The Little Sushi Chef Betrayed

Knives & Flames Series #2

by Ty Hutchinson

The Gladiator Chefs are coming!
When she survived her deadly apprenticeship, the last thing Akiko Ono expected was a knife in her back.

But one by one, the cuts came.
• A lying boyfriend.
• A friend who turned against her.
• A successful restaurant sabotaged.

If she wants to rebuild her life, she must face Nokoribi. Three days of celebration with arts and crafts, music, and fireworks. And best of all, it’s family-friendly.

What could possibly go wrong?
Gladiator chefs.

From USA Today bestselling author Ty Hutchinson comes the follow-up in the Knives & Flames Trilogy, where Akiko steps onto Nokoribi’s brutal stage. Will her skills in the kitchen keep her alive when the knives come out?

Perfect for Readers Who
• Betrayal & Revenge
• High-Stakes Survival
• Underdog Heroines
• Secrets Between Lovers
• Forbidden Attraction

Akiko’s fight isn’t over—it’s only just begun. Grab your copy today.

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Ty 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?

Reviews

[Craig Smedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having survived her apprenticeship to Sushi Chef Sakamoto and seen the evil empire of the Sakamoto clan brought down, little Sushi Chef, Akiko Ono has built a successful restaurant but her world is falling apart with sabotage of her business, and her own mental health when she continues to see a ghost from the past. Then even worse – she is kidnapped and forced into another brutal competition – this time where she and others are paraded first, then set upon each other with brutal and fatal consequences.
There are numerus twists and turns in the story keeping the reader wondering just where it will all end up with doubts arising as to the loyalty of some characters as the story flows and one huge twist that no one will see coming. A great story.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read a beta copy of The Little Sushi Chef Betrayed by Ty Hutchinson. I also read the first book, The Little Sushi Chef, and enjoyed it, but this sequel was a really fun read. It was an action-packed, thriller with 3 primary characters who found themselves caught up in a dangerous competition. There was a big surprise at the end, and I can hardly wait for the third book to be released.

[T. Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in this series. I think it may be even better than the first. Didn’t take me long to read it. Had trouble putting it down to get any packing done. I loved the story and the characters get you wrapped into them. You’ll want to read both books and hate having to wait for the third. But it will be worth it.

[Christina O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Can’t wait for Book 3 (the finale!)

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops, he did it again. Ty played with our hearts. Got lost in the game. 🎤🎶 Great ending! Great series! One of a kind!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has grown tiresome for me. I don’t think I’ll read the 3rd.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so good

I'm really going to hate for this series to end. It's filled with action, romance, intrigue, all the things you could ask for. In the first book she must battle unspeakable horrors, life should be great, she survived. But no, they aren't finished with her yet. And this time life gets even more horrific than before.

[Manie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akiko Ono previously narrowly survived a slaughter disguised as Sushi training by a Sushi master.
Subsequent to those horrific episodes she started her own restaurant. But something started to go wrong and bankruptcy is staring her in the face.
And is everyone that tried to kill her before, really dead? Why does she keep on seeing the face of one of those previous villains.
Really?
The Little Sushi Chef Betrayed is another delivery in this series of the Little Sushi Chef series and as such again an intense suspenseful thriller giving you cold chills as you progress further into the plot and as the Gladiator Chevs makes their impact.
Enjoy.