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Punchline
A Rei and Tyler Con
Rei and Tyler- Japan's worst con-artists -are broke and out of luck but don't Tyler has a plan. In a daring heist, they aim to kidnap Arisa; daughter of a wealthy businessman and ransom her off for an easy payday. At least that's the idea. Turns out, they've crossed the man behind one of Japan's largest crime syndicates and he wants his daughter back no matter the cost. Now, with assassins, police, bus drivers and more after them...do Rei and Tyler have what it takes to survive? Will they even get paid? Expect comedy. Get ready for romance. Prepare for action.
Rei and Tyler- Japan's worst con-artists -are broke and out of luck but don't Tyler has a plan. In a daring heist, they aim to kidnap Arisa; daughter of a wealthy businessman and ransom her off for an easy payday. At least that's the idea. Turns out, they've crossed the man behind one of Japan's largest crime syndicates and he wants his daughter back no matter the cost. Now, with assassins, police, bus drivers and more after them...do Rei and Tyler have what it takes to survive? Will they even get paid? Expect comedy. Get ready for romance. Prepare for action.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2019
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Bradley Freeman
7 books12 followers(written by his pug)
Bradley Freeman is a human who writes books. He is a Kiwi (not the fruit) who lived in Tokyo, Japan, until he didn't.
Bradley loves films and video games. Sometimes the noise is too loud and I bark, then he barks, then we both bark. Bradley also likes to eat lots of pizza. Pizza is the best, better than donuts!
He tells me he writes in different genres (I don't know that word. Is it food?), like horror and action, with a bunch more on the way.
I don't know if that's a promise... or a threat?
Woof.
Bradley Freeman is a human who writes books. He is a Kiwi (not the fruit) who lived in Tokyo, Japan, until he didn't.
Bradley loves films and video games. Sometimes the noise is too loud and I bark, then he barks, then we both bark. Bradley also likes to eat lots of pizza. Pizza is the best, better than donuts!
He tells me he writes in different genres (I don't know that word. Is it food?), like horror and action, with a bunch more on the way.
I don't know if that's a promise... or a threat?
Woof.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 4, 2019
Bradley Freeman's REEK was my favourite horror novel of whatever damn year it came it out, so of course I was gonna be all over PUNCHLINE.
It does not disappoint.
Closer in spirit to the freewheeling, anything-goes nature of Freeman's first novel MOMO AND MATSU, PUNCHLINE begins as a straightforward crime caper, before quickly spiralling into a full-on Jackie Chan-style action romp. The laughs come thick and fast, and before you know it there's romance, and supernatural shenanigans, and unstoppable killers, and pugs. That's right, I said PUGS.
Action can be a tough genre to write - it's such a visual medium - but Freeman pulls it off with ease. He's clearly steeped in the genre, mixing up bone-crunching fight scenes with an anime-esque sense of the outrageous that never feels forced.
Did I mention Melon the pug? He's called MELON, guys. MELON. I'm in love with MELON, and you will be too, I guarantee it.
Read this book. Then read REEK. Or, read REEK, then read this book. That's it, those are your only two options.
What are YOU gonna do?
It does not disappoint.
Closer in spirit to the freewheeling, anything-goes nature of Freeman's first novel MOMO AND MATSU, PUNCHLINE begins as a straightforward crime caper, before quickly spiralling into a full-on Jackie Chan-style action romp. The laughs come thick and fast, and before you know it there's romance, and supernatural shenanigans, and unstoppable killers, and pugs. That's right, I said PUGS.
Action can be a tough genre to write - it's such a visual medium - but Freeman pulls it off with ease. He's clearly steeped in the genre, mixing up bone-crunching fight scenes with an anime-esque sense of the outrageous that never feels forced.
Did I mention Melon the pug? He's called MELON, guys. MELON. I'm in love with MELON, and you will be too, I guarantee it.
Read this book. Then read REEK. Or, read REEK, then read this book. That's it, those are your only two options.
What are YOU gonna do?
March 9, 2019
“The window exploded outwards, glass tinkling to the pavement outside and Rei along with it.”
…and so it begins! Bradley Freeman’s third novel, Punchline, is a hilarious, supercharged joyride that blasts out of the gate and doesn’t take its foot off the gas for a minute.
Rei and Tyler are lovable but reckless small-time hoods plotting to graduate to the big time by kidnapping the daughter of Japanese crime syndicate boss Hiroaki Matsuyama. The boss has just been released from prison and has plans of his own for his beautiful and talented daughter Arisa. The kidnapping scheme does not go smoothly, with Rei and Tyler trying to stay one step ahead of the murderous thugs on Matsuyama’s payroll, most notably One, a terrifying brute who does not speak because he cut out his own tongue, and Two, “The Red-Eyed Demon.”
Freeman clearly enjoyed writing this book, and readers will no doubt share that pleasure in the nonstop action sequences, funny dialogue, and clever pop culture references. The action movie lines come fast, furious, and dripping with extra cheese: One of our young heroes asks his opponent, “Anybody ever say you have an explosive personality?” just before said opponent is blown to smithereens. Younger readers steeped in video games and manga will no doubt enjoy the extended fight sequences that comprise much of the novel.
What really sets Punchline apart is Freeman’s roster of quirky characters. There’s the libidinous granny who runs the traditional Japanese inn (“I think it’s better when the woman is on top. She can control the angle.”). There’s Bob and his beloved dog Melon (“I wanna be…bigger thanPewDiePie…Does anyone else smell gas? Let’s do a selfie!”). There’s the hulking One and his scary partner Two. Rei and Tyler are interesting protagonists with a surprising relationship that is gradually revealed throughout the novel.
Punchline is a fine novel - lots of fun to read, with a couple of compelling storylines to be continued in the next installment of the Rei and Tyler series.
…and so it begins! Bradley Freeman’s third novel, Punchline, is a hilarious, supercharged joyride that blasts out of the gate and doesn’t take its foot off the gas for a minute.
Rei and Tyler are lovable but reckless small-time hoods plotting to graduate to the big time by kidnapping the daughter of Japanese crime syndicate boss Hiroaki Matsuyama. The boss has just been released from prison and has plans of his own for his beautiful and talented daughter Arisa. The kidnapping scheme does not go smoothly, with Rei and Tyler trying to stay one step ahead of the murderous thugs on Matsuyama’s payroll, most notably One, a terrifying brute who does not speak because he cut out his own tongue, and Two, “The Red-Eyed Demon.”
Freeman clearly enjoyed writing this book, and readers will no doubt share that pleasure in the nonstop action sequences, funny dialogue, and clever pop culture references. The action movie lines come fast, furious, and dripping with extra cheese: One of our young heroes asks his opponent, “Anybody ever say you have an explosive personality?” just before said opponent is blown to smithereens. Younger readers steeped in video games and manga will no doubt enjoy the extended fight sequences that comprise much of the novel.
What really sets Punchline apart is Freeman’s roster of quirky characters. There’s the libidinous granny who runs the traditional Japanese inn (“I think it’s better when the woman is on top. She can control the angle.”). There’s Bob and his beloved dog Melon (“I wanna be…bigger thanPewDiePie…Does anyone else smell gas? Let’s do a selfie!”). There’s the hulking One and his scary partner Two. Rei and Tyler are interesting protagonists with a surprising relationship that is gradually revealed throughout the novel.
Punchline is a fine novel - lots of fun to read, with a couple of compelling storylines to be continued in the next installment of the Rei and Tyler series.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews