Greedy

by Callie Kazumi

What would you do for a seat at the table? In this deliciously dark thriller set in remote Japan, a desperate gambling addict masquerades as the private chef to a reclusive billionaire with deadly taste—from the twisted mind behind Claire, Darling.

They will kill me soon, Edward Cook thinks. When the Yakuza are unable to collect what he owes, Ed realizes that they'll go after his wife and child next. Broke, desperate, and unemployed, he stumbles upon an unusual Chef wanted! Private chef needed for a high-profile businesswoman. One million yen per day.

Ed accepts the job. He hasn't earned any Michelin stars, but he knows his way around a kitchen. Leaving his life in Tokyo behind, he departs for an opulent estate in the mountains owned by Hazeline Yamamoto, his enigmatic and reclusive benefactor, a disgraced socialite with a predator's smile and exacting palette. Hazeline's world is one of taste, connoisseurship, and experimentation—she is a certified gourmand. But when you can afford filet mignon for every meal, you begin to seek out the strange and forbidden.

The closer Ed gets to Hazeline and a brighter future that she promises—if only he remains loyal—the closer he is to realizing the chilling truth about her altruism. In this shadow world of unimaginable wealth, there are worse monsters than two-bit gangsters. The wind blowing through Hazeline’s home carries the sound of screaming, and Ed finds himself feeding all kinds of beasts.

Perfect for fans of Parasite and The Menu—enticing as a starter, meaty as a main dish, and full of satisfying just-desserts—Greedy is a suspenseful poison-pen note to classism and an ode to Japanese cuisine, a horror-tinged thriller unsuitable for vegetarians but full of shocking delights for every reader.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Adult, Japan

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah yes, food-centered horror-thrillers. Gotta be one of my favorite genres. It's also basically everything you need to know before picking up this book, because I think it's best to experience the story without much prior knowledge of the actual plot. Just know that the story is about Ed Cook, a Brit living in Japan with his family. He's currently unemployed and in life-threatening debt to the Yakuza and so he jumps at the opportunity to become a private chef for an influential businesswoman. Culinary training isn't really required for the high-paid position and it's more important that Ed is open-minded and discreet. His new employer just loves eating and has some eccentric views on food, and there surely is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

The food theme was fantastic and I liked how it mixed fine cuisine with Ed's amateurish way of cooking. He's lacking the skills, but he really needs the money and he's determined to weasel his way in. In the end the book is still full of mouthwatering food description even if the cooking process was messier than I'm used to from other food-centered stories. It made the book feel unique, same with the setting. The story is set in Japan but told from the POV of a foreigner who came to live there. I really appreciate all the cultural aspects woven into the story, from Japanese cuisine over growing up mixed-race to societal standards and prejudices. The arc didn't have an author's note or anything, but I'm sure that Callie Kazumi worked her own experiences into the story, making parts of it feel very personal. Other parts are hopefully not as personal. I was wondering for quite some time where the story would be going and I was reading with great interest. The situation does become clearer to the reader long before it does to Ed and he was honestly kind of oblivious to some shady stuff. It made the book a bit predictable, but there still were some unexpected moments and I overall had a great time reading. It was a bit too straight-forward to be an absolute favorite of mine, but it's an easy recommendation nonetheless.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Century for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is chefs kiss perfection! 👌

Ed is an ex-pat living in Tokyo with his Japanese wife and toddler daughter. After losing his job and unable to secure a new one he eventually develops a gambling habit. Initially it was just to score some quick cash but the high he got from betting became too hard to resist resulting in him losing everything and also putting him in debt with the Japanese mob. All of this remains a secret from his wife who believes he's out job hunting everyday.

Then he spots a job ad in the paper:

Chef wanted! Private chef needed for a high-profile businesswoman. One million yen per day.

It seems like the answer to his prayers. While he isn't a chef of any kind he does know his way around the kitchen. Maybe he'll be able to impress her enough to land the job.

And just like that he is working in a massive mansion, with one of the finest chef's kitchens imaginable, and an endless supply of anything a chef could ever want for.

As is often in life though, all good things come with a catch, and Ed finds himself on the hook of a woman with a voracious appetite for only the finest, most exquisite cuisine.

Has Ed bitten off more than he can chew? You'll have to read this to find out.

Absolutely delicious! Kazumi has yet again delighted me after reading and loving her debut Claire, Darling. Honestly I enjoyed this one even more. Ed, the lovable loser, was surprisingly easy to root for. Sure, he made mistakes, but his intentions were never malicious. He wasn't a mean man, he was a stupid man. He loves his wife and daughter more than anything but not being able to provide for them has really hit his ego. He feels like an absolute failure. So it wasn't hard to imagine how easily he'd become the prey in the web of his new employer. Hazeline, his quirky and possibly psychotic new employer, was equally as riveting as Ed. They kept me greedily flipping the pages.

The ending? Ha! I see what you did there, Kazumi! 🤯

This one will go down as a favorite for me this year but I warn: Vegans and vegetarians need not apply. 5 stars!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for my complimentary copy.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greedy is a book that really captured my attention at the very beginning! It is a suspenseful thriller and horror book that definitely stands out as a one of a kind! It is about a man named Ed that lives in Japan, who ends up getting a job as a private chef for a billionaire. As things aren’t always as they seem, he begins to learn this billionaire’s taste could be lethal. Ed comes face to face (as many people do) to keep a job that really should not be kept or leave it and go back to being broke. This book definitely explores themes of security, the forbidden, greed and appetite, and identity. This novel made me feel tense, emotional and shocked.

Overall, this book came with an original and compelling story. I did see the twists coming in the book. However, I still really enjoyed reading it! This book is dark, adventurous, and full of mystery! I was fully engaged until the very end, while reading this. It had clever plotting, strong character development and a diverse cast of characters. The strengths in this book was the delicious atmosphere, the menu, the characters and the writing!

I think if you like books that are about food, along with forbidden meals and a unique experience, you would really enjoy reading this book! It gave me the book “Girl Dinner” by Olivie Blake vibes! I give this book a high 4 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Callie Kazumi and Ballantine | Bantam for this great eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be released on February 3, 2026!

[Sidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you review a book when upon finishing said book, your immediate thoughts are "no notes"?

I'm really struggling to leave a review without any spoilers so all I'll say is this....this gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "bon appetit" & I am so here for it!

Callie Kazumi does a great job of creating this ominous vibe throughout the whole story. You can just tell as soon as Ed arrives at Hazelines house that things are not what they seem & you're just left waiting for the shenanigans to happen. I get that Ed is supposed to be the mc but the standout character for me is Hazeline. She's weird, she's quirky, she gave the vibe that she was a cute 5'0 little ol lady but she's also....a little crazy & I loved her.

This was so fun! The twist at the very end had me shook, I really did not see it coming at all. Anyways, I already have this on a wishlist for when it officially drops & I will definitely be getting a physical copy!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Ed is unemployed and feeling extremely sorry for himself. Having minimal luck finding a new job to help support his wife and young daughter he decides to try his luck at the gambling parlors. Ed is a very unlucky man who finds himself now owing the wrong people a ton of money. Lucky for him he notices a help wanted ad for a personal chef. He has very minimal cooking skills, but figures he can wing it. He gets the job and things seem to be going well early on. However, the more he cooks for his employer, he begins to see she may have a more eclectic taste than he is able to provide.

The characters themselves are all quite unlikable. Ed has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The interactions between him and his wife kinda just made me cringe. I was surprised these two were ever married in the first place.

I had a suspicion early on where the book was heading so I found it a bit anti-climatic once we got to the ending. However, I did like the last two chapters. I think what missed the mark a little bit for me was it wasn’t as “dark” as I think it could’ve been. I did like the Japanese setting as well as the glossary at the end that explains some of the Japanese terms. It’s always fun to learn about new cultures and countries.

What I discovered about this author through reading both of her novels is they are certainly easy to read and have quite unique plots. So far, I have not been disappointed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[SinsandScares · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Greedy had a premise I was immediately drawn to. A desperate man taking a job as a personal chef for a wealthy, eccentric employer with dark and exotic tastes is very much my kind of vibe. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, especially the isolation, the excess, and the quiet sense of unease surrounding Hazeline and her estate.

