Ways to Die in Tokyo

by Thomas Ran Garver

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Pub Date Apr 07 2022 | Archive Date Oct 14 2022

BookBaby

General Fiction (Adult) | Multicultural Interest | Mystery & Thrillers

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Description

For years Hank Fisher has chased his dream of becoming a mixed martial arts champion. Now he's on a losing streak in his adopted home of Tokyo, Japan, and realizing maybe the dream was never meant to be. Broke, divorced, and alone, he hasn't seen his ex-wife and twin sons in two years and has no idea where they are. He gets kicked out of his gym after an altercation with a training partner and thinks he's hit rock bottom.

But Fisher's troubles are only just beginning. The PI he hired two months ago to find his family wants more money before he'll tell Fisher where they are. So, when a friend tells Fisher about a high-paying bodyguard gig for a yakuza group, Fisher throws caution to the wind and takes the job.

But the job doesn't go as planned, and within forty-eight hours, Fisher has hurt one of the men he was hired to protect, unwittingly stolen a bag of drug money, and become a possible murder suspect. On the run from a pack of ruthless gangsters, the cops and a US federal agent he doesn't know whether he can trust, it doesn't seem like things can get any worse for Hank Fisher.

Until, that is, his friends start dying.

Now he has to stay alive long enough to save his family from the same fate.

Advance Praise

“A gripping, twisty thriller…deftly, tautly plotted.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“5 out of 5…The gripping thriller Ways to Die in Tokyo follows a broken man as he tries to rebuild his family—and to survive Tokyo’s criminal underground…intriguing and insightful…suspenseful…emotional and satisfying.”
— Foreword Clarion Reviews

“A gripping, twisty thriller…deftly, tautly plotted.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“5 out of 5…The gripping thriller Ways to Die in Tokyo follows a broken man as he tries to rebuild his family—and to survive...

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781667822242
PRICE	$17.99 (USD)
PAGES	386

Additional Information

Average rating from 15 members

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Featured Reviews

Aria H, Reviewer

Such a good read, well written, compelling storyline that was twisty and unpredictable, and well developed characters. I couldn't put this book down.

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Reviewer 935689

Ways to Die in Tokyo by Thomas Ran Garver was a Home Run! This novel is well written with great character development. Do yourself a favor and purchase this book now. Thank you to NetGalley and BookBaby for this copy.

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Ranger H, Educator

Free ARC from Net Galley

Fantastic story line with a likeable hero who is normal, no super powers just some techniques and toughness. Loved the story line and characters, YOU WILL TOO

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sara a, Reviewer

I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It's every bit as good as Barry Eisler's series set in Japan and I hope that Garver has more books to come.
If, like me, you're an old Japan hand, you'll be very pleased at the accuracy of description and Japanese terms. But the characters and story are what makes this book. I could not put it down what with all the twists and turns and seemingly impossible situations that our poor hero gets himself into. And... dare I say... this would make an absolutely awesome movie.
I wasn't sure when I heard this was a first book and my initial expectations were not high, but boy was I wrong. Author, keep writing, please!

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Paul V, Reviewer

Good stuff. Reminded me of a Barry Eisler story. Good pacing, good action, interesting characters. A good bet for thriller fans. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

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Reviewer 794565

Hank Fisher is an unsuccessful American MMA fighter living in Tokyo and estranged from his wife and twin sons. Via a series of bad decisions, he gets a job as a bodyguard to a Yakuza boss and the night goes totally wrong, and he ends up as a pawn in a fight for control between the old boss and his upstart nephew. The story is totally convoluted, and extremely violent, and funny in places. Hank gets in so many fights, it's a wonder he survives. The descriptions of Tokyo make the city part of the story. Hank's acquaintances, friends and family are all distinguishable as individuals, and are quirky characters. Some of the peripheral characters seemed a bit superfluous to the story, which made the book longer than it could have been.