In 1970s Afghanistan, Daniel is working for the Americans to replace the opium-producing poppy fields with food crops. After killing an Afghan girl with his car, he is only fined by the local government. However, The Opium Prince, Taj, begins blackmailing him. Soon, it becomes unclear who is the true hero and who is the villain as the situation spirals out of both men’s control.
A rather strange mix of slow-paced thriller, historical fiction, and character study. Personally, I thought The Opium Prince had a good story idea in there that was hobbled by poor pacing and inconsistent prose. Perhaps readers looking for a character study in an unusual historical setting may enjoy it more. 3 stars.
Thanks to Soho Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.