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The Drowning God #1
The Drowning God
To uncover modern Japan's darkest, deadliest secret, one man must face a living nightmare from his childhood
Few villagers are happy when Detective Tohru Takuda returns to his hometown to investigate a string of suspicious disappearances. Even the local police chief tries to shut him out of the case. For behind the conspiracy lurks a monstrous living relic of Japan's pagan prehistory: the Kappa. Protected long ago by a horrible pact with local farmers—and now by coldly calculating corporate interests—the Kappa drains the valley's lifeblood, one villager at a time.
As the body count rises, Takuda must try to end the Drowning God's centuries-long reign of terror, and failure means death…or worse.
Few villagers are happy when Detective Tohru Takuda returns to his hometown to investigate a string of suspicious disappearances. Even the local police chief tries to shut him out of the case. For behind the conspiracy lurks a monstrous living relic of Japan's pagan prehistory: the Kappa. Protected long ago by a horrible pact with local farmers—and now by coldly calculating corporate interests—the Kappa drains the valley's lifeblood, one villager at a time.
As the body count rises, Takuda must try to end the Drowning God's centuries-long reign of terror, and failure means death…or worse.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
James Kendley
12 books27 followersJames Kendley has written and edited professionally for more than 40 years, first as a newspaper reporter and editor, then as a copy editor and translator in Japan (where he taught for eight years at private colleges and universities), and currently as an educational publishing content wrangler living in northern Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 29, 2019
My wife recommended The Drowning God to me-this recommendation was spot on. James Kendley's novel is set in modern "corporate" Japan but everything that happens springboards from the most ancient of sources. When Tohru Takada, now a police detective, returns to the valley of his birth he thinks he is pursuing a serial killer or killers-the slayers of his family. But things are far worse-he is up against the Kappa, a mythological being of horrifying cruelty. (This is not a spoiler-read the back of the book.) There are some uber-creepy moments in The Drowning God-it was atmospheric and eerie. ) The author taught in Japan for several years (I have a friend who did this she had a really incredible experience) and the immersion in Japanese culture makes the book ring true. .
June 25, 2016
More like 3.5 I think. I didn't love this but I liked it and appreciated that this was something a bit off the beaten track which was refreshing.
The citizens of the Naga River Valley live in the decaying homes and amidst ruined shopping markets under the deep shadow of the mountain. The valley's industry is kept afloat by the Zenkoku Corporation but something is not right. If anyone should refer to it, it's known euphemistically as "the water safety problem", code for hundreds of missing villagers, often whole families. All that is found are rusting bikes and scooters, left behind in low waters in the canals. Smart citizens leave when they can.
Enter detective Takuda, who grew up in the heart of the valley, who lost both a brother and a son to the waters. After many years away he is called back to investigate what appears to be a simple attempted child abduction, but instead turns into an all consuming battle against an ancient evil.
I enjoyed the setting (Japan) and I'm a mystery fan and the story really plays out much as a regular mystery would in some ways. The story gets its spice from the creepy elements of the Kappa and the killings that take place are fairly gruesome. The author does a nice job building a slow, steady sense of dread. The detective as well as the reader are initially drawn into this as if investigating a real human crime. It's only as we're drawn deeper into the story we realize that all is not as we assumed.
While I found the main characters intriguing we never learn much about them save some
basic facts pertinent to their business in the story. I felt rather detached from them which took away some of my emotional investment in their perilous situations. I was also intrigued by the role the Zenkoku Corp played. It was obvious that the writer wished to plant some seeds with regards to what they are and certainly there was some set up for a future sequel.
I'm on the fence. On the one hand this was assuredly written with a fresh setting and culture and yet I'm not sure I care enough about the heros to read more about their adventures.
The citizens of the Naga River Valley live in the decaying homes and amidst ruined shopping markets under the deep shadow of the mountain. The valley's industry is kept afloat by the Zenkoku Corporation but something is not right. If anyone should refer to it, it's known euphemistically as "the water safety problem", code for hundreds of missing villagers, often whole families. All that is found are rusting bikes and scooters, left behind in low waters in the canals. Smart citizens leave when they can.
