Josh Bates’s debut novel connects a crime thriller with the disruption of Iraq in 2003.
About the Book
Marine Jim Wilde discovers a trail of illicit money as deposed Iraqi officials seek to move their fortunes abroad. The story reaches from Baghdad to Los Angeles and Baja, drawing intelligence operatives, criminals, and law enforcement into a dangerous contest.
Reading Context
Consider how uncertainty creates opportunities for different characters and how the movement of money changes their relationships. The thriller’s shifts across borders also invite attention to the connections between individual motives and institutional interests.
Questions for Discussion
- How does Jim Wilde’s military role interact with the choices demanded by a crime story?
- Who can exploit uncertainty, and who bears its costs?
- How does the narrative distribute knowledge between the characters and the reader?
Book Details and Further Reading
Josh Bates, The Baghdad Shuffle. Reference edition: Double Dagger Books paperback, June 27, 2025; 298 pages; ISBN 9781998501489. Compare its treatment of Iraq with Fobbit, paying attention to the difference between thriller suspense and satire.