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Knives & Flames Series #1
The Little Sushi Chef
She chased her dream. It tried to kill her.
From USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson comes a thriller where ambition turns toxic, and every character has a knife.
Akiko Ono thought she’d won the lottery. A once-in-a-lifetime sushi apprenticeship—her dream come true.
But from day one, something felt wrong.
• Mandatory on-site residency
• Zero contact with the outside world
• Confiscated phones
What kind of apprenticeship demands this?
The kind where people disappear.
As tensions rise and rivals sharpen their knives, Akiko realizes someone doesn’t just want her to fail. They want her gone for good.
The opportunity of a lifetime is becoming a waking nightmare. If Akiko doesn’t uncover the truth behind the threats, she'll be next—and no one will see it coming.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Forced Proximity
• Deception & Betrayal
• High-Stakes with Deadly Consequences
• Underdog Triumphs
• Rivals to Lovers
The Little Sushi Chef is book one in the Knives & Flames thriller series.
Ready to step into the world’s most brutal kitchen? Grab your copy now.
From USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson comes a thriller where ambition turns toxic, and every character has a knife.
Akiko Ono thought she’d won the lottery. A once-in-a-lifetime sushi apprenticeship—her dream come true.
But from day one, something felt wrong.
• Mandatory on-site residency
• Zero contact with the outside world
• Confiscated phones
What kind of apprenticeship demands this?
The kind where people disappear.
As tensions rise and rivals sharpen their knives, Akiko realizes someone doesn’t just want her to fail. They want her gone for good.
The opportunity of a lifetime is becoming a waking nightmare. If Akiko doesn’t uncover the truth behind the threats, she'll be next—and no one will see it coming.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
• Forced Proximity
• Deception & Betrayal
• High-Stakes with Deadly Consequences
• Underdog Triumphs
• Rivals to Lovers
The Little Sushi Chef is book one in the Knives & Flames thriller series.
Ready to step into the world’s most brutal kitchen? Grab your copy now.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2025
46 people are currently reading
3935 people want to read
About the author
Ty Hutchinson
73 books661 followersTy Hutchinson is a USA Today bestselling author who writes dark, high-concept thrillers that punch hard and don't let up.
A full-time nomad since 2013, he blends real-world detail with twisted imagination to deliver binge-worthy stories—where the rules are bent, the stakes are high, and the exits are never marked.
Living everywhere and nowhere, he's drawn to strange things and peculiar people—almost always leading to one question: what if?
A full-time nomad since 2013, he blends real-world detail with twisted imagination to deliver binge-worthy stories—where the rules are bent, the stakes are high, and the exits are never marked.
Living everywhere and nowhere, he's drawn to strange things and peculiar people—almost always leading to one question: what if?
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 28, 2025
The Menu meets Squid Games 🍣🔪
The Little Sushi Chef is a unique dark thriller with an immersive setting. I was turning pages like crazy and finished this book in just two days.
Great popcorn thriller and reading slump buster!
The Little Sushi Chef is a unique dark thriller with an immersive setting. I was turning pages like crazy and finished this book in just two days.
Great popcorn thriller and reading slump buster!
August 2, 2025
Wow this ended on such a cliffhanger! If you love popcorn thrillers like Freida McFadden and then squid games - this is the perfect mix of those two!
Akiko has always dreamed of becoming the best sushi chef, and gets accepted at an internship under the chef in Japan.
Except this apprenticeship involves weird household chore tasks like scrubbing toilets, and deadly competitions.
She also has not just one but two familiar faces in the crowd of other competitors!
Will akiko make it to the end?
This was a blast, can’t wait to continue the series
Akiko has always dreamed of becoming the best sushi chef, and gets accepted at an internship under the chef in Japan.
Except this apprenticeship involves weird household chore tasks like scrubbing toilets, and deadly competitions.
She also has not just one but two familiar faces in the crowd of other competitors!
Will akiko make it to the end?
This was a blast, can’t wait to continue the series
June 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐️!
If you like squid games, this is a great book for you! It was so fast paced, with lots of twists. I never knew who to trust at any point in time, which is always a good sign in a thriller! I read over 250 pages today because I could not put it down!
I am so excited to read book 2 based off the way this ended!!! 👀
If you like squid games, this is a great book for you! It was so fast paced, with lots of twists. I never knew who to trust at any point in time, which is always a good sign in a thriller! I read over 250 pages today because I could not put it down!
I am so excited to read book 2 based off the way this ended!!! 👀
October 26, 2025
Intense Read!!!
