stories are never about avenging murder victims and sweet justice is never really dispensed in these stories.
The dead are too busy telling Sueno and Bascom that there are much bigger problems that fester underneath Korean society, the US Army or both.
Pros:
Extensive use of Korean and American military society
Realistic Korean characters written with respect by the author
Cross cultral misunderstanding as a powerful obstacle to justice
An American law enforcement duo who normally work WITH foreign culture not against it as so many "tough guy" stories often do.
Cons:
No idea.
Justice however, concerns the living which brings readers to the 5th entry in Martin Limon's outstanding Sueno and Bascom mystery series.
Set in South Korea during the 1970's, Army CID officers Sueno and Bascom are summoned to an unusual location for their experise: the Korean DMZ to investigate two crimes at the same time. One Soldier is found dead with a suspicious head injury while another, the sole female police officer in her unit, has suddenly vanished. As Sueno and Bascom investigate further they realize it all ties in with the ghost of Korean schoolgirl...
This story is so unique because the author has great knowledge of two worlds rarely written about in mysteries: modern Korean culture and the US Army as it was in 70's. I had no idea how the book was going end because Limon's stories are never about avenging murder victims and sweet justice is never really dispensed in these stories.
The dead are too busy telling Sueno and Bascom that there are much bigger problems that fester underneath Korean society, the US Army or both.
Pros:
Extensive use of Korean and American military society
Realistic Korean characters written with respect by the author
Cross cultral misunderstanding as a powerful obstacle to justice
An American law enforcement duo who normally work WITH foreign culture not against it as so many "tough guy" stories often do.
Cons:
No idea.
June 13, 2010
The fast-paced fifth in Martin Limón's series featuring Sergeants Sueño and Bascom is set on military bases and nearby "villes" in South Korea. Our heroes manage to down vast quantities of the local OB beer in their investigative efforts to solve the mysteries of a missing soldier, a dead soldier, and a local schoolgirl who's been run down by a military truck, among other things. Limón spent 10 years in the U.S. Army in Korea and it shows in his knowledge of the military scene and subculture, right down to the black silk jackets with dragons, etc., on the back, that Ernie and George wear when they want to blend in down at the ville. Limón's descriptions of the Korean countryside and culture are lyrically portrayed and ring true.
December 8, 2012
This is the third (at least) of Martin Limon's novels set in South Korea of the 1970s that I've read over the years. Told from the point of view of George Sueno, a Californian chicano MP with the US Army, the books are equally heavy on local color and historical understanding as they are on action. Also refreshing is Limon's biting cynicism about the US military, especially at this time when America has become increasingly and excessively militaristic, when the heroes of the armed forces are beyond reproach (unless they engage in - gasp! - extramarital affairs). I will read more of the series when the mood strikes me next.
February 13, 2008
Beyond the story, I enjoyed the Korean language inserts with translations. Also the mechanics behind the black market operations and the military police involvement.
Having been in a police unit in Germany in the 60's seems operations haven't changed much. Didn't know that the slots were banned in the on base service clubs - my roommate fed them all the time - don't remember him winning, ever.
Spoiler - Never found out about Jill's picture of her father, thought it would turn out one of the officers was her dad. Maybe I missed it, you figure it out.
Having been in a police unit in Germany in the 60's seems operations haven't changed much. Didn't know that the slots were banned in the on base service clubs - my roommate fed them all the time - don't remember him winning, ever.
Spoiler - Never found out about Jill's picture of her father, thought it would turn out one of the officers was her dad. Maybe I missed it, you figure it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2016
I recently discovered this series and have found them excellent. Bascom and Sueno are great characters and setting the series in South Korea in the 1970's is a great way of bringing in a lot of history of this country and customs which I knew little about.
Thought this had an excellent plot as do most of those in the series that I have read so far.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest although not easy to find in the UK at the moment. Local libraries do not have most of them!
Thought this had an excellent plot as do most of those in the series that I have read so far.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest although not easy to find in the UK at the moment. Local libraries do not have most of them!
July 26, 2012
For some reason this book isn't listed in the series order. Yet, this was the best so far. Sueno and Bascom go about solving various crimes in their unorthodox ways and again have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate their pursuit of justice as they come from their hearts as well as their brawn.
July 2, 2010
I prefered G.I. Bones, but this one is also very good, and packed with action. This time Sueno and his friend (who should learn to wait a little longer before starting a fight), are looking for a disappeared women soldier. Boy! it sure feels that no one is honest in the army...
October 5, 2012
Another one of the rather quirky detectives who are in the military stationed in South Korea in the 1970s. The hero, a Chicano from LA who speaks Korean, is sought out by locals to investigate an old murder. I enjoy these stories and their setting.