Enter detective Takuda, who grew up in the heart of the valley, who lost both a brother and a son to the waters. After many years away he is called back to investigate what appears to be a simple attempted child abduction, but instead turns into an all consuming battle against an ancient evil.
I enjoyed the setting (Japan) and I'm a mystery fan and the story really plays out much as a regular mystery would in some ways. The story gets its spice from the creepy elements of the Kappa and the killings that take place are fairly gruesome. The author does a nice job building a slow, steady sense of dread. The detective as well as the reader are initially drawn into this as if investigating a real human crime. It's only as we're drawn deeper into the story we realize that all is not as we assumed.
While I found the main characters intriguing we never learn much about them save some
basic facts pertinent to their business in the story. I felt rather detached from them which took away some of my emotional investment in their perilous situations. I was also intrigued by the role the Zenkoku Corp played. It was obvious that the writer wished to plant some seeds with regards to what they are and certainly there was some set up for a future sequel.
I'm on the fence. On the one hand this was assuredly written with a fresh setting and culture and yet I'm not sure I care enough about the heros to read more about their adventures.
March 7, 2018
Kendley bases his psychological thriller on a little-known Japanese tale of a mythical creature called The Kappa.
The Naga River valley has long been plagued by rumors of a pagan monster which lives in the river and kills and eats victims. When Detective Takuda returns to his home to investigate the tale of a young girl who was attacked by a would-be kidnapper, he must face personal losses. His own brother and son were killed in the river by this mythical creature.
High on tension, well-documented background on The Kappa myth, and with compelling characters who are flawed, the book fairly rips along. A must for anyone who has an interest in Japanese mythology. This reader can't wait for The Devouring God, the sequel to The Drowning God.
The Naga River valley has long been plagued by rumors of a pagan monster which lives in the river and kills and eats victims. When Detective Takuda returns to his home to investigate the tale of a young girl who was attacked by a would-be kidnapper, he must face personal losses. His own brother and son were killed in the river by this mythical creature.
High on tension, well-documented background on The Kappa myth, and with compelling characters who are flawed, the book fairly rips along. A must for anyone who has an interest in Japanese mythology. This reader can't wait for The Devouring God, the sequel to The Drowning God.
May 25, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Drowning God
By James Kendley
ASIN: B00MTSKHJK
Author Website: http://kendley.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Synopsis:
To uncover modern Japan’s darkest, deadliest secret, one man must face a living nightmare from his childhood
Few villagers are happy when Detective Tohru Takuda returns to his hometown to investigate a string of suspicious disappearances. Even the local police chief tries to shut him out of the case. For behind the conspiracy lurks a monstrous living relic of Japan’s pagan prehistory: The Kappa. Protected long ago by a horrible pact with local farmers—and now by coldly calculating corporate interests—the Kappa drains the valley’s lifeblood, one villager at a time.
As the body count rises, Takuda must try to end the Drowning God’s centuries-long reign of terror, and failure means death…or worse.
Review:
It had been a while since I read a book like The Drowning God, and it turned out that I got more than what I was expecting from it. The book took me through memory lane, and made me reaffirm why I like this kind of genre. The book mixes mystery with old Japanese folklore tales giving it an alluring approach and capturing the readers interest, yet at the same time not forgetting that it’s a crime story.
The story starts off with an attempt of kidnapping. There’s a strange man near the river bank and he is trying to get a little girl to go towards him. After his failed attempt, Detective Takuda goes down to the village to investigate the case, and along with him comes officer Mori. The suspect is arrested and taken into custody at the local police station where he confesses, but Takuda doesn’t believe he’s the kind of man to go kidnapping children.
I really liked this books, and I especially like Takuda, Mori, and Suzuki, who became like the Three Musketeers of the story. Takuda is like the lone wolf that is still fighting to leave his past behind in the valley, but his honor won’t let him find peace. Mori is described as an officer with a bright future, but as the story progresses, he is a character full of surprises. As for Suzuki, the priest, he is introduced to the readers as a calm, mysterious villager, but transforms into a character with many useful qualities, and funny moments.
The story’s development is slow at the beginning, which was something I didn’t like so much, but as it progresses and a few chapters in, it gets really good. At first, Takuda is reluctant to believe that there’s something supernatural in the village, but the reader is informed of the possibility of the Kappa very early into the story, so when Takuda finally comes across the creature it was non-stop reading for me (except when it got scary I have to confess).
