Having been left emotionally scarred by his experiences during the Rwandan genocide, US Security Investigator Eddie Finn has been transferred to the American Embassy in the Philippines, although his criticism of the US and UN failure to protect the Tutsis has placed him in conflict with his superiors. Despite this internal conflict, or perhaps because of it, Finn is pulled away from fixing the grubby problems of US citizens in trouble with the Philippine authorities and tasked with negotiating the release of four hostages from Abu Sayyaf Islamic terrorists.
The hostages comprise a Chinese priest who was taken for ransom four months previously and three American Peace Corps volunteers who were kidnapped a week ago. They’re all rumored to be being held by Abu Sayyaf somewhere near Cotabato City in Mindanao, and the US Ambassador wants Finn to arrange and supervise their rescue, so much so that he’s sent Finn’s former lover Marta to give him the assignment. An almost impossible task from the outset, Finn’s quest to save the hostages quickly spirals into something more deadly and vital than he could ever have imaged.
While Hills of Cotabato takes a while to get going after the trauma of the opening in Rwanda, when he finally sets off on the trail of the hostages, Schiffman expertly captures the tension and complexity of Finn’s mission, weaving together the high personal stakes and the broader political consequences. The narrative is set against the cultural and religious conflicts that are gripping the Philippines as Finn navigates fulfilling his obligations as an American official while respecting the delicate balance of power in Mindanao.
The depth of Finn’s character is compelling. He is haunted by the death and brutality that he witnessed in Rwanda but remains resilient, surprising even himself sometimes. He is also accurately described by Marta as a “derelict,” someone to whom life has not been kind but who has chosen to sink almost as low as he can possibly go. In particular, his attitudes toward women and the exploitative sex trade are questionable. Still, Finn’s moral dilemmas resonate as he confronts issues of humanity and fealty in a foreign land marked by its own turbulent history.
With considerable time dedicated to worldbuilding, Hills of Cotabato shines in its atmospheric portrayal of the urban sprawl of Manila and Cotabato City and the wildness of the surrounding jungles. Schiffman brings to life both the physical terrain and the charged atmosphere surrounding Finn’s mission. Here, the jungle, depicted as simultaneously beautiful and dangerous, symbolizes the challenges and mysteries he faces, not just in rescuing the hostages but also in recognizing his evolving sense of self.
Overall, Hills of Cotabato is a suspenseful, thought-provoking novel that blends the thriller genre with insightful commentary on cultural intersections and the burden of personal duty in politically charged situations. It’s an engaging read for those who appreciate stories with moral complexity that are set against vibrant, vividly drawn landscapes.