The Samurai Code: A Hiram Kane Adventure

Hiram Kane Adventure #2

by Steven Moore

One lethal storm. One deadly criminal. One ancient code. Expedition leader Hiram Kane is in Japan when the storm of the century hits. He joins the rescue mission as flash floods cause chaos, death and destruction. Yakuza boss Katashi Goto is retiring from the mob. Before he does, there is one more thing to achieve: revenge over a centuries old enemy. When their two very different worlds collide, Kane is forced to make a choice. He has always known honour is worth fighting for. When challenged by Katashi, he has to decide if it is also worth dying for. The Samurai Code is the first installment of the Hiram Kane adventure series. For fans of Russell Blake and Clive Cussler, Steven Moore's breakout action thriller will leave you breathless. To delve into the globetrotting world of Hiram Kane, buy your copy of The Samurai Code, today!

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Action

388 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2017

About the author

Englishman Steven Moore grew up by the seaside, thus his first true joy was the great outdoors. His innate love of travel and a degree in anthropology, archaeology, and art history help inform his fiction writing. Steven also loves painting, photography, and both playing and watching sport.

The travel bug bit the now perpetual nomad early, and to date Steven has lived and worked on five continents, and visited almost sixty countries. Steven combines an age-old writing adage; Write what you know, with his own mantra; Write where you know, and sets most of his novels in places in which he has either lived or spent an extended period of time.

When not on the road with his writer wife Leslie, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is home, which they share with their rescue cats Ernest Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald (Ernie and Fitz).

A lifelong love of food, wine, and beer have demanded a new-found love of yoga and hiking in order to fend off the imminent arrival of middle age.

You can find more of Steven’s books here: stevenmooreauthor.com

Read more...

Published Hiram Kane books: Silent Knight, The Golem of Prague, The Tiger Temple, The Samurai Code, The Condor Prophecy, The Shadow of Kailash, The Feathered Serpent & Of Curses and Kings.

I, Survivor: An Alex Ridley Vigilante Thriller

Published Ryan R.B Bodean Action Thriller books: Havana Fury, Atlantis Storm, Hemingway Found & El Dorado Gold.

Published Kayla Stone Vigilante Thriller books: Set Him Free, Set You Free, Set Them Free and Set Me Free.

Published Alexandria Ridley Thriller booksI: I, Survivor, I, Vigilante, I, Guardian and I, Salvation.


Day of the Dead, a Mig Comacho vigilante thriller.

ARK: Survival, an apocalyptic thriller.

"Quite simply, king of the action thriller. Brilliant"

— Adam Croft, USA TODAY Bestselling Author

"Compelling from start to finish. Highly recommended"

— Mark Dawson, USA TODAY Bestselling Author

“Looking for a new favourite action-thriller author? Look no further”

— Nick Thacker, USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Reviews

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is only one judge of the honour of a Samurai: Himself.” A beautiful and sometimes wise and others misplaced concept. A vision described by the main character of a picturesque and beautiful Japanese surroundings. The author transports us from the Samurai epoch to present day with clarity, the anguish of a Samurai descendant Yakuza Boss, the morality behind Hiram’s acts, fast paced, full of action, adventure, antique artifacts and lovely scenery. I sure recommend it!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When others fled for their lives, Hiram Kane’s honor says he must stay to assist the victims of a typhoon that has pummeled Japan. Katashi Goto, Yakuza mob boss is retiring, but first he must avenge the honor stolen from his Samurai ancestors long ago.

An uninvited witness to a brutal ritual killing, Hiram finds himself face to face with a man who doesn’t flinch at ordering torture, or even murder. Can a mob boss really understand the concept of honor or has he corrupted the ancient code of the Samurai for his own advantage? Hiram is about to be challenged by his own sense of honor and it may cost him his life.

