Filled with violent action and a lot of heart, Ways to Die in Tokyo is a tale about how you sometimes need to hit rock bottom before you can find redemption. Thomas Ran Garver has crafted a novel with an exceedingly compelling plot and intricate characters that is a lot of fun to read.
Hank Fisher is a down on his luck MMA fighter living in Tokyo. He’s on a losing streak, has been kicked out of his training gym, has no money and hasn’t seen his ex-wife and two kids in a couple of years. In fact, he doesn’t even know where his family is living. So when the PI he hired to find them demands more money before revealing their location, he takes a high paying Yakuza bodyguard job for what’s supposed to be a simple meeting. But the meeting goes south and Hank is now on the run, wanted by the Yakuza for stealing millions of Yen and by the cops as a murder suspect. To make matters worse, everyone he turns to for help ends up seriously hurt or dead. Now Hank needs to figure out a way to survive the murderous gangsters hot on his trail, clear his name, and ensure the safety of his family.
Beyond the relentless pacing, non-stop action and numerous twists and turns, the most fascinating aspect of Ways to Die in Tokyo is the relatability of Hank Fisher. Which is quite a feat given most of us can’t relate to fighting MMA, being chased by the Yakuza, being accused of murder by the Japanese police or being completely shunned by our family. But what readers can connect with is Hank’s struggle to climb out of the hole that has become his life and his desire to make amends with his family. He shows growth throughout the novel and takes responsibility for his past actions. Yes, it might be a little easier to do that when your live is in mortal danger and you’re unsure you will survive to see another day. But he still shows the self-reflection and desire to make things right that we all have gone through at times in our lives. Which, when added to the awesome and viscous events that unfold throughout the book, make for an exciting read with a main character you fervently root for.
A novel with great characters and a fast-moving plot, look no further than Ways to Die in Tokyo if you’re in need of a highly entertaining, vicious and thrilling story.
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