Star of the North by DB John

This was a fascinating story that pulled me in from the very beginning. An American girl, Sue,  who is half Korean and half African-American is on the beach in South Korea with her boyfriend when she is suddenly abducted and disappears off the face of the earth. Her twin sister, Jenna, back in the US is convinced she's still alive somewhere but the authorities figure the girl and her boyfriend just drowned. Years later, Jenna joins the CIA in an attempt to find her missing sister, who she thinks has been taken to North Korea. And so begins a look into life in North Korea that makes you really glad you don't live there. We are introduced to Mrs Moon, who is using her wits and cooking skills to survive. We also meet Cho, a high-ranking government official whose downfall is swift and brutal.

The author provides a list of books at the end, if you want to read more about North Korea--and notes that several of the plot twists were based on actual events. I think this would make an excellent book group selection.