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Assassins #3
Il sicario che non voleva uccidere
Kabuto, uno dei sicari piú letali di Tokyo, è a un passo dall'andare in pensione. Ma prima di ritirarsi, dovrà vedersela con una moglie irascibile, un agente doppiogiochista e una pletora di crudeli assassini affiliati a pericolosissime gang giapponesi.
Dopo I sette killer dello Shinkansen, diventato un film con Brad Pitt, e La vendetta del professor Suzuki, l'ultimo capitolo della leggendaria trilogia dei killer. Kabuto è un assassino di professione che vorrebbe soltanto smettere di vivere una doppia esistenza e dedicarsi pienamente alla moglie e al figlio, a cui da anni nasconde la sua vera identità fingendosi un venditore di articoli di cancelleria. A mettergli i bastoni tra le ruote però è il suo medico personale, che lavora per lui come intermediario e per nulla al mondo rinuncerebbe ai guadagni che Kabuto gli procura. Cosí, tra goffi tentativi di non essere scoperto dalla famiglia, incombenze domestiche ed estenuanti missioni omicide ogni volta piú pericolose, Kabuto dovrà trovare a tutti i costi il modo di abbandonare la scena criminale.
«I romanzi di Isaka Kotaro sono una miscela di Agatha Christie, Quentin Tarantino e action movie giapponesi».
La Lettura - Corriere della Sera
Dopo I sette killer dello Shinkansen, diventato un film con Brad Pitt, e La vendetta del professor Suzuki, l'ultimo capitolo della leggendaria trilogia dei killer. Kabuto è un assassino di professione che vorrebbe soltanto smettere di vivere una doppia esistenza e dedicarsi pienamente alla moglie e al figlio, a cui da anni nasconde la sua vera identità fingendosi un venditore di articoli di cancelleria. A mettergli i bastoni tra le ruote però è il suo medico personale, che lavora per lui come intermediario e per nulla al mondo rinuncerebbe ai guadagni che Kabuto gli procura. Cosí, tra goffi tentativi di non essere scoperto dalla famiglia, incombenze domestiche ed estenuanti missioni omicide ogni volta piú pericolose, Kabuto dovrà trovare a tutti i costi il modo di abbandonare la scena criminale.
«I romanzi di Isaka Kotaro sono una miscela di Agatha Christie, Quentin Tarantino e action movie giapponesi».
La Lettura - Corriere della Sera
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2017
170 people are currently reading
6327 people want to read
About the author
Kōtarō Isaka
132 books740 followersKōtarō Isaka (伊坂幸太郎, Isaka Koutarou) is a Japanese author of mystery fiction.
Isaka was born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the law faculty of Tohoku University, he worked as a system engineer. Isaka quit his company job and focused on writing after hearing Kazuyoshi Saito's 1997 song "Kōfuku na Chōshoku Taikutsu na Yūshoku", and the two have collaborated several times. In 2000, Isaka won the Shincho Mystery Club Prize for his debut novel Ōdyubon no Inori, after which he became a full-time writer.
In 2002, Isaka's novel Lush Life gained much critical acclaim, but it was his Naoki Prize-nominated work Jūryoku Piero (2003) that brought him popular success. His following work Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā won the 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.
Jūryoku Piero (2003), Children (2004), Grasshopper (2004), Shinigami no Seido (2005) and Sabaku (2006) were all nominated for the Naoki Prize.
Isaka was the only author in Japan to be nominated for the Hon'ya Taishō in each of the award's first four years, finally winning in 2008 with Golden Slumber. The same work also won the 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.
Isaka was born in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the law faculty of Tohoku University, he worked as a system engineer. Isaka quit his company job and focused on writing after hearing Kazuyoshi Saito's 1997 song "Kōfuku na Chōshoku Taikutsu na Yūshoku", and the two have collaborated several times. In 2000, Isaka won the Shincho Mystery Club Prize for his debut novel Ōdyubon no Inori, after which he became a full-time writer.
In 2002, Isaka's novel Lush Life gained much critical acclaim, but it was his Naoki Prize-nominated work Jūryoku Piero (2003) that brought him popular success. His following work Ahiru to Kamo no Koin Rokkā won the 25th Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers.
Jūryoku Piero (2003), Children (2004), Grasshopper (2004), Shinigami no Seido (2005) and Sabaku (2006) were all nominated for the Naoki Prize.
Isaka was the only author in Japan to be nominated for the Hon'ya Taishō in each of the award's first four years, finally winning in 2008 with Golden Slumber. The same work also won the 21st Yamamoto Shūgorō Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
May 25, 2024
The Mantis
By Kotaro Isaka
This is mainly about one man, his personal life, as a family man, and an assassin. Although he is a cold-blooded killer, he fears his manipulative wife. He also finds comfort and happiness with his college son. This book takes him through jobs, threats, stress, and dealing with life on multiple levels. I almost forgot he was an assassin at times. Super interesting! Really enjoyed it!
By Kotaro Isaka
This is mainly about one man, his personal life, as a family man, and an assassin. Although he is a cold-blooded killer, he fears his manipulative wife. He also finds comfort and happiness with his college son. This book takes him through jobs, threats, stress, and dealing with life on multiple levels. I almost forgot he was an assassin at times. Super interesting! Really enjoyed it!
August 10, 2023
I've been a big fan of Kotaro Isaka since reading Bullet Train (which was then 'Hollywoodised' in an entertaining enough film that went for big crashes and explosions with a pretty much completely western cast when really the book worked better). I enjoyed his follow up, Three Assassins - another tale of contract killers in Tokyo, so I was thrilled to get a copy of his new book The Mantis.
The protagonist of the novel, Kabuto, is a father, husband, office worker and assassin. The order of his responsibilities is the core of the novel. Kabuto wants out of the killing business. His doctor, who hands out prescriptions to him, is insistent he does not stop his 'treatment'. Oh, and the doctor is his handler, the prescriptions are jobs, and if Kabuto does stop 'treatment', he and his family could be at serious risk...
There are call backs to the previous novels and key characters - we're in some sort of Isaka universe here where one might start to think you can't visit Tokyo without every second person being a killer of some sort.
There are similar themes explored in the previous books - family duty and honour, disaffection with one's role in life, And of course, hit jobs.
But The Mantis is, for me, the strongest of Isaka's works in English so far. It's a very good translation - as were the other books, that captures the Japanese style and essence, while being, I would say, more accessible than Three Assassins. It's also, stylistically, more adventurous than the previous books. There's a 'twist' 60% through the books that affects everything and everyone in the story, and how we read the book that really worked for me. (No spoilers). For western readers there are a couple of key elements that might be considered 'tropes' or 'cliiches'. But viewing through the lens of Japanese, these are challenging and quite different from anything else I have read.