THE SAMURAI CODE is a fabulous introduction to Hiram Kane from author, Steven Moore. Sense the atmosphere of Japan, sense the importance of history, of ancestors and try to understand how a man can desire honor for his ancestors and still be a vulture in the contemporary world.
Quick, but very well written, Steven Moore has kept the tension high, while painting each scene with the care of an artist inviting us into another world.

Series: Hiram Kane Action Adventure Series - Book 1
Publisher: Condor Publishing (March 15, 2017)
Publication Date: March 15, 2017
Genre: Thriller | Suspense | Action
Print Length: 226 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Aiden Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Thriller Novella with Danger and Mystery in a Japanese Temple

This is the second Hiram Kane story I've read and I enjoyed it immensely. Like Steven Moore's other books his details on the location and the culture of country the story is set in is detailed and feels real. The prose is subdued in a good way, not the rapid pace of other thrillers drawing you instead in with the descriptions of places, historical background and the emotions of the characters.

In this adventure, expedition leader and thriller seeker Hiram Kane finds himself at a Japanese temple were a suit of armour is about to be stolen. The Yakuza wish to right a wrong from centuries past. But of course, the morals of the Yakuza are twisted and result in some bloody and dangerous encounters.

A short novella is a great introduction into the Kane character and sets up the stories that follow. Definitely worth the read.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK
I am really enjoying this Hiram Kane series of books. His moody but determined attitude to do what’s right makes for an exciting story and I also really love the narrator on these books. Book two did not disappoint very evocative and I felt like I was in the book with him

[Kronos Ananthsimha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of honor and courage spans more than 800 years, from a battle in the 12th century where a samurai is dishonored to modern day Japan where a mob boss tries to reclaim his ancestor's pride. Steven Moore has written this novella based on experience in the Archeology academia and his real-life adventures.
Hiram Kane leaps onto the pages by rescuing civilians in a storm that floods a Japanese town. He's trained in archeology and leads expeditions. When on a vacation, he stumbles on a plan to steal a Samurai armor from a museum. Most of the story occurs on an island near Hiroshima. Kane befriends a noble family whose secrets put them in danger.
An aging Yakuza boss plans to put away his mafia days by becoming a Buddhist priest. But that's his get-out-of-jail card for a final crime he plans to commit. He plans to steal an armor that he says belongs to him. With his treacherous crew and double-crosses at many turns, the heist begins.
Eventually, things lead to a decapitation, worthwhile martial arts fights, and Kane's pinkie finger being shot and blown away. Though the action could be improved on, the narrative scores good points. Moore does a good job by 'showing instead of telling' in his writing.
Some places are a little slow but teach you a lot about Japanese history, culture, language, and people. Kane comes off as an honest, honorable and a righteous boy-scout with very few flaws. The villains are deceptive, fun and deadly. Throughout the book, there are no trained combatants conflicted with the bad guys. It was refreshing to view a clash with evil from the perspective of heroes who are civilians.
This book manages to educate and entertain thoroughly for a day. Japan fanatics will love this book as it is loaded with the samurai's code of honor, culture and teaches you numerous Japanese words.

[Jack Moscrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Samurai Code starts fast and doesn't let up. Steven Moore takes the harsh ancient world of the samurai and brings it alive in the 21st century, pitting it perfectly against a lone hero with a heart, whom I immediately warmed to. A truer friend than Hiram Kane would be hard to imagine to see me through the merciless perils of killer storms and modern code-bound Japanese mafia. I thoroughly enjoyed every scene of this evocative read.

[Sarah Ramsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first book so was looking forward to reading this book. It is fast paced and packed full of action. I like that each book is set in a different country. Can’t wait for the next book.

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiram Kane is in Japan when a horrible storm damages the area where he’s staying. He joins the rescue team to try and help as many survivors as possible. The boss of the mob Yazuka is retiring but he is determined to get revenge on a centuries-old enemy. Kane knows that the honor of a Samurai is something to fight for, but as his life is put in increasing amounts of danger, he wonders if it is worth dying for.