The comparison to The Menu works well, except this time the chef is the one experiencing the horror instead of controlling it. I am not familiar with Parasite, but the class divide and power imbalance were well done. That said, I did feel like I knew where this story was heading pretty early on. Hazeline’s secrets weren’t especially subtle, which took away some of the tension and made the slow burn feel less effective than it could have been.

I also wish Ed’s gambling addiction had stayed more present throughout the story. It works as a strong catalyst for his desperation, but once he begins working for Hazeline, it mostly fades into the background until it becomes convenient for the plot. I would have loved to see it remain an ongoing struggle or temptation rather than something that disappears for long stretches.

One thing that didn’t quite work for me was the portrayal of Americans. Considering the nuance shown when discussing racism within Japanese culture, the stereotypical depiction of Americans as big, loud, and dumb felt a bit disappointing and uneven by comparison.

There is a small twist near the end that genuinely surprised me and helped leave me on a stronger note. Overall, while Greedy didn’t fully reach its potential for me, I still found it to be an enjoyable, unsettling read with a concept that kept me engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I am a sucker for anything Japanese since my trip last year and upcoming trip in 2026, so this book was right up my alley. All the descriptions of the delicious Japanese foods and drinks made my mouth water. That was until I figured out what was happening….

Ed is a British man living in Tokyo with his Japanese wife and daughter. After losing his job, he has become addicted to gambling and is in a whole lot of debt and danger. He owes way too much to the Yakuza and they want paying back now. He applies for a high paying job as a private chef to a reclusive billionaire to try to get his debt under control and protect his family. His new boss is a bit out there and has a love of unusual foods, but he finds himself really happy again. That is is until he discovers what is really going on in this house

Now I figured out what was happening way before Ed did, but it didn’t ruin the story for me at all. In fact, it still gave me that sense of dread as he learnt more and more. This is a creepy story, with much emphasis on class, wealth, power and of course greed. I devoured it in an afternoon, just unable to stop reading, I was hooked.

Thank you Ballantine for my early copy of this book to read. Very entertaining and stomach churning at the same time. Published on February 3rd.

[Dona's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5

Pre-Read Notes:

The cover art includes a banner that says, "No Suitable for Vegetarians" and being a vegetarian who never listens, I decided this book was challenging me to a duel.

"He is not a monster. He is a man of addiction, and his addiction has cost him." p16

Final Review

(thoughts & recs) Honestly, the climax of this one is painfully predictable. So much so that I had rejected it as a red herring. I wanted something fresh and creative, but found just another in a pile of stories relying on the same trope (which I can't really identify without spoiling, sorry). But the denouement? Better. And up until the big reveal, I was hooked!

This kind of horror story is having its era, so I'm not that surprised that GREEDY felt a bit done-before. I really enjoyed the character arc for the mmc, including the revelations in the denouement. For me, that was where the book came together.

My 3 Favorite Things:

✔️ "He is not a monster. He is a man of addiction, and his addiction has cost him." p16 This is one brilliant way to call out stigma and I freaking love it.

✔️ "The roof is a classic Japanese style and extends out past the exterior walls, probably to avoid the building becoming a human oven, and to offer some shade and respite during the summer months." p26 Sometimes the phrasing is off, like "human oven"--not sure if it's the writing or the translation, but "human oven" is perplexing.

✔️ The story turn at the two thirds mark was not even on my radar!

✔️ Holy crap, I just love the weird random things I learn from reading fiction! "As it turned out, KFC had invested a huge amount of money into advertising in the seventies, positioning themselves as the must-have for a western-style Christmas dinner. The slogan was “Kentucky for Christmas!” The Japanese, not knowing any better, had fallen for it, and suddenly KFC was the trendiest thing to enjoy come December 25th." p214

Content Notes: meat, meat-eating, animal death, butchery, cruelty to animals, child trafficking, institutional misogyny and classism, "special meat" (what could that be?)

Thank you to Callie Kazumi, Bantam Books, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of GREEDY. All views are mine.

[Holden Wunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!!

I saw someone else post about how excited they were to read this and it immediately sold me. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but like I’ve said in previous reviews, it’s cannibalism season! There are a lot of cannibal books lately and they won’t be stopping anytime soon, but this was a really *fresh* take on the genre- pun intended.

A gambling addicted husband takes a job that seems too good to be true and it’s hinted throughout, when big shock, it is. I’m not sure how but Kazumi almost had me agreeing with the antagonists in this book. Not necessarily their logic but just the way everything was phrased, it felt like no big deal.

The ending was my absolute favourite. I was in complete shock and awe and was truly so unbelievably happy about it.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this one!!

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greedy by Callie Kazumi. Thanks to @bantambooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ed has driven his family into massive debt with his gambling addiction. When he takes a new job as a chef to a wealthy elderly socialite, Hazeline, he feels very lucky. Hazeline’s world is one of excess, taste, and experimentation; Ed’s about to find out the depth involved.

I loved Claire Darling so I was very excited for this one. While a lot different, it was just as much of a page turner. The reader is a bit ahead of Ed as we learn the story, which adds a level of dread as we wait for him to catch up. The food descriptions and recipes are interesting, especially as a lot was Japanese cuisine that I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed the folk lore behind the story, which was a very light touch in the background.

“Is this what true wealth brings? Humans acting as gods in other’s futures.”

Read this book if you like:
-Japanese settings
-Culinary fiction
-Odd and unique plots
-Creepiness factor
-Wealthy people being very bad

Greedy comes out 2/3.

[Kenzie Leckie ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such an exciting read that made you not want to look away. You, of course, know where we’re inevitably going to end up but it’s the little tests throughout that help build to the big finale.

The imagery for some of the moments when food is being devoured, made it really unsettling and actually quite spooky to think about but I just had to keep reading to find out what would be the end result.

Totally recommend giving this one a read because I was gripped from start to finish.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a copy in exchange for a review.

[Marie Aitchison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started this, I had to know how it would end! What a wild story. It's a slow burn horror that creeps up. There's tons of eerie clues along the way that had me wondering "does she?" "Is she?" "Really??!" And then when all is revealed, I was jaw to the floor. This was great.

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, if it weren't for my GR feed and seeing updates and reviews from Sidney, Mikey, and Ricarda, this novel wouldn't have been on my radar. But since everyone enjoyed it, the fomo hit me like no other.

I'm happy to say that this was an enjoyable read!

Greedy was deliciously dark. Like, literally with all the dishes being served and the quiet horror and suspense being teased in every chapter. I couldn't stop reading and reacting to every other scene. Half the fun (for me, at least) was trying to figure out if this was more of a horror novel, or maybe a mystery/thriller/suspense. Was this a character study?

The answer: all of the above.

Callie Kazumi really cooked with this one. (Pun definitely intended.) I'm not usually a fan of characters like Ed (white guy goes abroad, gets married, has a mixed baby, you know), but the author managed to lure me in with Ed's promise to himself and his family to shape up and be a better father and husband.

Maybe it's the masochist in me, but I wanted to see if Ed could actually do it or if he'd lapse and take the easy way out. His questionable decisions irked me, yet I still pitied him. It takes a masterful author for me to feel this way for a white man.

I really liked the ending twist. Plus the discussions on Japan-centered topics such as motherhood, parenting, growing up biracial and racism in Japan, and strict societal roles and norms were educational. The author wove these topics into the story really well. I didn't think that I'd like Ed as a character, but he was excellent as an audience surrogate to explore these topics.

Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for this arc.

[Beth Reads Crime · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Greedy’ is the second book from Kazumi and, like her debut 'Cuckoo', is a repeat serving of thriller with an added generous 2-tbsp dash of horror. Described as 'Parasite' meets 'The Menu', it was a premise I couldn’t wait to eat up.

Ed, originally from just outside London, meets his wife while travelling in Japan. The pair marry and have a young child. Life isn't so over-easy for Ed though, he has been unemployed for a while and has developed a bit of a nasty pachinko machine habit that's left him dangerously indebted to the yakuza. Salvation seems to arrive when he finds work as a private chef for a reclusive billionaire named Hazeline.

Hazeline is where the novel really shines. Through her, Kazumi explores themes of identity, beauty standards and appetite. As a mixed-race woman who never fit the “ideal” of either culture, Hazeline experienced many issues growing up but as an adult is more self-assured and unwilling to deny herself any longer. Now, she wants to enjoy food, fully and unapologetically.

And enjoy it she does. As the blurb hints however, Hazeline has some, shall we say unusual tastes… I found the setup gripping and tense. You’re on eggshells as Ed starts to wonder what’s really on the menu and the slow simmer of dread is deliciously effective. I feel it's worth noting that whilst book doesn’t claim to be you may expect a twisty thriller if you’ve read 'Cuckoo', whereas this is more dark thriller/horror.

The vivid food imagery and Japan influence injected within, skillfully done owing to Kazumi herself being Japanese English, lend the story the atmospheric feel of translated fiction. The ending, too, was immensely chef’s-kiss satisfying and left me feeling full.

Thank you to Century and NetGalley for the ARC.

[kindle.babe · Rating 5 out of 5]

stars
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

You tell me horror and horror with FOOOODS but different and I’m all in. I’m not leaving a detailed review here, just giving you my important thoughts because you have to experiance this book yourself. It started off and I thought oooohhhh boy this is going to get so good I can taste it and guess what....it was SO GOOD! I loved Claire, Darling and when I saw that Callie had this new release coming out I about fell over in my chair. I pushed ALL the things aside to read this book and I read this book in one entire day (don’t bother me, I’m reading), pulled up a warm fuzzy blanket, listened to the rain sounds and jumped in head first into Ed Cook and his new adventure. The entire vibe of this book is SIDEEYE for me. Just that, everything felt so “what issssss happppeing, what’s that sizzling, what’s for dinner” kind of feel. I didn’t realize what was actually happening until I did BUT I will say when you figure it out...you’ll audibly saying ahhhhhwahhh and the ending will literally have you silent. I love how our author strung greed and wealth and rich class into this flawlessly and also made it feel so realistic as well, not way far out there…it felt very secret societyISHHHH to me. Hazel *ahem* I mean Hazeline...she’s one of my favorite characters, I could just picture her in my mind, I actually enjoyed all of the side characters to be honest but she was so interesting. Anyways, this book was fun, kept you on your toes the ENTIRE TIME. I will tell all my book loving friends and YOU about it of course. This needs to be on your TBR right away.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Twisty, Steady Paced, Food, Food Horror, Rich, Wealthy, Power, Greediness, Great Characters, Culinary Chef, Japanese Backdrop, Secret Society Vibes

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as Ballantine | Bantam

[Dave Musson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t often get angry with books, I’m usually pretty accepting if something doesn’t work for me. But this book made me angry - mainly that something this bad has been published on such a big publisher. This book is trash.

Now, I would have bailed on this in the first third had I not seen just about every review - positive and not - praising the ending. So, I stuck it out, got to the end, and was left wondering what the big deal was.

The twist in this was blindingly obvious from early on, and this story felt so incredibly padded out I almost had to laugh.

I found nothing to like here. The characters were awful and all spoke like no one ever speaks - even in fiction. The premise was meh, there was zero horror here and, most important at all, the writing here is bad…juvenile, basic and really lacking class.

I have nothing positive to say about this and am still baffled it got picked up. I’ve read dozens and dozens of independent authors who have self published work of a *far* higher quality than this and all of whom would deserve the backing this book is getting. It’s really frustrating and I can’t recommend dodging this one enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book. I finished it in a day. I started it while in the middle of another book but read this book exclusively as soon as I started it because I couldn't put it down. It's very gripping. I thought I knew very early on what the twist/mystery was and it bothered me how blind and dumb the main character was about it. It was really a little bit too obvious. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment much, it just made me dislike the main character because of his stupidity. There was a bit of a second twist at the very end that I liked a lot and definitely didn't see coming, but the ending itself was ambiguous and I absolutely hate that. I guess we're supposed to assume something happened but it's not 100% clear and I hate the thought that I'm assuming incorrectly. Or worse, that we're not actually supposed to assume anything and it's left completely up in the air. So other than an annoying ending and an obtuse, oblivious main character, highly recommended.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[LX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for much for the e-arc!

Still thinking about this but maybe a 3.5 stars for now?

I really loved the sound of this and really couldn't wait to read it. The last part of the book was the best as it wasn't only when things pick up and finally Ed seemed to clock on. Sometimes I felt like I wanted to shake Ed as he seemed very naive and dense to what was happening.

Also as a reader I wasn't sure if I should be as clueless as Ed or yelling at him to work thinks out quicker. The Japanese culture and history were also fantastic as it introduced new things about Japan's history that I wasn't aware of. The overall message I liked too, who is greedy etc. And also I liked how it ended as it would be taken in multiple ways.

[Suki J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

Ed, a British man living in Japan with his wife and daughter, has gambled all their money away and now is at the mercy of the Yakuza.
Jobless, he applies for an advert as a personal chef for a rich, eccentric woman. He cooks up interesting dishes for her, and finds events becoming increasingly sinister.
This was incredibly entertaining. One of those stay up late at night reads. It wasn't subtle, and everyone in this story is very unlikeable, but I had a whale of a time.

[Chloe - maggie_books92]

Thank you so much to Random House & Netgalley for allowing me to read an eARC of Greedy in exchange for honest feedback.

Greedy is the first book I've read with this kind of storyline &, maybe it's just not the right time, but I found myself struggling through it & ended up DNF'ing.. Something just didn't click for me.

I definitely appear to be in the minority with my review which is why I think it's just not for me right now, but I'll definitely give it another chance in future to see if I get on a wee bit better with it.

[Trisha]

oooh this one sounds deliciously dark and fun

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I crave an unhinged book. This met the mark! If you’re a foodie, Watch your mouth watering … the climax will get ya! Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[Mary B · Rating 3 out of 5]

For sure the strangest book I’ve read. Unpalatable (!!) and hard to get into, but weirdly compelling. I can’t say I actually enjoyed it but refused to let it beat me.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had the perfect mix of thrills, suspense, and moments that made me gasp out loud. I really liked how the book was broken into courses like the reader is eating a meal. Very clever! With themes of wealth, altruism, sacrifice, and loyalty, Ed’s character leads the way on down a very strange path. I was definitely creeped out at some parts which made it all the more enjoyable. This is an easy read that will have you hooked till the last sentence. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’d deprived myself of the joy of eating for far too long…The only enjoyment I have left comes from the food I consume. What use is dying skinny and hungry? When I join Lucifer I shall be plump and happy, and I can’t bring myself to give a damn what anyone thinks about it.”

I enjoyed Callie Kazumi’s first novel, Claire, Darling, quite a bit, for how unhinged and fun it was - but overall I found it to be a relatively ordinary psychological suspense novel. But while her sophomore offering, Greedy, is just as unhinged and fun, absolutely nothing about this book is ordinary.

I think the blurb gives too much away, or at least implies too much, so here’s a quick spoiler-free summary: Greedy is the story of Ed, who is British and lives in Tokyo with his wife and toddler daughter. After losing his salary man job, he develops an unfortunate pachinko habit, which leads to more serious gambling, which leads to him owing money - a lot of it - to the Yakuza. And that unsavory group doesn’t mess around when it comes to repayment.

So when Ed sees an ad for a private chef position for a high profile client, he thinks it could be just the solution. He’ll pay off his debts quickly without his wife ever having to know about them. So what if he’s not a professional chef? He’ll learn. But his new client, Hazeline, has a taste for only the finest, most exotic ingredients, and it isn’t long before Ed wonders if he’s bitten off more than he can chew, so to speak.

Greedy is so impressive and worked for me on so many levels. It’s a provocative exploration of wealth, class, greed, power, identity, and family dynamics, making important statements but doing so in a way that’s unconventional and thoroughly entertaining. The world of the book sucked me in right away; I was immediately invested in Ed’s plight and completely captivated by Hazeline when she was introduced. This reads like a dark fairy tale at times, with its almost mystical setting and an undercurrent of strangeness and unreality that pervades the narrative. With gorgeous food descriptions and a strong sense of place, it’s an incredibly immersive and moody read.

Other reviewers have mentioned that they figured out where things were headed early in the book, and I think that was an intentional choice Kazumi made. Ed is lovable and easy to root for, but he is not intelligent (even his wife says so at one point in the book). The tension, then, comes not from the reader trying to figure out what’s going on - but rather from the reader being fairly certain what’s going on, and waiting to see when and how the protagonist will figure it out. And when he does? It’s so satisfying and definitely worth the wait. I just wanted a little bit more from the conclusion; I wanted alllll the lore.

Greedy is such a bold, confident novel, and it cemented Callie Kazumi as an author to watch for me. Thank you to Bantam for the early reading opportunity.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Greedy
✍🏻Callie Kazumi
Blurb:
What would you do for a seat at the table? In this deliciously dark thriller set in remote Japan, a desperate gambling addict masquerades as the private chef to a reclusive billionaire with deadly taste—from the twisted mind behind Claire, Darling.

They will kill me soon, Edward Cook thinks. When the Yakuza are unable to collect what he owes, Ed realizes that they'll go after his wife and child next. Broke, desperate, and unemployed, he stumbles upon an unusual Chef wanted! Private chef needed for a high-profile businesswoman. One million yen per day.

Ed accepts the job. He hasn't earned any Michelin stars, but he knows his way around a kitchen. Leaving his life in Tokyo behind, he departs for an opulent estate in the mountains owned by Hazeline Yamamoto, his enigmatic and reclusive benefactor, a disgraced socialite with a predator's smile and exacting palette. Hazeline's world is one of taste, connoisseurship, and experimentation—she is a certified gourmand. But when you can afford filet mignon for every meal, you begin to seek out the strange and forbidden.

The closer Ed gets to Hazeline and a brighter future that she promises—if only he remains loyal—the closer he is to realizing the chilling truth about her altruism. In this shadow world of unimaginable wealth, there are worse monsters than two-bit gangsters. The wind blowing through Hazeline’s home carries the sound of screaming, and Ed finds himself feeding all kinds of beasts.

Perfect for fans of Parasite and The Menu—enticing as a starter, meaty as a main dish, and full of satisfying just-desserts—Greedy is a suspenseful poison-pen note to classism and an ode to Japanese cuisine, a horror-tinged thriller unsuitable for vegetarians but full of shocking delights for every reader.
My Thoughts:
Ed is addicted to gambling and ends up in debt to the Yakuza and they are coming to collect. Ed needs money fast so he takes a risk and applies for a job to become a personal chef for a very secretive celebrity with very peculiar tastes but the money is too good to pass up. What could go wrong? Ed is the most naive person ever because there were way too many warning signs for him to not see what was actually going on. Also, I felt so bad for Ed's wife, she is basically raising their daughter by herself and Ed admits that he isn't a very good father.
Thanks NetGalley, Bantam Publisher and Author Callie Kazumi for the advanced copy of "Greed" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BantamPublisher
#Greedy
#CallieKazumi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greedy is about an English man living in Japan who loses his job and eventually turns to gambling to make himself feel better. After owing a huge debt to the Yakuza, Ed is desperate for a job and is ecstatic to be given the chance to play private chef for an extremely rich and powerful person. He soon starts to realize there is something unsettling about his employer and he might be indebted to someone even worse than the Yakuza…

First off, I thought this was a great commentary on many different issues throughout people’s lives, relationships, and even society. It’s so interesting to read a book set in Japan but the main character is a foreigner. It really gives a different insight into living there and I feel I haven’t seen/read much of that perspective before. It certainly sounds difficult!

There’s many hard conversations throughout about gambling addictions, marital problems, concerns of raising/bonding with a young child. As someone who has a young toddler, I really connected with that part. Especially the part where Ed’s wife, Sayuri, opens up to him about how hard raising a kid is for her too. It really is!

I also really liked Ed’s character development. Going from a struggling gambling addict with no job, to working hard at his job as a chef and learning more techniques and recipes. He even admits to his gambling addiction and attempts to put that behind him so he can give his wife and daughter a better life. There’s some other parts to his character I liked as well but I don’t want to spoil anything!

I don’t think this book was unpredictable, it’s actually pretty predictable, but with the way it was written and how the story unfolded, I really had a good time with this. It was such an interesting read. Made me want to try some new recipes at home. Ed’s boss, Hazeline, also has a pet named Momo and so do I! I loved reading that part. Momo is my little cuddle bug.

Overall, a really solid horror/thriller. I wouldn’t say it’s in your face horror but is very subtle throughout until the climax. There is a subtle sinister undertone to this book until Ed learns the truth that I found fascinating. I think this was a really great novel and anyone who is into food related horror/thriller would enjoy this. Especially if they like to read about social commentary as well.
I give this a 4/5 star rating. Enjoyed my time with this and looking forward to the author’s next work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Century for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I do own Callie's previous book, Cuckoo, but haven't got round to reading it yet, but I enjoyed this so much that I'll be moving it up my TBR list.

I loved the balance between Japanese culture and our British protagonist. They are so different in many ways and I found it fascinating to read about their coming together.

I also loved Callie's description of food and eating. I mean, I won't spoil it obviously, but let me just say the culinary aspects aren't always that pleasant to read, but the passion and love for good food is.

What I enjoyed was the character-heavy story. It's light on plot (that's not a negative - I prefer characters over plot), but very detailed on characters, particularly Ed and his new employer Hazeline. The characters aren't always pleasant, in fact some are down right disgusting and horrid, but they were interesting to read.

Ed is gentle and naïve and a bit blind to what is happening, and I think the reader knows where the story is going before he does, so it was interesting to see him work it out.

I will say now that I didn't think any of the characters were likeable. They're very well written and interesting to read about, but they are very unlikeable, in my eyes anyway.

What I thought was very impressive is that considering nothing really happens - it's a progression of weirder meals really - it never feels boring or slow or stagnant. You're still enraptured with the story and didn't even notice that it was quite light on plot.

I don't know what I was expecting but it was a lot more uncomfortable to read than I thought. It's thrilling and disgusting and frightening, but it's this quiet fear, it sneaks up on you and burrows under your skin. It's a thriller, mystery, and horror. It's graphic and gruesome, and bizarrely there's elements, I felt, of a love story, but a healthy one and not necessarily a love story between two people either. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

I would say that whilst it is uncomfortable to read, the majority of it is suggested, hinted at, for the reader to figure out. There are moments of real graphic detail, but mostly it's your imagination, which I often find makes the difficult bits even harder.

There's a twist at the end which I obviously won't spoil, but it appears that myself and every other reviewer I've seen did not see coming at all!

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s a bit different, and I’m not complaining. Edward Cook lives in Tokyo and owes big money to the Yakuza, mafia-style criminals. He lost his job and fears that his family is in danger when he sees a strange job listing. It’s for a private chef and pays one million yen a day. After googling the conversion rate, that comes to about $6,396 a day. Maybe Tokyo pays really well for private chefs, but that seems almost ungodly, even if you’re working for a billionaire. Somehow, he gets this job, with his only prior kitchen experience being a sous chef in an average restaurant. So immediately, the reader knows something is up.

The estate is everything he pictured – breathtaking and secluded with a tiny staff who barely speak to him. And the owner is something else. Her name is Hazeline, and although she’s intimidating and exacting, he manages to ingratiate himself and please her with his cooking. He soon relaxes into his new position, coming and going to Hazeline’s on certain days to cook while catching up on his debts. And then things start getting weird. Strange packages, visitors that vanish shortly after arriving, all leading up to the much-celebrated yearly dinner he will prepare for select clients. Those who have very discerning tastes. Oh yes, it is definitely what you think.

The fun is watching how long it takes Edward to catch on. Which is quite a while longer than you’d expect. The author sprinkles in several moments of hilarity throughout in a kind of wink-wink way. It’s funny because it’s Edward’s point of view telling this story, but the reader is reading into everything he’s not saying that’s going on around him. And just when you’re left reeling at the conclusion, along comes the digestif (epilogue) portion, and it’s just brilliant. You’ll have to give this story a taste and see if it's to your liking! That’s the best pun I could come up with; my apologies. And my thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the free advanced reading copy of this book.