There's the same dark humour and deceptively simplistic dialogue mixed in with some philosophical and historical ponderings that I really enjoyed. Kabuto is a likable, if emotionally schizophrenic, character - probably more closely drawn than any of the others I've read in Isaka's books, and by moving away from ensemble killer casts to focus on an individual, this felt like a different enough take on the assassin to keep me engaged throughout.
Like all of Isaka's books, I found this a fast, (mostly) fun read and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
The protagonist of the novel, Kabuto, is a father, husband, office worker and assassin. The order of his responsibilities is the core of the novel. Kabuto wants out of the killing business. His doctor, who hands out prescriptions to him, is insistent he does not stop his 'treatment'. Oh, and the doctor is his handler, the prescriptions are jobs, and if Kabuto does stop 'treatment', he and his family could be at serious risk...
There are call backs to the previous novels and key characters - we're in some sort of Isaka universe here where one might start to think you can't visit Tokyo without every second person being a killer of some sort.
There are similar themes explored in the previous books - family duty and honour, disaffection with one's role in life, And of course, hit jobs.
But The Mantis is, for me, the strongest of Isaka's works in English so far. It's a very good translation - as were the other books, that captures the Japanese style and essence, while being, I would say, more accessible than Three Assassins. It's also, stylistically, more adventurous than the previous books. There's a 'twist' 60% through the books that affects everything and everyone in the story, and how we read the book that really worked for me. (No spoilers). For western readers there are a couple of key elements that might be considered 'tropes' or 'cliiches'. But viewing through the lens of Japanese, these are challenging and quite different from anything else I have read.
There's the same dark humour and deceptively simplistic dialogue mixed in with some philosophical and historical ponderings that I really enjoyed. Kabuto is a likable, if emotionally schizophrenic, character - probably more closely drawn than any of the others I've read in Isaka's books, and by moving away from ensemble killer casts to focus on an individual, this felt like a different enough take on the assassin to keep me engaged throughout.
Like all of Isaka's books, I found this a fast, (mostly) fun read and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
July 25, 2023
Cảm ơn ba đã vất vả vì tụi con.
Trong mắt gia đình, Miyake là một người đàn ông bình thường như bao người đàn ông khác. Nhưng thực tế, Miyake là một sát thủ với bí danh "Kabuto", và anh ta luôn cố gắng che giấu "bí mật" này với gia đình - bảo đảm sự an toàn cho họ nhất có thể.
Là Tập 3 trong series "Thế giới sát thủ". So với hai tập trước, 恐妻家 có một cốt truyện nhẹ nhàng và sâu lắng. Cuốn sách chia ra thành những mẩu truyện ngắn xoay quanh cuộc sống của "Kabuto".
Isaka Kotaro thể hiện sự hài hước trong cuốn sách. "Kabuto" đã trải qua những nhiệm vụ tàn bạo, nhưng điều khiến anh ta sợ hãi chính là cô vợ. "Kabuto" sẽ cố gắng nhẹ nhàng nhất khi về muộn - mà không đánh thức vợ, cố gắng chọn các món ăn có tiếng động nhẹ khi nhai (như chuối); cố cân bằng mọi thứ đúng ý cô vợ.
Bên cạnh đó, điều khiến cuốn sách đặc biệt nằm ở cách Isaka Kotaro cân bằng giữa hai thái cực trong cuộc sống của "Kabuto":
• Một sát thủ phải hoàn thành nhiệm vụ được giao dù cho đó là hành động máu lạnh. Và "Kabuto" cũng là một người bạn biết sẻ chia.
• Một người chồng/cha luôn yêu thương vợ và cậu con trai đang ở tuổi trưởng thành. Chính "Kabuto" hiểu rõ công việc của anh ta sẽ ảnh hưởng đến gia đình, và anh ta sẽ cố gắng vì bảo vệ họ, dù chỉ chỉ là âm thầm.
=> Chính "Kabuto" hiểu rõ, muốn rút khỏi nghề nghiệp sát thủ này cũng là một điều hết sức nguy hiểm.
Nếu ai đó mong đợi một tác phẩm hồi hộp, giật gân thì 恐妻家 không phải sự lựa chọn đó. Mình yêu thích cách Isaka phát họa cuộc sống yên bình của "Kabuto" - những khoảnh khắc đơn giản nhưng lại ấm áp đến kỳ lạ. Cân bằng nội tâm đầy mâu thuẫn của "Kabuto" trong "nhiệm vụ".
Sau cùng, phần cuối truyện thể hiện rõ một Isaka Kotaro mà mình muốn đọc, một câu chuyện gia đình đầy cảm động.
Cảm ơn ba đã vất vả vì tụi con.
Trong mắt gia đình, Miyake là một người đàn ông bình thường như bao người đàn ông khác. Nhưng thực tế, Miyake là một sát thủ với bí danh "Kabuto", và anh ta luôn cố gắng che giấu "bí mật" này với gia đình - bảo đảm sự an toàn cho họ nhất có thể.
Là Tập 3 trong series "Thế giới sát thủ". So với hai tập trước, 恐妻家 có một cốt truyện nhẹ nhàng và sâu lắng. Cuốn sách chia ra thành những mẩu truyện ngắn xoay quanh cuộc sống của "Kabuto".
Isaka Kotaro thể hiện sự hài hước trong cuốn sách. "Kabuto" đã trải qua những nhiệm vụ tàn bạo, nhưng điều khiến anh ta sợ hãi chính là cô vợ. "Kabuto" sẽ cố gắng nhẹ nhàng nhất khi về muộn - mà không đánh thức vợ, cố gắng chọn các món ăn có tiếng động nhẹ khi nhai (như chuối); cố cân bằng mọi thứ đúng ý cô vợ.
Bên cạnh đó, điều khiến cuốn sách đặc biệt nằm ở cách Isaka Kotaro cân bằng giữa hai thái cực trong cuộc sống của "Kabuto":
• Một sát thủ phải hoàn thành nhiệm vụ được giao dù cho đó là hành động máu lạnh. Và "Kabuto" cũng là một người bạn biết sẻ chia.
• Một người chồng/cha luôn yêu thương vợ và cậu con trai đang ở tuổi trưởng thành. Chính "Kabuto" hiểu rõ công việc của anh ta sẽ ảnh hưởng đến gia đình, và anh ta sẽ cố gắng vì bảo vệ họ, dù chỉ chỉ là âm thầm.
=> Chính "Kabuto" hiểu rõ, muốn rút khỏi nghề nghiệp sát thủ này cũng là một điều hết sức nguy hiểm.
Nếu ai đó mong đợi một tác phẩm hồi hộp, giật gân thì 恐妻家 không phải sự lựa chọn đó. Mình yêu thích cách Isaka phát họa cuộc sống yên bình của "Kabuto" - những khoảnh khắc đơn giản nhưng lại ấm áp đến kỳ lạ. Cân bằng nội tâm đầy mâu thuẫn của "Kabuto" trong "nhiệm vụ".
