The 3rd Woman

The United States’ debt to China has changed the balance of power dramatically in this convincing near-future thriller from Freedland (The Chosen One and three other novels under his Sam Bourne pseudonym). Since Beijing demanded that Washington make interest payments to China “America’s number-one priority,” an economically weak U.S. has given China direct access to custom duties. After a violent incident in L.A., Chinese military personnel are now stationed in West Coast port cities to protect Chinese customs officers. Against this disturbing backdrop, investigative reporter Madison Webb, who has just exposed the inhuman conditions at an L.A. sweatshop, is devastated to learn that her sister, Abigail, appears to have died as the result of a “druggie sex game that went wrong.” Unwilling to accept this theory, Madison pushes until she finds evidence that a cover-up with global implications may be in the works. Freedland keeps the pages turning and unveils a twist that few will anticipate. Agent: Jonny Geller, Curtis Brown. (Aug.)