Shitamachi Scam

Detective Hiroshi #6

by Michael Pronko

After the suspicious deaths of a seventy-something woman and a student recluse, Detective Hiroshi tracks down a gang of scammers who target retirees, robbing them of their pensions, life savings, and even the deeds to their homes. Hiroshi teams up with Detective Ishii, who’s been running a women’s crime task force. Together, they find out who has been ripping off the pensions, life savings, and deeds to homes in shitamachi, the older, eastern side of the city. With his personal life on hold (almost), Hiroshi finds out how complex the traditional life of Tokyo still is. With old-school Detective Takamatsu and ex-sumo wrestler Chief Sakaguchi watching his back, he finds out who’s behind the scams, and who’s behind the scammers.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

336 pages, ebook

Published December 15, 2023

About the author

Michael Pronko is an award-winning, Tokyo-based writer of murder, memoir and music. His writings on Tokyo life and his taut character-driven mysteries have won critics’ awards and five-star reviews. Kirkus Reviews called his second novel, The Moving Blade, “An elegant balance of Japanese customs with American-style hard-boiled procedural” and selected it for their Best Books of 2018.

Michael also runs the website, Jazz in Japan, about the vibrant jazz scene in Tokyo and Yokohama. He has written regular columns about Japanese culture, art, jazz, society and politics for Newsweek Japan, The Japan Times, Artscape Japan, Jazznin, and ST Shukan. He has also appeared on NHK and Nippon Television.

A philosophy major, Michael traveled for years, ducking in and out of graduate schools, before finishing his PhD on Charles Dickens and film, and settling in Tokyo as a professor of American Literature at Meiji Gakuin University. He teaches contemporary American novels, film adaptations, music and art.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Hiroshi and the team are investigating two deaths. One victim was an older woman who was helping the police look into financial scams against seniors, and the other was a student. This slow-moving novel with a plethora of characters provides an interesting look at contemporary Tokyo, but I found that I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, a fiction deal-breaker for me.

[Mrs Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tale of police work in Tokyo, if a little slow at times.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shitamachi Scam is the highly entertaining sixth audiobook in the thrilling award-winning Detective Hiroshi Series of mysteries set in the exotic metropolis of Tokyo, Japan.

I have absolutely devoured each and every one of these audiobooks for about five years now and I can assure you that they are exquisitely written by esteemed professor and multiple award-winning author, Michael Pronko.

I love spending time with detective Hiroshi and the gang so much that every time a new book is released I jokingly tell all my friends I’m taking my annual trip to Tokyo, so they better not try to get in touch with me for the next two days.

In Shitamachi Scam detective Hiroshi teams up with Detective Ishii, who’s been running a women’s crime task force, to find out who has been ripping off the pensions, life savings, and deeds to homes in Shitamachi, the older, eastern side of the city. Throw in the suspicious deaths of a seventy-something woman and a student recluse, and the plot thickens. What follows is a cat and mouse game through the streets of Tokyo and its colorful neighborhoods that will put everyone involved in mortal peril.

The writing is exquisite and captivating, the mystery itself is fascinating, the characters feel real and all the events are vividly described with unique details that only someone who actually lives in Tokyo for over 25 years can relay successfully. All these characters feel like family to me and I am deeply involved in their stories.

Renowned narrator, talented actor and award-winning voiceover artist Peter Berkrot returns for a sixth time to the Detective Hiroshi series and, drawing from his remarkable experience of over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Peter brings all the characters, locations and events to life in another flawless, gripping and immersive performance! He reads in a calm, pleasant voice, infuses the narration with emotion, mirth or urgency, and switches seamlessly between voices and accents. Peter successfully enhances the flowing writing style with his stellar narration.

Peter manages to bring something magical to the audio production each time. I have said it many times before, but I will say it again, I think that he is the perfect narrator for this extremely entertaining series and I hope to see him return again and again for even more great mysteries set in Tokyo.

After listening to Shitamachi Scam I am once again truly convinced that the Detective Hiroshi series is getting better and better with each new installment!

I was probably the first reviewer to compare Michael Pronko’s Detective Hiroshi with Michael Connelly’s iconic Harry Bosch character, and I reconfirm my impression once again. Aside from the first name, these two terrific authors have in common some of the most intriguing, compelling and down-to-earth characters in fiction literature.

If you like police procedurals and want to discover new characters to love, a new, exotic location, and some uniquely crafted stories, make sure you pick up Shitamachi Scam and all other previous adventures in this fabulous series!

Starting February 2024, I am giving honorary awards to audiobooks that I enjoy very much and Shitamachi Scam by Michael Pronko and performed by Peter Berkrot is the first audio production to receive the Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Entertainment.

To be considered for these awards, an audiobook needs to seamlessly combine flawless writing and narration in such a way as to elevate the narrative experience to the highest level of immersion and entertainment humanly possible! These awards celebrate the cooperation between author and narrator and our awarded to them together.

I will make a post soon informing how any author or narrator can submit their work for these awards, but until then, take care, stay safe and don’t forget, always listen with your heart!

[Feathered Quill Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award-winning mystery writer Michael Pronko has recently released his sixth book in the Detective Hiroshi series, entitled Shitamachi Scam. This new book follows Detective Hiroshi Shimizu as he works to track down a ruthless group of scammers who target retirees and the aged and rob them of their life savings and their pensions.

In this latest adventure of Detective Hiroshi, two seemingly unrelated murders have just been committed in Tokyo, one of a woman in her 70s and the other of a young college student who kept to himself. However, upon further investigation by Detective Hiroshi, it becomes clear that these two murders are actually connected and have been perpetrated by a cruel group of scammers. Along with the help of Detective Ishii from the women’s crime task force, they both diligently work to uncover the unsavory people behind the scams and, even further, to expose the truth behind those working for the scammers.

During the course of their investigation, an arson attack also takes place, and a real estate agent named Keisuke is beaten up so badly he ends up in the hospital. These violent acts at first seem unrelated to their case, but as they search for clues, a solid connection cannot be denied. As the detectives meticulously explore to reveal the reality of the crimes being committed in Tokyo, Detectives Hiroshi and Ishii find themselves going down a rabbit hole of corruption and criminal behavior, all orchestrated by merciless real estate developers with deep pockets.

With the sixth book in the Detective Hiroshi series, Shitamachi Scam, Pronko has achieved another well-paced, thrilling murder mystery set in the mega city of Tokyo. Pronko is no stranger to successfully penning captivating mysteries about criminals and corruption, and his latest novel is no exception. The dialogue is engaging throughout the story and keeps the reader interested until the very end. Pronko has quite a skill for writing a complex story with a myriad of characters, which can sometimes lead to confusion for the reader. However, Pronko establishes a helpful solution to this situation by adding a cast of characters list at the beginning of the book. For anyone who wants to start reading Pronko’s Detective Hiroshi series out of order and needs a little extra help keeping the characters straight, this index is extremely useful.

Pronko’s style of writing is fascinating as he describes crime scenes in such physical detail as well as including the emotions of the detectives as they process the crime scenes. Throughout the story, Pronko’s familiarity with Tokyo and Japan creates such in-depth scene descriptions for the reader that the city truly comes to life. The ability of Pronko to depict these settings in such detail adds another level to his storytelling that is not found in every novel, simply because not every author has this unique skill.

Quill says: With Shitamachi Scam, Pronko has created another winning story complete with corruption and murder, yet balanced with thoroughly developed characters that seasoned readers have grown to love and appreciate. Pronko truly has a gift for superb storytelling that is well-crafted, entertaining, and thoroughly captivating, all of which shines brightly in his latest release.

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Shitamachi Scam” (Detective Hiroshi Series Book 6) by the award-winning Michael Pronko, is the classic detective drama you’ve been waiting for. From the descriptive opening of the first chapter and throughout the rest of the novel, you will find yourself swept into the culture of Tokyo; traditional values and old ways vs. new realities and players, with characters so real you think they could step off the page. Detective Hiroshi Shimizu is an intriguing character who finds himself in a non-traditional environment. From a culture that has historically respected older generations, he must now navigate the opposite.

In a world where a woman in her seventies and an isolated student have died under suspicious circumstances, Hiroshi is after a band of scammers who prey on retired people and steal their retirement benefits and savings, not to mention their homes by way of their deeds. If this plot angers you as much as it does me, keep reading, because it gets better. Hiroshi is determined to track the culprits and bring them to justice. Just the thought of the elderly being taken advantage of and exploited is enough to get to the bottom of it. The setting is a shitamachi, an older city on the east side. Things get even more interesting when Detective Ishii enters the picture, whom Hiroshi partners with, as she has been running a women’s crime task force. Combining their areas of expertise is a brilliant idea.

Having read and enjoyed Pronko’s “Tokyo Traffic,” I knew I was in for a treat, and I wasn’t disappointed. This author digs into modern social issues and turns them into page-turning crime dramas. His style is crisp, clean, and durable. When you read Pronko’s writing, you know he’s done his homework in the detective world, and you know you can trust him to lead you through the intricacies of an investigation. He makes Tokyo come to life for readers who are curious about the city and wonder what it’s like there.

I love how the author carefully crafts each character so that they are rich and realistic. The dialogue is fresh and direct, and with the character sketches listed at the beginning, you have a handy reference if you want to go back and look. One of the traits I like best about Detective Hiroshi is that he puts the brakes on his own life to tackle this scammer case. He is truly dedicated.

An ex-sumo wrestler named Chief Sakaguchi is looking out for Hiroshi and is a big help in digging into the scammer mystery. The pacing of this story is pitch-perfect, and the conflicts are well-conceived and executed. It’s a simple story told in intricate layers. Pronko’s style of writing is one you can quickly become a fan of. But even in the gritty storytelling, you get a sense of positivity. The subjects are serious, but it isn’t all doom and gloom, and you are left with a satisfying ending. And Hiroshi is a great detective character. If you read any detective novels this year, “Shitamachi Scam” (Detective Hiroshi Series Book 6) by Michael Pronko should be one of them.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning crime thriller in which the brilliant, fussy Detective Hiroshi deftly unravels a truly masterful criminal enterprise.

Michael Pronko’s newest Detective Hiroshi novel finds the brilliant police investigator — who is typically more comfortable behind a desk – taking to the streets in a deadly undercover sting operation.

Hiroshi watches as the intended target, an elderly woman named Ueno, is accosted outside a bank by a scam artist named Takuya. Ueno does exactly what the police trained her to do, but their plan ends in disaster when a teenaged bag snatcher on a scooter comes out of nowhere. The ensuing accident kills Ueno and badly injures the driver, while Takuya escapes in the rambling lanes of old Tokyo.

What are the odds that two thieves would target the same victim at the same time? Takuya – the leader of a group that routinely scams elderly women – thinks he may have been set up. Hiroshi doesn’t believe in coincidences, either – a hunch that is confirmed when he interviews the scooter driver’s accomplice. The forensic accountant will soon learn that the scam they’ve been investigating is only a small piece of a far larger and more sinister operation targeting the elderly.

With each Hiroshi series novel, Pronko reveals increasingly visceral details about the detective’s weaknesses and peculiar superpowers – a series-long character arc that is endlessly entertaining. Here, the always-squeamish Hiroshi actively avoids looking at the crime scene photos, and can barely stand to hear about second-and-third-degree skin abrasions. Conversely, he wows with his savant-like ability to associate criminal activity to complex financial crimes. The Hiroshi effect is on full display in the latter half of the novel, as he stuns his colleagues with a dizzying investigative hypothesis that attempts to link building inspections, tax subsidies, mysteriously placed cameras and blackmail. As the novel progresses towards its breathtaking conclusion, the fully realized criminal conspiracy Hiroshi uncovers can only be described as masterful.

As in other books, Pronko succeeds in delivering yet another dimension of the megacity that is Tokyo. Shitamachi is the traditional name for the lower part of the old city, where “lanes had been formed as footpaths hundreds of years before cars.” The streets are a tangle, many of them too narrow for cars, some ending in dead-ends, others seeming to zig-zag endlessly. Pronko uses these areas for great atmospheric effect, gradually building a sense of darkness and claustrophobia while erecting a landscape primed for white-knuckled physicality. Even the book’s climactic action scene – involving the unlikely combination of skateboarders, water taxis, cherry blossom partiers and helicopters – bursts with extravagance, yet feels deliciously noir-ish in execution. It’s a world readers will relish being immersed in, and will hate to leave once the final page is read.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Pronko's latest novel presents a compelling and intricately crafted crime story centered around Detective Hiroshi and his team as they navigate the complexities of a chilling case. The narrative delves into the investigation of a ruthless group of scammers who prey specifically on the retired and elderly, aiming to deceitfully strip them of their life savings. As the story unfolds, Hiroshi skillfully connects a series of murders to these fraudsters, leading to an in-depth and gripping inquiry.

The novel adeptly weaves various incidents, all tracing back to the same group, showcasing Hiroshi and his colleagues' determination to unravel and halt the nefarious activities of these criminals. Pronko's writing style is particularly noteworthy. His insightful and detailed prose engages the reader, maintaining a sense of intrigue throughout the narrative. Moreover, his vivid portrayal of Tokyo serves as an immersive backdrop and enriches the reader's experience, bringing the story's setting to life with remarkable clarity. The theme of the novel resonates deeply, as it mirrors a real-world issue - the exploitation of the elderly by scammers. Pronko addresses this sensitive topic with a nuanced and thoughtful approach, making the story entertaining and meaningful. The relevance of this theme may strike a chord with many readers, adding a layer of realism to the intriguing plot.

Shitamachi Scam is a well-crafted noir crime novel that combines a suspenseful storyline, rich character development, and a profound understanding of a significant societal issue. His skillful storytelling captivates and enlightens, making this book a noteworthy addition to the genre.

[Markmehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pronko Rides Again!

With his latest book, Shitimachi Scam, Pronko offers us a friendly explanation of a profound social, legal, & moral injustice; one that is not restricted to Tokyo or even Japan. He does this clearly and sympathetically but without hand-wringing. It must be difficult to do that, but he's always done it so well.

One way he does it is with complex superbly developed characters through whom we live the twists, turns, and suspense of a police team investigation. It's gnarley in every sense of the term. All along, our hero, Heroshi, is joined again by his stalwart longtime allies and by some new ones, too.

Pronko emphasizes the truly human perspective of all those involved - sympathizing with the victims but even explaining the motivations of the perpetrators - while not excusing them. 

He avoids the now-popular trend of making the villains seem to be victims of their upbringing or their social context. I'm thinking of two movies: 'The Joker' and the old 'The Unforgiven' (Clint Eastwood) western.

Readers will appreciate how the low-level perpetrators are not purely evil. They are human, and some do see the wisdom of going straight to get by legally and successfully in the future.

Even some heros are presented with opportunities that might improve their own futures. I hope Mr. Pronko allows us to follow along with all of them, the good and the bad, in upcoming novels in the series.

Fear not tender reader, you can start following Hiroshi with any one of Pronko's books in his series - Shitimachi Scam, for example. Try 'em! You'll like 'em!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great. I am back in Tokyo, eating wonderful foods in tiny diners, wandering little alleys, seeing sumo wrestlers and polite bowing.

This is one of the things so great about this series - the setting takes the reader to Tokyo, a place many of us are unlikely to ever visit. You really feel like you are there. But although the setting is exotic, the crime could almost be in any city. Although some of the details are peculiar to Japan, scamming, and especially scamming the elderly, is everywhere.

Hitoshi and the rest of his police squad are hot on the trail.
Hiroshi’s personal life is getting more complicated.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was as entertained by this book as much as the others in the series. I liked that the author showcased a different aspect of life in Tokyo. I admired Detective Hiroshi Shimizu and his co-workers who managed to solve another complicated case. I appreciated the author's ability to develop believable characters and to create a story in which the police procedures were so realistic that layers were added to the story. I've enjoyed Peter Berkrot's narrative skills as his performance brought the story to life. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[Sonja van der Westhuizen | West Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

The squeamish yet diligent Detective Hiroshi Shimizu returns in Shitamachi Scam, the sixth instalment of Tokyo-based Michael Pronko’s crime novel series. In 2022, Azabu Getaway transported readers to the cosmopolitan Azabu district, but this time the action takes place in an older, more traditional Shitamachi neighbourhood.

Full review on blog: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co... and Crime Fiction Lover.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult one for me to rate as the mystery and character development was quite well done, but not being familiar with Japan or so many of the Japanese terms, I found it to be a difficult read, which impeded my enjoyment. I did find the various characters complete with their interesting flaws and quirks to be fun and appreciated the main detective's problem with his work life balance. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital advance reading copy. 3.25/5

[Hagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read indeed. I won't spoil the ending by telling you the story, but a great crime novel in a very different culture - Japan. I think this is probably number 5 in the story line, so better to start at the beginning but you can still read this one first. I can't wait for the next one.

[Anne Sundqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this one is no exception. Mr Pronko is a great story teller with his knowledge of Japan and Tokyo in particular. Apart from being entertained and absorped one learns something new with every book

[Aristotle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentrification
The character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses
How far will developers go to displace the current inhabitants? Murder?

Another good read with Detective Hiroshi his crew and the Japanese cuisine.

[Nancy]

DNF at 33%. The characters spent a lot of time eating and drinking and complaining about the noise in their office, and not a lot of time solving the mystery. I did like the descriptions of the old section of Tokyo.

[Brian Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not the best

Always fascinating dipping into Japanese culture seen thru the eyes of an author who understands American culture. Plot meanders a bit, and some of the many many characters are underdeveloped, but still an enjoyable read.

[JXR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty darn decent mystery that's well written. the reveal is a bit shocking and fitting, and the combined skillset works great. thanks for the DRC.

[Frank Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth book in a series that continues to be creative innovative, and entertaining. I’m looking forward to the seventh book in the series.

[Richard Pelroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Michael Pronko.

Tight interesting plot about a culture we in the West know little know about . Looking forward to his next installment.

[Sreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard work, nearly didn’t finish it. Needed better editing and tightening it up. Disappointing after The Moving Blade.

[shazia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book . The book is set in Tokyo . The storyline deals with the senior citizens being scammed, the murders to keep their scammed unnoticed and how the police eventually get the people behind it . After many twists and turns the story ends . As always it is the rich who are out to get the vulnerable people , who pay a heavy price .