Sau cùng, phần cuối truyện thể hiện rõ một Isaka Kotaro mà mình muốn đọc, một câu chuyện gia đình đầy cảm động.
Cảm ơn ba đã vất vả vì tụi con.
October 9, 2023
4.5
This book really grew on me. Bullet Train is a film I keep meaning to watch and I bright Three Assassins but still haven't read it so when I saw this I didn't put it together that it was the same author.
Anyway, Kabuto is the main character. He's an assassin who is getting tired of doing the job. He works in office supplies during the day and so far as his wife and son are concerned that's all he does. When he's at home Kabuto is always trying to please his wife and look after his son. The two sides of his life don't sit well together and Kabuto wants out. However his handler has no desire to agree to this.
The first half of the book gives us a pretty accurate picture of Kabuto who, apart from all the killing, is the perfect family man. The second half of the book deals with Kitsumi (Kabuto's son) and his efforts to be as good a father as Kabuto to his own son.
What starts out as a book about an assassin somewhere along the line turns into a touching look at family life and the lengths some people will go to to protect their loved ones.
I don't quite know where in the book but at some point I fell in love with it. It's genuinely different to anything I've read before and completely unlike any Japanese fiction I've read either. Of course now I've got to read Bullet Train and Three Assassins because I'm intrigued. (The Mantis is the third in a loose trilogy).
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the advance review copy.
This book really grew on me. Bullet Train is a film I keep meaning to watch and I bright Three Assassins but still haven't read it so when I saw this I didn't put it together that it was the same author.
Anyway, Kabuto is the main character. He's an assassin who is getting tired of doing the job. He works in office supplies during the day and so far as his wife and son are concerned that's all he does. When he's at home Kabuto is always trying to please his wife and look after his son. The two sides of his life don't sit well together and Kabuto wants out. However his handler has no desire to agree to this.
The first half of the book gives us a pretty accurate picture of Kabuto who, apart from all the killing, is the perfect family man. The second half of the book deals with Kitsumi (Kabuto's son) and his efforts to be as good a father as Kabuto to his own son.
What starts out as a book about an assassin somewhere along the line turns into a touching look at family life and the lengths some people will go to to protect their loved ones.
I don't quite know where in the book but at some point I fell in love with it. It's genuinely different to anything I've read before and completely unlike any Japanese fiction I've read either. Of course now I've got to read Bullet Train and Three Assassins because I'm intrigued. (The Mantis is the third in a loose trilogy).
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the advance review copy.
May 29, 2024
The story about a living family father who also works as an assassin. At one point hé wants to stop his extra job as hé loves his son so much and respects and loves his wife. His employer does not want him to stop of course. So there is the crisis.
An excellent morality tale by the writer of the Bullet Train & three assassins, of which there is an extract at the end of the novel. So this book is actually 226 pages long.
I read the previous two novels who are conected to this one by sharing some of the character names and the Train misadventure is spoken about. Picking this book up is a no-brainer, it delivers more from the world of assassins and is yet different altogether. This fall a new installment gets it translation so I know I Will get a copy of this.
This very flawed human in this book is well characterised by its writer and is sympathetic to its reader which in itself is a tour the force.
A very captivating writer with this series of books.
Well worth your reading time.
An excellent morality tale by the writer of the Bullet Train & three assassins, of which there is an extract at the end of the novel. So this book is actually 226 pages long.
I read the previous two novels who are conected to this one by sharing some of the character names and the Train misadventure is spoken about. Picking this book up is a no-brainer, it delivers more from the world of assassins and is yet different altogether. This fall a new installment gets it translation so I know I Will get a copy of this.
This very flawed human in this book is well characterised by its writer and is sympathetic to its reader which in itself is a tour the force.
A very captivating writer with this series of books.
Well worth your reading time.
December 30, 2024
A loose standalone plotline that gets me intrigued as it revolved around a new hitman character which I haven’t came across before from the previous instalments. I followed Kabuto; a highly skilled assassin in a journey to escape his dangerous profession and the hold of his handler, a sinister Doctor who keeps bugging him with assignments and threats before he could finally quit.
Both backdrop and its storytelling were not much to my fav as it feels too monotonous, slow-moving and less riveting for a criminal underworld narrative; nothing too thrilling or that gore and it feels like Isaka loves to kill his own punchline that at times most scenes ended too underwhelming for me. The plot mostly explored on Kabuto’s psychological struggles of wanting to quit his position as well on familial issue and personal conflict he encountered in between being a husband, a father and a hitman. Too mild on the suspense part, bit unsettling and emotionally-driven and somehow I love the interactions and dynamics of Kabuto and his son, Katsumi— the household drama can be quite amusing yet so affecting considering how Kabuto was trying to settle down while stuck within his limited choices and those threats he received.
Glimpses of cameos from Lemon and Tangerine also a bit about Hornet and Pusher. That unforeseen friendship of Kabuto and Nanomura during the last assignment brought me to a more gripping narrative in the later chapter; a twisty aftermath with a 10-year after setting narrated through Katsumi’s perspective and Kabuto on the day that tragedy happened. Lots of twists and turns in this part and I love its sentimental and engrossing exploration that I go wanting to increase my rating because of the revelations. Heart-breaking yet it did give me a smile on the last page.
“Life sure is interesting. I think I’ll keep on living.”
3.8/5 stars.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
Both backdrop and its storytelling were not much to my fav as it feels too monotonous, slow-moving and less riveting for a criminal underworld narrative; nothing too thrilling or that gore and it feels like Isaka loves to kill his own punchline that at times most scenes ended too underwhelming for me. The plot mostly explored on Kabuto’s psychological struggles of wanting to quit his position as well on familial issue and personal conflict he encountered in between being a husband, a father and a hitman. Too mild on the suspense part, bit unsettling and emotionally-driven and somehow I love the interactions and dynamics of Kabuto and his son, Katsumi— the household drama can be quite amusing yet so affecting considering how Kabuto was trying to settle down while stuck within his limited choices and those threats he received.
Glimpses of cameos from Lemon and Tangerine also a bit about Hornet and Pusher. That unforeseen friendship of Kabuto and Nanomura during the last assignment brought me to a more gripping narrative in the later chapter; a twisty aftermath with a 10-year after setting narrated through Katsumi’s perspective and Kabuto on the day that tragedy happened. Lots of twists and turns in this part and I love its sentimental and engrossing exploration that I go wanting to increase my rating because of the revelations. Heart-breaking yet it did give me a smile on the last page.
“Life sure is interesting. I think I’ll keep on living.”
3.8/5 stars.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review!
April 17, 2024
3.5 Another enjoyable hitman-themed comedic psychodrama from Kitaro. Still not quite as epic as Bullet Train but more consistent than 3 Assassins. An introverted hired killer with a teenage son and a nit-picky wife is beginning to feel the weight of his double life. His family thinks he is a distant workaholic probably having an affair but when he meets another professional under a salary man disguise, he thinks maybe he has finally found a friend. Unveils the language of espionage in everyday life, as characters maintain elaborate secrets and games with the loved ones who it remains too dangerous to let in. Kitaro’s style could almost be described as Kafkaesque satire mixed with Golgo 13.
September 5, 2024
The Mantis is the third installment of Kōtarō Isaka’s Assassins series and I think it’s my favorite story so far. The series is mostly standalones but the assassins featured show up in every book which is kinda nice if you like interconnected stories and cameos.
The Mantis was the most emotional and touching book in the series. We follow Kabuto, a man who strives to make his wife happy (and is sort of scared of her) and tries to be a good father to a kid that sees him as pathetic. He has a shitty job and he’s nothing special, but in reality, he also gets calls from the Doctor to fill out prescriptions and conduct surgeries... aka killing people. Kabuto wants to quit, he wants to focus on his family, but that’s easier said than done - the Doc won’t let him quit and assassins are going after him.
I don’t know what’s with Isaka’s books. I usually don’t care about thrillers, but I snort them like coke. They feel like a hug. Sam Malissa’s translations are impeccable and the book characters are so insanely likable. Lemon and Tangerine from Bullet Train make a tiny cameo and it made my day, I love these two idiots.
The last chapter was a beautiful wrap up to this story. I genuinely wasn’t expecting the twist in the ending of Exit and what we find out in Fine. I don’t know how the next book is going to top this up, I loved it.
The Mantis was the most emotional and touching book in the series. We follow Kabuto, a man who strives to make his wife happy (and is sort of scared of her) and tries to be a good father to a kid that sees him as pathetic. He has a shitty job and he’s nothing special, but in reality, he also gets calls from the Doctor to fill out prescriptions and conduct surgeries... aka killing people. Kabuto wants to quit, he wants to focus on his family, but that’s easier said than done - the Doc won’t let him quit and assassins are going after him.
I don’t know what’s with Isaka’s books. I usually don’t care about thrillers, but I snort them like coke. They feel like a hug. Sam Malissa’s translations are impeccable and the book characters are so insanely likable. Lemon and Tangerine from Bullet Train make a tiny cameo and it made my day, I love these two idiots.
The last chapter was a beautiful wrap up to this story. I genuinely wasn’t expecting the twist in the ending of Exit and what we find out in Fine. I don’t know how the next book is going to top this up, I loved it.
December 12, 2022
เล่มสุดท้ายในชุดไตรภาคนักฆ่าของ อ โคทาโร่
หลังจากเปิดด้วยการเกริ่นนำโลกของนักฆ่าในเล่มเเรก ระเบิกเเอ็คชั่นปั่นป่วนในเล่มสอง ก็มาสู่เล่มสุดท้ายที่เรียบง่าย ตรง��ปตรงมาที่สุดในสามเล่ม
เล่มสุดท้ายเล่าเรื่องของนักฆ่าที่ต้องการออกจากวงการเเล้ว เหนื่อยมามากเเล้ว อยากมีเวลาดูเเลครอบครัวมากกว่าจะมาห้ำหั่นชีวิตของคนอื่น พล็อตเเนวนี้มีให้เห็นในหนังสือค่อนข้างเยอะ จุดต่างเลยอยู่ที่ว่า อ เเกจะออกตอนจบมาในลักษณะไหน
ถึงเเม้หน้าหนังสือจะดูเหมือนเป็นนิยายตลก เเซวพวกพ่อบ้านใจกล้า เเต่ผมว่ามันคือนิยายเเนวครอบครัวดีๆเล่มนึงเลยนะ พ่อที่เเม้จะดูกลัวเมียซะเหลือเกิน เเต่จริงๆก็มีเหตุให้เป็นเเบบนั้นซึ่งเป็นอะไรที่น่าเศร้าอยู่นะ ส่วนเมียเเละลูกในเรื่องนี้คือคนที่ไม่รู้อะไรเลยเกี่ยวกับคุณพ่อที่หน้าฉากคือเซลล์ขายเครื่องเขียน เเต่จริงๆเเล้วคือนักฆ่าชั้นเซียนชื่อดังของวงการ ตัวคุณพ่อเลยถูกดูเเคลนอยู่นิดๆว่าหงอเเท้พ่อของเรา ทั้งๆที่ถ้ามองในมุมนึงก็เป็นคุณพ่อสุดอบอุ่นที่ดูเเลครอบครัวได้เป็นอย่างดี
จริงๆเล่มนี้คิดว่าเล่าเเค่นี้น่าจะดีที่สุดครับ อยากให้ไปลองเสพเนื้อเรื่องโดยไม่รู้อะไรเลยจะดีกว่า มันทั้งหักมุม เศร้าสร้อย เเต่ก็ยังทำให้เรายิ้มได้ ณ มุมหนึ่งของชีวิตของนักฆ่านาม ด้วงกว่าง ครับ
หลังจากเปิดด้วยการเกริ่นนำโลกของนักฆ่าในเล่มเเรก ระเบิกเเอ็คชั่นปั่นป่วนในเล่มสอง ก็มาสู่เล่มสุดท้ายที่เรียบง่าย ตรง��ปตรงมาที่สุดในสามเล่ม
เล่มสุดท้ายเล่าเรื่องของนักฆ่าที่ต้องการออกจากวงการเเล้ว เหนื่อยมามากเเล้ว อยากมีเวลาดูเเลครอบครัวมากกว่าจะมาห้ำหั่นชีวิตของคนอื่น พล็อตเเนวนี้มีให้เห็นในหนังสือค่อนข้างเยอะ จุดต่างเลยอยู่ที่ว่า อ เเกจะออกตอนจบมาในลักษณะไหน
ถึงเเม้หน้าหนังสือจะดูเหมือนเป็นนิยายตลก เเซวพวกพ่อบ้านใจกล้า เเต่ผมว่ามันคือนิยายเเนวครอบครัวดีๆเล่มนึงเลยนะ พ่อที่เเม้จะดูกลัวเมียซะเหลือเกิน เเต่จริงๆก็มีเหตุให้เป็นเเบบนั้นซึ่งเป็นอะไรที่น่าเศร้าอยู่นะ ส่วนเมียเเละลูกในเรื่องนี้คือคนที่ไม่รู้อะไรเลยเกี่ยวกับคุณพ่อที่หน้าฉากคือเซลล์ขายเครื่องเขียน เเต่จริงๆเเล้วคือนักฆ่าชั้นเซียนชื่อดังของวงการ ตัวคุณพ่อเลยถูกดูเเคลนอยู่นิดๆว่าหงอเเท้พ่อของเรา ทั้งๆที่ถ้ามองในมุมนึงก็เป็นคุณพ่อสุดอบอุ่นที่ดูเเลครอบครัวได้เป็นอย่างดี
จริงๆเล่มนี้คิดว่าเล่าเเค่นี้น่าจะดีที่สุดครับ อยากให้ไปลองเสพเนื้อเรื่องโดยไม่รู้อะไรเลยจะดีกว่า มันทั้งหักมุม เศร้าสร้อย เเต่ก็ยังทำให้เรายิ้มได้ ณ มุมหนึ่งของชีวิตของนักฆ่านาม ด้วงกว่าง ครับ
November 25, 2025
How do I keep getting really attached to these characters when they’re all hitmen????
I really love how so many things tie together when you’re not expecting them too. That “wait WHAT!?” moment is incredible and Isaka does a great job weaving his stories and characters together.
I really love how so many things tie together when you’re not expecting them too. That “wait WHAT!?” moment is incredible and Isaka does a great job weaving his stories and characters together.
November 3, 2023
“– Piuttosto, sei proprio diventato grande! – Come? – Anche tu ormai hai un figlio, come passa il tempo! – Che c’entra ora questo discorso? – Ho cominciato a temere che non ci stesse piú col cervello.
– E assomigli sempre di piú a tuo padre…”
Con questo romanzo si conclude la trilogia dei Killer iniziata con “I sette killer dello Shinkansen”. Se il primo volume della trilogia si presentava come un enorme caos (tanto da farmi desistere nel leggere il secondo), questo è più introspettivo e più lento.
Il protagonista Kabuto, in prossimità della pensione, vuole congedarsi dal proprio lavoro, chiudendo la doppia vita e la doppia attività, per vivere gli ultimi anni alla “luce del sole”. Ma non tutti sono d’accordo con questa sua decisione. Primo fra tutti, il Medico.
“Non avevo avuto la sensazione di trovarmi di fronte un avversario cosí forte come me l’aveva descritto in precedenza il Medico, ma dato che era molto abile in arti marziali cui non ero avvezzo e usava un’arma da taglio di un tipo a me sconosciuto, fronteggiarlo non era stato certo facile. Forse mi potevo ritenere fortunato a essermela cavata con una ferita cosí leggera. Sono entrato con i piedi in una pozzanghera, schizzando acqua tutt’intorno. Avevo sempre percorso strade buie e fangose. Fin da bambino non avevo amici, e mi ero abituato a camminare a testa bassa per vicoli nascosti. Forse perché non ero andato regolarmente a scuola, o magari per via della mia aria poco socievole, non riuscivo mai a ottenere un lavoro fisso, e quando alla fine pensavo di esserci riuscito, era illegale e causava dolore, lacrime e sangue.”
Katsumi saprà far luce sul passato oscuro del padre… e lo farà con uno sguardo amorevole e compassionevole, nonostante tutto.
“«Rimuovi dalla memoria tutto quello che è successo qui –. La voce del gestore della tintoria mi risuonava ancora nelle orecchie. – Puoi tranquillamente dimenticartene». «Dimenticare?» «Aspetta, di tuo padre no che non te ne devi dimenticare! – aveva aggiunto con un sorriso. – Però della parte oscura è meglio che non te ne ricordi».”
Dei tre volumi, questo è il più bello, anche se il secondo non lo ho ancora letto 😀
– E assomigli sempre di piú a tuo padre…”
Con questo romanzo si conclude la trilogia dei Killer iniziata con “I sette killer dello Shinkansen”. Se il primo volume della trilogia si presentava come un enorme caos (tanto da farmi desistere nel leggere il secondo), questo è più introspettivo e più lento.
Il protagonista Kabuto, in prossimità della pensione, vuole congedarsi dal proprio lavoro, chiudendo la doppia vita e la doppia attività, per vivere gli ultimi anni alla “luce del sole”. Ma non tutti sono d’accordo con questa sua decisione. Primo fra tutti, il Medico.
“Non avevo avuto la sensazione di trovarmi di fronte un avversario cosí forte come me l’aveva descritto in precedenza il Medico, ma dato che era molto abile in arti marziali cui non ero avvezzo e usava un’arma da taglio di un tipo a me sconosciuto, fronteggiarlo non era stato certo facile. Forse mi potevo ritenere fortunato a essermela cavata con una ferita cosí leggera. Sono entrato con i piedi in una pozzanghera, schizzando acqua tutt’intorno. Avevo sempre percorso strade buie e fangose. Fin da bambino non avevo amici, e mi ero abituato a camminare a testa bassa per vicoli nascosti. Forse perché non ero andato regolarmente a scuola, o magari per via della mia aria poco socievole, non riuscivo mai a ottenere un lavoro fisso, e quando alla fine pensavo di esserci riuscito, era illegale e causava dolore, lacrime e sangue.”
Katsumi saprà far luce sul passato oscuro del padre… e lo farà con uno sguardo amorevole e compassionevole, nonostante tutto.
“«Rimuovi dalla memoria tutto quello che è successo qui –. La voce del gestore della tintoria mi risuonava ancora nelle orecchie. – Puoi tranquillamente dimenticartene». «Dimenticare?» «Aspetta, di tuo padre no che non te ne devi dimenticare! – aveva aggiunto con un sorriso. – Però della parte oscura è meglio che non te ne ricordi».”
Dei tre volumi, questo è il più bello, anche se il secondo non lo ho ancora letto 😀
December 3, 2023
This has a very different energy from the previous two Isaka novels I read (BULLET TRAIN and ASSASSINS). Feels more like a series of vignettes than a novel until you're about halfway through and it starts to come together. And it has a much slower rhythm, a much less manic feel, even though it is set in the same universe that is so packed with unusual assassins and criminals. It is almost mundane, and its insistence on the overbearing wife subplot for so much is something you have to just grit your teeth and tolerate. But sticking with it does have its rewards. The second half becomes a much more complex story and we see that we've just had a lot of slowly laying groundwork to get here. With separate timelines and finally some very fun sequences with an array of double crosses, the journey is worth the destination.
December 5, 2023
Loved the fact that a grown man who killed people for a living was basically afraid of upsetting his wife. This book was much more wholesome than I was expecting in some ways.
June 2, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this.
I found this one to be the most human-feeling of the Assassins novels. I'd say Bullet Train was the most fun, Three Assassins was the weirdest, but The Mantis was extremely character-driven. Basically, the story follows Kabuto, an assassin who seems to have no fear of his targets but fears one thing: upsetting his wife. It's broken up into a series of what I would call "connected vignettes" following the same character and told chronologically, much in the same way like The Things They Carried. At first I thought it might have been on the misogynistic side, but this is really a story about a guy so deeply devoted to the family he's established that he'll do anything to keep that love going.
There's a slice-of-life quality to some of the vignettes, and it's definitely not as propulsive and fast-paced as the other two books, but it still has some of the high-octane action and mystery-type twists that made the first two books so much fun.
It's a nice-cap off to the series, and Sam Malissa's translation does wonders. It deals with similar themes as the other two books about the morality of killing, but it also has other themes in there too, about our place and role in the world, and what friendship is. It's not my favorite of the series, but it might be the most well-written. Keep your eyes peeled for the cameos and connections to the other books.
I found this one to be the most human-feeling of the Assassins novels. I'd say Bullet Train was the most fun, Three Assassins was the weirdest, but The Mantis was extremely character-driven. Basically, the story follows Kabuto, an assassin who seems to have no fear of his targets but fears one thing: upsetting his wife. It's broken up into a series of what I would call "connected vignettes" following the same character and told chronologically, much in the same way like The Things They Carried. At first I thought it might have been on the misogynistic side, but this is really a story about a guy so deeply devoted to the family he's established that he'll do anything to keep that love going.
There's a slice-of-life quality to some of the vignettes, and it's definitely not as propulsive and fast-paced as the other two books, but it still has some of the high-octane action and mystery-type twists that made the first two books so much fun.
It's a nice-cap off to the series, and Sam Malissa's translation does wonders. It deals with similar themes as the other two books about the morality of killing, but it also has other themes in there too, about our place and role in the world, and what friendship is. It's not my favorite of the series, but it might be the most well-written. Keep your eyes peeled for the cameos and connections to the other books.
July 22, 2024
ชอบไอเดียที่หยิบเอาเรื่องราวชีวิตครอบครัวของนักฆ่ามาเล่า ตอนหลังๆ ที่เริ่มแทรก pov ของลูกชายเข้ามาคือดีมาก ประทับใจซีนสุดท้ายมากๆ ตอนแรกอ่านแล้วงงนิดนึง แต่พอเข้าใจแล้วน้ำตาซึมเลย
July 8, 2023
Thank you to ABRAMS and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
First off, when I heard that a new book by the author of Bullet Train was coming out, I added it to my TBR list right away! The Mantis by Kotaro Isaka is a standalone book, but is set in the world of the loosely-connected series that started with Bullet Train. The story revolves around Kabuto, a top assassin who works for the Doctor. The Doctor gives Kabuto assignments to who to kill. But now that Kabuto has a family, he wants to get out of the business. To get out of the business alive, Kabuto will have to take on the most dangerous mission of his life!
Here is a gripping excerpt from the opening chapter:
"KABUTO SLIDES THE KEY INTO the front door lock. So slowly, but it still makes a loud ratcheting noise, which irritates him to no end. When are they going to invent a silent lock? Concentrating all his focus on his hand, he gingerly turns the key. The click of the unlock makes his stomach clench. He opens the door. The house is dark. Silent.
He slips off his shoes. Pads noiselessly down the hall. The lights are off in the living room. Everyone in the house seems to be asleep. Everyone of course being just two people."
Overall, The Mantis is an amazing thriller in translation that will appeal to fans of Bullet Train. I absolutely loved the author's other books, and this was no exception. At first, I thought that this book seemed to be a bit quieter and less action-packed, but I should not have doubted this author. After the beginning and set-up, the action ratchets up and up, and this was definitely a 5-star read for me.
One highlight of this book is how unputdownable it is. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. Another highlight of this book is the ending, which is absolutely amazing. I will definitely read anything that the author writes in the future! If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
First off, when I heard that a new book by the author of Bullet Train was coming out, I added it to my TBR list right away! The Mantis by Kotaro Isaka is a standalone book, but is set in the world of the loosely-connected series that started with Bullet Train. The story revolves around Kabuto, a top assassin who works for the Doctor. The Doctor gives Kabuto assignments to who to kill. But now that Kabuto has a family, he wants to get out of the business. To get out of the business alive, Kabuto will have to take on the most dangerous mission of his life!
Here is a gripping excerpt from the opening chapter:
"KABUTO SLIDES THE KEY INTO the front door lock. So slowly, but it still makes a loud ratcheting noise, which irritates him to no end. When are they going to invent a silent lock? Concentrating all his focus on his hand, he gingerly turns the key. The click of the unlock makes his stomach clench. He opens the door. The house is dark. Silent.
He slips off his shoes. Pads noiselessly down the hall. The lights are off in the living room. Everyone in the house seems to be asleep. Everyone of course being just two people."
Overall, The Mantis is an amazing thriller in translation that will appeal to fans of Bullet Train. I absolutely loved the author's other books, and this was no exception. At first, I thought that this book seemed to be a bit quieter and less action-packed, but I should not have doubted this author. After the beginning and set-up, the action ratchets up and up, and this was definitely a 5-star read for me.
One highlight of this book is how unputdownable it is. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. Another highlight of this book is the ending, which is absolutely amazing. I will definitely read anything that the author writes in the future! If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in November!
December 17, 2022
เดินทางมาถึงเล่มสุดท้ายของไตรภาคนักฆ่าที่ทำให้เราได้แต่ มีต่อได้มั้ย ฮือๆๆๆๆๆๆ อยากอ่านต่อ ทำไมมันสนุกขนาดนี้ จอห์น วิคยังมีภาค 4 ได้เลย ทำไมซีรี่ย์นักฆ่าของโคทาโร่จะมีแค่สามเล่มละ ขออีกได้มั้ย ได้มั้ย ได้โปรดดดดดดดด
จริงๆ เล่มนี้เราว่าเล่าแปลกกว่าเพื่อน พ้องเพื่อนนักฆ่าไม่ได้ทยอยกันออกมาเหมือนเล่มสอง ไม่ได้มีความเรื่องมันจะมาจบกันยังไงวะแบบเล่มแรก แต่มันกลมกล่อมกว่านั้นมาก เพราะเล่มนี้เราเรื่องคาบูโตะ (ด้วงกว่าง) นักฆ่าฝีมือฉกาจฉกรรจ์ในวงการแต่กลับกลัวเมียเป็นที่หนึ่ง วันหนึ่งคาบูโตะอยากเลิกฆ่าละ เรื่องราวมันเลยกลายเป็นในเรื่องที่ทำให้เราทั้งสนุก เอาใจช่วย แล้วก็ได้แต่นั่งคิดว่า เอ้ะ นี่ชั้นกำลังเอาใจช่วยคนที่ทำผิดศีลธรรมอยู่นะ ซึ่งเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นกับสองเล่มแรก นักฆ่าหรือตัวละครอื่นๆ ก็ตามในสองเล่มแรกเราไม่ค่อยเอาใจช่วยเท่าไร ใครจะเป็นยังไงก็ช่างเถอะ มันสนุกและได้ขบคิดกับเรื่องราวต่างๆ ที่โคทาโร่เซนเซย์ได้ตั้งคำถามเอาไว้ก็สนุกพอแล้ว แต่เล่มนี้คาบูโตะเป็นนักฆ่าที่เราอยากเอาใจช่วยจริงๆ แล้วพอมาจนถึงหน้าสุดท้ายก็ทำให้เราที่เบื่อๆ หนังสือที่กำลังอ่านช่วงนี้อยู่ถึง���ับอิ่มใจ แบบ อ่า นี่แหละ สิ่งที่ดิชั้นต้องการจากการอ่านมาตลอด ในที่สุดก็ได้พบแล้ว แบบนี้เลยค่ะ (เว่อร์ไปหน่อย แต่ช่วงนี้กำลัง reading slump อยู่ 5555) เป็นเล่มที่อ่านรวดเดียวจบเลยค่ะ
เห็นสนพ แนะนำว่าอ่านเล่มไหนก่อนหลังก็ได้ อันนี้จริง เพราะสุดท้ายเรื่องราวมันเชื่อมกันหมด เหมือนกับว่าอ่านเล่มสามก่อน แล้วไปอ่านเล่มแรกก็จะแบบ เอ้ะ ตัวละครนี้ในเล่มสามเคยพูดถึงนี่น่า ทำให้คิดถึงตัวละครเก่าๆ ค่ะ แต่คิดอีกที อ่านเรียง1-2-3 ก็จะได้อรรถรสกว่าเพราะมันเรียงตามไทม์ไลน์ เวลาอ่านเล่มสามแล้วพูดถึงอดีตก็จะได้ย้อนไปตามตัวละครด้วย เพราะงั้นส่วนตัวแนะนำอ่าน 1-2-3 ดีกว่าค่ะ
จริงๆ เล่มนี้เราว่าเล่าแปลกกว่าเพื่อน พ้องเพื่อนนักฆ่าไม่ได้ทยอยกันออกมาเหมือนเล่มสอง ไม่ได้มีความเรื่องมันจะมาจบกันยังไงวะแบบเล่มแรก แต่มันกลมกล่อมกว่านั้นมาก เพราะเล่มนี้เราเรื่องคาบูโตะ (ด้วงกว่าง) นักฆ่าฝีมือฉกาจฉกรรจ์ในวงการแต่กลับกลัวเมียเป็นที่หนึ่ง วันหนึ่งคาบูโตะอยากเลิกฆ่าละ เรื่องราวมันเลยกลายเป็นในเรื่องที่ทำให้เราทั้งสนุก เอาใจช่วย แล้วก็ได้แต่นั่งคิดว่า เอ้ะ นี่ชั้นกำลังเอาใจช่วยคนที่ทำผิดศีลธรรมอยู่นะ ซึ่งเป็นสิ่งที่ไม่ได้เกิดขึ้นกับสองเล่มแรก นักฆ่าหรือตัวละครอื่นๆ ก็ตามในสองเล่มแรกเราไม่ค่อยเอาใจช่วยเท่าไร ใครจะเป็นยังไงก็ช่างเถอะ มันสนุกและได้ขบคิดกับเรื่องราวต่างๆ ที่โคทาโร่เซนเซย์ได้ตั้งคำถามเอาไว้ก็สนุกพอแล้ว แต่เล่มนี้คาบูโตะเป็นนักฆ่าที่เราอยากเอาใจช่วยจริงๆ แล้วพอมาจนถึงหน้าสุดท้ายก็ทำให้เราที่เบื่อๆ หนังสือที่กำลังอ่านช่วงนี้อยู่ถึง���ับอิ่มใจ แบบ อ่า นี่แหละ สิ่งที่ดิชั้นต้องการจากการอ่านมาตลอด ในที่สุดก็ได้พบแล้ว แบบนี้เลยค่ะ (เว่อร์ไปหน่อย แต่ช่วงนี้กำลัง reading slump อยู่ 5555) เป็นเล่มที่อ่านรวดเดียวจบเลยค่ะ
เห็นสนพ แนะนำว่าอ่านเล่มไหนก่อนหลังก็ได้ อันนี้จริง เพราะสุดท้ายเรื่องราวมันเชื่อมกันหมด เหมือนกับว่าอ่านเล่มสามก่อน แล้วไปอ่านเล่มแรกก็จะแบบ เอ้ะ ตัวละครนี้ในเล่มสามเคยพูดถึงนี่น่า ทำให้คิดถึงตัวละครเก่าๆ ค่ะ แต่คิดอีกที อ่านเรียง1-2-3 ก็จะได้อรรถรสกว่าเพราะมันเรียงตามไทม์ไลน์ เวลาอ่านเล่มสามแล้วพูดถึงอดีตก็จะได้ย้อนไปตามตัวละครด้วย เพราะงั้นส่วนตัวแนะนำอ่าน 1-2-3 ดีกว่าค่ะ
December 1, 2024
Unless you're already a fan of Isaka's previous books in this semi-series — and I'm a BIG fan of both Bullet Train and the even better Three Assassins — I can totally understand readers bailing midway through, because the entire first half of this book is BO-RING. "A top assassin is afraid of his wife and is trying to connect with his teenage son;" and that is literally the whole thing; so you can now just start the damn book on page 125 and thank me later for the time I saved you.
But then…Isaka really shakes things up in the second half, with time jumps and plot twists and different voices; and while I did guess the final reveal a few pages before it happened (just one too many telegraphed clues), it did keep me in real suspense from that midpoint on.
So good on Isaka for turning a 2-star (at best) beginning into a 4-star finish…but that still averages out to a 3, and this just wasn't as good as the 4-star Bullet, much less the 5-star Assassins.
A fourth book in the series — Hotel Lucky Seven — just came out in English this month, so hopefully that will pull Isaka out of his "threequel slump" and return to form, and NOT give us something like — God forbid — "The Phantom Menace."
But then…Isaka really shakes things up in the second half, with time jumps and plot twists and different voices; and while I did guess the final reveal a few pages before it happened (just one too many telegraphed clues), it did keep me in real suspense from that midpoint on.
So good on Isaka for turning a 2-star (at best) beginning into a 4-star finish…but that still averages out to a 3, and this just wasn't as good as the 4-star Bullet, much less the 5-star Assassins.
A fourth book in the series — Hotel Lucky Seven — just came out in English this month, so hopefully that will pull Isaka out of his "threequel slump" and return to form, and NOT give us something like — God forbid — "The Phantom Menace."
June 5, 2024
Incredible. I could not have expected how touching this story is. There is very little "action" that takes place throughout the book (especially in the start) but it remains thrilling the entire time anyway. It's a great conclusion to the Assassins Trilogy, acting as a perfect standalone with various references to the older works. It makes me want to reread the series from the start, just to see Kabuto love his family one more time.
November 5, 2023
The book tells the story of an assassin who struggles balancing his personal and "professional" lives, culminating in struggles with retirement and the threats to his family associated with it. If it sounds like 100 movies you watched or heard about dealing with this topic - that's because this is exactly it.
There are some parts to the story that try to be refreshing - the contrast between the protagonist's professional persona and his private one, the complex relationships between our protagonist and his ageing peers, etc. The pacing of the book is quite good - while nothing surprising happens, the flow of events is tight and it's difficult to get bored. At a stretch, one could also argue that the description of the protagonist and the sacrifices he was willing to make quite moving.
That being said, there is much more to dislike about this book than to like. First of all, the extreme chauvinism and mysoginy embedded in the description of the progagonist's relationship with his wife is so galling that I genuinely considered stopping reading after 50 pages. While I wondered at first whether this was made for some unexplained purpose, it quickly became obvious, after reading about a few more relationships mirroring this one, that the author seems to have an axe grind to women (even of not some - most).
Secondly, the banality and predictability of the story are shameful. I felt this was literally like so many books and movies I remember. There was nothing new, innovative, interesting, ground-breaking or memorable here (other the misoginy perhaps).
Finally, the writing itself was just uneventful - the language was pedestrian (and of course it's hard to say if it's the original or the translation), the setting (in Japan) had to meaningful impact on the events, and the dialogues felt stale.
I struggle to recommend it to anyone. Maybe if you've never read or seen anything about serial killers and their struggles to retire. A strong pass.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There are some parts to the story that try to be refreshing - the contrast between the protagonist's professional persona and his private one, the complex relationships between our protagonist and his ageing peers, etc. The pacing of the book is quite good - while nothing surprising happens, the flow of events is tight and it's difficult to get bored. At a stretch, one could also argue that the description of the protagonist and the sacrifices he was willing to make quite moving.
That being said, there is much more to dislike about this book than to like. First of all, the extreme chauvinism and mysoginy embedded in the description of the progagonist's relationship with his wife is so galling that I genuinely considered stopping reading after 50 pages. While I wondered at first whether this was made for some unexplained purpose, it quickly became obvious, after reading about a few more relationships mirroring this one, that the author seems to have an axe grind to women (even of not some - most).
Secondly, the banality and predictability of the story are shameful. I felt this was literally like so many books and movies I remember. There was nothing new, innovative, interesting, ground-breaking or memorable here (other the misoginy perhaps).
Finally, the writing itself was just uneventful - the language was pedestrian (and of course it's hard to say if it's the original or the translation), the setting (in Japan) had to meaningful impact on the events, and the dialogues felt stale.
I struggle to recommend it to anyone. Maybe if you've never read or seen anything about serial killers and their struggles to retire. A strong pass.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 8, 2024
A bit disappointed by this book that I found too slow. I had high expectations given that I really liked the previous two books. I would have liked more action.
April 15, 2024
สนุกดี คนละอารมณ์กับสองเล่มแรกเลย
ควรอ่านตามลำดับ 1-2-3 ครับ
แต่จะไม่เรียงก็อาจจะได้
เล่มนี้ตอนจบผมยังแอบงงๆ ว่าตกลงตัวเอกตายหรือไม่ตาย
ควรอ่านตามลำดับ 1-2-3 ครับ
แต่จะไม่เรียงก็อาจจะได้
เล่มนี้ตอนจบผมยังแอบงงๆ ว่าตกลงตัวเอกตายหรือไม่ตาย
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
June 2024
Kindle edition
Bit of a confusing start. Went back and read Bullet train, then back to this one and all went smoothly. I saw the title for the next book and laugh groaned. Poor Nanao doesn’t get a break.
This one was Kabuto trying to balance being and father and an assassin, whilst trying to find a way out and pacify his wife. I did not like the wife. I did like the kindred souls getting together to vent their suffering.
The doctor set up was smooth and clever. Nice that the pusher made an appearance, although I was really hoping he’d faked his death. I need one of these assassins to survive. It was a shame his son didn’t get to see how many he helped. I cringed at the hornet nest. Ick. Good book.
Kindle edition
Bit of a confusing start. Went back and read Bullet train, then back to this one and all went smoothly. I saw the title for the next book and laugh groaned. Poor Nanao doesn’t get a break.
This one was Kabuto trying to balance being and father and an assassin, whilst trying to find a way out and pacify his wife. I did not like the wife. I did like the kindred souls getting together to vent their suffering.
The doctor set up was smooth and clever. Nice that the pusher made an appearance, although I was really hoping he’d faked his death. I need one of these assassins to survive. It was a shame his son didn’t get to see how many he helped. I cringed at the hornet nest. Ick. Good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2023
Una raccolta di racconti tra cui, secondo me, l'ultimo spicca per una serie di ragioni. Questo buffo e agghiacciante sicario un po' mi mancherà.
October 11, 2025
3.5 rounded up. Not as much action as in the first 2. The ending gave it the round up.
March 5, 2025
A decent and interesting, at times,read.
Nice characters, easy to follow plot, though I think that probably some things might have been stronger in meaning in the original text.
4/5
Nice characters, easy to follow plot, though I think that probably some things might have been stronger in meaning in the original text.
4/5
December 5, 2024
A darkly humorous satire about being stuck in a job you don't like that will be the end of you (even if you have a knack for it, and even if it turns out to be assassinating people) and a marriage that has gone stale. It's tragic in a domestic kind of way which is just fertile ground for the wry humor of Isaka. I enjoyed it's simplicity and pace, and it did still surprise me with a cool shift halfway through. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt but I liked the final idea of being grateful for the unspoken sacrifices of the people around you.
dnf
November 15, 2023DNF @23%
I can appreciate dry humor, but the whole book was just dry.
I can appreciate dry humor, but the whole book was just dry.
November 11, 2024
I knew I was gonna like this one after how much I adored Bullet Train and Three Assassins, but The Mantis might be Kōtarō Isaka’s best of his translated works. It has all the dry wit and humor of the other two, but what really shines through is what I’ve always enjoyed about his books, and that’s how likable and sympathetic his characters are. I love Kabuto so so much. I cannot describe how much I love him.
Yes, this book is a thriller, but it’s also not? It has all the tense fight scenes and drama you would expect, but it’s truly a story about a man and his family and his determination to be a good father and husband.
The twist broke my heart, and the last page shattered it into a million pieces. Thank you for destroying me Kōtarō Isaka I look forward to everything you ever write.
Yes, this book is a thriller, but it’s also not? It has all the tense fight scenes and drama you would expect, but it’s truly a story about a man and his family and his determination to be a good father and husband.
The twist broke my heart, and the last page shattered it into a million pieces. Thank you for destroying me Kōtarō Isaka I look forward to everything you ever write.
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