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Hunted in Hokkaido: A Gripping Mystery Thriller Series, Hunter & Higashi Book 4
A school trip. A luxury ski resort. Nothing to worry about… Until the questions start.
When students from the British School of Kyoto arrive in Hokkaido, the resort seems perfect—remote, pristine, untouched. But the welcome is anything but warm. Protesters gather at the gates, accusing the powerful Kobayashi Group of stealing the land beneath their feet.
Jessica Hunter isn’t interested in politics.
But she is interested in things that don’t add up.
A death in the wilderness. Strange incidents the staff refuse to explain. Whispers of sabotage—and a growing sense that something is being carefully hidden.
As Jessica and Kenta Higashi begin to dig, the cracks in the resort’s polished surface start to widen. The deeper they go, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Because someone is watching. Someone is lying.
And in the isolation of Hokkaido’s frozen mountains, there’s nowhere to run.
When students from the British School of Kyoto arrive in Hokkaido, the resort seems perfect—remote, pristine, untouched. But the welcome is anything but warm. Protesters gather at the gates, accusing the powerful Kobayashi Group of stealing the land beneath their feet.
Jessica Hunter isn’t interested in politics.
But she is interested in things that don’t add up.
A death in the wilderness. Strange incidents the staff refuse to explain. Whispers of sabotage—and a growing sense that something is being carefully hidden.
As Jessica and Kenta Higashi begin to dig, the cracks in the resort’s polished surface start to widen. The deeper they go, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Because someone is watching. Someone is lying.
And in the isolation of Hokkaido’s frozen mountains, there’s nowhere to run.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2026
About the author
S.J. Cullen
6 books36 followersS.J. Cullen has never murdered anyone, nor has he ever solved a real-life crime. He has, however, been an international schoolteacher in Asia, so his stories about Hunter and Higashi, a crime-solving duo who attend a British school in Japan, are not completely pulled out of thin air.
He is originally from the North of England, though now lives in Stellenbosch, a lovely historical town in South Africa. The Hunter and Higashi Mystery series represents an attempt to combine his experiences teaching abroad with a love of thrillers and mysteries.
You can learn more and receive a free mystery thriller at www.SJCullen.com
Be sure to follow S.J. on Bookbub for news on the latest releases https://bit.ly/4dBv02U
He is originally from the North of England, though now lives in Stellenbosch, a lovely historical town in South Africa. The Hunter and Higashi Mystery series represents an attempt to combine his experiences teaching abroad with a love of thrillers and mysteries.
You can learn more and receive a free mystery thriller at www.SJCullen.com
Be sure to follow S.J. on Bookbub for news on the latest releases https://bit.ly/4dBv02U
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 27, 2026
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
The fourth instalment in the Hunter & Higashi series opens strong, with the very first chapter promising yet another puzzle for the sleuth duo to solve. After their adventure in London, Jessica and Kenta find themselves on a school trip to a newly opened resort in Hokkaido. At first, everything looks quite exciting; skiing, snowboarding, and taking a break from school life in the snowy mountains - a recipe for an awesome winter break. It doesn’t take long, though, for things to go south.
Unlike the previous parts in the series, Hunted in Hokkaido is set entirely in one location. That is by no means a downside, as the resort is full of people with skeletons in their closets. As the story unfolds, readers are in for discovering a lot of surprising connections between characters, hidden agendas, and complex schemes. Add to the mix the fact that this time danger does not come solely from human beings, and you end up with an engrossing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
While reading, I was happy to see that some characters introduced in the earlier books had not been forgotten. Though they do not play a pivotal role in the story, the very fact they are mentioned creates a welcome sense of continuity and contributes to the overall world-building. While Hunted in Hokkaido can be read as a standalone title, I would highly recommend diving into the previous books to get the full picture of the entire cast of characters.
While we’re at characters, I still believe Jessica and Kenta are a fantastic duo, with totally different personalities. Jessica’s the embodiment of inquisitiveness – she won’t stop until she gets to the bottom of any mystery. She’s bold, audacious, and will go to great lengths to solve the case. Kenta’s a guy who wants to live an ordinary teenage life, but with Jessica around, life intervenes and, before he knows it, he finds himself in the middle of the action. As a result, the amateur sleuths adopt a bit of a ‘work together but individually’ approach, especially as both of them pair up with a classmate this time (Dev & Akito – very cool new characters).
As for the mystery itself, get ready for quite a complex puzzle. As I mentioned before, there are a lot of secrets Jessica and Kenta will have to uncover – some of them much bigger than might initially seem. I was quite pleased with myself for guessing one character’s ill intentions (that character seemed sus to me from the start), but there were a lot of twists and turns I was completely taken aback by.
