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THE WOLF OF SARAJEVO
by Matthew Palmer
GP Putnam's Sons, May 2016
400 pages
$24.00
ISBN: 0399175016


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Matthew Palmer's gift as a writer (perhaps because of his former life as a US Foreign Service Officer) is that he is able to help readers manage complex political situations like the Balkans, while still providing an interesting, coherent plot. This story, in lesser hands, could have been a real disaster. In fact, many in the West shy away from trying to understand such a complex political environment, much less seek out a mystery novel about one.

That would be a loss, however. Palmer is adept at putting readers into the thick of things without overwhelming them. This story focuses on two men, one a madman with a hidden identity (Marko Barcelona), the other his political pawn, Zoran Dimistrovic, president of the Republika Srpska (RS).

When the US Embassy is called upon to support the peace initiative of the European Union's High Representative, the forces seeking to dominate the political situation see it as their time to launch a new war. Can Eric Petrosian, a Political Counselor at the US Embassy, work with his counterpart, a CIA agent, to stop the madman in time? The lives of thousands depend on them.

What's particularly fascinating in this book is not only how Matthew Palmer uses the historical circumstances to craft his tale, but also how he showcases the often conflicting objectives of State and CIA, despite the fact that both are working for the same government toward the same end.

Palmer has it all in his book - great characters, an interesting plot, insights into US foreign policy, and an ability to highlight just how important the issue of genocide/ethnic cleansing truly is. That he is able to mold all this into a eminently enjoyable mystery speaks volumes about his talent as a writer with something to say.

§ Christine Zibas is a freelance writer and former director of publications for a Chicago nonprofit.

Reviewed by Christine Zibas, June 2016

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