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Reiko Watanabe & Inspector Aizawa #2
Smoke Over Tokyo
Tokyo, May 1932
Japan is still plagued by economic depression, scandals, and assassinations. A prominent politician mysteriously commits suicide while dining with Chizuru Okamura, the daughter of a yakuza crime family. Leading the investigation, Police Inspector Aizawa tasks his geisha spy, Reiko Watanabe, to go undercover into the world of the dreaded Okamura Gang.
Reiko soon finds herself at the center of a power struggle between Chizuru and her brother, Lieutenant Katsuro Okamura, for control of the gang. Using bribery and deceit, Chizuru is poised to take over the government, while Katsuro seeks to launch a coup d’état and install a military dictatorship. As they try and thwart both schemes, Reiko and Inspector Aizawa must untangle a web of conspiracies involving the Army Secret Service, opium dens, corruption, Charlie Chaplin, and assassination, while all Japan hangs in the balance.
Merging historical fact with fiction, Smoke Over Tokyo is the second installment of the Reiko Watanabe/Inspector Aizawa series. As they enter the dark underworld of 1932 Tokyo, filled with danger and intrigue, Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa soon find themselves fighting for their lives and the future of their city.
Japan is still plagued by economic depression, scandals, and assassinations. A prominent politician mysteriously commits suicide while dining with Chizuru Okamura, the daughter of a yakuza crime family. Leading the investigation, Police Inspector Aizawa tasks his geisha spy, Reiko Watanabe, to go undercover into the world of the dreaded Okamura Gang.
Reiko soon finds herself at the center of a power struggle between Chizuru and her brother, Lieutenant Katsuro Okamura, for control of the gang. Using bribery and deceit, Chizuru is poised to take over the government, while Katsuro seeks to launch a coup d’état and install a military dictatorship. As they try and thwart both schemes, Reiko and Inspector Aizawa must untangle a web of conspiracies involving the Army Secret Service, opium dens, corruption, Charlie Chaplin, and assassination, while all Japan hangs in the balance.
Merging historical fact with fiction, Smoke Over Tokyo is the second installment of the Reiko Watanabe/Inspector Aizawa series. As they enter the dark underworld of 1932 Tokyo, filled with danger and intrigue, Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa soon find themselves fighting for their lives and the future of their city.
314 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2018
About the author
Matthew Legare
8 books73 followersMatthew Legare has always loved reading, writing, and history. He’s combined his passions to tell stories set during little-known, but fascinating, events of the past. His style is a smooth blend of old pulp magazines and contemporary thrillers, which makes for a pulsating read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 6, 2021
This was a terrific read. I enjoyed just about everything about this book. Excellent plot; creative, complex characters; historical placement; atmosphere — loved it all.
The author’s quality of writing has evolved in the short span of time since his first book in this series.
The author’s quality of writing has evolved in the short span of time since his first book in this series.
January 17, 2022
May 1932
From the nostalgic neo-noir Japanese cover to the gripping end, this is a great read for lovers of all things Japanese. The action begins quickly as the reader finds out that Reiko Watanabe is a geisha working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department as a spy. The novel takes place after the Japanese have won the war to seize Manchuria and during an economic depression with hungry citizens in threadbare clothes questioning the propriety of their government officials.
The author, Matthew Legare, is a master at describing the details of every scene so it plays in the reader’s imagination as a movie. He is also a student of Japanese history and his “Author Afterword” is full of information to indicate the events and characters that are historically accurate. This adds authenticity and a layer of depth to the narrative.
The Okamura Gang, one of Tokyo’s most powerful yakuza crime families, is hosting a small party and Reiko is the entertainment as Spring Tiger, the geisha.
The eldest member of this small party, Eiji Goto, an elderly and distinguished member of the Imperial Diet, abruptly leaves the party and Reiko is sent to coax him back, which is why she is the eye-witness to his suicide off the Azuma Bridge into the swift waters of the Sumida River. Merchants hawked trinkets, crowds gathered around food carts and a steady stream of people flowed across Azuma Bridge. Eiji Goto lifted himself over the railing of the bridge and disappeared. This sets in motion the evolving plot of the novel.
