A Northern Thunder

In Harp's debut, Will Parker, a smalltown Georgia lawyer and Desert Storm Marine vet, is recruited for a dangerous mission: to identify and photograph a former classmate who has been aiding North Korea's quest for missiles of mass destruction while North Korea protects him with three look-alikes, and also has an assassin out to kill other scientists so that North Korea can corner the market. As the paths of Parker, his quarry and the assassin unfold, it's easy to lose patience with the convoluted plot. And the characters aren't nearly as convincing as his descriptions of satellite technology, submersible suits and the like. But Parker has resilience, foresight and fortitude to spare, and North Korea's repressive regime and rugged terrain make for deadly opponents. (Oct.)