Saturday, May 27, 2017

The Last Train by Michael Pronko

He works for the Tokyo police department following white collar crime.  He likes that.  He can work alone, even nap at his desk, and it's satisfying to prove where and how they were stealing.  Unfortunately, he can also speak English so he gets drawn into any investigation that has to do with American foreigners.  This time it's suicide.  Or is it?

Raked Gravel Press and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 31st.

With the various characters all having names that sound similar, it takes a bit of concentration to keep up with the plot.  You also get a personal tour of the night clubs and their hostesses.  I've always found Japanese people dignified and quiet for the most part.  Evidently the tone changes at night!

The dead man was hit by an express train.  It was thought that he either jumped or fell in front of it.  Hiroshi doesn't think so.  The man worked in an investment firm and was going on to a new position in another location soon.  Why jump?  If he has any doubts, the train driver tells him he knows he was thrown.  Than it becomes who and why?

Even worse, they find there are more deaths of the same sort and it looks like it's all one killer.  It appears to be one of the hostesses from one of the clubs.

This is a tale of revenge against actions a long time ago.  The killer is very good at what she does and she is in excellent physical condition.  She even grabs one of the cops.

The ending is shocking.  It's also ironic.  It will make you look back at the story with new eyes.  Her motivation is not what you thought it was...

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