Reiko prefers her life as a moga – a spirited, feisty, modernly dressed Japanese girl fond of dancing, listening to jazz and going to nightclubs. But her patriotic duty to saving her country convinces her to team up with Detective Inspector Kenji Aizawa and the Police Department to fight the political corruption destroying Japan. The relationship between Reiko and Inspector Aizawa is outwardly professional with undertones of seduction and a deeper connection.
The book revolves around a military plot to overthrow the government and assassinate the Prime Minister while knocking out the Power Stations resulting in the military and its co-conspirators overseeing the governing of Japan. The goal is the rebirth of Japan into its former Nationalistic self. Coincidentally, there is a side plot to kill Charlie Chaplin, who is on a celebrity visit to Japan. This amateurish attempt to kill a movie star was expected to provoke the US to retaliate with a war against Japan. A war much anticipated by the military to whom heroic sacrifice was always appealing.
This is a serious novel full of characters, full of conspiracies, and full of action. Loved it!
And check out the author’s series about China in the 1930’s – “Shanghai Twilight”. Loved it, too!
From the nostalgic neo-noir Japanese cover to the gripping end, this is a great read for lovers of all things Japanese. The action begins quickly as the reader finds out that Reiko Watanabe is a geisha working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department as a spy. The novel takes place after the Japanese have won the war to seize Manchuria and during an economic depression with hungry citizens in threadbare clothes questioning the propriety of their government officials.
The author, Matthew Legare, is a master at describing the details of every scene so it plays in the reader’s imagination as a movie. He is also a student of Japanese history and his “Author Afterword” is full of information to indicate the events and characters that are historically accurate. This adds authenticity and a layer of depth to the narrative.
The Okamura Gang, one of Tokyo’s most powerful yakuza crime families, is hosting a small party and Reiko is the entertainment as Spring Tiger, the geisha.
The eldest member of this small party, Eiji Goto, an elderly and distinguished member of the Imperial Diet, abruptly leaves the party and Reiko is sent to coax him back, which is why she is the eye-witness to his suicide off the Azuma Bridge into the swift waters of the Sumida River. Merchants hawked trinkets, crowds gathered around food carts and a steady stream of people flowed across Azuma Bridge. Eiji Goto lifted himself over the railing of the bridge and disappeared. This sets in motion the evolving plot of the novel.
Reiko prefers her life as a moga – a spirited, feisty, modernly dressed Japanese girl fond of dancing, listening to jazz and going to nightclubs. But her patriotic duty to saving her country convinces her to team up with Detective Inspector Kenji Aizawa and the Police Department to fight the political corruption destroying Japan. The relationship between Reiko and Inspector Aizawa is outwardly professional with undertones of seduction and a deeper connection.
The book revolves around a military plot to overthrow the government and assassinate the Prime Minister while knocking out the Power Stations resulting in the military and its co-conspirators overseeing the governing of Japan. The goal is the rebirth of Japan into its former Nationalistic self. Coincidentally, there is a side plot to kill Charlie Chaplin, who is on a celebrity visit to Japan. This amateurish attempt to kill a movie star was expected to provoke the US to retaliate with a war against Japan. A war much anticipated by the military to whom heroic sacrifice was always appealing.
This is a serious novel full of characters, full of conspiracies, and full of action. Loved it!
And check out the author’s series about China in the 1930’s – “Shanghai Twilight”. Loved it, too!
November 25, 2019
Smoke Over Tokyo
Matthew Legare
“That was quite a performance. I almost thought you were going to start crying.” Reiko stopped in her tracks. “No, that would have ruined my makeup.”
Vanity? No, a glimpse into the grit and determination of Reiko Wannabe, spy, geisha, and mogo (modern girl). This is Reiko's second appearance in a Legare novel and she is evolving as an engaging character, a foil, for the stoic Inspector Aizawa.
This is the second noir novel by Legare featuring Reiko and Aizawa as a team and Legare has kept the story line fresh, the characters strong and interesting, often not the case with series novels. And we learn more about the Yakuza in this story as they play a role in the political intrigue of the day as well as organized crime. And interesting how Japanese traditional concepts of honour and politeness are part of their sub culture.
The story is enriched by the skillful weaving of historical figures and events into a police procedural novel. As the story evolves we see the country moving inexorably toward war with America. The events of the early 1930s saw the military take control of the prime minister's office setting the stage for a country readying for war.
I agree with reviewers suggesting we know more about the backgrounds of the major characters such as Aizawa, Reiko and others. We know a little of Reiko's early life and some of Aizawa's military roots and how these events have shaped the characters. Perhaps we'll learn more in the next story in the series. This novel is engaging and well worth the read. If you haven't read Shadows of Tokyo or Legare's novel set in 1930's Shanghai (Shanghai Twilight) both are worth a read.
Matthew Legare
“That was quite a performance. I almost thought you were going to start crying.” Reiko stopped in her tracks. “No, that would have ruined my makeup.”
Vanity? No, a glimpse into the grit and determination of Reiko Wannabe, spy, geisha, and mogo (modern girl). This is Reiko's second appearance in a Legare novel and she is evolving as an engaging character, a foil, for the stoic Inspector Aizawa.
This is the second noir novel by Legare featuring Reiko and Aizawa as a team and Legare has kept the story line fresh, the characters strong and interesting, often not the case with series novels. And we learn more about the Yakuza in this story as they play a role in the political intrigue of the day as well as organized crime. And interesting how Japanese traditional concepts of honour and politeness are part of their sub culture.
The story is enriched by the skillful weaving of historical figures and events into a police procedural novel. As the story evolves we see the country moving inexorably toward war with America. The events of the early 1930s saw the military take control of the prime minister's office setting the stage for a country readying for war.
I agree with reviewers suggesting we know more about the backgrounds of the major characters such as Aizawa, Reiko and others. We know a little of Reiko's early life and some of Aizawa's military roots and how these events have shaped the characters. Perhaps we'll learn more in the next story in the series. This novel is engaging and well worth the read. If you haven't read Shadows of Tokyo or Legare's novel set in 1930's Shanghai (Shanghai Twilight) both are worth a read.
July 11, 2019
I’m not a big fan of this genre but I was very interested in reading this book because it’s set in Japan. Matthew Legare is a very talented writer, his characters are fascinating, his plot was well constructed, and he has a strong but elegant writing style. I loved the way he focuses on little known events in Japanese history and brings them to life. If you’ve lived in Japan or visited this amazing country this book will certainly appeal to you. Legare has obviously done a lot of research on the political, social and cultural zeitgeist and the spirit of the Japanese people during this period of time in Japan’s history, making the story so much more compelling and interesting.
Although Legare is very good at describing his characters' physical attributes, I wanted to know a lot more about Reiko Watanabe, Inspector Aizawa, Chizuru Okamura and Lieutenant Katsuro Okamura. It would have been great to read more about their childhood, their innermost feelings, and what really made them into the characters they’d become. I think this would have made the story much more convincing for me but there's only so much you can focus on in a book of this length and there may be more about these characters in the first book in the series which I haven’t read.
Legare’s writing style and plot structure also reminded me of books I’ve read by Barry Lancet and Michael Pronko so if you’re a fan of these authors you’ll love this book as well. The plot was brilliantly orchestrated and Legare clearly has an in-depth understanding of Japan and the Japanese people so if you’re interested in the Land of the Rising Sun you'll definitely enjoy this book.
Although Legare is very good at describing his characters' physical attributes, I wanted to know a lot more about Reiko Watanabe, Inspector Aizawa, Chizuru Okamura and Lieutenant Katsuro Okamura. It would have been great to read more about their childhood, their innermost feelings, and what really made them into the characters they’d become. I think this would have made the story much more convincing for me but there's only so much you can focus on in a book of this length and there may be more about these characters in the first book in the series which I haven’t read.
Legare’s writing style and plot structure also reminded me of books I’ve read by Barry Lancet and Michael Pronko so if you’re a fan of these authors you’ll love this book as well. The plot was brilliantly orchestrated and Legare clearly has an in-depth understanding of Japan and the Japanese people so if you’re interested in the Land of the Rising Sun you'll definitely enjoy this book.
September 27, 2019
Smoke over Tokyo
I enjoyed this book. It is worthy follow up to Shadows of Tokyo. It is set a year later but the same tensions exist as different right wing groups seek to overthrow one Government for another or to replace civilian rule with military rule.
This time Aizawa is investigating a Yakusa family and Watanabe is reporting back to him. The Yakusa are being used by a military figure to help him overthrow the state and at the same time a family member with very different motivation is trying to take charge of the family business and these tensions are expertly woven and examined by Legare. The narrative involves more violence than in the previous book, where some of the actions were softened by ineptitude and tended almost towards farce. There is less broad sweep in this book as here the focus moves to the micro level and therefore it has to rely more on characterisation. We learn more about Watanabe and I felt real compassion for her and her situation. If you are interested in Japan and its seedier underbelly then this book will give you plenty of food for thought.
I enjoyed this book. It is worthy follow up to Shadows of Tokyo. It is set a year later but the same tensions exist as different right wing groups seek to overthrow one Government for another or to replace civilian rule with military rule.
This time Aizawa is investigating a Yakusa family and Watanabe is reporting back to him. The Yakusa are being used by a military figure to help him overthrow the state and at the same time a family member with very different motivation is trying to take charge of the family business and these tensions are expertly woven and examined by Legare. The narrative involves more violence than in the previous book, where some of the actions were softened by ineptitude and tended almost towards farce. There is less broad sweep in this book as here the focus moves to the micro level and therefore it has to rely more on characterisation. We learn more about Watanabe and I felt real compassion for her and her situation. If you are interested in Japan and its seedier underbelly then this book will give you plenty of food for thought.
June 25, 2021
#2 in the geisha Reiko Watanabe & Inspector Kenji Aizawa mystery series set in pre WW II Japan when right wing nationalists were active and political assassinations were prevalent.
May, 1932, Japan is still plagued by economic depression, scandals, and assassinations. Aizawa is still investigating the Okamura yakuza crime family who seem to have improved their financial standing from an unknown source while also expanding its influence into the political arena. His main antagonist is Chizuru Okamura, the daughter of the family head who is plotting with an army officer to take over the family. and also seeking revenge against Aizawa. Aizawa is using Reiko Watanabe, to go undercover into discover what the the daughter and family are planning and where their new source of money is coming from. Reiko soon finds herself at the center of a power struggle between brother and daughter along with various political plots to gin control of the government.
May, 1932, Japan is still plagued by economic depression, scandals, and assassinations. Aizawa is still investigating the Okamura yakuza crime family who seem to have improved their financial standing from an unknown source while also expanding its influence into the political arena. His main antagonist is Chizuru Okamura, the daughter of the family head who is plotting with an army officer to take over the family. and also seeking revenge against Aizawa. Aizawa is using Reiko Watanabe, to go undercover into discover what the the daughter and family are planning and where their new source of money is coming from. Reiko soon finds herself at the center of a power struggle between brother and daughter along with various political plots to gin control of the government.
September 3, 2020
I love history and everything about Asia. It is easy to immerse myself into the fiction surrounding Japan prior to the world war. The blending of fiction and truth is done so well in this fast paced book at times you can forget that you are not really there with the inspector or Reiko. Action packed scenes and double dealing , narrow escapes from death and almost being murdered are just a few things you can encounter in the book. Although in the end good over came evil I'm sure that was not always what happened during that period of time. Good men can be purchased for the right price even today and just once in awhile someone evil just might do the right thing. Some things never change, we have not yet learned not to repeat the mistakes made in our past.
June 11, 2020
A history lesson wrapped up in a story of political intrigue
A gang of Japanese crime lords permeates the story. In fighting among the members, being ruled by the mean daughter of the legitimate leader, pits the heroic son against his sister. Corrupt politicians and members of the police force and military paint a dismal picture of Japanese society at the time. Lust for power and a maniacal desire for war with the United States seem bizarre in light of history. But the story is set in 1932 when the world was in a depression and people were desperate. I'm glad I didn't experience that! This is an excellent story!
A gang of Japanese crime lords permeates the story. In fighting among the members, being ruled by the mean daughter of the legitimate leader, pits the heroic son against his sister. Corrupt politicians and members of the police force and military paint a dismal picture of Japanese society at the time. Lust for power and a maniacal desire for war with the United States seem bizarre in light of history. But the story is set in 1932 when the world was in a depression and people were desperate. I'm glad I didn't experience that! This is an excellent story!
December 31, 2020
A well written story that follows the previous characters extremely well. The author again has done a wonderful job of giving us the history of Japan at this point in time. That part was definitely true. Then he fictionalizes some of the activities, and of course the main characters. This is all woven together with the plot line which was compatible with the history.
You will enjoy reading the adventures of Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa. You will learn something about shame and honor as practiced by the Japanese at this time. Even some of the day to day life comes through.
You will enjoy reading the adventures of Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa. You will learn something about shame and honor as practiced by the Japanese at this time. Even some of the day to day life comes through.
January 5, 2019
Lots of period details and a sense of urgency populate the Reiko Watanabe/Inspector Aizawa books. The author captures perfectly the rigid Japanese society and culture of the times, and demonstrates in the story how inexorably the country is marching to war, led by a group of fanatic zealots. But this is not the main plot; that is reserved for a yakuza family that is trying to rise from the depths of ignominy in a most unusual way -- at the head of a female -- and in a most un-Japanese way -- by bringing drugs into the country. Miss Watanabe in her guise as a spy for the Japanese police, with the Inspector as her contact, is determined to stop this from happening, while at the same time hoping to stop the political zealots from bringing the government to a more war-like state.
Both characters are fleshed out, true to their personas, and keep the reader interested in what they are up to. Miss Watanabe gets to do quite a bit more derring-do here, but it's not beyond the bounds of credulity. Inspector Aizawa remains his heroic lucky self (escaping death once again). The author has a good grasp on the tenor of the times, upsetting as they were, and I look forward to further books.
Both characters are fleshed out, true to their personas, and keep the reader interested in what they are up to. Miss Watanabe gets to do quite a bit more derring-do here, but it's not beyond the bounds of credulity. Inspector Aizawa remains his heroic lucky self (escaping death once again). The author has a good grasp on the tenor of the times, upsetting as they were, and I look forward to further books.
November 6, 2019
Smoke Over Tokyo is the second book in the Reiko Watanabe / Inspector Aizawa series. This amazing sequel to Shadows of Tokyo takes place in May, 1932. This fabulous historical thriller mixes fact with fiction. The characters, both good and bad, are well defined and the descriptive narratives of Japan take you back to 1932 with Reiko and the Inspector. The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and captured my interest from the first page.
I cannot wait for the next book in this exciting series.
I cannot wait for the next book in this exciting series.
December 17, 2019
An Excellent Historical Thriller
If you're looking for intrigue based on fact Smoke Over Tokyo is for you. Using both fictional and historical incidents and characters, I was drawn into a very exciting story that helped me understand Japan's political climate prior to WW2. A pleasure to read ! Upon completion, I immediately began looking forward to Legare's next book in this exceptional series.
If you're looking for intrigue based on fact Smoke Over Tokyo is for you. Using both fictional and historical incidents and characters, I was drawn into a very exciting story that helped me understand Japan's political climate prior to WW2. A pleasure to read ! Upon completion, I immediately began looking forward to Legare's next book in this exceptional series.
April 25, 2020
An excellent sequel to Shadows of Tokyo! Will not disappoint!
Smoke over Tokyo is a thumbs up continuation of Reiko and Aizawa's fight to protect their beloved Tokyo. The story line gives excellent insight to Japanese culture, history, social issues, and crime in 1932 Tokyo. The book is well researched and entertaining! It was much like watching a fast paced movie thriller with a duty bound police detective and his moga/geisha spy as lead characters. Domo arigato! And well done Mr. Legare!!
Smoke over Tokyo is a thumbs up continuation of Reiko and Aizawa's fight to protect their beloved Tokyo. The story line gives excellent insight to Japanese culture, history, social issues, and crime in 1932 Tokyo. The book is well researched and entertaining! It was much like watching a fast paced movie thriller with a duty bound police detective and his moga/geisha spy as lead characters. Domo arigato! And well done Mr. Legare!!
March 6, 2020
Mr. Legare has written an era of Asian culture that few of us have read about before. It is a history lesson told through characters that make learning about this period exciting and craving for more.The characters of Reiko and Inspector Aizawa weave a story that touches the heart and soul of life in pre World War II Japan. Masterfully crafted and deeply researched, Mr. Legare has left me looking forward to his next book starring the remarkable Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa.
I was fortunate to have read Conspiracy in Tokyo the first book in this series. It is not available at this time but, hopefully, it will be released so you can read how it all got started. It is a must read.
I was fortunate to have read Conspiracy in Tokyo the first book in this series. It is not available at this time but, hopefully, it will be released so you can read how it all got started. It is a must read.
August 23, 2020
Does a time and place very well
Difficult to believe the author Legare is not Japanese as he captures Tokyo in the 30’s so well. He has been compared to Phillip Kerr’s Germany and Bernie Gunther, which I agree.
The civil war between yakuza and between political parties heightens the feeling of the times.
Difficult to believe the author Legare is not Japanese as he captures Tokyo in the 30’s so well. He has been compared to Phillip Kerr’s Germany and Bernie Gunther, which I agree.
The civil war between yakuza and between political parties heightens the feeling of the times.
October 24, 2019
A man commits suicide in front of another and he has been tasked to find out what is going on. She goes undercover for her brother and soon finds herself in the centre of a power struggle. What is really going on? Will she find out? See if she will
June 1, 2021
An excellent read
This is a great series that not only has compelling plots but very real characters. The description of Japanese culture and what motivates and drives the main protagonists clearly sets this story and book 1 apart from many other historical fictions. Looking forward to Book 3.
This is a great series that not only has compelling plots but very real characters. The description of Japanese culture and what motivates and drives the main protagonists clearly sets this story and book 1 apart from many other historical fictions. Looking forward to Book 3.
September 13, 2021
The first book Shadows of Tokyo was great and I'm really torn over which one I like better, that or book 2. Set in 1932 it has even more moving parts than the first, with the very real May 15th coup, an attempt to assassinate Charlie Chaplin, a yakuza drug cartel, and corruption within Japanese politics. The most interesting new addition is Katsuro, a horribly disfigured naval officer and tragic figure in his own right. All these books are self contained but best to read them in order as there is an ongoing continuity.
January 5, 2020
Great cc's second act
The first is the series was great and this second in the series was just as good. I look forward to the next in the series,.
The first is the series was great and this second in the series was just as good. I look forward to the next in the series,.
May 4, 2020
A fast-paced thriller with plenty of action, suspense and amazing twists of its plot
June 11, 2020
A must-read book, by a master of Japanese thriller writing, incorporating an interesting and informative blend of culture and historical facts.
November 25, 2020
Again a great read....loved the story line, the setting....different procedures.
Sue B
Sue B
February 4, 2021
I'm reading all this writers books . Set in Tokyo. Love the two main characters
January 17, 2021
This is a great read. I loved both the characters and the plot.
A thriller that kept me turning the pages and left me looking forward to book 3.
A thriller that kept me turning the pages and left me looking forward to book 3.
Want to Read
May 18, 2021Author gift
August 27, 2021
Tradition clashes with fallout from worldwide Depression as crime family attempts a coup - 4.5 stars
Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Wantanabe as employees of the Metropolitan Police deal with the turmoil following a recent military victory in China, Opium use and corruption in the government. Face was everything in Japan. People would commit suicide rather than lose face.
Jobs were hard to find. The rich had enough wealth to buy American-made cars and enjoy Hollywood movies. Charlie Chaplin was revered as a star; he had agreed to come to Tokyo to promote a film.
A syndicate run by the Yakusa crime family was trying to recover after a recent clash with the Metropolitan Police which closed their illegal gambling operation. The family Boss, now old and feeble would be replaced when he died. His oldest son did not want to take over the family but the daughter, Chizuru, wanted the job. It was unheard of for a woman to have anything by a subservient position. Chizuru was referred to as the "Snake Queen" and called a viper behind her back.
The customs of the time are an important part of the story. The underworld of prostitution and the introduction of opium was considered a major threat to public security.
There were fights, mostly with fists but occasionally with short swords. Guns were highly regulated but still made an appearance in this historical adventure. Several of the Japanese terms were unfamiliar to me; most were explained in context.
Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Wantanabe as employees of the Metropolitan Police deal with the turmoil following a recent military victory in China, Opium use and corruption in the government. Face was everything in Japan. People would commit suicide rather than lose face.
Jobs were hard to find. The rich had enough wealth to buy American-made cars and enjoy Hollywood movies. Charlie Chaplin was revered as a star; he had agreed to come to Tokyo to promote a film.
A syndicate run by the Yakusa crime family was trying to recover after a recent clash with the Metropolitan Police which closed their illegal gambling operation. The family Boss, now old and feeble would be replaced when he died. His oldest son did not want to take over the family but the daughter, Chizuru, wanted the job. It was unheard of for a woman to have anything by a subservient position. Chizuru was referred to as the "Snake Queen" and called a viper behind her back.
The customs of the time are an important part of the story. The underworld of prostitution and the introduction of opium was considered a major threat to public security.
There were fights, mostly with fists but occasionally with short swords. Guns were highly regulated but still made an appearance in this historical adventure. Several of the Japanese terms were unfamiliar to me; most were explained in context.
September 21, 2021
Continuing saga of the Inspector & his "associates"! I really like this series because of the historical period (A time & place I knew little about.) This is definitely a series that should be read in order.(the slow slide into WW II by the Japanese will be easier to follow. )
December 9, 2019
I am really enjoying this series. Watanabe and Aizawa are really fine characters for a very good read. add to that the setting in Tokyo in the early 20's and you have quite a story. These books are steeped in the history and culture of the time, and provide a good background and set the tone well. Legare has really been able to get into both the history and a lot of understanding of the thinking of people at this interesting time. I look forward to the series continuing into the rest of these pre war, and perhaps post war years. While I wait for the 3rd book, I picked up Shanghai Twilight, which is equally detailed in setting a place and theme for the book.
May 15, 2020
Fascinating thriller
This second book in the series continues provides another instalment of tense, twisting thriller set in the little known (at least to me) and fascinating historical period of 1930s Japan. Very enjoyable.
This second book in the series continues provides another instalment of tense, twisting thriller set in the little known (at least to me) and fascinating historical period of 1930s Japan. Very enjoyable.
August 27, 2021
Always fascinated with Japanese history but always disturbed that government corruption, military drug running and whitewashing inconvenient, embarrassing and criminal acts by the military continues to this day in the U.S.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews