Murder in Manila

by Andrew Bacevich____________________releasing May 14

A murder of imperial implications

Manila, 1923 — The United States has controlled the Philippines for a quarter-century, during which time American interest in overseas empire has slowly receded to the point of looking for a way out, so long as it be dignified. An independent Philippines seems inevitable, with the only question being the nature of that independence. For some, such as Manuel Quezon, this new nation will feature him at its head, while for others, such as Douglas MacArthur, the inevitability might take several forms, so long as furthering him personally. For others still, there is hope that the coming independence will retain much foreign influence — perhaps even Russian.

Unconcerned with these world affairs was the young woman found brutally murdered on the top floor of Manila’s finest hotel, an area reserved for Americans. The facts of the crime — along with their distortions — soon spiral to the point that she, more than anyone else, seems to determine the future of the Philippines. From the perspective of Colonel Frank McCoy, the man tasked with the U.S. Army’s investigation, the entire American position in Manila becomes summed up in the words: “Find the killer.”

Read the first chapter HERE.