Talk about a great win! I won this title off of Goodreads Giveaways and entered because I wanted to read something different, and from a new author, I had never read anything before. This title drew me into it from the first page! I really enjoyed how he gave perspectives within the story from more than one character, and it made me wonder what direction things were going. Plus, the ending had a lot of action and left me still questioning things. I could easily see this story being made into a graphic novel/manga and / or an animated film.
Talk about a great win! I won this title off of Goodreads Giveaways and entered because I wanted to read something different, and from a new author, I had never read anything before. This title drew me into it from the first page! I really enjoyed how he gave perspectives within the story from more than one character, and it made me wonder what direction things were going. Plus, the ending had a lot of action and left me still questioning things. I could easily see this story being made into a graphic novel/manga and / or an animated film.
July 28, 2025
Wow! This book was a trip! Squid Game, The Menu, Hunger Games all blended into a late-night page turner. Great writing pace, easy to clip along.
I found myself staying up extra late to get to the next "challenge". Twisty, scary, a little f-ed up. Just the way I like it! I had the mystery whittled down to two suspects very easily but it was still a great ride. The story concludes with a huge cliffhanger so I will for sure gobble up the next book.
Thank you, Ty, for gifting me the Kindle edition of your book. Cheers to a great series!
I found myself staying up extra late to get to the next "challenge". Twisty, scary, a little f-ed up. Just the way I like it! I had the mystery whittled down to two suspects very easily but it was still a great ride. The story concludes with a huge cliffhanger so I will for sure gobble up the next book.
Thank you, Ty, for gifting me the Kindle edition of your book. Cheers to a great series!
April 25, 2025
absolutely loved this story from Ty. can't wait to read next installment. the characters are interesting and the dynamic between them all is fab .so easy to follow and many twists .
Read
April 14, 2025Who can you trust when you are trying to be accepted?
What starts out with a competition to be an apprentice sushi chef turns into a competition to stay alive.
Who can the only woman in the competition for apprentice to the top sushi chef trust? Is the competition what it seems to be or is there something else going on? You have to read from cover to cover to find out.
I could not put this one down and when I did,
What starts out with a competition to be an apprentice sushi chef turns into a competition to stay alive.
Who can the only woman in the competition for apprentice to the top sushi chef trust? Is the competition what it seems to be or is there something else going on? You have to read from cover to cover to find out.
I could not put this one down and when I did,
July 15, 2025
I'll give this a strong 3.75 stars. it was a fast paced story and pretty interesting. I'll probably finish the series to see what happens since they leave you on a cliff hanger
June 10, 2025
A must read. I enjoyed this book.
July 7, 2025
Akiko Ono thought she’d won the lottery. A once-in-a-lifetime sushi apprenticeship—her dream come true. But from day one, something felt wrong. As tensions rise and rivals sharpen their knives, Akiko realizes someone doesn’t just want her to fail. They want her gone for good. The opportunity of a lifetime is becoming a waking nightmare. If Akiko doesn’t uncover the truth behind the threats, she'll be next—and no one will see it coming.
"The Little Sushi Chef" is a Japanese-based story about a dream apprenticeship that turned out to be a deadly blend of "Kitchen Nightmares" and "Squid Game". Akiko dreamed of becoming a sushi chef and eagerly accepted the challenge, particularly in a male-dominated field. However, she hadn't anticipated the difficulties of her apprenticeship. Between chores, demanding tasks, and blasts from the past, she fights hard to achieve her lifelong dream, even if it means witnessing death. Akiko is a spirited and determined character who perseveres even when facing life-threatening danger. I admire her tenacity and ability to overcome whatever is thrown her way.
As the kitchen temperature rises, so does the body count! This apprenticeship isn't for the faint of heart, but it makes for a fun and heart-pumping plot. Hutchinson's writing style is captivating, keeping the reader engaged with multifaceted characters and unexpected twists and turns. While this isn't my typical thriller, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and I'll slice and dice my way to the next installment!
"The Little Sushi Chef" is a Japanese-based story about a dream apprenticeship that turned out to be a deadly blend of "Kitchen Nightmares" and "Squid Game". Akiko dreamed of becoming a sushi chef and eagerly accepted the challenge, particularly in a male-dominated field. However, she hadn't anticipated the difficulties of her apprenticeship. Between chores, demanding tasks, and blasts from the past, she fights hard to achieve her lifelong dream, even if it means witnessing death. Akiko is a spirited and determined character who perseveres even when facing life-threatening danger. I admire her tenacity and ability to overcome whatever is thrown her way.