April 6, 2016
Fascinating. It's not the first one in the series so it took me while to work out the lead characters but a great combination of US Army and South Korean organisation and politics. A completely engrossing story up to the last page.
December 1, 2010
This is one of a series about 2 investigators in the US military police in Korea in the 1970. This is a fine page turner.
April 19, 2012
FAst paced and entertaining, as usual.
July 29, 2011
Cross cultural murder mystery--well written and not the usual fare.
June 11, 2015
These are just great stories - I was a little disappointed with the ending here but overall, it all works and Limon paints a great picture.
May 11, 2019
A rather long and rambling plot. A female MP is missing S and B are tasked with finding her and opens up a big can of worms.
I'm steadily going through the Sueno and Bascom series. Unfortunately, there are only 14 books plus a book of short stories. I started in the middle, then started reading them somewhat in order. I really like this series because they are easy to read and follow and easy to get into. It's best to read them in order if you are starting new.
The setting is 1970's South Korea and the protagonists are two 8th Army CID detectives. Bascom is a bit like Michael Connelly's Bosch in that he doesn't care for protocol and is more likely to antagonize the people he comes in contact with rather than acting like a normal person and that includes his superiors. Sueno is somewhat the same but more level headed. Both are good CID detectives who don't have time for BS and try to solve the crimes they are tasked to instead of slacking off. Another selling point for them is that they try to relate to the native Koreans as people rather than 2nd class citizens to abuse like some other Americans. Limon does a great job of making the characters real (including the bit parts, the GI's and the Koreans). That's the character study part that I like.
The other good part is the setting. Limon was actually serving in Korea and gives a really good depiction of it from the GI point of view. It's like going back in time with the US Army. Not all of it is good; there's a lot of corruption, poverty, booze and sex, yea, some of it actually reads like The Virgin Soldiers (Leslie Thomas). He makes the country and the people come to life.
The army police procedural part is only so-so. There isn't a lot of excitement in the cases. The detectives do their due diligence, do their footwork and solve the crimes. There is mystery but somehow Limon just doesn't get a lot of excitement across. The interest I get from reading the books is from the character development; I care what happens to the people in the story more than I do about the crimes.
That's the basic review. I can't add a lot about this book itself, not that it matters much to me. I find all the stories fairly uniform and as I go through the series I feel like I'm binge watching a TV show - I finish one episode and move along to the next. They are all different stories but in the same format. Overall, I really like the series and highly recommend them.
I'm steadily going through the Sueno and Bascom series. Unfortunately, there are only 14 books plus a book of short stories. I started in the middle, then started reading them somewhat in order. I really like this series because they are easy to read and follow and easy to get into. It's best to read them in order if you are starting new.
The setting is 1970's South Korea and the protagonists are two 8th Army CID detectives. Bascom is a bit like Michael Connelly's Bosch in that he doesn't care for protocol and is more likely to antagonize the people he comes in contact with rather than acting like a normal person and that includes his superiors. Sueno is somewhat the same but more level headed. Both are good CID detectives who don't have time for BS and try to solve the crimes they are tasked to instead of slacking off. Another selling point for them is that they try to relate to the native Koreans as people rather than 2nd class citizens to abuse like some other Americans. Limon does a great job of making the characters real (including the bit parts, the GI's and the Koreans). That's the character study part that I like.
The other good part is the setting. Limon was actually serving in Korea and gives a really good depiction of it from the GI point of view. It's like going back in time with the US Army. Not all of it is good; there's a lot of corruption, poverty, booze and sex, yea, some of it actually reads like The Virgin Soldiers (Leslie Thomas). He makes the country and the people come to life.
The army police procedural part is only so-so. There isn't a lot of excitement in the cases. The detectives do their due diligence, do their footwork and solve the crimes. There is mystery but somehow Limon just doesn't get a lot of excitement across. The interest I get from reading the books is from the character development; I care what happens to the people in the story more than I do about the crimes.
That's the basic review. I can't add a lot about this book itself, not that it matters much to me. I find all the stories fairly uniform and as I go through the series I feel like I'm binge watching a TV show - I finish one episode and move along to the next. They are all different stories but in the same format. Overall, I really like the series and highly recommend them.
April 8, 2021
Sueno and Bascom are sent up north to the Second Infantry Division ("second to none") up near the DMZ. The are one of the two major tripwires waiting to confront any invasion from North Korea. It appears that the only female MP in Korea has disappeared from her unit. The investigators find out that no one has any idea where she may have gone.
The first thing they find is that she was involved in investigating the death of a middle school girl who was run over by a military truck. The drivers of the truck were sent back to the States to be tried, and were found innocent. They suffered no penalties for the killing of the girl even though they were speeding and the truck was out of control.