Another aspect that I liked was the author’s take on the Kappa tale. He created a background story for the village that combined folklore and mystery, giving the readers a grasping crime book. There were several scenes that made me wish that the book had concept art to go with it, for example describing the scene where they find the Kappa’s temple. I can imagine it with its green foliage, statues, and a very detailed inside of the mountain. Definitely some of my favorite parts of the book when the author gave us these great scenes through his writing.
Eventually, the reader comes to the end of the story discovering the truth behind the Kappa and the village. Takuda, along with several other characters, is able to find peace ans put his past behind him. All in all, The Drowning God is a great mystery, and I recommend it to fans of this kind of genre. But Takuda’s work doesn’t end in the valley, author James Kendley already has a sequel coming out soon, where we’ll be able to see the ex-detective solving one more mystery.
The Drowning God
By James Kendley
ASIN: B00MTSKHJK
Author Website: http://kendley.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Synopsis:
To uncover modern Japan’s darkest, deadliest secret, one man must face a living nightmare from his childhood
Few villagers are happy when Detective Tohru Takuda returns to his hometown to investigate a string of suspicious disappearances. Even the local police chief tries to shut him out of the case. For behind the conspiracy lurks a monstrous living relic of Japan’s pagan prehistory: The Kappa. Protected long ago by a horrible pact with local farmers—and now by coldly calculating corporate interests—the Kappa drains the valley’s lifeblood, one villager at a time.
As the body count rises, Takuda must try to end the Drowning God’s centuries-long reign of terror, and failure means death…or worse.
Review:
It had been a while since I read a book like The Drowning God, and it turned out that I got more than what I was expecting from it. The book took me through memory lane, and made me reaffirm why I like this kind of genre. The book mixes mystery with old Japanese folklore tales giving it an alluring approach and capturing the readers interest, yet at the same time not forgetting that it’s a crime story.
The story starts off with an attempt of kidnapping. There’s a strange man near the river bank and he is trying to get a little girl to go towards him. After his failed attempt, Detective Takuda goes down to the village to investigate the case, and along with him comes officer Mori. The suspect is arrested and taken into custody at the local police station where he confesses, but Takuda doesn’t believe he’s the kind of man to go kidnapping children.
I really liked this books, and I especially like Takuda, Mori, and Suzuki, who became like the Three Musketeers of the story. Takuda is like the lone wolf that is still fighting to leave his past behind in the valley, but his honor won’t let him find peace. Mori is described as an officer with a bright future, but as the story progresses, he is a character full of surprises. As for Suzuki, the priest, he is introduced to the readers as a calm, mysterious villager, but transforms into a character with many useful qualities, and funny moments.
The story’s development is slow at the beginning, which was something I didn’t like so much, but as it progresses and a few chapters in, it gets really good. At first, Takuda is reluctant to believe that there’s something supernatural in the village, but the reader is informed of the possibility of the Kappa very early into the story, so when Takuda finally comes across the creature it was non-stop reading for me (except when it got scary I have to confess).
Another aspect that I liked was the author’s take on the Kappa tale. He created a background story for the village that combined folklore and mystery, giving the readers a grasping crime book. There were several scenes that made me wish that the book had concept art to go with it, for example describing the scene where they find the Kappa’s temple. I can imagine it with its green foliage, statues, and a very detailed inside of the mountain. Definitely some of my favorite parts of the book when the author gave us these great scenes through his writing.
Eventually, the reader comes to the end of the story discovering the truth behind the Kappa and the village. Takuda, along with several other characters, is able to find peace ans put his past behind him. All in all, The Drowning God is a great mystery, and I recommend it to fans of this kind of genre. But Takuda’s work doesn’t end in the valley, author James Kendley already has a sequel coming out soon, where we’ll be able to see the ex-detective solving one more mystery.
October 27, 2017
My first exposure to Japanese horror was the fantastic movie "The Ring". A well-worn horror fan, I had seen/read/experienced nearly everything related to horror - except torture porn. I can't stand that shit.
In the years since, I've been lucky to find other books/movies with a similar theme or approach to horror, more cerebral/psychological rather than splatter-pulp/scare-jump. However, nothing compares to Kendley's work.
