I did not really enjoy reading this book. The premise was good, but the execution poor. It felt too contrived, too easy with just the right things happening conveniently at the right time to make everything ok. The characters felt bland and stereotypical to me. It could have had so much more depth to it, but skimmed along the surface moving from one point of action to the next without really pausing to think if the outcomes were realistic. Journalist needs to save her kidnapped friend, happens across some exKGB who will help her and blow away the bad guys for nothing more than a plug for mayor. Journalist needs to go to north Korea, tells associate to arrange the papers and bam, she is there with no hassle, no red tape, no waiting weeks for a response from a country that rarely allows people in. It simply didn't ring true to me. I'll not be reading any more of the series. ( )

http://www.book-blog.com/2008/06/sholes-lynn-moo.html ( )