Review: Intruguing mystery and setting
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 9, 2013
Seedy playgrounds where overworked adults drink and talk to hosts/hostesses dot the streets in certain areas of Japan. When a hostess is found dead outside her apartment, the circumstances make it look like an accident. Still, something suspicious is at foot, and Kenji, an investigator, goes with his gut instincts to look into the case further. This decision dips him into a world filled with sex workers and wealthy respected citizens alike.I like the foreign setting, and the inclusion of various subcultures and such with the story. Sometimes the honorifics felt unnecessary, but that's more a personal preference. I'm unable to comment on just how much of the details in the story are accurate, but I feel it is believably written. Overall this was a fun book, with a lot of charm and a good mystery to work through and a romance that didn't make me roll my eyes. I liked the varied cast of characters and the attention to detail in making sure the reader understands what's going on (as far as explaining some foreign words and concepts). I'd recommend this book, and I might go check out the rest in the series.