A page turning suspense novel..
Money blows across a field, the notes slapping against the stubble of dry rice stalks. Mr Ito walks towards the irrigation ditch at the end of his field, his rubber boots kicking up dust.
When he gets there, he remembers the rumour; the one about the missing English woman.
But this is Mari’s story. She knows it's her fault that her sister died, and trying to move on, she takes a dream job teaching English in small-town Japan. It turns into a nightmare when Mari learns that she’s employed by the yakuza (Japanese mafia), and that the man she loves has his own dark secrets. When the yakuza play their final hand, Mari believes that once again, it's all her fault.
If you like a novel that builds suspense, is set in an unusual location, has a strong female lead, and a pinch of romance; then this book is for you.
Whoa! If you ever travel to foreign climes and find yourself strongly tempted to flout their customs and fly against their cultural protocols, read this book first. Such desires will dissolve instantly! A genre fusion fiction that marries romance and thriller with a narrative that hurtles along at a startling pace. Sinister and uneasy you find yourself looking over your shoulder as you read in case the terrifying yakuza are watching your every move and may even feel that your reading of the book is some treachery directed against them!
It all starts innocently enough. Two English girls take jobs as English language teachers in Japan. Should be perfect shouldn't it? An opportunity to explore and experience a culture as diverse from England as you can get. And then you find out that your employers are the Japanese equivalent of the mafia - yakuza. But even that should be fine as long as you toe the line and don't mess with them. Ha ha, but if you did that you wouldn't have a story would you? Do Mari and her friend Kate toe the line? I'm not going to tell you! You have to read the book! But there is a pretty good chance that maybe there are levels of obedience, shall we say, which leave a little to be desired.
But this isn’t just a 'straightforward' crime tale. Mari has some demons to grapple with from her past and the situation in Japan only serves to deepen her feelings of guilt. You get a sense that she is in part running away to Japan to escape herself but ends up having to face herself and peel back the layers to see who she really is.
The author's knowledge of Japan, its cultures and customs is impeccable. she demonstrates, too, an understanding of its people, their motivations and attitudes. The collision between those and two free spirited Brits makes for an explosive tale. There are no punches pulled as you might expect from a mafia infused fiction. It’s a high intensity turbocharged tale where the reader sometimes feels they are hanging on for dear life. Plenty of diverse characters, some you’ll love, others you’ll loathe, but who can be trusted and who should be avoided?
So grab yourselves some chop sticks, salivate over your sushi and fortify yourself with rice wine as you prepare to experience the Fallen Persimmon.
Author Bio
Gigi has spent most of her life living and working in countries all over the world. Her big passion is travel, especially in Asia, and India is a favourite destination. Giving up a career in tourism, she qualified as a holistic therapist and worked in yoga retreats in the Mediterranean for twelve years. Currently, Gigi lives in Wiltshire with Isabella, the cat she rescued from the streets of Fethiye, in southern Turkey.
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My thanks to Kelly and Meggy at Love Books Tours for a gifted copy of this book and to Gigi Karagoz for writing it. Check out my blogging colleagues for their takes on this tale of suspense.
This is such an amazing review! Thank you so much. You've given such a clear summary, even I want to read it.
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