What do you think?
The Makoto Murders
A pitch-black, Dexter-like comic thriller in which a Tokyo paparazzo murders in order to generate the photos his magazine's readership ghoulishly demands. A razor-sharp skewering of our darkest fantasies and obsession with true crime for fans of Bella Mackie's How to Kill Your Family and Oyinkan Braithwaite's My Sister, The Serial Killer.
Ken Kato is a half-British, half-Japanese photojournalist working for a low-brow weekly magazine in Tokyo. He achieved fame by taking a photograph of a boy who drowned in the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, who he could have saved had he not been more concerned with getting the right light and composition for his shot.
Four years later, he has failed to repeat that success and, facing irrelevancy (and, worse, redundancy), he decides to turn serial killer to generate his own attention-grabbing pictures – for which he's inevitably always first on the scene. His magazine then publishes the pictures, causing a sensation in a society where murder is almost unheard of, and tripling its sales figures.
Hoping to impress his colleague Hayashi's estranged wife Makoto, who he is stalking after a short affair (though she clearly sees things a little differently), Kato murders only men and women with the same name as her. Inevitably the police are suspicious of him, but can find no evidence as he is meticulous in his planning and execution. Kato's editor is also suspicious, but is willing to ignore the evidence in front of him as sales boom.
A pitch-dark satire on our ghoulish obsession with true crime and our fascination with morally repellent serial killers (especially if they're good-looking and charismatic), The Makoto Murders asks plenty of uncomfortable questions of the reader while never forgetting it's first and foremost a page-turning thriller.
Ken Kato is a half-British, half-Japanese photojournalist working for a low-brow weekly magazine in Tokyo. He achieved fame by taking a photograph of a boy who drowned in the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, who he could have saved had he not been more concerned with getting the right light and composition for his shot.
Four years later, he has failed to repeat that success and, facing irrelevancy (and, worse, redundancy), he decides to turn serial killer to generate his own attention-grabbing pictures – for which he's inevitably always first on the scene. His magazine then publishes the pictures, causing a sensation in a society where murder is almost unheard of, and tripling its sales figures.
Hoping to impress his colleague Hayashi's estranged wife Makoto, who he is stalking after a short affair (though she clearly sees things a little differently), Kato murders only men and women with the same name as her. Inevitably the police are suspicious of him, but can find no evidence as he is meticulous in his planning and execution. Kato's editor is also suspicious, but is willing to ignore the evidence in front of him as sales boom.
A pitch-dark satire on our ghoulish obsession with true crime and our fascination with morally repellent serial killers (especially if they're good-looking and charismatic), The Makoto Murders asks plenty of uncomfortable questions of the reader while never forgetting it's first and foremost a page-turning thriller.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram
Publication date: 21st July 2026
Thoughts
Oh this was fun gruesome mixed with satire in the best way possible! Come to think of it I would love to read more from this genre. This was a wild ride in the most messed up way lol! Ken's character development and questionable moral compass was one of my favourite things about this story, you'd think there's only so far a person would go for something but not with Ken's ego lol! There's no chance you wouldn't wanna get to the end just to see how this mess played out! I had such a good time with it even though there was a point where it sorta put me off 😳😂 but I'm so glad I stuck it out sososo worth it! I haven't watched Dexter but apparently if you're a fan you'll enjoy this. My younger brother couldn't convince me to watch Dexter somehow this read did the influencing🤣 I might actually check out the show after this book! Also I definitely do see myself picking this story up again especially if I'm in a slump lol
Plot Summary
Photojournalist Ken Kato is desperate to revive his fading career after failing to recreate the success of a photograph that made him famous. In a shocking bid for attention, he begins committing murders so he can capture the exclusive crime scene photographs himself. As his crimes attract nationwide attention and his obsession with a former lover grows, Ken becomes increasingly dangerous, blurring the line between ambition and madness.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
My Bookstagram
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram
Publication date: 21st July 2026
Thoughts
Oh this was fun gruesome mixed with satire in the best way possible! Come to think of it I would love to read more from this genre. This was a wild ride in the most messed up way lol! Ken's character development and questionable moral compass was one of my favourite things about this story, you'd think there's only so far a person would go for something but not with Ken's ego lol! There's no chance you wouldn't wanna get to the end just to see how this mess played out! I had such a good time with it even though there was a point where it sorta put me off 😳😂 but I'm so glad I stuck it out sososo worth it! I haven't watched Dexter but apparently if you're a fan you'll enjoy this. My younger brother couldn't convince me to watch Dexter somehow this read did the influencing🤣 I might actually check out the show after this book! Also I definitely do see myself picking this story up again especially if I'm in a slump lol
Plot Summary
Photojournalist Ken Kato is desperate to revive his fading career after failing to recreate the success of a photograph that made him famous. In a shocking bid for attention, he begins committing murders so he can capture the exclusive crime scene photographs himself. As his crimes attract nationwide attention and his obsession with a former lover grows, Ken becomes increasingly dangerous, blurring the line between ambition and madness.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
My Bookstagram
August 4, 2026
Narrated by David Lee Huynh
Presented by Dreamscape Media
Odd and uncomfortable, but fun for exactly that reason!
I get the Dexter comparisons - this book is told by a serial killer who just wants to be loved and admired again for his photography. Cannot see anything wrong with that, nor the stalking of a friend's ex-wife. Poor guy.
Obviously, he's a psychopath.
It's an interesting story because it's told from the point of view of this loathsome guy, who clearly can't see anything wrong with his very wrong actions. There's no sympathy, of course - just more this baffling understanding that, wow, this guy really has no idea he's awful??? As the story progresses, we learn more from his unreliable narration and form a better understanding of what drives him.
I liked reading from this perspective - it made things a lot more fun. At the same time, there's nothing to like about this guy and there's no sympathy for the victims by nature of the narration, so it feels a bit disappointing. It's hard to really enjoy a book when you don't like the main character.
The narrator did a great job differentiating between characters, and adding excitement to the delivery. Pace was decent and his voice was entertaining.
It didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it was still a fun crime story from the perspective of a killer, making it different to the normal fare. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as gripping as I wanted it to be. Still, I'd recommend it for crime fans looking for a fresh perspective, and fans of Dexter in particular should appreciate it.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
Presented by Dreamscape Media
Odd and uncomfortable, but fun for exactly that reason!
I get the Dexter comparisons - this book is told by a serial killer who just wants to be loved and admired again for his photography. Cannot see anything wrong with that, nor the stalking of a friend's ex-wife. Poor guy.
Obviously, he's a psychopath.
It's an interesting story because it's told from the point of view of this loathsome guy, who clearly can't see anything wrong with his very wrong actions. There's no sympathy, of course - just more this baffling understanding that, wow, this guy really has no idea he's awful??? As the story progresses, we learn more from his unreliable narration and form a better understanding of what drives him.
I liked reading from this perspective - it made things a lot more fun. At the same time, there's nothing to like about this guy and there's no sympathy for the victims by nature of the narration, so it feels a bit disappointing. It's hard to really enjoy a book when you don't like the main character.
The narrator did a great job differentiating between characters, and adding excitement to the delivery. Pace was decent and his voice was entertaining.
It didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it was still a fun crime story from the perspective of a killer, making it different to the normal fare. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as gripping as I wanted it to be. Still, I'd recommend it for crime fans looking for a fresh perspective, and fans of Dexter in particular should appreciate it.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
August 24, 2026
★★★☆☆
The Makoto Murders unfolds beneath a quiet, restrained surface where every conversation seems to conceal another layer. It captures the unease of isolation and the subtle tension between public composure and private lives.
The mystery is engaging enough to carry the pages, even if some revelations felt less powerful than I had hoped.
For me, this was a solid three-star read: elegant in tone, immersive in setting, and worth reading for its storytelling, even if it never fully reached the emotional depth I was searching for.
(Sorry, it didn’t meet my expectations)
{ebook}
The Makoto Murders unfolds beneath a quiet, restrained surface where every conversation seems to conceal another layer. It captures the unease of isolation and the subtle tension between public composure and private lives.
The mystery is engaging enough to carry the pages, even if some revelations felt less powerful than I had hoped.
