Crime-books-set-in-Japan

Reading lists

17 top crime books set in Japan

Last Stop Tokyo

A thriller writer like no other; James Buckler finds the pulse-pounding drama in life's closest connections and our biggest mistakes, played out far from home.

A fine debut – fast-paced and bleak, with a vivid setting and gut-wrenching twists

A vivid and noirish tale of an Englishman abroad discovering that you can run from everything but yourself. James Buckler is one to watch.

Simon Beckett, bestselling author of The Chemistry of Death

The vivid setting and skilfully plotted story is compelling and hard to put down.

This is character-driven fare, but with a vivid sense of place that positively leaps off the page.

One of the most impressive debut crime novels of the year.

[An] impressive first thriller . . . the action is fast, copious and often unexpected.

‘A fine debut – fast-paced and bleak, with a vivid setting and gut-wrenching twists.’ MICK HERRON 
 
‘[An] impressive first thriller . . . the action is fast, copious and often unexpected.’ The Times 
 
‘The vivid setting and skilfully plotted story is compelling and hard to put down.’ Daily Express 
 
‘One of the most impressive debut crime novels of the year.’ Shots Mag 
 
‘A vivid and noirish tale of an Englishman abroad discovering that you can run from everything but yourself. James Buckler is one to watch.’ SIMON BECKETT, bestselling author of The Chemistry of Death 
 
******** 
 
The funny thing with suffering is just when you think you’ve suffered enough, you realize it’s only the beginning. 
 
Alex thought running away would make everything better. Six thousand miles from the mistakes he’s made and the people he’s hurt, Tokyo seems like the perfect escape. A new life, a new Alex. 
 
The bright lights and dark corners of this alien and fascinating city intoxicate him, and he finds himself transfixed by this country, which feels like a puzzle that no one can quite explain. And when Alex meets the enigmatic and alluring Naoko, the peace he sought slips ever further from his grasp. 
 
After all, trust is just betrayal waiting to happen and Alex is about to find out that there’s no such thing as rock bottom. There’s always the chance it’ll get worse . . . 
 
******** 
 
‘This is character-driven fare, but with a vivid sense of place that positively leaps off the page.’ Crimetime, Barry Forshaw 
 
‘Intriguing and highly compelling . . . Most definitely one of the most original and satisfying novels I have read this year.’ reflectionsofareader.blogspot 
 
‘Wow! Are you sure this is really a debut novel? . . . absolutely fantastic and had me totally hooked.’ aloverofbooks.wordpress 
 
‘Last Stop Tokyo is a fast-paced yet easy read which I read in one sitting. Addictive. Magnetic. Glue. Call it what you like. I bloody loved it! What a debut.’ pageturnersnook.wordpress 
 
‘Continuous undercurrent of tensions that runs throughout the whole book . . . Last Stop Tokyo is tense, engaging and insightful.’ earlgreyandcupcakes.wordpress 
 
‘The story progresses to a thrilling and unexpected finale . . . a gripping and insightful read.’ tripfiction.com 
 
‘A riveting thriller and one I’ll be recommending to anybody who likes their books to feature the darker, seedier side of life . . . I found myself racing through the pages.’ hairpastafreckle72.blogspot 
 
‘What a web James Buckler has spun in this intoxicating debut novel. Full of descriptive, fast-paced scenes and an interesting take on life in Japan made this such an entertaining read for me . . . had me reading at a rate of knots.’ cescalizziereads.com 
 
‘I was well and truly hooked from the start . . . a story full of dark, seedy characters and exposes the darkest underbelly of Tokyo. I enjoyed every page and highly recommend it.’ randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot

James Buckler

'A British take on John Grisham's The Firm ... the interlocking circles of the plot are well oiled and the narrative of greed and corruption timely.'

'A fast-paced and suspenseful legal thriller.'

'James Buckler delivers a lightning-paced thriller'

'A fast-paced and suspenseful legal thriller - and an unwavering crusade to discover the truth.'

'Pacy and clever, The Simple Truth is a multi-layered mystery, brimming with action and intrigue, all woven perfectly together in the expertly crafted plot.'

'Immersive from the start ... Full of interesting twists and turns, this is a fast-paced thriller in which no one can be trusted.'

A pacy thriller with heart-stopping twists

'A web of intrigue in the hands of a master storyteller ... A deceptively simple premise that deepens and darkens with every page. I may have forgotten to breathe at the end.'

A fine debut - fast-paced and bleak, with a vivid setting and gut-wrenching twists

A young woman is dead. 
Her family are convinced she was murdered, and they know who did it. 
 
The case is about to be closed. 
Everyone else says the evidence speaks for itself: this is nothing more than a tragic case of suicide. 
 
Only you can uncover what really happened. 
But the truth is never that simple, and this case could cost you your life... 
 
Everyone is talking about The Simple Truth! 
 
'A British take on John Grisham's The Firm' The Times 
 
'Fast-paced and suspenseful.' Woman & Home 
 
'Pacy and clever, The Simple Truth is a multi-layered mystery, brimming with action and intrigue.' Andrea Mara 
 
'James Buckler delivers a lightning-paced thriller.' Woman's Own 
 
'A fast-paced thriller in which no one can be trusted.' Prima Magazine

James Buckler

Books by James Buckler

Articles featuring James Buckler

17 top crime books set in Japan

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