A Simple Assignment Gone Wrong
While technically not a historical series because of when they are set, I’ve enjoyed Nancy Cole Silverman’s Kat Lawson series. They provide a great look at a specific time and place and are great stories to boot. A Spy in Saigon is a perfect example of that.
This book is set in August of 2000. Kat is a journalist who, after losing her job, has taken a job for the FBI. Her cover is as a photo journalist, but she goes into other countries and tries to complete a simple assignment or two. In the past, these have revolved around art, but that’s not the case here.
In this case, Kat is heading to Vietnam. Given her age and the time, this is filled with mixed emotions for her since the Vietnam War impacted her personal life. But now, the country is once again opening up to foreigners, and Kat is there to cover what the country is like now. At least that’s the cover. She’s actually there to make a drop off and pick up with a jeweler in Ho Chi Minh City. However, while she’s in the store, the contact is murdered in front of her. Now, Kat has no idea what to do. In a country where she is constantly watched, can she still get the information she came for?
This series has always been a bit of a cross between a traditional mystery and a cozy spy adventure. This book leans more into the spy genre. Not that I’m complaining in the slightest. This is just something to be aware of before you pick up this book.
The book wastes little time. We get just enough set up before we jump right into the story. And I was hooked from the beginning. Kat doesn’t know who to trust, but she is compelled to see her mission through. The result is a compelling story that is almost impossible to put down. The climax is satisfying while keeping the pages turning.
This is the fourth book in the series, but you could easily jump in here. Nothing about the previous books is spoiled, and the only other character that shows up is Kat’s boss.
Having said that, Kat gets some nice development here. I really enjoyed getting to know her better. And the rest of the characters come alive as we read.
As I hinted at earlier, this book is a definite look at a particular place and time. I was born as the Vietnam War was ending, so I’ve only read about it in history books, both the war itself and the impact here at home. I also remember the mixed feelings others had when the country was reopened. This book brought that all back to me, and I loved seeing how it was impacting Kat in particular. As with much of life, it’s complicated. But that makes for great fiction.
A Spy in Saigon is an engrossing story with a strong
sense of time and place. If you want to
start your year with a bang, pick up this book today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
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