The female MP (Corporal Mattewson) was there at the accident and gave mouth-to-mouth to try and save the girl, but without any results. When she heard that the two drivers were sent home and were found innocent in the girls death, she began to make waves among the JAG unit in Korea.
Are the two situations connected, it's up to the investigators to find out and find Mattewson and bring her back to Seoul to be questioned about being AWOL.
The first thing they find is that she was involved in investigating the death of a middle school girl who was run over by a military truck. The drivers of the truck were sent back to the States to be tried, and were found innocent. They suffered no penalties for the killing of the girl even though they were speeding and the truck was out of control.
The female MP (Corporal Mattewson) was there at the accident and gave mouth-to-mouth to try and save the girl, but without any results. When she heard that the two drivers were sent home and were found innocent in the girls death, she began to make waves among the JAG unit in Korea.
Are the two situations connected, it's up to the investigators to find out and find Mattewson and bring her back to Seoul to be questioned about being AWOL.
August 12, 2022
This is the 5th book in the series and the fifth book I've read. I was hooked on Martin Limon's storytelling, plus the fact that I was at that same location and time where these novels take place. Our favorite two 8th Army CID detectives must unravel another mystery that only can be solved in the unorthodox manner of these two guys. This time it takes them out of Seoul, and up close to the DMZ to find a missing female MP.
Or course Mr Limon takes some liberties in straying from the exact history and geography of this place and time. It's called military fiction. It's still fun and a darn good mystery. In all honesty, this was not my favorite of the first five I've read, but pretty good. I read all 314 in two days. But when you live in Florida in the heat of summer, what else are you gonna do? 105 degrees tends to keep you inside.
I would without a doubt recommend this book, especially if you served in Korea. It will remind you of a lot of good memories. Now I'm on to book #6.
Or course Mr Limon takes some liberties in straying from the exact history and geography of this place and time. It's called military fiction. It's still fun and a darn good mystery. In all honesty, this was not my favorite of the first five I've read, but pretty good. I read all 314 in two days. But when you live in Florida in the heat of summer, what else are you gonna do? 105 degrees tends to keep you inside.
I would without a doubt recommend this book, especially if you served in Korea. It will remind you of a lot of good memories. Now I'm on to book #6.
September 10, 2021
OK but very slow. A small case - a missing woman MP - leads to larger crimes that implicate the higher command of an army division. In addition to a massive black market scheme, there are other corruptions including the whitewashing of a civilian death and sexual abuse, including rape. And a growing popular resistance to Americans complicates the story line even more. The story is overstuffed with plot elements and it’s ponderously over described - too many detailed descriptions of chases, fights etc. As before, I really hope the Army in Korea wasn’t/isn’t as badly/corruptly run as Limon describes.
January 20, 2023
I find myself thinking that if men do not evolve it is because their writers do not do so. I have no interest in hearing or reading about the male libido as I am already well acquainted with it.I will say it again: I would that stories of this genre would omit the sexual/romantic proclivities of the protagonist(s) and focus on the job of getting to the bottom of the mystery. I found the main characters to be barely competent and juvenile. I was saddened by the fact that we have to rely on these two men to try and rectify the evils taking place. Having said all that, I did enjoy the story and at the same time I was sorely disappointed by the men involved.
March 6, 2023
This is the 5th installment in this series set in South Korea involving Sueno and Bascom of the 8th Army CID. It has the usual hallmarks of corruption, black marketeering and murder. Limon's work is fast paced, sexy, and violent. According to Korean friends, his depictions of Korea and Koreans at that time, down to some of the place names is highly accurate and well-researched. I highly recommend the series.
September 18, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed George and Ernie’s methods of solving a serious military crime. I’m so glad I plucked this book out of a Little Free Library while walking in my neighborhood. I’ve gotten many a good book this way and I’m looking forward to reading more of the author’s books. I would have given it 5 stars but I felt the ending was a bit over the top and not quite believable,
July 13, 2018
Wow! Picked this up at the library because of course I'd never seen a military police procedural set in South Korea. I loved everything about this mystery and I'm so pleased there are so many in the series.
December 29, 2018
Another great story.
Spent a great deal of time in the 1st Cav in Korea (1960 - 1962). Enjoyed very little of it but the people were wonderful and my GI friends are still visited every year. This book brought me back.
Spent a great deal of time in the 1st Cav in Korea (1960 - 1962). Enjoyed very little of it but the people were wonderful and my GI friends are still visited every year. This book brought me back.
December 31, 2018
Best of the Series
My days in Korea weren’t nearly this exciting. Limon captures the atmosphere of us army in that period wonderfully. A great story.
My days in Korea weren’t nearly this exciting. Limon captures the atmosphere of us army in that period wonderfully. A great story.
July 25, 2021
These guys are always fun. They do a lot of crazy stuff. Continue to enjoy the Korean and military background information.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews