Star of the North is a thriller that is told from several points of view in America, North Korea and South Korea. Our main protagonist is Jenna, a Korean-American university professor whose twin sister was kidnapped from a South Korean beach. Even though 12 years have passed since then, she knows her sister must still be alive and is desperate to find answers. She is finally given a chance to find out for herself when she is recruited by the CIA to investigate North Korea.
Other stellar characters of note include Mrs Moon, a North Korean peasant woman who is doing time in a penal colony and just trying to get by, and high-ranking Korean government official Cho. I won't say how, but these three threads come together in a marvelous twist at the end.
This is my absolute favorite type of book! Star of the North was incredibly well researched and detailed factual aspects but the story was gripping and unexpected. This book would be an excellent pick for fans of LeCarre or any other spy thrillers who are looking for something new.