As Up Country opens, we see former warrant officer Paul Brenner attempting to enjoy his forced retirement. He reflects briefly on the case that brought him to this point, which was featured in The General's Daughter.
Before he has time to watch the grass grow, Brenner is offered an assignment he finds difficult to pass up. He is asked to investigate the death of an American army lieutenant. The victim was considered killed in action three decades ago. However, new evidence has surfaced which suggests another American murdered this man.
Brenner is handed an edited/translated letter which one Vietnamese soldier wrote to his brother during the war. It details an eyewitness account of the supposed murder. The brother who received the letter is dead, but it's possible the witness is still alive. Brenner is to track down this man and, if he is alive, determine how much he remembers about the decades-old incident.
Not much information is provided to Brenner at the start of the mission. The less he knows, the better. Several pre-arranged meetings in various Vietnamese locations will give Paul further instructions.
Brenner runs in to trouble almost from the start. He meets Susan Weber, a beautiful American living in Vietnam, who tags along as a combination interpreter/love interest. Her story doesn't add up and Brenner must deal with the possibility that she's not on his side.
Up Country follows Paul and Susan as they make their way into North Vietnam in search of this mystery witness. They run the risk of being captured by Vietnamese officials in an attempt to find the answers to their many questions.
Obviously, the identity of the witness and the murderer are extremely important, but readers are finally given the full scoop well into the novel. Instead, DeMille focuses on the pair's dangerous journey, with the investigation itself playing a minor role. The result is a historical travel narrative reminiscent of James Michener combined with the political suspense of David Baldacci.
DeMille excels at creating mystery and casting suspicion in every direction. The mission is unclear, as it Paul's fate once he finds the answers. Susan, who claims to love Paul, is equally distrustful. Her behavior suggests she works for another agency and her assignment involves tracking Brenner.
The build-up to the investigation doesn't give the finale the attention it deserves. When the puzzle is complete, readers will discover the shocking answer. This development naturally calls for another exciting avenue of action. Sadly, with just a few pages left upon this revelation, readers will have to accept the outcome as it stands.
Up Country is an intriguing novel rich in detail of Vietnamese history and culture. It's well researched and nicely paced. Nothing is what it seems in this tale. Expect the unexpected and you'll find this Nelson DeMille novel to be a satisfying read.