As the kitchen temperature rises, so does the body count! This apprenticeship isn't for the faint of heart, but it makes for a fun and heart-pumping plot. Hutchinson's writing style is captivating, keeping the reader engaged with multifaceted characters and unexpected twists and turns. While this isn't my typical thriller, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and I'll slice and dice my way to the next installment!
June 29, 2025
Well that's not what I expected! Akiko won an apprenticeship to a top-tier sushi academy. But red flags start to emerge with all of the rules that are required before she enters. Unfortunately for her, she ignores them because it's her dream to become a sushi chef, and all the graduates go on to head up Michelin star restaurants. It's an offer she can't turn down. Little does she know she's in for something like the squid games. With no way out, she doesn't know who to trust, and who wants her dead. This was a fun read, and I'm curious to see how the story continues in the next book.
March 21, 2025
I LOVE THE LITTLE SUSHI CHEF!
This is an excellent start to a new series. This is a unique premise for a book set in Japan. It is about an elite sushi chef apprentice program that is anything but what it seems. It builds in action to the fast moving, fiery end. I could not put it down and can't wait for the next book in the series. Love you, Ty Hutchinson!
This is an excellent start to a new series. This is a unique premise for a book set in Japan. It is about an elite sushi chef apprentice program that is anything but what it seems. It builds in action to the fast moving, fiery end. I could not put it down and can't wait for the next book in the series. Love you, Ty Hutchinson!
August 23, 2025
Top Chef 🍣 meets Squid Games? Super unique thriller that kept me turning pages for more. Book two drops in December - definitely preordering it right now.
Great work by Ty Hutchinson!
Great work by Ty Hutchinson!
March 11, 2025
In my family quite a number simply love eating sushi. I never did. Having now read The Little Sushi Chef by thriller master, Ty Hutchinson, I am glad I never ate sushi. Eating raw fish? Not my cup of tea. Never will be either.
But making sushi and being acknowledged as a master sushi chef is Akiko's dream. Well, she got a chance to subscribe to a course provided by a well known master chef. Too bad two ex boyfriends ended up in same course. Too bad she's the only woman ever allowed on this course. Too bad succeeding in this course also means having to survive very lethal tests in which students are dying every week.
Just too bad.
Phew!
Enjoy.
But making sushi and being acknowledged as a master sushi chef is Akiko's dream. Well, she got a chance to subscribe to a course provided by a well known master chef. Too bad two ex boyfriends ended up in same course. Too bad she's the only woman ever allowed on this course. Too bad succeeding in this course also means having to survive very lethal tests in which students are dying every week.
Just too bad.
Phew!
Enjoy.
March 11, 2025
A Total Break from the Usual World of Spies, Assassins, and Agents
This book is so awesome that I literally couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading, never put it down. I love the main character. The trials and tribulations she has to overcome make her even more likable. This is a fast-paced book, it introduces you to the dog-eat-dog world of training to become a sushi chef under the top sushi chef in Japan. It's not at all what you expect it to be.
This book is so awesome that I literally couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading, never put it down. I love the main character. The trials and tribulations she has to overcome make her even more likable. This is a fast-paced book, it introduces you to the dog-eat-dog world of training to become a sushi chef under the top sushi chef in Japan. It's not at all what you expect it to be.
March 15, 2025
Hunger Games meets sushi? This was a very interesting story line by one of my favorite authors. Definitely worth reading if you are into culinary duels to the death.
February 25, 2025
WOW I love this story! It’s like nothing I imagined when I received the book for ARC. It’s exciting, manipulative, and full of surprises! I am so looking forward to book 2!!! Read it you won’t regret it.
July 20, 2025
AMAZING!!! The whole story line was great! Loved the spookiness of it, the twist was WILD! Reina I HATE you with a passion. Cliffhanger at the end so I am VERY excited about the next coming in December!
December 11, 2025
this was sooo fun omg. i didn't expect much going into it but the plot was actually suuuper appealing to me once i got started.
it was a perfect mix of mystery, *violence* in dangerous challenges, and overall entertainment. for a casual read, i flew through this book quickly. the chapters were short and always ended with more questions so it made me not want to put it down.
the plot twists were predictable, but i ate it up regardless.
to be honest, i still don't know how to feel about some characters 😭 they were all pretty morally grey until the end and the distrust throughout the book really had me going like a ping-pong between jiro and kenji. they aren't rightful characters and definitely have flaws but i enjoyed that aspect a lot. however, i still will say with my whole chest that they were absolute jerks and i didn't like either of them with akiko, especially with how they spoke about her and took advantage of her trust. blegh. like they really had my putting the book down from frustration. you guys are insane. i don't really care how much of a redemption arc you can get, i still don't trust jiro 😭
also my girl akiko... i couldn't believe how innocent she really was. part of me hoped she was super smart and beating the system but she really was clueless and didn't understand anything happening. like sis... cmon now. all that time thinking someone's out to get you and suspecting the main trio but Still being surprised at the end? i guess it's a new take compared to other novels where the girl knows everything. but still.. do better girl.. her naivety really astounded me.
the challenges were.. pretty quick. i expected them to continue dishing up even after someone died but that's just me being picky. either way, the trials were gritty and very hardcore so i'll give it a pass.
i can't wait to read the rest. imagine my surprise when i realised this was a trilogy! the other two books still aren't published yet (the sequel is out next week, omg my timing) and i will riot from the suspense but still!! i feel like they're gonna be so fun! i'm excited to read about the loose ends being answered, especially about her dad and reina's beef. and especially for jiro to impress me because let's just say.. it's looking bleak right now. don't disappoint meee 😣
4.5/5 stars
it was a perfect mix of mystery, *violence* in dangerous challenges, and overall entertainment. for a casual read, i flew through this book quickly. the chapters were short and always ended with more questions so it made me not want to put it down.
the plot twists were predictable, but i ate it up regardless.
to be honest, i still don't know how to feel about some characters 😭 they were all pretty morally grey until the end and the distrust throughout the book really had me going like a ping-pong between jiro and kenji. they aren't rightful characters and definitely have flaws but i enjoyed that aspect a lot. however, i still will say with my whole chest that they were absolute jerks and i didn't like either of them with akiko, especially with how they spoke about her and took advantage of her trust. blegh. like they really had my putting the book down from frustration. you guys are insane. i don't really care how much of a redemption arc you can get, i still don't trust jiro 😭
also my girl akiko... i couldn't believe how innocent she really was. part of me hoped she was super smart and beating the system but she really was clueless and didn't understand anything happening. like sis... cmon now. all that time thinking someone's out to get you and suspecting the main trio but Still being surprised at the end? i guess it's a new take compared to other novels where the girl knows everything. but still.. do better girl.. her naivety really astounded me.
the challenges were.. pretty quick. i expected them to continue dishing up even after someone died but that's just me being picky. either way, the trials were gritty and very hardcore so i'll give it a pass.
i can't wait to read the rest. imagine my surprise when i realised this was a trilogy! the other two books still aren't published yet (the sequel is out next week, omg my timing) and i will riot from the suspense but still!! i feel like they're gonna be so fun! i'm excited to read about the loose ends being answered, especially about her dad and reina's beef. and especially for jiro to impress me because let's just say.. it's looking bleak right now. don't disappoint meee 😣
4.5/5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Different to what I have come to expect from this author, but an intriguing read that keeps the mind thinking of what is going to happen next. A would-be Sushi Chef, Akiko Ono is selected to become an apprentice to master Sushi Chef Sakamoto but at the outset there appears to be many requirements for her participation. This starts the mind thinking of where the story is headed and then when the “apprentices” include a childhood male friend, and a second boyfriend from her University days, the story is off and running with brutal experiences along the so-called apprenticeship journey.
Daily chores are set for the participants, and they must successfully complete six culinary tasks but there is suspicion and many twists and turns as the story proceeds. What a journey for the reader – what surprises are in store. AND what will Akiko experience after setting up her own business.
Daily chores are set for the participants, and they must successfully complete six culinary tasks but there is suspicion and many twists and turns as the story proceeds. What a journey for the reader – what surprises are in store. AND what will Akiko experience after setting up her own business.
September 17, 2025
~3.5 stars - enjoyed The Little Sushi Chef for a fun thriller - had seen it described as 'Squid Game meets sushi chef/Japan' and totally feels spot-on. Fast-paced with fun twists that kept me guessing - didn't know where the characters and a few plot points would land until the very end. If it weren't such a quick read, I'd probably have some more commentary on some character choices, parts I wanted more from, and questions - but one of those where you just let it go and are along for the entertaining ride. Will definitely pick up the second when it comes out!
November 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This was like Top Chef meets Hunger Games. You questioned everyone as the story progressed. I can’t believe the contestants continued after each challenge. Definitely a twist or two that I hadn’t quite expected. I didn’t realize this was a series until the cliffhanger. I think I’ll continue the series because now I need to know what happens.
November 22, 2025
This was an entertaining story. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews