However, about three in the morning the day of the funeral, Barry awoke when his lab puppy, Democrat, wanted to go out. It was much too early, so Barry tried to talk Democrat into going back to bed. The puppy still whined and pawed at the bedroom door, then Barry heard the noise downstairs that had awakened Democrat.

Barry crept downstairs to see what was going on. He surprised a burglar, one that was quite adept at defending himself. He knocked Barry unconscious and left with his prize: Y'Grok's body. Barry can't make the theft public in case it was a publicity stunt. Could he find the body before the funeral at two? If not, could he get Y'suom to postpone the funeral without making the theft public?

Foolish Undertaking is a fast-paced mystery that gives a sensitive portrait of the Montagnard people and their sacrifices during the Vietnam War. It is a portrait of undying loyalty in the face of bitter betrayal. It is also a tale of revenge. Pick up a copy of Foolish Undertaking and spend a winter's evening curled by the fire with a good mystery.