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Gravity Games
Gravity Games, a dark and delicious thriller. Nathan Sherlock is the world's most renowned celebrity chef and wine expert. His fans know him as Nate the Nose, a culinary artist whose incredible sense of smell helps him create dining experiences that jolt the mojo transforming aged couples into hormone raging lovers. But Nathan has a dark secret. Best friend Bonnie has helped him hide the true extent of his olfactory powers. He can literally smell murder. U.S. Homeland Security and CSIS, the Canadian anti-terrorism agency, go into panic mode when a scientist disappears along with all traces of his anti-gravity research. The joint FBI-CSIS task force needs Nathan to sniff down the terrorists before they drop an iceberg the size of Manhattan on New York City.
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2015
1 person is currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
John Matsui
9 books50 followersJohn Matsui was an award-winning journalist and an innovative public relations consultant. Now he's focused his inventiveness to create tension and action filled thrillers.
John's novels - Late Bite and Gravity Games are available on Amazon.com and most mainstream international sites Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, iTunes books, etc. His third horror thriller, Lycanthrope Rising, is available on Amazon pre-order with a release date of Oct. 1, 2017 at http://amzn.to/2wsJXPH
John and his wife Judy live in Wortley Village, a quaint neighbourhood in that other London — London Ontario — far from vampires, superheroes, and Toronto's high housing prices.
John's novels - Late Bite and Gravity Games are available on Amazon.com and most mainstream international sites Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, iTunes books, etc. His third horror thriller, Lycanthrope Rising, is available on Amazon pre-order with a release date of Oct. 1, 2017 at http://amzn.to/2wsJXPH
John and his wife Judy live in Wortley Village, a quaint neighbourhood in that other London — London Ontario — far from vampires, superheroes, and Toronto's high housing prices.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 9, 2017
When presented as a Foodie Thriller with a title like this and a flashy meteorite on the cover, just what the hell am I supposed to think? Is it Kitsch? A comedy come-on with either a virtuoso display of genre-mashing or a literature equivalent of Sharkanado?
Oh, lordy, I never would have guessed that it all ties right back in to a very well crafted mystery with extremely interesting characters right up and down the line, from Nate Sherlock, the man with the eidetic nose, his horribly patient and brilliant female sidekick who might blow up waiting for him to make a move, the social justice warriors who con the world, or fantastically crafted villains ranging from the top .01% to a nasty biotech guy who messes with the lives of other "specially sensed" people and their roles in governmental investigatory teams.
The characters could have been enough to carry this novel, mind you, but no, it's also a plot of very finely crafted gears and super-satisfying games that had me chortling and had me nodding my head when it came to the big issues, too.
It was fun, fascinating, and I haven't had this much fun with antigravity in... um... EVER!
This was my first book by John Matsui, and while neither of the currently released titles are that closely tied to one another, there *was* a walk-on of Late Bite's MC that put to rest ANY reservations I might have had about reading what otherwise appeared to be an urban fantasy gimmick. I'm actually quite afraid that I've just gone off the deep end with only one read and this author has just become one of my automatic reads from here on out.
Yup, instant fanboy.
I'm soooooo happy that the author asked me to review his stuff. I probably never would have picked this up, otherwise, and my life would have been much poorer for it. I can't believe how much fun I had.
You know when I mentioned that it was a mash-up? It was. From Foodie Thriller to Government Conspiracies to one hell of an awesome Con Game, all the while having all the trappings of SF, fantastic characters, and really tight plot? The novel not only shifted gears effortlessly, it even made it reasonable and not at all unusual in a bad way. I was hooked with any one of the baits, and yet he kept giving me awesome morsels to chew on anyway, adding and adding to the pile until I'm just a greedy greedy foodie, myself, until I gorged myself and sighed at the end and said, "More, please?" Oh yeah, I'm good for more. :) And I'm RIGHT ON to the novel of his that I missed. I'm ready for a Late Bite, because, I'm, like, late. :)
Oh, lordy, I never would have guessed that it all ties right back in to a very well crafted mystery with extremely interesting characters right up and down the line, from Nate Sherlock, the man with the eidetic nose, his horribly patient and brilliant female sidekick who might blow up waiting for him to make a move, the social justice warriors who con the world, or fantastically crafted villains ranging from the top .01% to a nasty biotech guy who messes with the lives of other "specially sensed" people and their roles in governmental investigatory teams.
The characters could have been enough to carry this novel, mind you, but no, it's also a plot of very finely crafted gears and super-satisfying games that had me chortling and had me nodding my head when it came to the big issues, too.
It was fun, fascinating, and I haven't had this much fun with antigravity in... um... EVER!
