Tokyo Kill

Jim Brodie, Book 2

By: Barry Lancet

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Best P.I. Novel" - Shamus Award finalist

In a "sophisticated international thriller" (The New York Times Book Review) from "a fresh voice in crime fiction" (Kirkus Reviews), antiques dealer turned PI Jim Brodie takes on an elusive group of killers hunting for a long-lost treasure with a dangerous history.

After wading through the tragedy of San Francisco's Japantown murders, struggling antiques dealer Jim Brodie is back in Japan for a well-earned vacation. But checking in at the PI firm Brodie inherited from his father, he immediately acquires a new case: a Japanese World War II veteran shows up and spins a dark story connected to the war and a pair of violent home invasions committed in Tokyo only days earlier.

Brodie agrees to provide protection for the old warrior, but soon an unexpected murder shocks him and his crew, and they begin a wild ride through the worlds of war atrocities, Japanese kendo clubs, the backstreets of Yokohama's unfathomable Chinatown, and Chinese spies. With the crusty PI Noda at his side, Brodie pokes around where he's not wanted, and when a friend is delivered up to him in pieces, Brodie is once again running for his life - while seeking the answers he needs to save it.

Barry Lancet "imbues Tokyo Kill with a vivid sense of Japan, from sections of Tokyo that only a native would know about the meticulous research into the country's history and legends.... Lancet hit the ground running...with his superb debut, Japantown, and continues that winning streak with Tokyo Kill" (The New York Times/AP).

©2014 Barry Lancet (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Tokyo Kill is a 5 Star WOW

Would you listen to Tokyo Kill again? Why?

Probably. There is so much going on with no lulls that if you're not paying attention you can easily miss something.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott Brick narrated flawlessly. Since he is one of my two favorite narrators my opinion is slightly biased.

Any additional comments?

This is such a thrilling book! It's like reading something by Eisler and Berry with a little Russell Blake thrown in for fun. You have these murders committed by this gang of bad guys trying to make it look like another gang who are trying to make it look like someone else altogether? Then there are these bad guys who maybe aren't so bad, or maybe they're the good ones? Don't forget the good guys, or are they? Or is there a woman behind it all? I wouldn't want to spoil this work for anyone but of you're reading my review get the book, Audible has a guarantee but if you're anything like me you will not need it, this is one book worthy of your time and credit. I just can't say enough, take my word, get the book and please leave me some kind of feedback so I know if other people liked it as much as I do. Right now I'm off to get the first in the series and can't wait for the next.

Superb action thriller!

First, thanks to listener Shelley, who I follow, for her review which led me to Tokyo Kill. This is one of several novels which her reviews led me to purchase.

There is a lot of Japanese and Chinese history included in this action thriller. Having Scott Brick narrate is an added pleasure.

Kind of boring until the end

What did you like best about Tokyo Kill? What did you like least?

Scott Brick does a good job but that is it really. It is really boring until there is about 2 hours left, then it speeds up.

What was most disappointing about Barry Lancet’s story?

To me the story is kind of stupid. He gets a job and that night his client's son dies and he is 8000% going to get the bad guys. It was like he had to get toed into the wave without the story developing. It was like the author so wanted to write about the Japanese culture and had to write a novel around it.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

If you are reading this you know Scott Brick does a good job. I bought this because of him and, although he did a good job, the book was not very good.

Was Tokyo Kill worth the listening time?

Not really

Read Brad's Review

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I love this reader and my two reviewers Wayne and Shelly absolutely love this, so I purchased and listen straight through. I did like this listen, but I am not compeled to seek out more of this author's works. I think, Brad's review pretty much summed this book up for me.

Would you recommend Tokyo Kill to your friends? Why or why not?

If you like Asian locals, then this is for you. Lots of good information regarding Japan if you want to know it. If you don't, this book is peppered with it.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Like Brad's review, I purchased this book due to S.B. reading it. He did it so well!

Did Tokyo Kill inspire you to do anything?

I did like the historical information I got out of this book, but this author's style just doesn't inspire me to buy more of his work. (I think it is the pace of his writing, for me it is not consistent)

Any additional comments?

note: use new 1.25x speed to get the action the author intended.

Good listen with twists and turns

Would you try another book from Barry Lancet and/or Scott Brick?

Good listen especially with Scott Brick reading - I like that the integrations of Japanese culture was added

Refreshing read

Good book read by the right narrator for the story.

An easy listen with some interesting history.

Cliched and boring disaster

Wikipedia-level exotica, "grasshopper"-level platitudes and some of the most awkward fighting scenes ever. Jim Brodie did not get smarter since the first book (it takes this guy two full bottles of sake to realize that his dinner companion makes him drink twice as much - yeah, brilliant mind and so observant). Mysterious Chinese are mysterious, Japanese are inscrutable - culture detail level is straight from a cheap travelers guide.
Not buying any more of that.

I just couldn't finish it

I made it through the first book in the series and figured book 2 would be worthwhile. I was wrong. Felt like the story took too long and it was arduous to listen to. I finally gave up.

Excellent story, interesting cultural tidbits

I live in Japan and I real enjoyed the cultural references as well as the way the author has an understanding of Japanese culture.

Bought this by chance and boy am I glad I did.

Bought this as part of a Scott Brick sale and it paid of big time
I really enjoyed this novel. Im a big fan of P.I stories and this one was definitely one of the better I've read. And needless to say Scott Brick did a stellar job. ha really brings alot to a book.