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Sergeants Sueño and Bascom #12
The Nine-Tailed Fox
Martin Limón’s series set in 1970s South Korea, an era of heightened Korean sociopolitical tension, pits Army CID agents Sueño and Bascom against a mysterious woman who may be the leader of a gang—or a thousand-year-old creature.
Three American GIs have gone missing in different South Korean cities. Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom, agents for the Army CID, link the disappearances to a woman locally rumored to be a gumiho, a legendary thousand-year-old nine-tailed fox disguised as a woman. George suspects that the woman is no mythical creature, but a criminal who’s good at covering her tracks.
Meanwhile, George and Ernie are caught in a power struggle between two high-ranking women in the 8th Army. Scrambling to appease his boss and stay one step ahead of a psychotic mastermind, George realizes he will have to risk his life to discover the whereabouts of his fellow countrymen.
Three American GIs have gone missing in different South Korean cities. Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom, agents for the Army CID, link the disappearances to a woman locally rumored to be a gumiho, a legendary thousand-year-old nine-tailed fox disguised as a woman. George suspects that the woman is no mythical creature, but a criminal who’s good at covering her tracks.
Meanwhile, George and Ernie are caught in a power struggle between two high-ranking women in the 8th Army. Scrambling to appease his boss and stay one step ahead of a psychotic mastermind, George realizes he will have to risk his life to discover the whereabouts of his fellow countrymen.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
36 people are currently reading
311 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2019
This is another very entertaining entry in Martin Limon's series featuring U.S. Army CID sergeants George Sueno and Ernie Bascom. The series is set in the South Korea of the 1970s, and this book, like the previous twelve, is interesting not only for the criminal investigation involved but for the portrayal of the Korean culture and the description of the relationship between the Koreans and the U.S. Army personnel. Limon is also particularly good at depicting the frustrations of life in the U.S. Army in South Korea at this time.
As the book opens, Sueno and Bascom are assigned to investigate the disappearances of three American GIs who have disappeared in South Korea. The three went missing at different times and in different places, but all three disappeared while out carousing in the Korean bar districts near their respective bases, and none of the cases appears to be that of a soldier who has simply gone temporarily AWOL.
As George and Ernie get deeper into the case, a number of complications appear, and the strangest among them is the rumor that an ancient legendary creature, the Nine-Tailed Fox, disguised as a beautiful woman, has lured the three missing men to their doom. The story also has some interesting relevance to the present-day, which I won’t reveal, and before it’s over, George Sueno will again wind up putting himself in grave danger in his determination to resolve the case. All in all, a very good read.
As the book opens, Sueno and Bascom are assigned to investigate the disappearances of three American GIs who have disappeared in South Korea. The three went missing at different times and in different places, but all three disappeared while out carousing in the Korean bar districts near their respective bases, and none of the cases appears to be that of a soldier who has simply gone temporarily AWOL.
As George and Ernie get deeper into the case, a number of complications appear, and the strangest among them is the rumor that an ancient legendary creature, the Nine-Tailed Fox, disguised as a beautiful woman, has lured the three missing men to their doom. The story also has some interesting relevance to the present-day, which I won’t reveal, and before it’s over, George Sueno will again wind up putting himself in grave danger in his determination to resolve the case. All in all, a very good read.
May 2, 2024
A solid, well-written mystery-thriller, set in South Korea around 1970, during the Vietnam War era. Author Limón, a retired Army veteran who spent a decade stationed in Korea, has the chops to tell this tale. I read it after seeing Dana Stabenow’s recommendation. She thinks it’s his best. Read her review first: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Back already? I don’t have a great deal to add, and there are other good reviews nearby if you need more convincing. For me this was a 3.6 star read: worthwhile, well-crafted, and a historic window into an Asian culture I don’t know well. My own military service was in this era: I was stationed at the US Navy base on Guam, and traveled fairly widely around Asia on leave (and later, elsewhere). Interesting times!
I liked the book well enough I’ll consider reading another in the series.
Back already? I don’t have a great deal to add, and there are other good reviews nearby if you need more convincing. For me this was a 3.6 star read: worthwhile, well-crafted, and a historic window into an Asian culture I don’t know well. My own military service was in this era: I was stationed at the US Navy base on Guam, and traveled fairly widely around Asia on leave (and later, elsewhere). Interesting times!
I liked the book well enough I’ll consider reading another in the series.
October 31, 2017
As Dr. Johnson would say, this is the dog that walks on its hind legs: interesting for its existence and action, not for its bland writing. Still, how often do you run across a series of detective novels based on a Latino enlisted man who speaks Korean working for U.S. 8th Army in Korea after the Korean war? That would be: only in the 14 or so books of this series.
November 13, 2018
A pleasant discovery finding that I had missed this installment from 2017.
We find Sueno and Bascom being summoned before the General for their expertise. Three soldiers have disappeared. Could this be the work of the North Koreans? Immediately they are on a helicopter to Pusan, the site of the most recent disappearance. In the midst of this very important investigation their boss assigns them to recover a refrigerator that was inappropriately acquired by off base Koreans- the colonel’s way of saying don’t forget who is your boss. The Koreans with the fridge are a women’s rights group. Sort of a predecessor to the Me Too movement this group will later figure prominently in solving the mystery. Then it becomes a musical fridge as competing factions within the 8th Army’s Officers Wives Club fight over its return.
Meanwhile Sueno combines forces with the Korean National Police and forms a theory about what exactly is going on and it has a basis in Korean folklore. Just another exciting adventure through the bars and alleys of Korea that almost claims Sueno.
We find Sueno and Bascom being summoned before the General for their expertise. Three soldiers have disappeared. Could this be the work of the North Koreans? Immediately they are on a helicopter to Pusan, the site of the most recent disappearance. In the midst of this very important investigation their boss assigns them to recover a refrigerator that was inappropriately acquired by off base Koreans- the colonel’s way of saying don’t forget who is your boss. The Koreans with the fridge are a women’s rights group. Sort of a predecessor to the Me Too movement this group will later figure prominently in solving the mystery. Then it becomes a musical fridge as competing factions within the 8th Army’s Officers Wives Club fight over its return.
Meanwhile Sueno combines forces with the Korean National Police and forms a theory about what exactly is going on and it has a basis in Korean folklore. Just another exciting adventure through the bars and alleys of Korea that almost claims Sueno.
September 17, 2017
When three GIs go missing in 1970s South Korea, CID investigators Sueno and Bascom see a woman as the obvious link.
This the 12th in the series featuring the partnership of the intellectual and compassionate George Sueno and the earthy, impulsive Ernie Bascom, agents of the 8th U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division.
The problem with their initial assumption is the three soldiers have disappeared in three widely separated areas of the peninsula and, in each case, they hear rumors of a legendary shape-shifting female responsible for the alleged abductions.
Progress in the investigation is hindered by the usual Army bureaucracy, a power struggle between the wives of two high-ranking officers, a Chinese mob. The activities of the Chinese gang bring some assistance from their old ally, Mr. Kill aka Chief Homicide Inspector Gil Kwon-up of the Korean National Police.
After one of the soldiers is found dead, George puts his own life on the line to bring a psychotic killer out of the mists of superstition and into reality so she can be dealt with.
Limon, who served five tours with the Army in Korea, brings an accurate depiction of places and events of the period. By my own experiences slightly earlier during the autocratic regime of Park Chung-hee, I can attest to the veracity of his depiction.
An enjoyable read with intriguing characters, lots of action, a bit of humor and a glimpse at the ever-evolving two-sided coin of American/Korean relations.
This the 12th in the series featuring the partnership of the intellectual and compassionate George Sueno and the earthy, impulsive Ernie Bascom, agents of the 8th U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division.
The problem with their initial assumption is the three soldiers have disappeared in three widely separated areas of the peninsula and, in each case, they hear rumors of a legendary shape-shifting female responsible for the alleged abductions.
Progress in the investigation is hindered by the usual Army bureaucracy, a power struggle between the wives of two high-ranking officers, a Chinese mob. The activities of the Chinese gang bring some assistance from their old ally, Mr. Kill aka Chief Homicide Inspector Gil Kwon-up of the Korean National Police.
After one of the soldiers is found dead, George puts his own life on the line to bring a psychotic killer out of the mists of superstition and into reality so she can be dealt with.
Limon, who served five tours with the Army in Korea, brings an accurate depiction of places and events of the period. By my own experiences slightly earlier during the autocratic regime of Park Chung-hee, I can attest to the veracity of his depiction.
An enjoyable read with intriguing characters, lots of action, a bit of humor and a glimpse at the ever-evolving two-sided coin of American/Korean relations.
December 1, 2017
I was Navy & so I did not get to S. Korea all that often, but I picked up a smattering of the language. This series is like a refresher course & then some.
Limon's choice of Sgt. Sueño as the narrator may reflect him and his time in service, but he needs to be careful. In the early goings, Sgt. Ernie Bascomb was described as a scion of a wealthy family who somehow got conscripted & not only did two tours in Viet Nam, but also developed a heroin habit. He managed to kick, but it left him a jaded shadow of his former self who became a thrill-seeking hedonist with little regard for self-preservation & more for the adernaline thrill of the moment. All of that without losing sight of who he once was.
My concern is that as the series has progressed, he has become less & less of a thinker & more of simply a foil for Sgt. Sueño. I like and identify with his devil-may-care attitude towards the higher ranks, but he is no dummy & Limon seems to be losing sight of that with each successive entry.
As to the book itself, echoes are heard in the passageway throughout. This would not be the place for a newcomer to the series to start. A familiar pattern is beginning to establish itself, which is fine, but it assumes a familiarity with the rest of the series. Leah Prevault is out-of-country; SSgt. Riley is his usual bombastic self; and Itaewon continues to be the hub of activity. If this seems unfamiliar, then I highly recommend beginning at the beginning.
The story is an echo of earlier ones - revenge by the nationals against the G.I.s who seem to act in the basest of manners. I get it - I was once young, dumb & full of c** & actions have consequences. That was one of the reasons that I loved being a sailor - we were in & out, usually no more than four to five days at a time with little opportunity to cause the chaos brought by an embedded force.
I love Limon's voice in these books & I see myself in both characters, so I look forward to each new entry in the series. Next up, "PX Christmas"!
Limon's choice of Sgt. Sueño as the narrator may reflect him and his time in service, but he needs to be careful. In the early goings, Sgt. Ernie Bascomb was described as a scion of a wealthy family who somehow got conscripted & not only did two tours in Viet Nam, but also developed a heroin habit. He managed to kick, but it left him a jaded shadow of his former self who became a thrill-seeking hedonist with little regard for self-preservation & more for the adernaline thrill of the moment. All of that without losing sight of who he once was.
My concern is that as the series has progressed, he has become less & less of a thinker & more of simply a foil for Sgt. Sueño. I like and identify with his devil-may-care attitude towards the higher ranks, but he is no dummy & Limon seems to be losing sight of that with each successive entry.
As to the book itself, echoes are heard in the passageway throughout. This would not be the place for a newcomer to the series to start. A familiar pattern is beginning to establish itself, which is fine, but it assumes a familiarity with the rest of the series. Leah Prevault is out-of-country; SSgt. Riley is his usual bombastic self; and Itaewon continues to be the hub of activity. If this seems unfamiliar, then I highly recommend beginning at the beginning.
The story is an echo of earlier ones - revenge by the nationals against the G.I.s who seem to act in the basest of manners. I get it - I was once young, dumb & full of c** & actions have consequences. That was one of the reasons that I loved being a sailor - we were in & out, usually no more than four to five days at a time with little opportunity to cause the chaos brought by an embedded force.
I love Limon's voice in these books & I see myself in both characters, so I look forward to each new entry in the series. Next up, "PX Christmas"!
October 30, 2017
I had previously enjoyed a Sueno/Bascom book and I wasn't disappointed with this one. Martin Limon is a natural writer. The writing is easy to read and follow and I got into this book right away and finished it within a couple of days.
Sueno and Bascom are a couple of US Army CID detectives stationed in S. Korea. This time they are tasked with looking into 3 missing GIs as the brass is getting worried. This is part of a series but each book is complete in its own and you don't have to have read the other ones.
The characters are really well done. They are natural, believable and full of life, including the minor characters. That's the first thing I like about this author, his ability to create realistic people. The second thing is the setting: 1970's S. Korea. The author is ex-military with a 10 year stint in S. Korea so the background is very well done. This includes the people, geography and the politics of the time. I learned a lot about the country and the culture from reading these books. When I read this book, I really felt I was transported into the S. Korea of the time.
The mystery part was ok. The investigative procedural work was well plotted though I didn't like the end result very much, I enjoyed reading it and following the detectives as they worked their way through the book. Besides the mystery, there was also a lot of interesting subplots and themes dealing with the different supporting/minor characters in the book.
Overall, a very satisfying read. I got this book as a free ARC.
Sueno and Bascom are a couple of US Army CID detectives stationed in S. Korea. This time they are tasked with looking into 3 missing GIs as the brass is getting worried. This is part of a series but each book is complete in its own and you don't have to have read the other ones.
The characters are really well done. They are natural, believable and full of life, including the minor characters. That's the first thing I like about this author, his ability to create realistic people. The second thing is the setting: 1970's S. Korea. The author is ex-military with a 10 year stint in S. Korea so the background is very well done. This includes the people, geography and the politics of the time. I learned a lot about the country and the culture from reading these books. When I read this book, I really felt I was transported into the S. Korea of the time.
The mystery part was ok. The investigative procedural work was well plotted though I didn't like the end result very much, I enjoyed reading it and following the detectives as they worked their way through the book. Besides the mystery, there was also a lot of interesting subplots and themes dealing with the different supporting/minor characters in the book.
Overall, a very satisfying read. I got this book as a free ARC.
October 30, 2017
It is a solid addition to the series; the historical and cultural aspects of the books are always vividly described and very interesting. The wariness of the relationship between the US troops and their South Korean allies, the continuing concern about potential incursions by both North Korean and Chinese troops and individual actors, and the rivalry between different arms of the US occupying forces make the positions of Sueno and Bascomb a series of continuing challenges. This time there is a militant women’s group made up of officers’ wives (who are jealous of each other) that adds complications and a bit of melodrama to the mix.
August 5, 2018
The quick red fox......
I buy and read all his novels about Korea where I served as a young team age soldier in the army in 1960.
Great true to life stories that bring back fond memories.
Bring on the next adventure!
I buy and read all his novels about Korea where I served as a young team age soldier in the army in 1960.
Great true to life stories that bring back fond memories.
Bring on the next adventure!
December 5, 2017
I just love the Sergeants Scieno and Bascom novels, and now I can hardly wait for the next one to be published.
December 11, 2019
1) This book did not go where I thought it would, based on the title. I expected more of a fantastical tale and less of a detective story.
2) I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, and definitely not the 12th book in the series.
3) Learning about South Korea was pretty cool, filling in some gaps in my knowledge of that time and location.
4) I do like the primary detective in the story.
5) Adding some third-person chapters after the bulk of the book being told in first-person was unexpected and somewhat awkward.
Overall: I maybe should have spent a little time judging this book by its cover. I pulled it from the library shelf expecting that the rental car would not offer a CD player, but then it did. Good thing I had an audiobook!
2) I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, and definitely not the 12th book in the series.
3) Learning about South Korea was pretty cool, filling in some gaps in my knowledge of that time and location.
4) I do like the primary detective in the story.
5) Adding some third-person chapters after the bulk of the book being told in first-person was unexpected and somewhat awkward.
Overall: I maybe should have spent a little time judging this book by its cover. I pulled it from the library shelf expecting that the rental car would not offer a CD player, but then it did. Good thing I had an audiobook!
November 24, 2018
I have read the previous books in this series set in 1970's South Korea. Have enjoyed them all and this is very good. Maybe not as good as the very best in the series but still very good. Sueno and Bascom are asked to find three missing G.I.'s who have gone missing from different parts of the country.
They also become involved in conflict between two senior officers' wives in camp which causes problems and distractions. The plot involves Chinese gangsters and possibly a mythical Korean creature and has a welcome appearance by Mr. Kill and his assistant Officer Oh of the KNP.
On balance very good plotting and resolution and hope a few more appear!
They also become involved in conflict between two senior officers' wives in camp which causes problems and distractions. The plot involves Chinese gangsters and possibly a mythical Korean creature and has a welcome appearance by Mr. Kill and his assistant Officer Oh of the KNP.
On balance very good plotting and resolution and hope a few more appear!
April 2, 2018
Martin Limón’s latest thriller has his favorite CID agents, Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom searching for three missing US soldiers while confronting a mysterious woman who is linked to a popular Korean folk tale. Limón is brilliant as he carefully balances the seedy underbelly of modern South Korea with his love and respect for the country’s rich and ancient culture.
I've been a big fan of Limón since I read some of his earlier works. Having lived in South Korea since 1990, much of what he writes about, resonates strongly with me. I feel as though I might have even bumped into Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom at some point!
Jeffrey Miller, Bureau 39
I've been a big fan of Limón since I read some of his earlier works. Having lived in South Korea since 1990, much of what he writes about, resonates strongly with me. I feel as though I might have even bumped into Sergeants George Sueño and Ernie Bascom at some point!
Jeffrey Miller, Bureau 39
August 5, 2023
Occasionally someone, a character will do something so stupid in a book series you enjoy, you find yourself imploring the character to reverse their course. This is when you know the author has sucked you in, suspended your reality, and has you. This has happened to me again, while reading this book. Each one of these books, this is the twelfth, set in Korea, during the 1970's is a jewel of insight and enjoyment to be cherished.
May 1, 2024
This is an excellent addition to the series. By this time Sergeants Sueno and Bascom are familiar characters, along with Riley, Strange, Kim, Oh and Inspector Gil. The books do not disappoint. The action is fast paced, and Koreans are treated very fairly. I have spoken with Koreans living in Korea and the books are widely enjoyed and considered accurate in their background details. I have thoroughly enjoyed the series and highly recommend it.
October 6, 2018
Another very fine Sueno and Bascom novel by Mr Limon. When three GI’s disappear in different parts of South Korea, Sueno and Bascom are placed on the case. A mysterious woman is the only clue linking the three men. An exciting search ensues and eventually leads to a Chinese triad and it’s unlikely leader. I Highly recommend this book as well as the others in this underrated series.
October 8, 2022
It is a solid addition to the series; the historical and cultural aspects of the books are always vividly described and very interesting. The storyline is better than some of the earlier attempts. Although the mystery is solved, it is not a "Happily ever after" ending. I have read all 12 books in the series and will start the next one today.
November 9, 2017
Possibilities
This story has them. Unfortunately it doesn't have the wit or suspense to fully fulfill them. Lots of details that speak to deep research, just a bit of a plod to read. Still, it pulled me through to the ending.
This story has them. Unfortunately it doesn't have the wit or suspense to fully fulfill them. Lots of details that speak to deep research, just a bit of a plod to read. Still, it pulled me through to the ending.
March 8, 2018
I really enjoyed it. I liked the familiar characters (I’ve read seven of them now). I liked the hard, cynical ending which will set up the next novel. Martin Limon is a lovely, descriptive author who is so skilled at reproducing a moment in time.
June 18, 2020
Clever plotting and superior characterizations mark this suspenseful, atmospheric entry in Limon's mystery series set in 1970s Korea. U.S. Army CID agents George Sueno and Ernie Bascom look into the case of three missing American soldiers.
February 1, 2018
I enjoyed this story and the characters in it as well as the mythology and mystery that were in lnclude
August 19, 2018
An interesting mystery mostly because of the information about South Korea.
April 4, 2021
Love a good mystery. Has some racism, but it fits within the context of the story, setting and time period. Love the tie in to Korean superstitions.
February 18, 2024
I didn't realize it was 12th book in a series, but the story is full and can be read separately. I liked the book, but not sure I'll read the others.
December 30, 2020
Not as enjoyable as his previous novels, but still well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews