This is a serious novel. By that I mean while it's a novel, the backdrop is Viet Nam, which is a subject that is simply "heavy" to this day. And while it's set today (2000's, as it came out in 2002 or 03) it is of a soldier who served 2 tours in Viet Nam returning there to solve a murder that happened during that time. In doing so he goes back to where most of his most serious battles were and relives them in conversation with his traveling companion. It's also long - over 700 pages in hardcover.
All that said, I recommend it. If anything it gave me more insight into what happened with many of my friends who served and came back different people in many ways.
Up Country - by Nelson Demille