It's summertime. You're looking for an absorbing thriller while you flop at the beach. Bonus points if it's somehow tied to current events where a summit with "Little Rocket Man" has just migrated to the rearview mirror. You're in luck because Star of the North doesn't just have the advantage of being an engaging rollercoaster ride, it's also a story that's that much more relevant because it's set in a country that's got enough intrigue for miles: North Korea.

Much like 24, that popular television series, the crisis presented in Star of the North is pressing. In essence, the North Koreans are testing long-range missiles and American intelligence is convinced the U.S. west coast is in the crosshairs. The Americans are desperate for ways to defuse the crisis. They're even willing to place all their bets on a rookie, Jenna Williams, the ...