The Ghost of Saigon by John Maddox Roberts is a gripping crime thriller that masterfully combines a hardboiled private investigator mystery with the lingering shadows of the Vietnam War. Private detective Gabe Treloar never expected to confront the ghosts of his past, but a desperate call from an old comrade pulls him into a deadly game at a reunion he can’t ignore.
Mitchell Queen, now a successful Hollywood producer, is being threatened by Martin Starr — a dangerous criminal from their shared Vietnam days, thought long vanished. As Starr resurfaces, terrorising Queen’s film set and leaving a trail of menace, Gabe must face old traumas and dangerous new enemies.
With the help of the enigmatic detective Connie Armijo, Gabe’s pursuit of Starr takes him from the haunting streets of Saigon to a climactic confrontation in California’s hills. Fast-paced, atmospheric, and rich in sharp dialogue, The Ghost of Saigon is a taut thriller perfect for fans of detective fiction with a historical edge.
