‘Silk Road Affair’ a sophisticated thriller

“The Silk Road Affair” (Archway Publishing) by Larry Witham is a sophisticated, complex thriller about a major art theft that ignites an international political crisis between the United States and China.

It begins with the seemingly routine sale of an art collection from a royal family in Vienna to a mysterious Chinese company — which turns out to be stolen loot from a big art heist at a museum in New England 30 years earlier. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for a secret plot involving valuable art objects and artifacts that have been smuggled into the Republic of China.

But, as we soon find out, this novel is about more than just stolen artwork — there is also a deadly battle for power being waged between competing factions in the Chinese government, with powerful forces in Washington and elsewhere desperately trying to maintain some kind of diplomatic détente in Sino-American relations.

The heroes are an unlikely pair of government operatives who travel from Washington to Boston to Europe and then to China itself in a covert effort to retrieve the stolen artwork and to answer other U.S. questions about the tangled political machinations going on in the Chinese government. They are Julian Peale, a military veteran from Afghanistan as well as numerous other government operations, and Grace Ho, a Chinese-American woman who served in the Marines and is an expert in martial arts. Both Peale and Ho have an extensive background in art history, but that’s about all they have in common.

When they are thrown together for this assignment, there are some rough moments at first. But they soon settle into a more trusting, comfortable relationship as their trail for the stolen artwork takes them deep into the vastness and the unknown elements and dangers of modern-day life in China.

One of the most impressive things about this novel is the author’s deep knowledge of art history and Chinese culture — both crucial to the plot. It is clear to the reader that Witham has done meticulous research.

This is particularly apparent in the sections about the power struggles in the Chinese hierarchy going on at the same time as the stolen art drama. The current Republic of China leader is desperately trying to hold onto power but faces political challenges on several fronts — including from his own niece who has her own ambitions for which she is willing to go to any lengths — even murder — to achieve.

Some of these tense scenes between Ren Jinuah, the Chinese General Secretary, and Quang Daiyu, his outspoken and aggressive niece — who holds long-buried secrets about their family that could topple him from his job — are among the best and exciting moments in “The Silk Road Affair.”

There are also moments of humor throughout like members of the Chinese military who think America is all about the musical group The Bee Gees. “Like Americans, yes. Rock and roll,” the soldiers say, “Yah Bee Gees. Stay alive. Stay alive.” Peale points out afterward that the Bee Gees were actually Australian. That’s a running joke for Peale and Ho.