Azabu Getaway

Detective Hiroshi Series, Book 5

By: Michael Pronko

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Money isn’t the only thing. It’s the deadly thing.

After the murder of a high-flying executive in one of Tokyo’s wealth management firms, Detective Hiroshi finds himself investigating the financial schemes that secure the money of Tokyo’s elite investors. His forensic accounting gets sidetracked, though, by a second murder and the abduction of two girls from the home of a hotshot wealth manager.

The abducted girls are the daughters of an international couple who seemed to have it all—a large apartment in the high-end Azabu district, top schools for the children, and a life of happy affluence. Their life falls apart and they are swept up in threats and pursuits for reasons they cannot fathom.

Tracking the money and tracking the two daughters leads Hiroshi into Tokyo’s murky financial past and outside Japan’s borders as he discovers how overseas investments and tax shelters are really managed.

Hiroshi works with Sakaguchi and Takamatsu and others on the homicide team, including an assertive new detective, as they confront greed and violence in one of the wealthiest cities in the world.

Azabu Getaway is the fifth novel in the award-winning Detective Hiroshi series.

"A series that's only getting better." (Kirkus Reviews)

“If there’s a better crime series set in Japan, I’ve not yet read it.” (Crime Thriller Hound)

"Hiroshi is one of the most distinctive and intrepid detectives in contemporary crime fiction." (Best Thrillers)

"Fans of quality police procedurals will welcome more of Hiroshi." (Publishers Weekly)

©2022 Michael Pronko (P)2022 Michael Pronko

Fantastic

Azabu Getaway is the highly anticipated fifth novel in the award-winning Detective Hiroshi Series of mysteries set in the exotic metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. Just like all the other previously released books in this excellent series, Azabu Getaway is exquisitely written by the esteemed professor, multiple award-winning author and Tokyo resident for over 20 years, Michael Pronko.

In Azabu Getaway we find forensic accountant, detective Hiroshi Shimizu, and his colleagues, Sakaguchi and Takamatsu collaborating with others on the homicide squad, including an assertive new detective, in order to investigate the brutal death of a high executive in one of Tokyo’s wealth management firms. But when the children of a well to do international couple are kidnapped by an unknown individual, Hiroshi and his friends must scramble to find answers as some pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place, and hopefully recover the kids before it’s too late.

What follows is a high stakes race against the clock filled with action, murder, mysteries, dark secrets, money laundering, shady investments, tax fraud and of course, a thorough investigation.

As always, the writing is excellent, the characters feel like part of the family for me now and it is always a great pleasure and privilege to spend time in their presence. What I love the most about these stories is the attention to detail that Mr. Pronko shows at every step. From the lifelike protagonists, to the well thought out plot and to the locations, descriptions and respect with which he treats the Japanese people, their culture and their way of life, the Detective Hiroshi novels are flawlessly written and exquisitely performed.

Speaking of performance, renowned narrator, talented actor and award-winning voiceover artist Peter Berkrot returns to the detective Hiroshi series for a fifth time now and drawing from his experience of over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Peter brings all the characters, locations and events to life in his unique way.

He reads in a calm, quiet voice, infuses the narration with just the right amount of emotion and switches seamlessly between voices and accents, successfully accentuating the flowing writing style with a flawless narration.

Peter manages each time to bring something magical to the audio production. I think that he is the best suited voice for this extremely entertaining series and I hope to see him return for even more great mysteries set in Tokyo.

After listening to Azabu Getaway I am now truly convinced that the Detective Hiroshi is my favorite mystery crime series set in Tokyo and that it is getting better and better with every new installment!

I think I was the first reviewer to compare Michael Pronko’s Detective Hiroshi with the iconic Harry Bosch series written by Michael Connelly and I reconfirm my impression once again. Aside from the first name, these two terrific authors have in common some of the most intriguing, compelling and down to earth characters in fiction literature.

If you like police procedurals and want to discover new characters to love, a new and exotic location, plus some unique stories, make sure you pick up Azabu Getaway and all other books in this series!