It's a (seemingly) simple story of a weary cop who is assigned an unusual child abduction case in his home town. Upon arrival, things begin to get weird and soon he is dealing with something supernatural that could be behind the killing of his son (years ago) and the attempted suicide of his wife. An old priest and a new partner are also drawn in as the three attempt to find the killer and figure out the secret a shadowy corp is willing to kill for.
I can't begin to describe the amazing detail and authenticity that I found in this book. Japanese mythology, day to day life in a small Japanese village (and the big city), a sense of dread and claustrophobia as the story deepens with a finale that could give a person sweaty palms if they weren't careful.
If you like cerebral horror (yes, that is a genre) than I highly recommend this book. There is a second book out now (just as good but _way_ weirder and horrific) and it seems to be the start of an ongoing series.
In the years since, I've been lucky to find other books/movies with a similar theme or approach to horror, more cerebral/psychological rather than splatter-pulp/scare-jump. However, nothing compares to Kendley's work.
It's a (seemingly) simple story of a weary cop who is assigned an unusual child abduction case in his home town. Upon arrival, things begin to get weird and soon he is dealing with something supernatural that could be behind the killing of his son (years ago) and the attempted suicide of his wife. An old priest and a new partner are also drawn in as the three attempt to find the killer and figure out the secret a shadowy corp is willing to kill for.
I can't begin to describe the amazing detail and authenticity that I found in this book. Japanese mythology, day to day life in a small Japanese village (and the big city), a sense of dread and claustrophobia as the story deepens with a finale that could give a person sweaty palms if they weren't careful.
If you like cerebral horror (yes, that is a genre) than I highly recommend this book. There is a second book out now (just as good but _way_ weirder and horrific) and it seems to be the start of an ongoing series.
January 21, 2019
This isn't entirely bad, really, but I still only give it two stars. It has some potential, but in reality it just didn't command my attention. There's definite cultural differences, but rather than let me experience or understand them (such as in the Akitada books), it seems I'm expected to just accept them and move on without understanding something of the cultural the story takes place in. There's the potential for a good urban fantasy, but the pacing is off. It's not that it's too slow or not slow enough, it's that sometimes it's one and sometimes it's the other.
The story revolves around Detective Tokuda who investigates a strange attempted kidnapping, but we quickly learn that Tokuda's interest in this case goes beyond just a kidnapping -- the detective has history in the Naga river valley and his investigation slowly peels the layers of what's truly been happening here for decades.
I might read the following book, as it wasn't awful, but maybe not for just the moment. After all, it took me months to finally decide to finish this.
The story revolves around Detective Tokuda who investigates a strange attempted kidnapping, but we quickly learn that Tokuda's interest in this case goes beyond just a kidnapping -- the detective has history in the Naga river valley and his investigation slowly peels the layers of what's truly been happening here for decades.
I might read the following book, as it wasn't awful, but maybe not for just the moment. After all, it took me months to finally decide to finish this.
November 24, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Drowning God," a suspenseful and creepy story that will have me thinking twice before soaking my toes in any Japanese canals. With Detective Takuda, author James Kendley has created a driven, physically powerful, but emotionally tortured hero not sure if he's seeking justice, answers, or simply revenge. He's joined by several other lively characters, my favorite a priest named Suzuki, and they embark on a good old-fashioned monster hunt into some places that are wet, smelly, and filled with death. I look forward to future books in this series!
September 5, 2015
This dark contemporary fantasy thriller stayed taut with chills and mystery throughout. The writing style seemed odd at first, but once I got used to it I was able to cruise along at breakneck speed for this creepy, satisfying novel, which asks how the gods of forgotten times manage to survive in the present day (hint: it ain't pretty!).
December 14, 2015
I enjoyed the setting of this story in Japan and the very creepy feel to the writing. I'm not usually a fan of horror type stories, but the plot kept me interested, invested enough to keep reading and see the ending.
August 21, 2015
Really great book, really great mystery, I loved the characters, I just really enjoyed this book!
January 18, 2016
better than i expected it would be
August 10, 2022
Really enjoyed this adventure/horror/origin story tale! Solid storytelling and I always love when mythology is in the mix.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews