This is a big and rather complicated plot and story, but actually easy to follow as the timeline is clear. Great characters and lots of thrilling action.

Book Review: Japantown (Book 1) and Tokyo Kill (Book 2), Jim Brodie series by Barry Lancet

As a student of Japanese culture who actually lived in Japan, I had high expectations that perhaps these books may be where one would find fresh perspectives from a "gaijin" writer - a thriller writer at that, juxtaposed against the subtle delivery and stellar quality of novels of the Murakami and Ishiguro variety.

I really wanted to like both books, but it just wasn't to be.

The first novel is interesting enough - about "shadow powerbrokers". Japantown is in reference to a San Francisco neighborhood, not in the streets of Japan, and indeed much of the story takes place in the U.S.A., with the finale staged in Long Island, NY.

References to Japan are studied, caricatured and contrived, not natural. The protagonist's elaboration of the adoption of Chinese kanji into the Japanese language is quite a bit off. There are indeed well-researched cultural references to Japanese art, handicraft, history, even dark culture - tsuba, tansu, washi, Lord Hideyoshi, Sengakuji, 47 ronin, Tokugawa "Dog Shogun", nedayashi.

The villains' safe harbor in the story, Soga-jujo, is not a place that would realistically exist. Giving Western names to some of the main killer-villains baffles, these being Japanese individuals.

The "James Bond" wannabe protagonist cannot be defeated in hand-to-hand combat, won't be killed by bullets, but yet has the temperament of an adolescent, frequently losing his cool. "What the hell are you doing?", says the martial arts zen master in protest to a Japanese speaker.

The second book is a bit more readable with an interesting plot about lost WWII treasures and a few good lessons in East Asian history. But again much of the action occurs outside of Japan with a generous share of stereotype pop culture concepts that the Japanese are going to be all about karate chops, Kendo sticks and brutal Yakuza types.

The final battle in this second book is also removed from Japan - in Miami and the Caribbean.

Review based on advance reading copies provided by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.

Deserves every star, what an epic tale of racing against time to get a shadowy organization, a story that spans the west and the east, full in depth of history regarding old japan, mixing true facts with fantasy ones to weave a story that tackle your senses.
Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoy the mix of east and west, a high thriller chase against time to catch a killer.

The author knows Japan and the Japanese culture. I was fascinated with the details and the plot and will definately read more.

5 Stars

This is a remarkable thriller, full of excitement and drama.

Jim Brodie is an antiques dealer who has inherited an upscale detective agency from his now deceased father.

When called to the scene of the slaying of an entire family, he is horrified along with the detectives on the case. When a Kanji is found at the scene, Brodie’s interest is piqued.

Traveling between San Francisco and Japan, Brodie seeks the answers. Brodie’s growing up in Japan only adds to the interest of the story.

This book is fast paced and full of historical tidbits that add to the atmosphere.

I loved it! Barry Lancet has become one of my favorite authors. A remarkable book! I loved it. Barry Lancet is a wonderful writer who has a talent for drawing out the best of his characters.

I appreciate that Netgalley and Simon & Schuster have granted me the opportunity to read this remarkable book.

Japantown had been on my reading list so I was very excited for the opportunity given by Netgalley and the publisher to read the book for my honest review. This book is an absolute thrill ride. An international setting, intense plot and action at every corner. Although not my genre, Japantown kept me reading into the night. I was caught up in the suspense and authenticity of Japanese culture. The characters were interesting and likable, but I am hoping Jim Brodie will have more depth in as the series moves forward.
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* I received a free copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

I had never heard of this author or the book but the idea of an antiques dealer who specializes in Japanese antiquities and who also owns a 50% stake in a Private Investigation firm based in Japan was something that somehow set off a little bell in my head saying 'this could be interesting'.
It goes well beyond interesting though and the protagonist Brodie got my attention because during the book he knows that he's out of his depth and he's floundering just to keep his head above water.
He's not an ex soldier or an ex spy he's just a martial arts enthusiast that likes to dip his toe into private investigation work now and again to keep him and his daughter financially secure.

I'd recommend people give this a try the writing is spot on and the characters are worth the time, it's a series I'll be following from now on.

In this tense thriller set primarily in San Francisco and Tokyo. In the Japantown district of San Francisco, five members of a visiting Japanese family are wiped out in a brutal and violent manner. Ex-LAPD cop, widower Jim Brodie is now a antiques dealer who part owns a Tokyo private investigation company. He was born and bought up in Japan, so it is no surprise the SFPD turn to him for help. There are no clues to the murders other than a blood drenched kanji note found at the scene. Jim is baffled by the kanji but it reminds him of one found at his wife's death at a family house fire. He is determined to delve into the kanji and the murders. Despite having considerable skills, Jim's investigation brings considerable danger to his friends, daughter and himself. He encounters corruption, deceit, intrigue, greed and the Soga clan. There is a complicated plot, although over-egged and over dramatic for my tastes. I liked the story well enough, although I am sure many others will enjoy it more than me. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.