Last but not least, the author likes to include some nice cultural tidbits in his books. The introduction of the Ainu, an indigenous ethnic group which plays an important part in the story, made me want to further research the topic and learn something new.
All in all (I promised myself I would keep it short and sweet – sorry…), I totally recommend picking up Hunted in Hokkaido. Once again, S.J. Cullen delivers a compelling story with a strong cast of characters and an expertly crafted mystery that will keep you engrossed and leave you wanting more. Easily 5/5! 😊
The fourth instalment in the Hunter & Higashi series opens strong, with the very first chapter promising yet another puzzle for the sleuth duo to solve. After their adventure in London, Jessica and Kenta find themselves on a school trip to a newly opened resort in Hokkaido. At first, everything looks quite exciting; skiing, snowboarding, and taking a break from school life in the snowy mountains - a recipe for an awesome winter break. It doesn’t take long, though, for things to go south.
Unlike the previous parts in the series, Hunted in Hokkaido is set entirely in one location. That is by no means a downside, as the resort is full of people with skeletons in their closets. As the story unfolds, readers are in for discovering a lot of surprising connections between characters, hidden agendas, and complex schemes. Add to the mix the fact that this time danger does not come solely from human beings, and you end up with an engrossing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
While reading, I was happy to see that some characters introduced in the earlier books had not been forgotten. Though they do not play a pivotal role in the story, the very fact they are mentioned creates a welcome sense of continuity and contributes to the overall world-building. While Hunted in Hokkaido can be read as a standalone title, I would highly recommend diving into the previous books to get the full picture of the entire cast of characters.
While we’re at characters, I still believe Jessica and Kenta are a fantastic duo, with totally different personalities. Jessica’s the embodiment of inquisitiveness – she won’t stop until she gets to the bottom of any mystery. She’s bold, audacious, and will go to great lengths to solve the case. Kenta’s a guy who wants to live an ordinary teenage life, but with Jessica around, life intervenes and, before he knows it, he finds himself in the middle of the action. As a result, the amateur sleuths adopt a bit of a ‘work together but individually’ approach, especially as both of them pair up with a classmate this time (Dev & Akito – very cool new characters).
As for the mystery itself, get ready for quite a complex puzzle. As I mentioned before, there are a lot of secrets Jessica and Kenta will have to uncover – some of them much bigger than might initially seem. I was quite pleased with myself for guessing one character’s ill intentions (that character seemed sus to me from the start), but there were a lot of twists and turns I was completely taken aback by.
Last but not least, the author likes to include some nice cultural tidbits in his books. The introduction of the Ainu, an indigenous ethnic group which plays an important part in the story, made me want to further research the topic and learn something new.
All in all (I promised myself I would keep it short and sweet – sorry…), I totally recommend picking up Hunted in Hokkaido. Once again, S.J. Cullen delivers a compelling story with a strong cast of characters and an expertly crafted mystery that will keep you engrossed and leave you wanting more. Easily 5/5! 😊
May 27, 2026
Another spellbinding story filled with non stop adventure and heart pounding drama.
Set in a remote ski resort in Hokkaido, an ordinary group of school students become unwittingly involved in an extraordinary situation.
After the initial excitement and fun on the ski slopes, they soon become unsettled by a series of dangerous and shocking occurrences happening around them. With an unknown perpetrator on the loose nowhere feels safe anymore. Who can be trusted?
In steps Jessica Hunter who is on top sleuthing form as usual. Her razor sharp intuition and unwavering boldness soon puts her firmly back in the driving seat, as she takes charge of figuring out the unfolding mysteries .. not without the help of her loyal and dependable sidekick Kenta, plus a few other willing friends who deliver the extra back up when needed !
Needless to say there are plenty of surprising and shocking twists that keep you second guessing throughout the whole book.
The easy flowing narrative is so effortless to read yet chock-full of riveting intrigue, that had me on the edge of my seat right from the first breathtaking chapter. The fast paced storytelling keeps you turning the pages, as each new development reaches greater heights of frightening unpredictability and suspense.
I'm a real fan of the Hunter & Higashi series and apart from being a brilliant read, I always come away learning something new from these books. In this case it was about the fascinating culture of the indigenous Ainu people who I never even knew existed! So thank you SJ for putting in the long hours of research and enriching our minds.
This review is based on an advance reading copy sent to me by the publisher and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
Set in a remote ski resort in Hokkaido, an ordinary group of school students become unwittingly involved in an extraordinary situation.
After the initial excitement and fun on the ski slopes, they soon become unsettled by a series of dangerous and shocking occurrences happening around them. With an unknown perpetrator on the loose nowhere feels safe anymore. Who can be trusted?
In steps Jessica Hunter who is on top sleuthing form as usual. Her razor sharp intuition and unwavering boldness soon puts her firmly back in the driving seat, as she takes charge of figuring out the unfolding mysteries .. not without the help of her loyal and dependable sidekick Kenta, plus a few other willing friends who deliver the extra back up when needed !
Needless to say there are plenty of surprising and shocking twists that keep you second guessing throughout the whole book.
The easy flowing narrative is so effortless to read yet chock-full of riveting intrigue, that had me on the edge of my seat right from the first breathtaking chapter. The fast paced storytelling keeps you turning the pages, as each new development reaches greater heights of frightening unpredictability and suspense.
I'm a real fan of the Hunter & Higashi series and apart from being a brilliant read, I always come away learning something new from these books. In this case it was about the fascinating culture of the indigenous Ainu people who I never even knew existed! So thank you SJ for putting in the long hours of research and enriching our minds.
This review is based on an advance reading copy sent to me by the publisher and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“You’d be amazed at just how hard it is for adults to believe the truth if it’s coming from the mouth of a teenager,” said Jessica wryly.”
“The more she walked, the more she felt a deep unease within her, morphing into something else, something more familiar, yet with much greater force.”
Students arrive in Hokkaido but strange happenings consumes everyone. As Jessica and Kenta begin to investigate the crime and truth hidden under the surface, unthinkable happenings engulfs them. They must navigate their way out of danger and secrets. The twists shook me and truth was intriguing.
This book is really intriguing & unputdownable. Author’s writing is flawless and setting is immersive with k!ller on loose and crime is surrounding everyone. Unthinkable happenings brings everyone’s life at stake. Investigation is going on but questions are gravitating around everyone. The more they are trying to find the person behind all the supernatural and unthinkable happenings, the more such happenings are tangling them. This is book four in Hunter & Higashi mystery series. And this book didn’t disappoint me. Can’t wait to read next book in series
I have received the Advance review copy from the author and leaving my review voluntarily.
“The more she walked, the more she felt a deep unease within her, morphing into something else, something more familiar, yet with much greater force.”
Students arrive in Hokkaido but strange happenings consumes everyone. As Jessica and Kenta begin to investigate the crime and truth hidden under the surface, unthinkable happenings engulfs them. They must navigate their way out of danger and secrets. The twists shook me and truth was intriguing.
This book is really intriguing & unputdownable. Author’s writing is flawless and setting is immersive with k!ller on loose and crime is surrounding everyone. Unthinkable happenings brings everyone’s life at stake. Investigation is going on but questions are gravitating around everyone. The more they are trying to find the person behind all the supernatural and unthinkable happenings, the more such happenings are tangling them. This is book four in Hunter & Higashi mystery series. And this book didn’t disappoint me. Can’t wait to read next book in series
I have received the Advance review copy from the author and leaving my review voluntarily.
May 27, 2026
How can the new installment of the Hunter and Higashi series live up to the first three volumes? After relishing each of them, I agreed to write an honest review of Hunted in Hokkaido, and I finished it with a satisfied sigh. Jessica, Kenta, and their peers from the British School of Kyoto take the reader on a wild ride at a new resort during their school holiday. Their amazing week includes forces of nature, wild creatures, a mysterious tattooed Ainu woman, a snowboarding competition, and possible sabotage. Jessica once again proves her remarkable abilities at detection, and Kenta works very hard to minimize the harm that her breathtaking recklessness provokes. The fast-paced action is complemented by character development as Higashi gains confidence on the ski slopes and works through his next steps toward a career. The friends on the trip are believable teenagers who also feel the impact of events as they are forced to rise to the demands of life-threatening emergencies. The isolated resort’s splendid scenery and extreme weather contribute to the memorable atmosphere. The series is addictive.
May 27, 2026
I received an advanced review copy free and I am leaving this honest review.
This is the 4th outing for Jessica Hunter and Kenta Higashi students at the British School of Kyoto (BSK)
Year 12 & 13 students head to Hokkaido on a skiing trip at a new hotel, the Hakuei Grand Resort. With more twists and turns than a cross country skier they are soon involved as another mystery unfolds around them.
Jessica Hunter is an enigma, extremely self contained, highly intelligent and intuitive and with an almost uncanny knack of spotting the smallest clue, yet she appears to lack any ability to demonstrate a range of emotional reactions to situations.
Kenta Higashi is a less complicated character, a keen student and sportsman he seems to be slightly reluctant to be dragged into Jessica’s search for answers but he never fails to be her wingman when it counts.
This is the 4th outing for Jessica Hunter and Kenta Higashi students at the British School of Kyoto (BSK)
Year 12 & 13 students head to Hokkaido on a skiing trip at a new hotel, the Hakuei Grand Resort. With more twists and turns than a cross country skier they are soon involved as another mystery unfolds around them.
Jessica Hunter is an enigma, extremely self contained, highly intelligent and intuitive and with an almost uncanny knack of spotting the smallest clue, yet she appears to lack any ability to demonstrate a range of emotional reactions to situations.
Kenta Higashi is a less complicated character, a keen student and sportsman he seems to be slightly reluctant to be dragged into Jessica’s search for answers but he never fails to be her wingman when it counts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advanced copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily.
This was my favourite book and I can't wait for book 5.
Hunter and Higashi just get better.
I love the way the author describes surroundings etc. You can imagine that you are there watching Hunter and Higashi as they unexpectedly walk into, and solve crimes being committed around them. You think you know what will happen, but no, you don't. Things happen throughout this book that you don't expect. If you like thrillers then please read it. You won't be disappointed.
SJ Cullen is a brilliant author who I hope takes Hunter and Higashi into adulthood and beyond.
Thank you.
This was my favourite book and I can't wait for book 5.
Hunter and Higashi just get better.
I love the way the author describes surroundings etc. You can imagine that you are there watching Hunter and Higashi as they unexpectedly walk into, and solve crimes being committed around them. You think you know what will happen, but no, you don't. Things happen throughout this book that you don't expect. If you like thrillers then please read it. You won't be disappointed.
SJ Cullen is a brilliant author who I hope takes Hunter and Higashi into adulthood and beyond.
Thank you.
May 27, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily.
Hunted in Hokkaido is the latest of the Hunter and Higashi Mysteries. Set in a luxury ski resort it brings friends Jessica and Kenta together again to investigate a mysterious death in the wilderness and other strange happenings. The lively start to this novel sets the pace and keeps you engaged until the very last page and S J Cullen's beautifully descriptive writing makes you feel you are in the depths of wintry northern Japan. Weaving traditional native Ainu culture into the plot makes this novel special. An enjoyable read.
Hunted in Hokkaido is the latest of the Hunter and Higashi Mysteries. Set in a luxury ski resort it brings friends Jessica and Kenta together again to investigate a mysterious death in the wilderness and other strange happenings. The lively start to this novel sets the pace and keeps you engaged until the very last page and S J Cullen's beautifully descriptive writing makes you feel you are in the depths of wintry northern Japan. Weaving traditional native Ainu culture into the plot makes this novel special. An enjoyable read.
May 27, 2026
As a big fan of the Hunter and Higashi series, I was excited for the next installment, which I received for an advance read. To find out it takes place in Hokkaido, one of most favorite areas in Japan, just heightened the interest.
Hunted in Hokkaido did not disappoint. In fact, it kept holding me tight while following the duo, their friends and classmates, from one adventure (and some of their missteps) to another.
Great read.
Hunted in Hokkaido did not disappoint. In fact, it kept holding me tight while following the duo, their friends and classmates, from one adventure (and some of their missteps) to another.
Great read.
May 28, 2026
The next installment of the Hunter & Higashi detective series takes them on a school ski trip but they quickly come across strange things that lead to their next adventure.
This time they are helped by other students as they investigate the odd behaviour of some of the guests and staff and encounter terror and betrayal that may be an old adversary.
A great read
This time they are helped by other students as they investigate the odd behaviour of some of the guests and staff and encounter terror and betrayal that may be an old adversary.
A great read
May 27, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily.
I enjoyed this story for the mystery and the setting. I especially liked the involvement of the Ainu people - the indigenous inhabitants of the area.
I enjoyed this story for the mystery and the setting. I especially liked the involvement of the Ainu people - the indigenous inhabitants of the area.
May 27, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily.”
I couldn't put it down!
Absolutely loved it and I'm a big fan of the author.
I couldn't put it down!
Absolutely loved it and I'm a big fan of the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another fantastic addition to the series. I love seeing the friendship between Hunter and Higashi morph and change as the story unfolds. Two very different characters. The mystery twists and turns with the claustrophobic atmosphere of the snowed in hotel adding to the tension. Fascinating to learn more about the Ainu culture as well. A gripping read!
I received an advance copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
I received an advance copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was received as an ARC from the author. Jessica and Kenta return with the students of the BSK on a skiing trip on Hokkaido. Being able to ski and ride a snowboard is the least of their worries as environmentalists protest the building of the ski hotel. The bear population figures in the complex mystery that tends to get deadly for the students. Jessica’s detective skills as well as a newcomer, Dev, figure into the solution of what tends to be a longer mystery than is usual. It felt longer which is why I rated it four stars instead of five.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews