This is the first short story by Barry Eisler I’ve read. Dox, who has appeared in other novels, is the protagonist. At the outset, you know something may be wrong with the assignment Dox is given: to assassinate a man involved in human trafficking in Cambodia.

Once again, Eisler captures the atmospheric reality of the locale. And he keeps the tension going as Dox suspects the assignment is not typical. Dox gets involved with a young, lovely Cambodian student, and has qualms about the relationship keep deepening since he will be leaving in a few days.

And when it comes to the kill, Dox turns out to be a man of deep moral conviction, despite the nature of his profession. Five stars out of five!

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