In this book Zenji Watanabe, an American of Japanese decent, is recruited by the U.S. Army Intelligence branch (G2) because he speaks both English and Japanese perfectly. He is sent to Manila here he works under the code name Bamboo Rat. In addition to the translating he thought he would be doing, he also acts as a spy for the Americans by getting to be friends with Japanese citizen in Manila. When General MacArthur and the American troops are forced to withdraw from the Phillippines, Zenji finds himself alone in Japanese held territory. At best the Japanese see him as a traitor to Japanese heritage; at worst they think he is a spy. Either way, he could end up executed at any moment.
Other books in the series include the following:
- Under the Blood-Red Sun
- House of the Red Fish
- Eyes fo the Emperor