Early in retired Netherlands diplomat Marks’s strong debut, a political thriller set in 2018, Ranita Rao, the director of UN Affairs for the African nation of Tabari, returns to consciousness on a bloody Manhattan sidewalk after being shot. Flashbacks reveal that Ranita is making her first visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly as part of the Tabari delegation, headed by Prime Minister Hasani Baharia, who’s to address the gathering as a passionate advocate for sustainable development and guaranteed basic services for all citizens of the world. After Baharia’s speech, on his way back to his hotel, he’s seriously wounded by a gunman, whose bullets also strike Ranita. Despite her injuries, she’s able to aid the search for the would-be assassin, led by the Secret Service special agent in charge of the prime minister’s security. The truth behind the attempt, which may involve the New York City Mafia, is surprising. Marks maximizes suspense by telegraphing some of the violence in the prologue and keeps the pace fast without sacrificing plausible characterizations. Readers will hope for a sequel. (Self-published)