For me, this was a solid three-star read: elegant in tone, immersive in setting, and worth reading for its storytelling, even if it never fully reached the emotional depth I was searching for.
(Sorry, it didn’t meet my expectations)
{ebook}
August 5, 2026
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram, after kin wins a prestigious award for a picture he took of a young boy after he drowned in the aftermath of the tsunami he becomes obsessed with winning another award he also becomes obsessed with his colleague and good friends estranged wife and like madness in general it is a downward spiral and the length Ken will go to Willistown everyone except him. This book has a touch of dark comedy and lots of gruesome murder although the murders aren’t that detailed and it’s very palatable I just love this book it was so much fun and you never knew what Ken was going to do next at times you would think oh he’s very smart to think that he gave credit where credit was due he was thoughtful when it came to others at times but then there were other times where you just were shaking your head like oh Ken, Ken, Ken, Ken,! I listened to the audiobook narrated by David Lee Hyun and although I’ve never heard his narrating before I thought he did a phenomenal job the women’s voice is something about irritating me but I still thought he held the tone of the book not to mention the funny moments that weren’t supposed to be so funny it really was a very enjoyable read and when I absolutely recommend with great narration and a great story you really can’t go wrong. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
August 3, 2026
3.5 stars
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram is a darkly satirical thriller that blends razor-sharp social commentary with an unsettling psychological narrative. Following Ken Kato, a half-British, half-Japanese photojournalist whose career was built on a morally indefensible image captured during the 2011 tsunami, the novel explores ambition, obsession, and society's fascination with true crime in a way that's both disturbing and compelling.
Ken is an utterly despicable protagonist. He is vain, delusional, and completely devoid of conscience. His willingness to justify murder as a means of reviving his career, alongside his obsessive fixation on a woman named Makoto, makes for an uncomfortable but fascinating character study. He was never intended to be likeable, and Richard Jerram succeeds in creating a protagonist you'll eagerly hope gets caught.
The dark humour lands well, balancing the novel's disturbing subject matter with biting wit. Rich in Japanese culture and packed with sharp satire, The Makoto Murders is an entertaining exploration of obsession, media sensationalism, and the cost of chasing notoriety. While I found parts of the story a little uneven and at times repetitive, it was undeniably engrossing.
Thank you Richard Jerram, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram is a darkly satirical thriller that blends razor-sharp social commentary with an unsettling psychological narrative. Following Ken Kato, a half-British, half-Japanese photojournalist whose career was built on a morally indefensible image captured during the 2011 tsunami, the novel explores ambition, obsession, and society's fascination with true crime in a way that's both disturbing and compelling.
Ken is an utterly despicable protagonist. He is vain, delusional, and completely devoid of conscience. His willingness to justify murder as a means of reviving his career, alongside his obsessive fixation on a woman named Makoto, makes for an uncomfortable but fascinating character study. He was never intended to be likeable, and Richard Jerram succeeds in creating a protagonist you'll eagerly hope gets caught.
The dark humour lands well, balancing the novel's disturbing subject matter with biting wit. Rich in Japanese culture and packed with sharp satire, The Makoto Murders is an entertaining exploration of obsession, media sensationalism, and the cost of chasing notoriety. While I found parts of the story a little uneven and at times repetitive, it was undeniably engrossing.
Thank you Richard Jerram, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2026
I received a bound proof copy of The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram via Titan Books.
A stunning Tokyo Noir brimming with stylish satire and ruthless ambition. We follow former famous photojournalist Ken Kato hit desperate lows to claw back up to fame by fabricating his own Serial Killer, staging murders and guess who conveniently just so happens to be first on the scene to get the best shots? Yes, our cunning, devious and desperate Ken.
The pace is as slick as our main man’s wit and charm and at its core is a great message about our macabre obsessions with true crime and serial killers.
Ken’s character development and ego-driven moral compass is really fleshed out with haunting regrets and questionable, calculated choices. Although a sociopath and murderer …I kinda liked him! I just won’t ask him to be my tour guide around Tokyo.
I hope Richard Jerram writes more ventures for Ken as I loved his writing style, pace and plot!
The Makoto Murders publishes on 7th July and is definitely one to pre-order if you like your crime fiction dark, sharp and slick.
A stunning Tokyo Noir brimming with stylish satire and ruthless ambition. We follow former famous photojournalist Ken Kato hit desperate lows to claw back up to fame by fabricating his own Serial Killer, staging murders and guess who conveniently just so happens to be first on the scene to get the best shots? Yes, our cunning, devious and desperate Ken.
The pace is as slick as our main man’s wit and charm and at its core is a great message about our macabre obsessions with true crime and serial killers.
Ken’s character development and ego-driven moral compass is really fleshed out with haunting regrets and questionable, calculated choices. Although a sociopath and murderer …I kinda liked him! I just won’t ask him to be my tour guide around Tokyo.
I hope Richard Jerram writes more ventures for Ken as I loved his writing style, pace and plot!
The Makoto Murders publishes on 7th July and is definitely one to pre-order if you like your crime fiction dark, sharp and slick.
September 5, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I've never read a thriller from the killers pov so this was lowkey insane
I definitely do not understand him at all but just knowing his pov and motives was weirdly interesting and unsettling tbh cause how many people are walking around with this mentality...
I guess that's the whole point of this book with how people have some odd obsession with true crime like it really is strange
idk how people were locked in to see these close up shots of a murder what is so entertaining about it
I read fictional crime / thriller all the time but I don't think I could ever with true crime its ac horrifying
I also never rooted for him and thought he should be locked up or killed cant lie but I did want to see how long he could get away with it for
Lowkey feeling problematic 😓
I wish the ending was different though, it was slightly lame how they had hayashi pull that nonsense and not a random copycat instead...
I've never read a thriller from the killers pov so this was lowkey insane
I definitely do not understand him at all but just knowing his pov and motives was weirdly interesting and unsettling tbh cause how many people are walking around with this mentality...
I guess that's the whole point of this book with how people have some odd obsession with true crime like it really is strange
idk how people were locked in to see these close up shots of a murder what is so entertaining about it
I read fictional crime / thriller all the time but I don't think I could ever with true crime its ac horrifying
I also never rooted for him and thought he should be locked up or killed cant lie but I did want to see how long he could get away with it for
Lowkey feeling problematic 😓
I wish the ending was different though, it was slightly lame how they had hayashi pull that nonsense and not a random copycat instead...
September 20, 2026
Mycket underhållande om vår tids besatthet av berömmelse och att lyckas till varje pris, sammanflätat med att vi alla förfäras av våld men samtidigt klickar på artiklar med mord och andra bestialiska brott. Vrider också på vad som är moraliskt rätt att visa och skriva om när det finns en stor marknad att tjäna pengar på, vad händer när gränser förflyttas och till slut överträds. Här beskrivet på ett underhållande sätt med en rolig dialog och kvick humor. En perfekt bok på flygplan och semester, lättläst och lagom lång!
August 16, 2026
have you ever wanted to be in the mind of a killer? wondered “what would make somebody do such horrible things?” turns out, not much.
Ken Kato, a washed up photographer working for a local magazine in Tokyo is losing his grip on reality. His job is in danger, even though he won an award for photojournalism years ago, he hasn’t had any success since. His wife doesn’t want him anymore. And his co-workers ex, Makoto rejects his creepy advances. So what’s a guy to do? Start murdering people named Makoto in order to be “first on the scene” so he can snap gruesome photographs of the crime. Surely this will turn out good right?
think of YOU was set in 2015 Tokyo and if instead of being obsessed with Beck, Joe Goldberg was obsessed with putting himself on top.
the story jumps right in and gives a grime noir kind of feeling to Tokyo that reminded me a lot of the atmosphere of the city shots in The Grudge. however, after Ken starts murdering, the story drags a little in the middle while he escalates. Ken is escalating and personally I felt like the consequences weren’t catching up to him fast enough. I kept thinking “how is he still getting away with this?” he’s such an unlikable character but the audiobook narrator gave him some sort of creepy sexy edge where I kept thinking “he could easily have a good life he’s just a psycho!” he’s not ugly, he’s not unintelligent, he’s genuinely self absorbed and crazy.
the ending was interesting but it felt a little rushed so the story could end as neatly as it could. overall, an interesting thriller.
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Ken Kato, a washed up photographer working for a local magazine in Tokyo is losing his grip on reality. His job is in danger, even though he won an award for photojournalism years ago, he hasn’t had any success since. His wife doesn’t want him anymore. And his co-workers ex, Makoto rejects his creepy advances. So what’s a guy to do? Start murdering people named Makoto in order to be “first on the scene” so he can snap gruesome photographs of the crime. Surely this will turn out good right?
think of YOU was set in 2015 Tokyo and if instead of being obsessed with Beck, Joe Goldberg was obsessed with putting himself on top.
the story jumps right in and gives a grime noir kind of feeling to Tokyo that reminded me a lot of the atmosphere of the city shots in The Grudge. however, after Ken starts murdering, the story drags a little in the middle while he escalates. Ken is escalating and personally I felt like the consequences weren’t catching up to him fast enough. I kept thinking “how is he still getting away with this?” he’s such an unlikable character but the audiobook narrator gave him some sort of creepy sexy edge where I kept thinking “he could easily have a good life he’s just a psycho!” he’s not ugly, he’s not unintelligent, he’s genuinely self absorbed and crazy.
the ending was interesting but it felt a little rushed so the story could end as neatly as it could. overall, an interesting thriller.
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2026
A short but really enjoyable book that often had me guiltily grinning.
August 11, 2026
The Makoto Murders is a strange and twisty read following Ken Kato, a prize-winning photographer turned serial killer. I listened to the new audiobook release instead of getting a physical copy, which is a bit out of my norm, but it actually made this story a little more exciting because I couldn't accidently spoil the next page for myself and ruin all of the suspense.
This was such a bizarre listen, yet incredibly entertaining. Listening this was kind of like watching someone light their house on fire, and then they just start throwing kerosene on it and stuff. You're absolutely horrified and have no idea what's happening, but you're going to keep watching anyway. It's also been a while since I read a book where a villainous character is the protagonist, so even though I knew what the story was about, I was still shocked when Kato just starts straight up murdering people. Had to pause for a quick "wow, this guy is really messed up" every five pages or so.
What worked for me:
The writing style was very easy to listen to, and the story was consistently fast-paced with few lulls in momentum. I also appreciated that though the story has its gruesome moments, it never strayed into anything gory. Which was great news for me, because I would have chickened out almost immediately.
I do wonder if I would have actually liked this book as much if I'd read it as a physical book versus listening, but I'm not really worried about it.
And as much as I hated Kato, I have to admit that his character was very well written. Props to Mr. Jerram for writing a truly hate-able character that I would gladly watch get chased by a swarm of hornets or something. Or maybe a flock of really, really angry geese.
What didn't work for me:
Though the ending was fitting for the story, I was expecting something a lot different. I don't know if it's just because of how I'd assumed things would go down, but the ending kind of killed the vibe a bit. And obviously this is down to my personal preference, but when I hate a character, I want to see them eat dirt.
I give 4 stars and recommend to readers who enjoy a good thriller or murder mystery. Thank you to Richard Jerram and NetGalley for an arc of the new audiobook edition of this book!
This was such a bizarre listen, yet incredibly entertaining. Listening this was kind of like watching someone light their house on fire, and then they just start throwing kerosene on it and stuff. You're absolutely horrified and have no idea what's happening, but you're going to keep watching anyway. It's also been a while since I read a book where a villainous character is the protagonist, so even though I knew what the story was about, I was still shocked when Kato just starts straight up murdering people. Had to pause for a quick "wow, this guy is really messed up" every five pages or so.
What worked for me:
The writing style was very easy to listen to, and the story was consistently fast-paced with few lulls in momentum. I also appreciated that though the story has its gruesome moments, it never strayed into anything gory. Which was great news for me, because I would have chickened out almost immediately.
I do wonder if I would have actually liked this book as much if I'd read it as a physical book versus listening, but I'm not really worried about it.
And as much as I hated Kato, I have to admit that his character was very well written. Props to Mr. Jerram for writing a truly hate-able character that I would gladly watch get chased by a swarm of hornets or something. Or maybe a flock of really, really angry geese.
What didn't work for me:
Though the ending was fitting for the story, I was expecting something a lot different. I don't know if it's just because of how I'd assumed things would go down, but the ending kind of killed the vibe a bit. And obviously this is down to my personal preference, but when I hate a character, I want to see them eat dirt.
I give 4 stars and recommend to readers who enjoy a good thriller or murder mystery. Thank you to Richard Jerram and NetGalley for an arc of the new audiobook edition of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was so addicting and had me equally outraged and enthralled the entire time. This is the kind of book that brings out so many strong emotions, which really speaks to how well it is written!
📖The Plot:
Ken Kato is a magazine photographer who gets his first real taste of fame after winning a prestigious photography award for capturing the moment a young boy is swept away by the sea during a devastating earthquake. Four years later, he still hasn’t managed to take another award-winning photograph. Desperate to recreate that success, he decides to manufacture those moments himself by murdering people and photographing their deaths for the magazine.
To make things even more disturbing, every person he kills is named Makoto, the same name as his colleague’s ex-wife, whom Ken has become completely obsessed with. What makes the story especially chilling is that it is told entirely from Ken’s perspective, and his narration is cold, unforgiving, and deeply detached.
💭 My Thoughts:
The way Ken rationalizes his actions and twists everything into something that makes sense to him is genuinely vile. The story reminded me a lot of the 2014 movie Nightcrawler, except Ken’s mind somehow feels even more twisted. The most unsettling moments were the scenes where we experienced everything through his perspective while it was painfully obvious that he was not perceiving the world around him correctly. He constantly reshapes reality to fit his own selfish, delusional version of events.
The character development was incredibly well done. It is rare to find a book that lays out a character’s reasoning so clearly without becoming repetitive or overly obvious. Ken’s thought process is deeply disturbing, but it is written in a way that makes it impossible to look away.
I also listened to the audiobook, and David Lee Huynh did an amazing job bringing Ken’s internal narrative to life. His performance made the character feel even colder, more unsettling, and completely detached from reality.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinons are my own!
📖The Plot:
Ken Kato is a magazine photographer who gets his first real taste of fame after winning a prestigious photography award for capturing the moment a young boy is swept away by the sea during a devastating earthquake. Four years later, he still hasn’t managed to take another award-winning photograph. Desperate to recreate that success, he decides to manufacture those moments himself by murdering people and photographing their deaths for the magazine.
To make things even more disturbing, every person he kills is named Makoto, the same name as his colleague’s ex-wife, whom Ken has become completely obsessed with. What makes the story especially chilling is that it is told entirely from Ken’s perspective, and his narration is cold, unforgiving, and deeply detached.
💭 My Thoughts:
The way Ken rationalizes his actions and twists everything into something that makes sense to him is genuinely vile. The story reminded me a lot of the 2014 movie Nightcrawler, except Ken’s mind somehow feels even more twisted. The most unsettling moments were the scenes where we experienced everything through his perspective while it was painfully obvious that he was not perceiving the world around him correctly. He constantly reshapes reality to fit his own selfish, delusional version of events.
The character development was incredibly well done. It is rare to find a book that lays out a character’s reasoning so clearly without becoming repetitive or overly obvious. Ken’s thought process is deeply disturbing, but it is written in a way that makes it impossible to look away.
I also listened to the audiobook, and David Lee Huynh did an amazing job bringing Ken’s internal narrative to life. His performance made the character feel even colder, more unsettling, and completely detached from reality.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinons are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is one of those books you dive into almost immediately and then have a hard time putting down, even with a discomfiting subject. I picked it up thinking it was a gritty crime thriller but instead it’s more of a stinging, darkly comedic satire on media, obsession and turning violence into entertainment/content. The dark humour is awesome though, some points are just so out there it almost makes you feel very uncomfortable too, but in a very funny way!
After gaining fame a while back, Ken Kato, a photojournalist for a magazine named Hikari, wants to get back in the spotlight. So he starts committing murders that are connected to the name Makoto (based on a woman he has been stalking for years), taking what could be brutal violence and turn into something that he can capture, document and profit from. One of the things that makes this so jarring is the level-headed and calculated way in which Ken thinks and acts throughout the story.
I really enjoyed experiencing the story from Ken’s POV. Everything he is doing is perfectly fine in his mind and can be boiled down to something either logical, opportune or it just happens. There isn’t a lot of guilt or remorse, except for a few nightmares. This made the whole book incredibly uneasy throughout.
As a huge true crime fan, I felt like the Satire was particularly well done. This book does not take itself seriously! It is very funny in its showcase about how quickly we as an audience turn violence into content. The dark humour is fantastic here and at points is so out of left field, that I caught myself laughing and then felt bad because I was laughing at a joke made by a serial killer 🤦🏻♀️
The ending is probably one of my favorite aspects of the book as it did not end the way I would have anticipated for a book of this type. It felt rather refreshing for a thriller ending.
Downright uncomfortable, wickedly intelligent and a thoroughly rewarding thought-provoking time once it’s over. Loved every second of it.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC*
After gaining fame a while back, Ken Kato, a photojournalist for a magazine named Hikari, wants to get back in the spotlight. So he starts committing murders that are connected to the name Makoto (based on a woman he has been stalking for years), taking what could be brutal violence and turn into something that he can capture, document and profit from. One of the things that makes this so jarring is the level-headed and calculated way in which Ken thinks and acts throughout the story.
I really enjoyed experiencing the story from Ken’s POV. Everything he is doing is perfectly fine in his mind and can be boiled down to something either logical, opportune or it just happens. There isn’t a lot of guilt or remorse, except for a few nightmares. This made the whole book incredibly uneasy throughout.
As a huge true crime fan, I felt like the Satire was particularly well done. This book does not take itself seriously! It is very funny in its showcase about how quickly we as an audience turn violence into content. The dark humour is fantastic here and at points is so out of left field, that I caught myself laughing and then felt bad because I was laughing at a joke made by a serial killer 🤦🏻♀️
The ending is probably one of my favorite aspects of the book as it did not end the way I would have anticipated for a book of this type. It felt rather refreshing for a thriller ending.
Downright uncomfortable, wickedly intelligent and a thoroughly rewarding thought-provoking time once it’s over. Loved every second of it.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75⭐!
One-Line Teaser: I don’t think I’ve ever abhorred yet eagerly wanted to know the ending of a book before
Synopsis: Ken Kato, a photographer for a magazine, is washed up. He won an award years ago, but since then, he’s had little success in his career. In an attempt to regain his status as a coveted photographer and get the attention of a woman he’s been stalking, he starts murdering people with the same surname, Makoto.
Writing: written in first-person POV👤
Thoughts: So my thoughts on this book are kind of contradictory because while I was wanting to listen to it often, I had times where I had to pause the ALC to just be away from the main character’s mind. He is so self-centered and conceited, like he couldn’t fathom someone disliking him, and if they do dislike him, he blames them. For example, at a point in the book, he hits on these two girls that he initially believes to be pretty. However, once they reject him, he starts to point out how they really are ugly and that they should be thankful for his presence. He does not notice how uncomfortable he makes other people, especially girls.
Even his responses to questions about his thoughts when photographing these murders, he answers thoughtlessly. When asked if it is difficult, he starts to talk about the angle of the body and how sometimes the lighting isn’t great. The interviewer has to correct the assumption by saying, “No, I mean difficult as in morally or ethically.” His internal dialogue is even more unsettling to be in.
Though, his egocentrism is the reason why I was compelled to keep listening. Through his murders, the reader is kept on their toes as the stakes get higher and higher. If the point of this book was to have us disgusted while intrigued enough to keep turning the page, the author did a thorough job.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
→ thrillers
→ unreliable narrators
→ ambiguity
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
One-Line Teaser: I don’t think I’ve ever abhorred yet eagerly wanted to know the ending of a book before
Synopsis: Ken Kato, a photographer for a magazine, is washed up. He won an award years ago, but since then, he’s had little success in his career. In an attempt to regain his status as a coveted photographer and get the attention of a woman he’s been stalking, he starts murdering people with the same surname, Makoto.
Writing: written in first-person POV👤
Thoughts: So my thoughts on this book are kind of contradictory because while I was wanting to listen to it often, I had times where I had to pause the ALC to just be away from the main character’s mind. He is so self-centered and conceited, like he couldn’t fathom someone disliking him, and if they do dislike him, he blames them. For example, at a point in the book, he hits on these two girls that he initially believes to be pretty. However, once they reject him, he starts to point out how they really are ugly and that they should be thankful for his presence. He does not notice how uncomfortable he makes other people, especially girls.
Even his responses to questions about his thoughts when photographing these murders, he answers thoughtlessly. When asked if it is difficult, he starts to talk about the angle of the body and how sometimes the lighting isn’t great. The interviewer has to correct the assumption by saying, “No, I mean difficult as in morally or ethically.” His internal dialogue is even more unsettling to be in.
Though, his egocentrism is the reason why I was compelled to keep listening. Through his murders, the reader is kept on their toes as the stakes get higher and higher. If the point of this book was to have us disgusted while intrigued enough to keep turning the page, the author did a thorough job.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
→ thrillers
→ unreliable narrators
→ ambiguity
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in exchange for an honest review!
July 29, 2026
The Makoto Murders follows Ken Kato, a half-British, half-Japanese photojournalist who shot to fame with a photograph of a drowning boy during Japan’s 2011 tsunami. Could he have saved the boy instead of getting the perfect shot? Maybe. Four years later, he has failed to repeat that success. Facing irrelevancy and redundancy, Kato finds an ingenious solution: he turns serial killer to generate his own attention-grabbing pictures. And hoping to impress the woman he’s obsessed with, Kato only murders people who share her name: Makoto. Suspicion soon begins to swirl - but with the police always a step behind, and sales booming, neither Kato nor his editor sees a reason to end his picture-perfect spree…
The Makoto Murders is a dark, satirical thriller that takes our macabre obsession with true crime and serial killers and twists it into a compelling, unsettling story.
Ken’s ruthless ambition is almost admirable, but I absolutely despised him. He’s a desperate, vile man, and the way he justifies his actions is genuinely disturbing. That said, I don’t think he was ever meant to be likeable, and in that respect he’s a brilliantly crafted protagonist. As awful as he is, he’s also a fascinating perspective to follow.
I’ve seen this book described as Nightcrawler meets Dexter, and honestly, that’s the perfect comparison. The dark humour is executed flawlessly, and although the story is unsettling and uncomfortable, it’s wickedly entertaining. Steeped in Japanese culture and rich with sharp wit, it’s an enthralling premise that’s masterfully written and offers a compelling exploration of obsession in all its forms.
I don’t want to say too much more about the plot (or Ken) because this is one of those stories that’s best experienced knowing as little as possible. I will say, though, that I loved the ending and the final twist involving our witty little killer. Click, click!
Thank you so much to Titan books for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
The Makoto Murders is a dark, satirical thriller that takes our macabre obsession with true crime and serial killers and twists it into a compelling, unsettling story.
Ken’s ruthless ambition is almost admirable, but I absolutely despised him. He’s a desperate, vile man, and the way he justifies his actions is genuinely disturbing. That said, I don’t think he was ever meant to be likeable, and in that respect he’s a brilliantly crafted protagonist. As awful as he is, he’s also a fascinating perspective to follow.
I’ve seen this book described as Nightcrawler meets Dexter, and honestly, that’s the perfect comparison. The dark humour is executed flawlessly, and although the story is unsettling and uncomfortable, it’s wickedly entertaining. Steeped in Japanese culture and rich with sharp wit, it’s an enthralling premise that’s masterfully written and offers a compelling exploration of obsession in all its forms.
I don’t want to say too much more about the plot (or Ken) because this is one of those stories that’s best experienced knowing as little as possible. I will say, though, that I loved the ending and the final twist involving our witty little killer. Click, click!
Thank you so much to Titan books for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thanks to Titan Books, Dreamscape Media, Richard Jerram (author), Edelweiss, and Libro.fm for the digital review copy and advance listening copy of The Makoto Murders narrated in by David Lee Huynh. Their generosity did not influence my review.
When I was in high school, Jennifer was everywhere. Jennifer was the homecoming queen, the prom queen, the cheerleading captain and the first chair clarinet. Not only was she accomplished like that, Jennifer was liked by everyone, and not only because she was the girlfriend of most popular guy in school with a hot older brother.
Plot twist: they were all different Jennifers because I went to high school in the late 80s/early 90s and everyone was named Jennifer back then.
Enter Ken, the most unhinged, narcissistic first-person narrator I have encountered all year. Ken is a Tokyo photojournalist desperate to recapture the high of a major industry award he won four years ago (for exploiting a tragedy, naturally). When his corporate job security hits the rocks, Ken devises a scheme of pure, cold-blooded backstabbing, and also strangling. You should be careful if you share the common name Makoto.
Somewhere between licking a woman's entire grocery haul of grapes to patronizing gay male escorts, it shouldn’t take a genius detective to solve some crimes that are about as sophisticated as a game of peekaboo or a pop-goes-the-raging-misogynist toy. But then The Makoto Murders transforms from a regular thriller into a gruesome satire on media’s use of voyeurism to capture our attention and our dollars. And chasing a headline at the cost of human survival is only one of the ways that the Kens of the world weaponize the vulnerability of women for fleeting attention. I stayed up all night reading, never knowing how it would end. It was jaw-on-the-floor fantastic and I have already told four other people about it. They all have different names, though. 4.25/5 stars
When I was in high school, Jennifer was everywhere. Jennifer was the homecoming queen, the prom queen, the cheerleading captain and the first chair clarinet. Not only was she accomplished like that, Jennifer was liked by everyone, and not only because she was the girlfriend of most popular guy in school with a hot older brother.
Plot twist: they were all different Jennifers because I went to high school in the late 80s/early 90s and everyone was named Jennifer back then.
Enter Ken, the most unhinged, narcissistic first-person narrator I have encountered all year. Ken is a Tokyo photojournalist desperate to recapture the high of a major industry award he won four years ago (for exploiting a tragedy, naturally). When his corporate job security hits the rocks, Ken devises a scheme of pure, cold-blooded backstabbing, and also strangling. You should be careful if you share the common name Makoto.
Somewhere between licking a woman's entire grocery haul of grapes to patronizing gay male escorts, it shouldn’t take a genius detective to solve some crimes that are about as sophisticated as a game of peekaboo or a pop-goes-the-raging-misogynist toy. But then The Makoto Murders transforms from a regular thriller into a gruesome satire on media’s use of voyeurism to capture our attention and our dollars. And chasing a headline at the cost of human survival is only one of the ways that the Kens of the world weaponize the vulnerability of women for fleeting attention. I stayed up all night reading, never knowing how it would end. It was jaw-on-the-floor fantastic and I have already told four other people about it. They all have different names, though. 4.25/5 stars
August 19, 2026
3.5⭐️
A giant tsunami surprises a Japanese town, and in the waves, a young boy reaches and gasps for help. Ken Kato grabs his camera and captures the moment before he is swept out to sea. Precipitating Ken’s continual struggle between right and wrong in the pursuit of art.
After solidifying his career with the once in a lifetime tsunami boy photo, Ken Kato has been chasing that high ever since… photojournalism is a matter of art and skill and time and being in the right place at the right moment… And Ken is becoming desperate enough to make the moment happen…
Inspired by his obsession for his coworkers ex-wife, Makato, Ken decides to give his low brow, magazine, bosses, something juicy that will definitely peak the readers interest… soon he is murdering and capturing the first glimpses of the bodies of seemingly random individuals named Makato in the name of art?
I found this to be an interesting take on the descent into moral madness. Ken has no clue he is obsessively stalking the original Makato. He feels that his photography and success should make her want him more while the exact opposite occurs as she is more disgusted by his work. As for the work itself, he believes his career and the joy and excitement people get out of his grizzly photographs justifies the lives he takes… I wish at the end of the book. There was more of a comeuppance for Ken and he experiences true consequence for his deranged actions, rather than another sociopath, walking off into the sunset, believing they have completed a job well done…
I listened to the audiobook narrated by David Lee Huynh and really enjoyed the match of the narrator for the reading voice of Ken. He suited the character perfectly. I think David’s reading also did a good job adding to the embodiment of Ken’s strained mental state. Is reading portrayed a man on the edge and made you feel like you were in his head. The audio definitely added to the book experience.
A giant tsunami surprises a Japanese town, and in the waves, a young boy reaches and gasps for help. Ken Kato grabs his camera and captures the moment before he is swept out to sea. Precipitating Ken’s continual struggle between right and wrong in the pursuit of art.
After solidifying his career with the once in a lifetime tsunami boy photo, Ken Kato has been chasing that high ever since… photojournalism is a matter of art and skill and time and being in the right place at the right moment… And Ken is becoming desperate enough to make the moment happen…
Inspired by his obsession for his coworkers ex-wife, Makato, Ken decides to give his low brow, magazine, bosses, something juicy that will definitely peak the readers interest… soon he is murdering and capturing the first glimpses of the bodies of seemingly random individuals named Makato in the name of art?
I found this to be an interesting take on the descent into moral madness. Ken has no clue he is obsessively stalking the original Makato. He feels that his photography and success should make her want him more while the exact opposite occurs as she is more disgusted by his work. As for the work itself, he believes his career and the joy and excitement people get out of his grizzly photographs justifies the lives he takes… I wish at the end of the book. There was more of a comeuppance for Ken and he experiences true consequence for his deranged actions, rather than another sociopath, walking off into the sunset, believing they have completed a job well done…
I listened to the audiobook narrated by David Lee Huynh and really enjoyed the match of the narrator for the reading voice of Ken. He suited the character perfectly. I think David’s reading also did a good job adding to the embodiment of Ken’s strained mental state. Is reading portrayed a man on the edge and made you feel like you were in his head. The audio definitely added to the book experience.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram
Rating : 4.5⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 21st July 2026
Pages : I don't know, I read this on my Kindle
Duration : 5 days
----------------
The Makoto Murders is a Japanese Noir book set in the world of photography and magazines, Ken Kato a British-Japenese photographer for the Hikari magazine famed for his picture of a younger boy drifting out to sea after the 2011 Tsunami is looking to recapture the success after 4 lean years has left him facing irrelevancy
After a breakdown of his marriage and a brief affair with his work colleagues ex wife Makoto leaves him feeling discouraged and empty.
So as any every right minded person would he goes out to create his own crime scene and artistically photo the prone bodies, and get this he goes out to murder Makotos yeah totally normal behaviour.
This is a darky thematic novel that borders on obsession, progression and dark fantasies and asks uncomfortable questions
Ken is a awful awful person, he is mean, he is selfish and not to mention the murders, a pretty bad egg all round.
I found this book intriguing and was darkly rich, the characters jumped off the screen and were fully fleshed and though the murders were dark they were well thought out and entertaining and came across as a Japanese Dexter episode (I've never seen Dexter)
All in all I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend this to anyone who is after a dark story
----------------
This is due to be released 2nd of June, if this interests you then add it to you want to read list
----------------
Thank you to Netgalley & The Publisher for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
Rating : 4.5⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 21st July 2026
Pages : I don't know, I read this on my Kindle
Duration : 5 days
----------------
The Makoto Murders is a Japanese Noir book set in the world of photography and magazines, Ken Kato a British-Japenese photographer for the Hikari magazine famed for his picture of a younger boy drifting out to sea after the 2011 Tsunami is looking to recapture the success after 4 lean years has left him facing irrelevancy
After a breakdown of his marriage and a brief affair with his work colleagues ex wife Makoto leaves him feeling discouraged and empty.
So as any every right minded person would he goes out to create his own crime scene and artistically photo the prone bodies, and get this he goes out to murder Makotos yeah totally normal behaviour.
This is a darky thematic novel that borders on obsession, progression and dark fantasies and asks uncomfortable questions
Ken is a awful awful person, he is mean, he is selfish and not to mention the murders, a pretty bad egg all round.
I found this book intriguing and was darkly rich, the characters jumped off the screen and were fully fleshed and though the murders were dark they were well thought out and entertaining and came across as a Japanese Dexter episode (I've never seen Dexter)
All in all I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend this to anyone who is after a dark story
----------------
This is due to be released 2nd of June, if this interests you then add it to you want to read list
----------------
Thank you to Netgalley & The Publisher for the Advanced Review Copy of this book, though I am grateful for the ARC the words above are my own
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
July 28, 2026
Wow! This was absolutely wild and I couldn't put it down. I feel like I need to take a break from audiobooks because I keep getting addicted and wanting to listen constantly 🙈
This audiobook had a fantastic narrator! He did an excellent job bringing the story to life and really made Ken feel real.
This book was SO dark, but it was very well done. It's not gory for the sake of being gory; it's critiquing the gross obsession with true crime and how much people love a sensational story, an innocent victim, studying a serial killer's moves with horror and a sick fascination.
It's beyond unlikable and unreliable narrator, too. Our narrator is a true sociopath, displaying very little normal, sane human emotion. He can barely remember that he's supposed to be disturbed by photographing dead bodies and instead talks about how challenging it is to get the right lighting, or not be able to touch the crime scene.
As other reviewers mention, it is hard at times to be in the head of a sociopath for such a long time (how did the author do it?!). There are some moments where Ken is ESPECIALLY slimy and icky. He truly cannot take no for an answer when it comes to the women he's obsessed with. I was BEYOND HORRIFIED in the scene with Verity toward the end of the novel. I wish she had murdered him!!!
I loved the twist at the end that his own Makoto had been murdered!!! I would have liked it better if it had ended up being a copycat who did it rather than her soon-to-be-ex-husband, because then it truly would have been Ken to blame. I really didn't see any aspect of the ending coming, though. I think it's fun that Ken got away, but part of me also wanted to see everything fall apart and him getting caught.
What a ride! Highly recommend this one, but only if you're in the mood for something dark.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC :)
This audiobook had a fantastic narrator! He did an excellent job bringing the story to life and really made Ken feel real.
This book was SO dark, but it was very well done. It's not gory for the sake of being gory; it's critiquing the gross obsession with true crime and how much people love a sensational story, an innocent victim, studying a serial killer's moves with horror and a sick fascination.
It's beyond unlikable and unreliable narrator, too. Our narrator is a true sociopath, displaying very little normal, sane human emotion. He can barely remember that he's supposed to be disturbed by photographing dead bodies and instead talks about how challenging it is to get the right lighting, or not be able to touch the crime scene.
As other reviewers mention, it is hard at times to be in the head of a sociopath for such a long time (how did the author do it?!). There are some moments where Ken is ESPECIALLY slimy and icky. He truly cannot take no for an answer when it comes to the women he's obsessed with. I was BEYOND HORRIFIED in the scene with Verity toward the end of the novel. I wish she had murdered him!!!
I loved the twist at the end that his own Makoto had been murdered!!! I would have liked it better if it had ended up being a copycat who did it rather than her soon-to-be-ex-husband, because then it truly would have been Ken to blame. I really didn't see any aspect of the ending coming, though. I think it's fun that Ken got away, but part of me also wanted to see everything fall apart and him getting caught.
What a ride! Highly recommend this one, but only if you're in the mood for something dark.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Titan Books for the ARC!
Ken Kato, a photojournalist working for a magazine in Tokyo, achieved fame in 2011 with a photograph of a boy drowning in a tsunami. After struggling to repeat his success four years later, he decides to take matters into his own hands—because when you commit murders yourself, you'll always be the first one at the scene of the crime...
I was so excited to read this book, the premise was giving a mix of Dexter and Nightcrawler. As soon as I picked it up I was hooked, I ended up finishing it in one sitting. This hits one of my favourite niches in storytelling—when the protagonist is the worst. Ken is awful—a murderer, an obsessive stalker, completely delusional—and I loved being inside his head.
The main theme of this story is obsession, particularly obsession with the macabre. I really enjoyed exploring Ken's journey from his short lived fame to his desperation to recreate it with his new photos. A lot of the side characters are explored in similar ways. Overall the pacing of the story was fantastic, I couldn't stop turning the pages, desperate to know what happened next.
The Makoto Murders is a must read for those who love Japanese thrillers that ask uncomfortable questions.
Ken Kato, a photojournalist working for a magazine in Tokyo, achieved fame in 2011 with a photograph of a boy drowning in a tsunami. After struggling to repeat his success four years later, he decides to take matters into his own hands—because when you commit murders yourself, you'll always be the first one at the scene of the crime...
I was so excited to read this book, the premise was giving a mix of Dexter and Nightcrawler. As soon as I picked it up I was hooked, I ended up finishing it in one sitting. This hits one of my favourite niches in storytelling—when the protagonist is the worst. Ken is awful—a murderer, an obsessive stalker, completely delusional—and I loved being inside his head.
"Ken Kato was Hikari's star photographer. Ken Kato was the winner of the 2011 National Press Photograph of the Year. Ken Kato was going to win again."
The main theme of this story is obsession, particularly obsession with the macabre. I really enjoyed exploring Ken's journey from his short lived fame to his desperation to recreate it with his new photos. A lot of the side characters are explored in similar ways. Overall the pacing of the story was fantastic, I couldn't stop turning the pages, desperate to know what happened next.
"The second murder in a week. A killer on the loose in Tokyo. And this time, I had the pictures. This was dynamite. Job-saving, Prize-winning, money-making dynamite. One way or another the public was going to see it. Would demand to see it. Deserved to see it."
The Makoto Murders is a must read for those who love Japanese thrillers that ask uncomfortable questions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Done right, satire is one of my favorite genres! This is a super dark trip inside the head of an incel psychopath terrorizing Tokyo in the name of fame.
Premise - a half-British, half-Japanese paparazzo, Ken, in Tokyo gets the first big hit of his career when he photographs a dead boy post-tsunami… a boy he could have saved, if he hadn’t been intent on getting the snap.
Four years later, he hasn’t been able to recreate the success. It turns out tragedy is what sells. Driven by ambition, Ken turns serial killer, creating his own tragic scenes, so he’s always the first to get the photo.
Another gross twist? He only murders people who share the name Makoto, that of his colleague’s wife (and his affair partner). Suspicious, yes?
This was horrific, disgusting, disturbing, troubling, and packed to the brim with biting commentary *just* below line level, on how society makes monsters, the imperfect villain (as the flip of the imperfect victim), shades of gray and whether nuance matters when the outcome is blood-soaked, etc. etc. Very interesting.
Gross, because you are in the head of a psychopath for the whole book (so not quite a 5 for me specifically, as there is no redemption or hope in this, and I do not come away inspired) but definitely solid and I heartily recommend.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by David Lee Huynh. He did an excellent job with the read! His narration brought Ken to life as a Bateman-type figure, very gross and sleazy, but 'cool' and 'manly' enough to charm the incel boys.
Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Premise - a half-British, half-Japanese paparazzo, Ken, in Tokyo gets the first big hit of his career when he photographs a dead boy post-tsunami… a boy he could have saved, if he hadn’t been intent on getting the snap.
Four years later, he hasn’t been able to recreate the success. It turns out tragedy is what sells. Driven by ambition, Ken turns serial killer, creating his own tragic scenes, so he’s always the first to get the photo.
Another gross twist? He only murders people who share the name Makoto, that of his colleague’s wife (and his affair partner). Suspicious, yes?
This was horrific, disgusting, disturbing, troubling, and packed to the brim with biting commentary *just* below line level, on how society makes monsters, the imperfect villain (as the flip of the imperfect victim), shades of gray and whether nuance matters when the outcome is blood-soaked, etc. etc. Very interesting.
Gross, because you are in the head of a psychopath for the whole book (so not quite a 5 for me specifically, as there is no redemption or hope in this, and I do not come away inspired) but definitely solid and I heartily recommend.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by David Lee Huynh. He did an excellent job with the read! His narration brought Ken to life as a Bateman-type figure, very gross and sleazy, but 'cool' and 'manly' enough to charm the incel boys.
Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ken Katz achieved fame following his renowned photograph of a young boy who drowned in the 2011 Japanese Tsunami. Four years on from the disaster, we discover that Ken could have saved the young boy who made him infamous, however he was more concerned about lighting and composition for his shot. He has daily nightmares of the boy, but despite this and the truly awful decision he made, he is more concerned with his failure to find success again. His irrelevance (and potential redundancy), he decides to take matters into his own hands and turns serial killer to generate his own attention grabbing photographs … and inevitably always being first on the scene.
As the magazine causes a stir in the community, the sales figures triple. Despite the police being suspicious of the network’s involvement, they cannot find evidence due to meticulous planning and execution. How far will Ken go in an attempt to reach his peak success once again? And can he be stopped?
A dark, horrifying story about ambition, obsession and humans fascination with morally corrupt serial killers. An unconventional story that just didn’t click for me unfortunately. A terrible, awful protagonist who is delusional, cruel and self serving! ‘Flawed’ does not even cover him! The overall book felt unbelievable and very twisted. A lot of morbid descriptions of post-death bodies and what they do that felt unnecessary.
If you love Dexter, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Titan Publishers and Richard Jerram for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
As the magazine causes a stir in the community, the sales figures triple. Despite the police being suspicious of the network’s involvement, they cannot find evidence due to meticulous planning and execution. How far will Ken go in an attempt to reach his peak success once again? And can he be stopped?
A dark, horrifying story about ambition, obsession and humans fascination with morally corrupt serial killers. An unconventional story that just didn’t click for me unfortunately. A terrible, awful protagonist who is delusional, cruel and self serving! ‘Flawed’ does not even cover him! The overall book felt unbelievable and very twisted. A lot of morbid descriptions of post-death bodies and what they do that felt unnecessary.
If you love Dexter, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Titan Publishers and Richard Jerram for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2026
I don't think I've ever read a thriller with a premise quite like this one, and that's what pulled me in from the beginning.
Ken Kato is a photojournalist whose career is falling apart, so he comes up with a horrifying way to get back on top—he creates the crime scenes himself so he's always the first photographer there. It's dark, disturbing, and honestly unlike anything I've read before.
Ken is an absolutely terrible person. He's selfish, manipulative, obsessed with fame, and spends the entire book convincing himself that everything he does is justified. I never found myself rooting for him, but I was completely invested in seeing how long he could keep getting away with it.
I also liked that there was more to this story than just the murders. It makes you think about our obsession with true crime, sensational news, and how quickly people turn tragedy into entertainment without ever feeling preachy.
I listened to the audiobook, and David Lee Huynh did a great job bringing Ken's personality to life. His narration made it easy to stay engaged, even when Ken was making one terrible decision after another.
This isn't a whodunit—you know exactly who the killer is from the start. The suspense comes from watching everything slowly spiral and wondering when it's all finally going to catch up with him.
If you like dark psychological thrillers, morally gray (or completely morally bankrupt) characters, and stories that are a little different from the typical serial killer thriller, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a listen.
Ken Kato is a photojournalist whose career is falling apart, so he comes up with a horrifying way to get back on top—he creates the crime scenes himself so he's always the first photographer there. It's dark, disturbing, and honestly unlike anything I've read before.
Ken is an absolutely terrible person. He's selfish, manipulative, obsessed with fame, and spends the entire book convincing himself that everything he does is justified. I never found myself rooting for him, but I was completely invested in seeing how long he could keep getting away with it.
I also liked that there was more to this story than just the murders. It makes you think about our obsession with true crime, sensational news, and how quickly people turn tragedy into entertainment without ever feeling preachy.
I listened to the audiobook, and David Lee Huynh did a great job bringing Ken's personality to life. His narration made it easy to stay engaged, even when Ken was making one terrible decision after another.
This isn't a whodunit—you know exactly who the killer is from the start. The suspense comes from watching everything slowly spiral and wondering when it's all finally going to catch up with him.
If you like dark psychological thrillers, morally gray (or completely morally bankrupt) characters, and stories that are a little different from the typical serial killer thriller, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a listen.
August 3, 2026
Ken Kato is half British, half Japanese, and works as a photojournalist. He grew famous after publishing a photo of a drowning boy in the 2011 tsunami, and hasn't repeated that success since. His option to return to fame is to generate attention-grabbing bodies to photograph, increasing sales for the magazine he works for. Hoping to impress a colleague's estranged wife Makoto that he's obsessed with, he seeks out to murder people named Makoto. Though suspicion rises, he sees no reason to stop when sales are booming.
Ken really isn't a nice guy, yet there's something compelling about his actions. The fame from his photo is all he cares about professionally, since he wants to match it and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way. He's obsessed with his coworker's wife and keeps trying to resume their affair, and begins killing to try keeping his job. He has the morality of a sleazy tabloid reporter and isn't above creating news with a deliberate and soulless manner. Many of his colleagues are the same, though the book is written from his POV, so that could be suspect.
The main draw is the look into Ken's mind and how he justified his actions. He has little concern or remorse for his "project," and he lies so much that it's ironic he kills people named Makoto, which means truth. We read this to see how he does it and tries to get away with it, and if police can stop him. The finale shows us who he is, and what matters to him: himself. It's a fascinating look into someone I would never want to know.
Ken really isn't a nice guy, yet there's something compelling about his actions. The fame from his photo is all he cares about professionally, since he wants to match it and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way. He's obsessed with his coworker's wife and keeps trying to resume their affair, and begins killing to try keeping his job. He has the morality of a sleazy tabloid reporter and isn't above creating news with a deliberate and soulless manner. Many of his colleagues are the same, though the book is written from his POV, so that could be suspect.
The main draw is the look into Ken's mind and how he justified his actions. He has little concern or remorse for his "project," and he lies so much that it's ironic he kills people named Makoto, which means truth. We read this to see how he does it and tries to get away with it, and if police can stop him. The finale shows us who he is, and what matters to him: himself. It's a fascinating look into someone I would never want to know.
August 17, 2026
Stepping away from typical American-centric thrillers to dive into the Tokyo-set world of Richard Jerram’s The Makoto Murders proved to be a fantastic shift in pace. Outside of navigating a few unfamiliar Japanese city names, the book is an accessible, gripping, and deeply creative read that grabs your attention from the start.
The narrative immediately draws natural comparisons to Dexter, but Ken Kato operates on a very different, uniquely twisted wavelength. Unlike Dexter Morgan’s vigilante "code" of hunting bad guys, Kato commits his crimes strictly for subtle clout, media buzz, and career survival. What makes his character compelling rather than completely reckless is his cold calculation—he knows where the line is and, crucially, knows when to quit while he is ahead.
The storytelling is further elevated by its structural choices. Instead of conventional chapter numbering, the book uses dated, journal-like entries that give the pacing an intimate, documentary feel.
Where many thrillers trip over themselves trying to force chaotic, over-the-top climax twists, the ending here feels deliberate and grounded. Allowing the anti-hero to quietly get away with it and ride off into the sunset makes for a refreshing, edge-of-your-seat conclusion. It delivers just the right amount of tension and dark intrigue to stay thoroughly engaging all the way through.
The narrative immediately draws natural comparisons to Dexter, but Ken Kato operates on a very different, uniquely twisted wavelength. Unlike Dexter Morgan’s vigilante "code" of hunting bad guys, Kato commits his crimes strictly for subtle clout, media buzz, and career survival. What makes his character compelling rather than completely reckless is his cold calculation—he knows where the line is and, crucially, knows when to quit while he is ahead.
The storytelling is further elevated by its structural choices. Instead of conventional chapter numbering, the book uses dated, journal-like entries that give the pacing an intimate, documentary feel.
Where many thrillers trip over themselves trying to force chaotic, over-the-top climax twists, the ending here feels deliberate and grounded. Allowing the anti-hero to quietly get away with it and ride off into the sunset makes for a refreshing, edge-of-your-seat conclusion. It delivers just the right amount of tension and dark intrigue to stay thoroughly engaging all the way through.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[ARC REVIEW 📖]
The Makoto Murders
Author : Richard Jerram
For starters, if you are a fan of Dexter the American crime television series, you would probably love the protagonist of this book, Ken Kato, a half-British, half-Japanese who lives a double life as a photojournalist & a serial killer in order to achieve his ambition, as well as to impress a colleague's wife who he has been stalking after a short affair (though she clearly sees things differently).
What can I say? This book is one hell of a roller coaster ride. It's crazy how all these eerie mass murder events started from an obsession to get that picture-perfect scope of a crime scene for a mere weekly magazine publisher to always stay on top.
Can't believe how cleanly & thoroughly executed the crime scenes were as if Mr. Kato's thoughts are like Dexter's! I finished this in one sitting, a thriller quick read full of dark, graphic & unsettling thematic scenes & fantasies. The protagonist is the epitome of Dexter, the Japanese version!
Thank you Netgalley & Titan Books for the opportunity to read! 🥹🫶
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S.
Follow me for more book reviews on:
❥ Instagram @bookwormdenz
❥ Threads @denz.kaye
❥ Meta @bookworm.denz
❥ Goodreads @bookwormdenz
The Makoto Murders
Author : Richard Jerram
For starters, if you are a fan of Dexter the American crime television series, you would probably love the protagonist of this book, Ken Kato, a half-British, half-Japanese who lives a double life as a photojournalist & a serial killer in order to achieve his ambition, as well as to impress a colleague's wife who he has been stalking after a short affair (though she clearly sees things differently).
What can I say? This book is one hell of a roller coaster ride. It's crazy how all these eerie mass murder events started from an obsession to get that picture-perfect scope of a crime scene for a mere weekly magazine publisher to always stay on top.
Can't believe how cleanly & thoroughly executed the crime scenes were as if Mr. Kato's thoughts are like Dexter's! I finished this in one sitting, a thriller quick read full of dark, graphic & unsettling thematic scenes & fantasies. The protagonist is the epitome of Dexter, the Japanese version!
Thank you Netgalley & Titan Books for the opportunity to read! 🥹🫶
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
P.S.
Follow me for more book reviews on:
❥ Instagram @bookwormdenz
❥ Threads @denz.kaye
❥ Meta @bookworm.denz
❥ Goodreads @bookwormdenz
August 24, 2026
I enjoy a good murder mystery and woven with a darkness frequently found in Japanese horror, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did find the beginning to be a bit slow as the author sets the stage and background for the mystery to come.
Ken is a photojournalist who values his own life as a photographer rather than as an empathetic human. He does some pretty crappy things along the way, so I do not feel bad about his fall from photographic grace. I also see why he turns into an overly ambition "journalist" when he turns to creating his own intense scenes in hopes of regaining the glory and prestige he once felt.
This guy is not anyone to feel sorry for. He is portrayed as a Dexter-like serial killer except he is also creating the scenes he is photographing by a way to get an edge on his competition. Also, in the TV show Dexter, the main character focuses only on his own version of vigilante justice by removing those who he feels have committed crimes worthy of his justice. Ken seems to focus more on victims who have a name which means something to him .
Though gruesome at times and with a main character who is certainly on the wrong side of things, it is an engaging book to pick up.
Ken is a photojournalist who values his own life as a photographer rather than as an empathetic human. He does some pretty crappy things along the way, so I do not feel bad about his fall from photographic grace. I also see why he turns into an overly ambition "journalist" when he turns to creating his own intense scenes in hopes of regaining the glory and prestige he once felt.
This guy is not anyone to feel sorry for. He is portrayed as a Dexter-like serial killer except he is also creating the scenes he is photographing by a way to get an edge on his competition. Also, in the TV show Dexter, the main character focuses only on his own version of vigilante justice by removing those who he feels have committed crimes worthy of his justice. Ken seems to focus more on victims who have a name which means something to him .
Though gruesome at times and with a main character who is certainly on the wrong side of things, it is an engaging book to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐The synopsis above is on par, so I won't rehash it.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, narrated by David Lee Huynh. This was my first time listening to one of his narrations, and he really brought the story to life. While I think this book would be enjoyable in any format, if you really want Ken Kato to come alive, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Ken is a wild character, and I really appreciated the way the author explored his inner monologue and dark desires. I also enjoyed the satirical elements, especially how Ken never truly saw himself as a serial killer despite everything he did. One of my favorite lines was: "I was a career-oriented professional prepared to accept…well…inflict collateral damage in a justified pursuit of art and entertainment."
The entire premise offers a unique perspective, and I enjoyed every minute of it. As for the ending, I was pleasantly surprised and glad it didn't flop/fall apart at the end.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully more from Ken Kato, photojournalist extraordinaire.
I would definitely recommend this one to others!
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC🖤
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, narrated by David Lee Huynh. This was my first time listening to one of his narrations, and he really brought the story to life. While I think this book would be enjoyable in any format, if you really want Ken Kato to come alive, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Ken is a wild character, and I really appreciated the way the author explored his inner monologue and dark desires. I also enjoyed the satirical elements, especially how Ken never truly saw himself as a serial killer despite everything he did. One of my favorite lines was: "I was a career-oriented professional prepared to accept…well…inflict collateral damage in a justified pursuit of art and entertainment."
The entire premise offers a unique perspective, and I enjoyed every minute of it. As for the ending, I was pleasantly surprised and glad it didn't flop/fall apart at the end.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully more from Ken Kato, photojournalist extraordinaire.
I would definitely recommend this one to others!
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC🖤
August 11, 2026
I consumed this chilling tale told through the eyes of a killer in one sitting. It was fantastically creepy in a mundane way.
Ken Kato is a photographer for a weekly tabloid in Japan. He's been coasting on the award he won for his photography several years ago, but his boss is getting impatient. Ken needs a new award worthy photo, and with no prospects he decides he should create the right circumstances.
Ken's thought process is terrifying. Hearing him talk about his relationship with Makoto and Verity gave me chills. He has an obsession with a relationship that's completely in his head, and to hear him talk about these women as if they are consenting partners is every women's nightmare. He sounds like a normal person until he talks about Makoto, and eventually Verity.
The rationale for all his actions is incredibly horrifying and makes complete sense for his character. Listening to this story told through Ken's eyes was deeply unsettling
Davis Lee Huynh narrates this book fantastically. I enjoyed listening to his voice being Ken to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ken Kato is a photographer for a weekly tabloid in Japan. He's been coasting on the award he won for his photography several years ago, but his boss is getting impatient. Ken needs a new award worthy photo, and with no prospects he decides he should create the right circumstances.
Ken's thought process is terrifying. Hearing him talk about his relationship with Makoto and Verity gave me chills. He has an obsession with a relationship that's completely in his head, and to hear him talk about these women as if they are consenting partners is every women's nightmare. He sounds like a normal person until he talks about Makoto, and eventually Verity.
The rationale for all his actions is incredibly horrifying and makes complete sense for his character. Listening to this story told through Ken's eyes was deeply unsettling
Davis Lee Huynh narrates this book fantastically. I enjoyed listening to his voice being Ken to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2026
This book had such a strong start and interesting premise that I'm almost mad at the weak ending.
The Makoto Murders follows a photo journalist, who received temporary fame through a photo of a drowning boy he probably could have saved if he wasn't so concerned about the perfect lighting. After said fame faded, however, he starts to create his own crimes to be the first on the scene and get the best pictures.
Narrated through first person this book manages to create an uncomfortable angle on topics like stalking, (attempted) r*pe, murder and more while raising questions on the ethics of photo journalism in general.
The first half of the book drew me in and kept me hooked, but at a certain point the story seemed to plateau. I was waiting for the tension of the suspicious boss or the police, as the blurb stated, but it never truly built up for me. And the ending was so rushed and easily concluded that I not just felt underwhelmed but almost mad at the wasted potential.
This could have been a great book, but the execution sadly lost me more and more throughout.
Thanks Libro.fm for the free ALC, though. The narration was great!
The Makoto Murders follows a photo journalist, who received temporary fame through a photo of a drowning boy he probably could have saved if he wasn't so concerned about the perfect lighting. After said fame faded, however, he starts to create his own crimes to be the first on the scene and get the best pictures.
Narrated through first person this book manages to create an uncomfortable angle on topics like stalking, (attempted) r*pe, murder and more while raising questions on the ethics of photo journalism in general.
The first half of the book drew me in and kept me hooked, but at a certain point the story seemed to plateau. I was waiting for the tension of the suspicious boss or the police, as the blurb stated, but it never truly built up for me. And the ending was so rushed and easily concluded that I not just felt underwhelmed but almost mad at the wasted potential.
This could have been a great book, but the execution sadly lost me more and more throughout.
Thanks Libro.fm for the free ALC, though. The narration was great!
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