I love these Hiram Kane adventures, as they always draw me in and keep me on the edge of my seat until I am done reading it. I also love the different settings of each novel as they take place throughout the world. There’s nothing better to me than reading a mystery that takes place outside of the US and is also based on that place’s culture and/or history.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed mystery novel taking place in a setting of beautiful Japan.

[Anja Peerdeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an archaeologist, Hiram Kane travels everywhere. This time, Japan.
But trouble seems to find this man wherever he goes.

The second book in the Hiram Kane series has a completely different setting than the first. It is definitely not a ‘same-story-but-slightly-retold’ thing. All new and all exciting.
But the main protagonist Hiram Kane is still the same person : adventurous, intelligent, brave, and very emotionally involved.

That’s why, if you’ve read Kane’s first adventure, losing yourself in this book pretty much feels like coming home.

I loved it !

[Chu-Salyer Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading stories that takes place in Asia. The book is an action pack thriller. I read 109 pages in ebook form in a few hours, before I went to bed. The book left me breathless and wanted more… One dangerous storm, A deadly criminal, an a ancient old code is all wrapped in this book. This story takes place in Japan when the biggest storm of the century hits. This story is about a good guy Kane and a bad guy Katashi. And what they do once these two men meet. When dared by katashi, Kane has to make his mined up if it is also worth dying for.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It has some overly lucky parts but overall it’s a fun day’s read.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having always been interested in the way of the Samurai from a young age, I looked forward to seeing where this story would go. I received a free copy of which I am wholly thankful - it has been a quick and very satisfying read, which I didn't want to put down !

The main character Hiram Kane will obviously have many more adventures and exploits to be covered by the author and I for one will be waiting eagerly

I'm just sorry it took me a few weeks to get around to it !

I would heartily recommend this book to anyone that likes a bit more meat to their characters and enjoys the adventure that happens around them

[James McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very engaging novella which I read in a couple of sittings.

The author sets things up excellently. First, we have an intriguing prologue set in feudal Japan and concerns the defeat of a samurai warrior. Only much later on, towards the end of the tale does the full significance of this ancient event become fully clear but it is actually the whole catalyst for events hundreds of years later. The second is the introduction of Hiram Kane plunging into raging floodwaters to rescue people. In effect, we learn two things from this. Kane is a man of action and he is also an altruistic individual. He is also stubborn and tenacious, something which will become important later on when he finds himself trapped inside a shrine with four Yakuza when he could simply have walked away from the danger.

Well plotted, what I enjoyed most about the novella was the character of Katashi Goto himself, a Yakuza boss about to retire to become a Buddhist monk. He has harboured a lifelong obsession to possess samurai armour he claims rightfully belongs to his family. Things though aren’t exactly as they are and there a couple of twists in the tale at the end. Speaking of which, in the penultimate chapter Kane recalls everything that has just happened, and almost with a wink to the reader, decides “you couldn’t make this stuff up.”

My only criticism of the novella and it isn’t exactly a criticism, is that I could never quite warm to the central character. I’m not sure why exactly, he has many positive qualities, I think I sensed a hint of smugness about him. As I say though, this is more of a subjective reaction rather than a criticism of the author’s writing.

Overall, The Samurai Code is a very entertaining read, well plotted and a great thriller.

[Ken Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

InstaFreebie download to Kindle
Good story and decent plot. Nice character development of the lead character and the villains. Some of the writing seems repetitious and stilted. First person voice gave it a nice slant.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Samurai Code - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Yakuza boss Katashi Goto is retiring - to become a Buddhist monk! Despite a lifetime sanctioning or committing torture and murder to get what he wants, he believes one last mission will clear his past crimes and leave him free to seek absolution and peace in his last years.
Steven Moore's fast-paced thriller satisfies on many levels. His hero Hiram Kane has come to Japan as part of his international sight-seeing tour; friendly and easy-going his altruistic side comes to brilliant life, as he works tirelessly with rescue workers after a typhoon strikes the country.
What does Goto believe was stolen from his family in ancient times? How does he mean to regain possession of this artefact?
When does Goto come to Kane's attention? Where does their encounter take place?
Who breaks the Samurai Code? What happens as a result? How does the adventure end?

Book one in the Hiram Kane series, The Samurai Killer mixes ancient and modern values, altruism and selfishness, love and hatred and much more.
Buy it today and get ready for an adventure that is all-action, with a thrill in every page!

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with a genuine hero! Hiram Kane seems to be at home in every country and every culture. (This story takes place in Japan.) I like the way he has the gift of making new friends, becoming involved in their lives.

Hiram embraces physical activity and adventure; he is also a lightning rod for natural disasters and crime. In fact he moves into dangerous situations knowingly when a more prudent person would walk away – as I said a natural-born hero.

The author finishes with an epilogue which re-introduces the characters so I expect this will be used as the introduction to the next Hiram Kane adventure. Steven Morton promises the other books in the series will have different locations, all from his own experiences of travelling around and living in them.

(I suspect the version I read is not the final edit; I found some baffling ‘wrong’ words, an occasional pause for reflection or back-story in the midst of action, even a few errors in logic. One of the strengths of an ebook is that such things can be so easily adjusted for subsequent readers!)

[Alex (Bri's Book Nook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiram Kane is in Japan when a horrible storm damages the area where he's staying. He joins the rescue team to try and help as many survivors as possible. The boss of the mob Yazuka is retiring but he is determined to get revenge on a centuries-old enemy. Kane knows that the honor of a Samurai is something to fight for, but as his life is put in increasing amounts of danger, he wonders if it is worth dying for. 

I love these Hiram Kane adventures, as they always draw me in and keep me on the edge of my seat until I am done reading it. I also love the different settings of each novel as they take place throughout the world. There's nothing better to me than reading a mystery that takes place outside of the US and is also based on that place's culture and/or history. 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed mystery novel taking place in a setting of beautiful Japan. 

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the settings for this series and the author has a great way of describing the country or city he is writing about, making you feel like you are right there or at least that you want to go visit there some day. This book is set in Japan and I love the touch on the Samurai history but as this is a novella, I feel like it was a little bit rushed.
I do not like the main character, Hiram Kane. He is always just a little too smart, too good looking, too strong, too lucky, too good at everything for him to be relatable at all, in fact, I find him a bit irritating.
And talking about irritating, the narrator is terrible. He has a very halting way of reading and putting emphasis in strange places. It is very distracting from the story. Unfortunately he was chosen to narrate the whole series so far, and I will not continue listening to it.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

having never read this author before I decided that I would give it a go. I love the idea of samurai warriors where honour means almost everything.

this book was packed full of action which was wonderful however at times it was a bit over the top.

the main character is an adventurer but seemed more warrior than anything else. it didn't seem to fit at first since he always rushed I to trouble instead of avoiding it.

all said this book was great except I wanted a bit .ore especially as they kept alluding to items in the past of the main character bit didn't provide the work that would give is as a reader the full picture.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brief trip to a picturesque part of Japan. Kane struggles to help when a typhoon floods the area, then travels to an island shrine and walks in to a ritual set up by a murderous Yakuza boss seeking to correct a century old wrong done to a Samurai ancestor. While the descriptions are somewhat brief, the characters are easy to understand, and the writing provides glimpses of the beauty of the shrine island and the Samurai code of honor. The story is short, but packs a lot of information and adventure into the words. The ending starts as a cliff-hanger, but is satisfactorily resolved by the epilogue.

[Simon Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. The story follows harim kane on his adventures in Japan where he battles a storm before moving onto meeting a yakuza boss. it is a nice short read, but long enough to be full of action and adventure. I would recommend this book and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series

[Bethany Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced action adventure featuring Hiram Kane set in Japan. It keeps you engaged from beginning to end and the pace hardly lets up through the whole book. I loved the setting and the historical context and how the author draws you into the setting so you can visualise it. Hiram Kane is a likeable character so gets drawn into situations. An enjoyable read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story! Loved the location, had to google the tourist spots in Japan, which added to the story. The main character, Kane, is certainly a very likeable character and I would have no problem following him on more of his escapades.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book and much better than I expected. A blend of English and Japanese culture. The book is fast paced with lots of action, suspense and some history. A great read. I was fortunate to receive a free copy during a promotion and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting read crafted around interesting and multifaceted characters. I could not put this down and traded some sleep hours for the enjoyment of reading it to the end. I would be anxiously waiting for book 2, but I have already read it, so waiting for book 3.

[Greta Halliday · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced adventure thriller, full of action. An easy, uncomplicated read which I really enjoyed.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Hiram Kane series. A wanted vacation after the adventure in The Tiger Temple. Luckily for him he had an invitation to speak in Japan. A paid trip to Japan to site see all in exchange for a speech.

The non-stop action begins as Hiram settles in his hotel and he hears about a terrible storm with flooding in Hofu, some call it Yasuka. An immediate change in plans. He finds transportation to Hofu to assist. During the rescues, Hiram quickly partners up with Naki, a local, to help with the river victims. When they are no longer needed they find a pub and get a beer. Pubbing is one of Hiram’s enjoyable pastimes.

After assisting in Hofu, the next day, Hiram sets off to visit the museum where Naki’s father is a curator. Eyeing a pub, Hiram stops in for a beer. Hiram sees a questionable pub exchange from a patron from a group as it is departing as he enjoys his beer. Interestingly enough, he encounters three people from said group at the museum. Turns out they are Yakaza, the mafia.

Hiram decides to follow the men inside the museum since they walked past the ticket booth without paying. Now his ‘sense that something is off’ buzzer is humming loudly regarding the men. From there trouble escalates, but what an experience Hiram learns.

The authors did a wonderful job exposing readers to Japans culture.

I highly recommend this series to those who like a fast paced book! I had the good fortune listening to Kenneth Bryant reading the book using different character voices. Excellent job!

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Korra II Allison Baskerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story starts off a bit slow. It wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as the first book because it’s mostly just action. It lacks the backstory or compelling characters of the first book. It also lacks any logic.

The first book was in some remote village with corrupt officials who had been paid off by the mafia. While that’s similarly the case here, much of the plot of this novella could have been avoided or made simpler. While there wouldn’t be any story, in that case, a story that’s total nonsense is no better in my opinion.

What I did like about this story were the ups and downs, and the twists during the plot. It kept things interesting as everything could change at a moment’s notice. The combat scenes were also just as satisfying.

The narrator does an excellent job of narrating and bringing the novella to life. I find it strange he narrated in his own voice, then spoke in a British accent when the character actually talks though.

NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic location for a unique adventure!

What I loved about both this book and the previous one in this series is how the author combines unique locations with strong local history/tradition and of course plenty of action! Another talent of Steven Moore's is his ability to describe a location so well that you can picture it and feel like you're there. I've never been to Japan but had such a strong image in my mind of where the action took place that when I looked for an image online I was spot on - that for me shows a really great writing skill. The book builds slowly, carefully setting the scene with the history, location and characters. Once these are in place the action takes off at a tremendous pace and had me hooked. I really enjoyed it and am going to start reading book 3 in the series straight away!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yakaza, the criminal mafia of Japan.

Kane is on a vacation in Japan. He hears about terrible flooding in Hofu, he finds himself there helping to pull people from the raging torrent. He works with a man whose name is Naki. When the storm and flooding finally slow down, the two men are kindly asked to go home. Naki asks Kane to stay at his place and Kane agrees. The next morning they talk and Kane finds out that the man's father is the curator of a museum that Kane is interested in seeing.

As Kane ends up at the pier where the museum is, he stops at a restaurant and that his first meeting with the Yakaza, from there the story gets much more interesting and crazy.

Read and enjoy.