Review of “A Rock and a Hard Place” by Mary Steed

​Score: 90/100 (9.0 out of 10)

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?!

No, this isn't a reference to the movie Se7en, it's in regard to A Rock and a Hard Place by Mary Steed. In this book, a pacifist Korean scientist, Dr. Kar Joon, entrusts a dangerous mystery box to an American soldier, Jim Parrish, in hopes that he will protect the world from its destructive power. But what is it and why are the FBI and agencies around the world so interested in it?

That mystery is a massive part of the appeal of this book.

Do you like spy thrillers and tales of espionage?

A Rock and a Hard Place is a compelling spy thriller and historical fiction novel that intertwines the harrowing experiences of the Korean War with a suspenseful narrative set in the 1970s. The story follows the aforementioned Staff Sergeant Jim Parrish, who, during the brutal winter of 1950, led his Marines through the treacherous terrain of Chosin Reservoir.

Fast forward twenty years, and Parrish, now a priest, grapples with haunting memories and a mysterious secret that resurfaces, intertwining his past with present dangers. The book masterfully explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the long-lasting impacts of war. The depiction of the Korean War is vivid and intense, capturing the brutal cold, relentless enemy attacks, and the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers. Parrish’s journey from a war hero to a priest haunted by his past adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

The characters are well-developed, particularly Parrish, whose transformation from a young Marine to a guilt-ridden priest is portrayed with emotional depth and realism. His internal struggles and sense of duty drive the story forward.

Parrish gives this book its title as the character finds himself caught between different loyalties. On one hand, as a priest, he cannot break the seal of the confessional, a vow of confidentiality. On the other hand, as a US veteran and an American, he has a duty to protect and serve his country.

Further compounding this is the FBI, which doctors pictures of Parrish showing him involved in illegal and inappropriate activities including with children. This puts Parrish in an even bigger dilemma as he's hit with the painful realizations that: 1. These fake pictures could cost him his priesthood and freedom, and 2. The FBI, an organization representing the country he loves and served, was willing to throw him under the bus for their own selfish agenda.

Interestingly enough, the book focuses quite a bit on these questionable FBI agents, Harry Harrison and Larry Larson.

The book also focuses on America's enemies during the Cold War, especially the North Koreans and Chinese.

More and more is revealed about what they know about the mystery box and what they're willing to do to get it. Now, as a brief aside, it is somewhat weird and implausible to imagine the Imperial Japanese actually having atomic weapon capabilities near the end of World War II. Although that was very interesting, it's virtually impossible given all we know about the war and Japan's kamikaze/death-before-dishonor mentality at the time. Like, if the Japanese had a nuke, even one that couldn't be delivered with a missile yet, why wouldn't they lure their American and/or Russian enemies into an area or choke point and detonate it? If they were willing to crash planes and even the freakin' Battleship Yamato (their overpriced, overpowered flagship) into their enemies, why wouldn't they do the same with an evacuated town and a nuke? They could've literally put a few of them on different shores and just waited for the enemy to land. They could've put one or more on boats to occupied-Okinawa or Iwo Jima and disrupted the Allied bombing campaigns that were staged there. It really makes no sense that the Japanese—of all people in the war—would try to hide a super weapon rather than trying to use it. So, that really hurt our suspension of disbelief with this book.

Anyway, going back to what we were saying about the villains, the Chinese hire a ruthless super-spy named Wang (known as the “Definitive Solution” and the “Cantonese Tiger”) to acquire Parrish's secrets. She is willing to employ kidnapping and torture (including of innocent people) to get what she needs to complete the mission.

The Chinese also introduce a strange mind-control method that convinces the victim that they're doing the right thing or that they should listen to the instructions of the interrogator. It's kinda like hypnotism and/or truth serum.

It's here where a character named Dea just pops up and becomes somewhat significant. Dea and Chin Pack were two Koreans whom Dr. Kar Joon, for some reason, asked to help Parrish to keep the secret. Keep in mind: this is a secret that probably would've been better kept if the Packs hadn't been made aware of it. Wang tries to use threats on Dea, in particular, to extract information from Parrish. This is weird, however, because it really wasn't well established that Parrish's relationship with Dea was that strong. It existed, yes, but we never got the impression that they had a blood-pact or something.

The author’s writing is evocative and immersive, with detailed descriptions that bring the harsh realities of the Korean War to life. We also get a sense of how the world is tearing itself into East and West. The Vietnam War erupts during this book, for example, and the Cold War with the Soviet Union is also progressing.

The dual timelines are handled deftly, creating a sense of continuity and tension that keeps readers engaged. The emotional and psychological depth of Parrish is a standout feature.

In conclusion, A Rock and a Hard Place is a gripping read that blends historical detail with a thrilling plot and well-developed characters. It’s a story of resilience, redemption, and the enduring impact of war on those who serve. This book is a solid read for fans of historical fiction and thrillers.