This was my first book by John Matsui, and while neither of the currently released titles are that closely tied to one another, there *was* a walk-on of Late Bite's MC that put to rest ANY reservations I might have had about reading what otherwise appeared to be an urban fantasy gimmick. I'm actually quite afraid that I've just gone off the deep end with only one read and this author has just become one of my automatic reads from here on out.
Yup, instant fanboy.
I'm soooooo happy that the author asked me to review his stuff. I probably never would have picked this up, otherwise, and my life would have been much poorer for it. I can't believe how much fun I had.
You know when I mentioned that it was a mash-up? It was. From Foodie Thriller to Government Conspiracies to one hell of an awesome Con Game, all the while having all the trappings of SF, fantastic characters, and really tight plot? The novel not only shifted gears effortlessly, it even made it reasonable and not at all unusual in a bad way. I was hooked with any one of the baits, and yet he kept giving me awesome morsels to chew on anyway, adding and adding to the pile until I'm just a greedy greedy foodie, myself, until I gorged myself and sighed at the end and said, "More, please?" Oh yeah, I'm good for more. :) And I'm RIGHT ON to the novel of his that I missed. I'm ready for a Late Bite, because, I'm, like, late. :)
June 30, 2016
While this is not a sequel to the author's phenomenal first novel Late Bite, it shares all the ingredients to make it equally successful. The writing is superior and you can definitely recognize the author's distinctive style which makes it so captivating. The whole book is overflowing with fresh ideas and original concepts I never read of before and therefore reading it was a highly entertaining adventure full of surprises. I loved that the story makes several references to 'Late Bite' and takes place in the same (Toronto) universe the author created back then.
The only minor criticism I may have is that there were almost too many sideshows and background stories. At times they threatened to put the main plot and especially the main character too far into the background. But then I rather prefer such an excessive outburst of creativity any given time (and book) and I definitely enjoyed making this journey.
The only minor criticism I may have is that there were almost too many sideshows and background stories. At times they threatened to put the main plot and especially the main character too far into the background. But then I rather prefer such an excessive outburst of creativity any given time (and book) and I definitely enjoyed making this journey.
November 10, 2015
Great book. John Matsui is successful writer because he presents character very skillfully. The action packed novel was a thrilling ride.
November 16, 2015
If you haven't read John Matsui's first book, Late Bite, then you are missing out on how truly imaginative this author can be. Which is why I'm not shocked to find Gravity Games to be a remarkable twist on the age old detective story. Matsui's character Nathan Sherlock is not just a top chef, but a uniquely qualified detective with a style all his own. His investigative technique and the creative storyline make for a beautifully written mystery novel that I find rivals the best in the genre.
With such a imaginative creation, I can only hope Nathan Sherlock becomes a series so I can join him on his investigations regularly.
With such a imaginative creation, I can only hope Nathan Sherlock becomes a series so I can join him on his investigations regularly.
October 26, 2015
The first thing to note about Gravity Games: A Nathan Sherlock Foodie Thriller is its attention to descriptive detail, which takes the finer music of depth and tunes it to a new level recommended not for mystery readers who want quick and casual descriptions, but for those who appreciate detail.
Can Nathan smell not only food, but murder? And what does this special ability hold for new circumstances that tweak not just his olfactory senses, but his ability to solve crimes? Readers are about to find out; in the process learning of one investigator's strange ability and how it led him to a life of crime problem-solving that operates on a different level than most detectives.
Delightfully different in its approach, even Nathan's nose for trouble is challenged in Gravity Games, which winds science into the mix and invites mystery fans to investigate realms that usually lie outside the typical genre read.
It would have been all too possible for such a talent to turn one's life upside down, but Nathan has a formula for keeping his personal world on track, and it's never failed him before - until now. He's a famous food and wine personality and his skills in this arena compliment his other unique abilities. Everything is about to change, all spiced with an unexpected dose of humor throughout to provide a comic relief not usually seen in murder mysteries.
As far as the case itself, suffice it to say that one scientist's discovery could change the world; so when he's kidnapped, Nathan is tapped to use his special skills to save him. Terrorism and food usually don't mix; but here they are explored in exquisite passages that keep readers guessing and involved. The hallmark of a solid mystery read is its ability to captivate even the most avid of genre readers: Gravity Games doesn't just involve; it immerses readers in the finer details of the story.
Highly recommended for any mystery fan who also happens to cultivate an affection for food and special problem-solving abilities.
Can Nathan smell not only food, but murder? And what does this special ability hold for new circumstances that tweak not just his olfactory senses, but his ability to solve crimes? Readers are about to find out; in the process learning of one investigator's strange ability and how it led him to a life of crime problem-solving that operates on a different level than most detectives.
Delightfully different in its approach, even Nathan's nose for trouble is challenged in Gravity Games, which winds science into the mix and invites mystery fans to investigate realms that usually lie outside the typical genre read.
It would have been all too possible for such a talent to turn one's life upside down, but Nathan has a formula for keeping his personal world on track, and it's never failed him before - until now. He's a famous food and wine personality and his skills in this arena compliment his other unique abilities. Everything is about to change, all spiced with an unexpected dose of humor throughout to provide a comic relief not usually seen in murder mysteries.
As far as the case itself, suffice it to say that one scientist's discovery could change the world; so when he's kidnapped, Nathan is tapped to use his special skills to save him. Terrorism and food usually don't mix; but here they are explored in exquisite passages that keep readers guessing and involved. The hallmark of a solid mystery read is its ability to captivate even the most avid of genre readers: Gravity Games doesn't just involve; it immerses readers in the finer details of the story.
Highly recommended for any mystery fan who also happens to cultivate an affection for food and special problem-solving abilities.
June 29, 2016
I must say, when we were approached by John Matsui to read his books, Ashley and I split the titles up perfectly. I’m the nerdy foodie and truly appreciated the descriptive writing in Gravity Games.
Nathan Sherlock is not your typical celebrity chef/TV host. He’s got a nose that knows. Not only that but he also never forgets a smell, heck, he’s even got an app to categorize the smells! How delightfully droll. Having lived in Toronto for almost all of my life, I smile broadly when someone sets a story more or less in my city and even more when my hood is mentioned.
Gravity Games is a mystery novel but without all the typical hang ups. Matsui has created a great and lasting character in Nathan Sherlock and sidekick/partner in Bonnie. These two play off so well together that you can’t imagine them ever being apart.
What I found amazing is that part of me really wanted negative gravity to be true! Despite all the characters that were introduced so early on, it was still easy to follow. Any writer that can give depth and life to all these characters and make them not only relatable but have individual goals and ideals can make a story come to life.
Now I can’t wait to see where Nathan’s nose gets him into next. And for the next must try recipe!
Nathan Sherlock is not your typical celebrity chef/TV host. He’s got a nose that knows. Not only that but he also never forgets a smell, heck, he’s even got an app to categorize the smells! How delightfully droll. Having lived in Toronto for almost all of my life, I smile broadly when someone sets a story more or less in my city and even more when my hood is mentioned.
Gravity Games is a mystery novel but without all the typical hang ups. Matsui has created a great and lasting character in Nathan Sherlock and sidekick/partner in Bonnie. These two play off so well together that you can’t imagine them ever being apart.
What I found amazing is that part of me really wanted negative gravity to be true! Despite all the characters that were introduced so early on, it was still easy to follow. Any writer that can give depth and life to all these characters and make them not only relatable but have individual goals and ideals can make a story come to life.
Now I can’t wait to see where Nathan’s nose gets him into next. And for the next must try recipe!
November 10, 2015
I have to say I found the beginning a bit boring there was nothing that really set it apart from any other murder novel. However I decided to keep reading and I am happy that I did because while the first few chapters might be a bit like other murder books afterwards it is like a whole new world of murder opens up. I really enjoyed the interaction between Nate, Bonnie, and the agents. This book would be an enjoyable read for any young adult reader who enjoy reading murder, terrorist, suspense novels. I really enjoyed how the author incorporated the foodie angle in to the novel. I did not think that murder and food would meld together, but the author managed the meld perfectly. I was provided a free copy of this book for review purposes.
November 10, 2015
This book the writer briefly focused character. The supporting cast of characters – a mad scientist, evil psychopath, young do-guiders, and those with extreme sensory powers - bring depth and suspense to the unique story line. The plot weaves in and out, up and down, backwards and forward, creating several riveting, spiraling illusive sub plots.
November 10, 2015
Gravity Games by John Matsui has many characters that are out of the ordinary.Its very beautiful thriller and an innovative novel.
November 10, 2015
Gravity Games by John Matsui is an outstanding thriller. This is one of the best book of thriller. I am enjoying reading.
November 10, 2015
It's a interesting book for me. Writing style is beautiful.
November 10, 2015
awesome story line, fast pace and craftsmanship, Gravity Games is a novel that must be on your bookshelf.
November 10, 2015
John Matsui’s Gravity Games is an innovative novel, way out of the box - it’s not your run-of-the-mill thriller. The characterization is extraordinary.
November 10, 2015
This is fine book.I like this book.Writing quality is beautiful.
June 16, 2016
Brilliant main plot that (I think) got a bit overshadowed by the subplots.
February 24, 2019
A fun quick read. enjoyable whodunit type adventure story. Reminds me of the comic book called chew .
June 19, 2019
Very clever!
December 24, 2016
John Matsui crafted an intricate and exciting thriller. The characters are interesting, believable and complex just as the plot is. The research must have been meticulous for this novel as everything is so well thought of. The reader dare not miss a word as everything fits together so well. Congratulations John, fine effort !!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews