Robert Ludlum's Janson equation by Douglas Corleone

"Robert Ludlum's Janson equation" by Douglas Corleone. This book is published by Orton publishing group in 2015 and has 400 pages. This is the Book 4 of Paul Janson series.

Paul Janson and Jessica Kincaid have planned a vacation when Paul accepts a new case. Girlfriend of the son of an American senator is murdered in Seoul, South Korea. Senator's son is missing and suspected of murder. Evidence looks too obvious.

Where will the investigation lead? Why does Jason take a murder investigation?
What is Diophatnous? Who is behind it?

The story takes place in America, South Korea and North Korea. Story is decently paced and keeps readers interested. Janson has now morphed into a principled man and Seoul not break his rules for anyone.

Idea of a sinister plot to ignite a war between South and North Korea is good but the reason given for the players to plot it is a bit weak.

The story ends with a victory to Janson, but the real peril players behind the scheme are still at large and would resurface in next book. Author also hints that next book would be about Russia.

There are some unbelievably naive things in the book. The spy in North Korea gives his life to allow Janson take his family to South safely when he could have done it himself without sacrificing his life. Janson giving himself up for Kincaid. North Korean General believes Janson quickly. Janson returns from North Korea with the help of 12 men with entire army in pursuit.

This is 4th Jason novel and it's third writer. Why so many authors? Just to keep the franchise alive? However to be fair to the author of this book, he has done a good job, though the writing style is different.

This book goes on to demonstrate that the Robert Ludlum franchise still goes strong. Even years after his death Paul Janson, Jason Bourne & Covert-one series are still being published.

It's yet another novel where the American intelligence agencies are shown as the bad guys. This trend seems to be on the rise now a days. Earlier mafia was bad, then police became bad, then politicians became bad and now intelligence guys are bad. Is this evolution a reflection of society?

If you have read previous books, read it.

The Ginseng Hunter by Jeff Talarigo

"The Ginseng Hunter" by Jeff Talarigo. This book is published by Grijalbo Mondadori Sa in 2014 and has 234 pages.

This is a story of a Ginseng hunter, who lives on the bank of Tumen river that divides China and North Korea. The only work he knows is hunting for Ginseng root and the only pleasure he knows is the visit to brothel in the city of Yanji, once a month. One day he meets a prostitute, at the brothel who has run away from North Korea and slowly falls in love with her. Through her he understands the situation across the border. This book is a portrait of what happens in the lives of the hunter and the prostitute, memories of hunter and memories of prostitute .

Will the Ginseng hunter marry the prostitute?. Will he take her home? What's in her past? Would she like to go back to Korea? Will the hunter get the Ginseng root of his life? Is being so close to North Korea hazardous?

Author has presented a beautiful story. It is a subtle noir. Hunter's feelings for the prostitute are portrayed delicately. On one hand he wants her but on other hand he is happy with his solitary life and Ginseng hunting. Eventually he finds the purpose in life and marriage in the form of a little North Korean girl, but can he?

It's a story of love, empathy, survival and Ginseng hunting with the backdrop of changes in China with the rise of Mao and communism and with the backdrop of miserable life in North Korea and atrocities heaped by the government on North Korean citizens.

A Ginseng (अश्वगंधा) route is very precious. It is interesting to know that it has two legs and beard (Interested? See the images on internet). It is excavated with great care to avoid damaging it. The shovel used for excavation is made of bone as it is said that Ginseng is afraid of metal. The person who finds Ginseng routes is called hunter. Finding Ginseng is much like a hunt.

The story is concise and gripping. One can not help feeling sad for the North Korean citizens and appreciate what the hunter does. Though the introduction of the soldier towards the end seemed unnecessary.

A very good book. Recommend reading.

The Target by David Baldacci

"The Target", lstest book by David Baldacci. This  is the third book in Will Robie series, is published in 2014 by Pan Macmillan India and has 400 pages.

Will Robie and Jessica Real, both CIA assassins, are now on the same sides, good friends and partner. Director of CIA is still livid at Jessica for killing two CIA employees in last book and makes an elaborate plan to teach them a lesson.

President of America has hatched a plot with General Pak of North Korea to assassinate superme leader and take over the power. But the plot in unearthed by a lady operative of North Korea. General Pak commits suicide.  General Pak's family is sent to labor camp. Robie and Real are sent to rescue them. They succeed. North Koreans device a daredevil plan to teach lesson to the Americans, lead by the lady assassin who unearthed General Pak's betrayal.

What is the plan? Will it succeed? Are Robie and Real involved? How well Americans retaliate? Is there a romance? Who is the target?

This book does not have one story. There are three stories in the book with General Pak's betrayal, neo Nazi gang and North Korean attack. As a result the story appears jack of all trades and a bit unorganized. Baldacci's writing style in this book is not as good as pervious book.

Book ends with a hint of Robie and Real getting together. Seeds of next book are sown in the form of stand off between America and North Korea as well as Jessica's personal issues.

Read if you have spare time otherwise give it a miss.

The orphan masters son by Adam Johnson

"The orphan masters son" by Adam Johnson. This book won 2013 Pulitzer prize for fiction.

This is the story of Jun Do, a North Korean youth. (I think the name is inspired by John Doe, a name used for a person whose real name is not known, in America) His father is an orphan master (in charge of orphanage). Hence the book title.

This book is made up of two parts. First part is the story of Jun Doe. How he is raised in an orphanage although he is not an orphan. How he becomes a tunnel rat by profession aquiring ability to move in dark. How he becomes a state kidnapper and then radio operator. Then his visit to America as part of delegation that is termed as unsuccessful by North Korean leadership. This visit is the zenith of his life immediately followed by nadir of prison camp.

In second part,  an imposter of commander Ga (Ga is the husband of national actress Sun Moon and is also minister of prison mines) is arrested on charges of killing his wife. He is interrogated as commander Ga. Readers  must have gussed that the imposter is Jun Do. It shows what one can do for his true love. It also shows how state propaganda machinery gives the spin to to the fact and make fiction out of it. This part of book  oscillates between past and present, reality and illusion, truth and deception, fact and fiction.

The book shows how the state controls lives of its citizens. All beautiful girls are taken to Pyongyang as hostesses. If a man dies, his widow is given a replacement husband by state. The citizens who have done acts of bravery are accorded status of hero and get privileges like a motorcycle, wife of choice, shoes etc. Here the story is more important than the person. The person may be lying, it's acceptable if his story checks out. When a patient is very sick, his blood is taken away for others and thus he dies for the state. How the dear leader and great leader always watch them and define their lives. How the loudspeakers installed in every house and all public places give selected news and spread propaganda for state. The picture is horrible. Everyone is out to save their skin and survive. No one can challenge the system.

The author has created a masterpiece of black satire. The book does not make you sit on the edge of your chair, in fact some times you even get bored, but it intrigues you. It's a very dark tale and leaves a pit in your stomach. This book is not for the light hearted.

Read if you are not deterred by eerie novels.