This is a hip and gory crime-yarn that takes tropes from samurai stories (extreme loyalty to the clan leader, an injustice done by a higher-up) sets them in a yakuza gang compound and then makes the hero a tough woman fighter who falls for the boss’s daughter, which is enough of a gender bender modern twist to turn an otherwise traditional tale on its head. Fast moving, although the passage of a couple of decades at the turn of a page left me confused. Still, an enjoyable read.
No. 9 of 12 books I intend to read and review in 2025.
I’m Patrick Sherriff, an Englishman who survived 13 years working for newspapers in the US, UK and Japan. Between teaching English lessons at my conversation school in Abiko, Japan, I write and illustrate textbooks for non-native speakers of English, release Hana Walker mystery novels, short stories, paint, and write essays and Our Man in Abiko, a monthly newsletter highlighting good writing in English, often about about Japan, art, crime fiction and teaching.
Patrick Sherriff 