Kamikaze

Special X #12

by Michael Slade

Two killers--one targeting a survivor of the Enola Gray bomb crew that incinerated Hiroshima years ago, and one targeting those responsible for murdering her father during the fall of Hong Kong in 1941--make a horrifying discovery about each other that changes everything. Original.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Crime

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 7, 2006

About the author

Slade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MountieNoir

Slade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MountieNoir

Criminal lawyer MICHAEL SLADE has acted in over one hundred murder cases. His specialty is the law of insanity. He argued the last death penalty case in Canada’s highest court.

Backed by his forensic experience, Slade’s Special X and Wyatt Rook thrillers fuse the genres of police and legal procedure, whodunit and impossible crime, suspense, history, and horror.

Slade was guest of honor at both the Bloody Words crime convention and the World Horror Convention. As Time Out puts it, “A thin line separates crime and horror, and in Michael Slade’s thrillers, the demarcation vanishes altogether.”

Slade was guest speaker at the international Police Leadership Conference and several RCMP regimental dinners. As Reader’s Digest puts it, “The Slade books have developed a strong following among police officers because of their strict adherence to proper police procedure.”

For the stories behind his plots, visit Slade’s Morgue at www.specialx.net.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but I found it to be chronologically challenged, the time line of events, the back and forth from past to present, while necessary to the plot line, was rather difficult to follow and confusing at times, far too many characters and relationships to keep track of including recurring characters from the Special X series with which I was unfamiliar, this being only my second read in the series. I wasn't able to piece everything together and make sense of what was going on until nearly the end of the book. Having stated that, the story was good, different from anything I've read before, lots of twists and surprises to the end, what a shocker! Overall, this was a good read. It is obvious Michael Slade does his research!

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kamikaze is the tenth (of fifteen) of the "Special X" books I've read, and it seems to be a little bit tired, like the authors were cranking it out by formula. The inventive creepiness that marks other books in the series was missing. The "surprising" reveal at the end of the book of who "Kamikaze" was, wasn't really all that surprising; Slade had used a similar plot device in Swastika, and besides, the identity of the psycho killer was easily deduced using the "Law of Economy of Characters," which states that when a character is introduced that seems to be a significant character but doesn't do much throughout the story, there's a really good chance that character is the killer. On the whole, Kamikaze was an okay read, but I didn't care for Slade's political commentary (Michael Slade is, after all, a pair of Canadian writers), nor do I agree with the conclusion that using atomic bombs was a political decision aimed at the Soviet Union, not a military decision to bring the Pacific War to a close. Also, there were a couple of common facts about American history that Slade got wrong (for example, the Battle of New Orleans was fought as part of the War of 1812, not the American Revolution), but as I said, the authors are Canadian.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book moves between Pearl Harbor/WWWII Japan and modern day Vancouver. It was not as long nor as involved as his other books. However, it still held my interest and had another one of his familiar shocking endings. This was probably the first of his books I had figured out long before the end.

[Hasanuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kamikaze, aksi terbang bunuh diri yang dilakukan oleh AU Kerajaan Jepang menjelang akhir PD II. Kamikaze dipandang sebagai tingginya nilai kebudayaan bangsa timur, namun bagi lawan perangnya (Sekutu) aksi ini adalah dianggap sebagai keputusasaan Jepang yang sudah mulai terdesak di perang Pasifik.

[Akemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again out of the ordinary of what i normally read, however i really enjoyed it!

[Joyce Nieuwesteeg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful at times but hard to follow at other times. A lot of Japanese terms that were only explained once so it was hard to remember what they meant.

[Alex McConnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having been a fan of Slade’s Special X series since the early 2000’s I was looking forward to another novel blending police procedural, horror and history seamlessly. Unfortunately Kamikaze was anything but seamless.
This novel felt disconnected chapter to chapter and sometimes even in chapter. There was a lot of jumping around, both in locale and time period without adequate lead in and the narrative felt forced at all times. What could have been a good story blending japanese, American and Canadian history as it pertains to the Second World War felt rushed and clunky. Maybe the authors were forced to cut a lot because it surely felt disjointed in comparison to the earlier series. Which is excellent, I might add.
Kamikaze tells the story of an elderly Japanese yakuza leader attempting to right the wrong of the American bombing of Hiroshima. This involves revenge on an old soldier and his family, one of whom is an RCMP member. Unfortunately the narrative that follows is convoluted, poorly explained and full of far too much coincidence to be believable. The limited action sequences were good but not nearly enough to save it.
I noticed that at some point during the series Michael added his daughter to the Slade pseudonym, making them dual writers. Maybe this is the reason for the series decline and eventual cancellation. Being that it’s 14 years since the last novel in the series it’s safe to say maybe the fictional Special X section has been retired…..

[Robert Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I've read by Michael Slade and it won't be the last! After reading some reviews that said it wasn't one of his better works I'm glad I read this one first. The twist in the end was really unexpected, and the pace was was perfect. I learned so much about history from this one read. There was so much I didn't know regarding the bombing of Hiroshima that I had to research some of the facts myself. I also learned about Kamikazes, Yakuzas, and Samurai. The amount of research that went into this book is incredible. And the cherry on top was all the Vancouver landmarks that I am so familiar with. Can't wait to read the next Michael Slade book!

[Terry Roice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Slade's Kamikaze held my interest cover to cover. It is loaded with cultural and historical information as a backdrop to revenge and regret.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 12 in the Special X series

The story brings together two men whose paths crossed at Hiroshima during the last days of WW11.

Genja Tokuda, the only survivor of the bombing that wiped out his entire family made a bushido oath to avenge this horrific event, his target is Joe Hett a crew member on the Enola Gay. His plan is to fulfill his long time oath to his ancestors at the “ Pacific War Vets Convention” in Vancouver where Joe is one of the honoured guest speakers. Genja feels murdering Hett and his entire family in a most gruesome way would bring a much needed sense of closure. Hearing of this, Special X forces get involve to save the day…

The plot goes back and forth in time. A large component in the storyline is the Pacific campaign. The author highlights atrocities committed by both sides such as Pearl Harbor, St-Stephen’s College Hospital Hong Kong Okinawa, Hiroshima and others. I found this, one of the most interesting parts but I am sure die-hard historical buffs would prefer reading a non-fiction account of these events.

I found this novel to lack lustre and imagination, it is a little bare bones. The numerous characters are bland and the narrative style doesn’t help. This novel seems to have been rushed, it is missing the bloodthirsty police procedurals and the brilliantly executed plots. The intrigue, twits and turns and many surprises that peak ones interest are lacking…. Yes you will find blood and guts, hara-kiri and all the samurai stuff…so predictable.

This is one novel I was happy to have zipped through in no time….

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a major letdown. I have been a fan of the Michael Slade books since the first one, Headhunter. The last several have been more historical novels rather than the nailbiting criminal forensic thrillers of the early novels. Kamikaze is another one relying heavily on a historical backstory. It has many flaws and the feel of a rush job. A major disappointment.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of these Slade books are quick interesting reads. They are not as good as they used to be now that he does not write with his former partners. This book is missing the pizzaz of the earlier books.

[Beverly Brooks]

I love reading Michael Slades books, have them all & wait very impatiently for the next. I'm hooked from the beginning.

[Chuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decently researched and lots of local colour. Not as much gore as 'his' early books, there is a lot of exposition but it's usually at least entertaining.

[Craig "NEEDS MORE DAMN TIME TO READ !!!!" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright but weak adventure for Special X.

[Gary Barrentine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too depressing and couldn't get into the characters.