Phu Bai

Rating:
Summary: Definitely not the same old thing!
Review: Although this book is not my usual literary fare, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pace was exciting. The plot was original with a surprising outcome. The characters were well developed in an interesting fashion. The author presented a deeply realistic picture of the Vietnam war from the inside. I never expected to enjoy a book that even had the word war in it, yet I found myself truly caring for the characters, immersed in the realistic background and fascinated by the plot twist. I am looking forward to hearing more from the main character in future books!

Rating:
Summary: A Thinking Man's Whodunit!
Review: FIVE STARS.

Drawing on his own experiences in the Vietnam war, the author depicts a homicide investigation by two C.I.D. detectives, Charles Van Dyck and John Murphy. An American soldier working for the Army Security Agency, a unit responsible for electronic intelligence-gathering, has been found dead near his place of duty at Phu Bai, a listening post in the DMZ. On his way to Phu Bai Murphy reads a Dear John letter sent to him by his Stateside girlfriend; and the emotional shock warps his professional intuition. Later at the crime scene, initial circumstantial evidence suggests an open-and-shut case, and the two detectives think they have their man, whom they arrest. But in the process of delivering their prisoner things take a strange twist; and a breathless manhunt ensues.



The reader should not be lulled by Betit's detached and placid tone; for there are many unspoken levels and numerous crafty diversions tucked into this fast-paced novel. These shifts and devices are only made all the more remarkable when one considers that Phu Bai is a first effort, and one that is executed with admirable precision. Phu Bai has only about 200 pages.

To begin, the subtitle, "A Vietnam War Story," is itself a distraction. This novel is no "war story," at least in the usual sense. The warfare mostly functions as a dangerous setting, as a noisy counterpoint to silent analytical brooding, and as omnipresent as the weather or any other natural force. Oddly enough, the narrative relates a detective story that could have taken place anywhere in the world.

On the other hand the combat, "murder on the grand scale," as the times would have had it, is crucial in supplying the murderer a compelling motive - to escape Vietnam at all costs; literally, "to kill to get back home." This makes the war narratively indispensable and bestows upon the killer a certain measure of empathy toward his predicament; and in this wise, quietly deconstructs the war in a critical light. Betit does not preach; and generally, he leaves much to the reader's imagination. This rule's only exception is his helpful descriptions of things unfamiliar to most people in his audience. But he inserts these only as needed.

The plot is as tightly constructed as any Euclidean theorem. The action is a complicated domino theory in miniature. The sparsely described, unobtrusively treated personalities move across the scenery deliberately, like pieces on a chessboard. Betit exploits a parsimonious style to full advantage; and a rapid sequence of so many short chapters and few long digressions enlivens the action, endowing the entire book with an impressive economy of expression.

Because Betit leaves much below the surface, to get the full benefit this novel should be read several times. Since I enjoyed this book immensely I highly recommend it to one and all.

From what I understand, the author plans another novel, entitled Kagnew Station, due out sometime in 2005.




Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: Realism. Suspense. Drama. Humor. They are all there in this hard-to-put-down page turner. This book will appeal to a wide audience. It will make a perfect Christmas present for many on my shopping list.

Rating:
Summary: Tension of Vietnam war behind murder mystery
Review: The murder mystery itself is well-written with an interesting plot, attention to detail, and good character development - nevermind the turn in the story that takes both the reader and investigator by surprise! The backdrop is the height of the Vietnam War with all the tension and realism that only someone (like the author) who served could deliver. In fact, it felt as though the reader was there and in the middle of the action! It all makes for a fast-moving story, a good Sunday read!