The Man From Taured

World's Scariest Legends #3

by Jeremy Bates

Ever been to Taured before? No? In fact, you’ve never heard of it? Well, neither had the rest of the world when in July of 2020 a European businessman shows up at Tokyo International Airport claiming to not only hail from the non-existent country but produces a legitimate passport.

What follows is a breakneck tale full of mystery, intrigue, and action that will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2020

About the author

USA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates has written over twenty novels and novellas, selling more than one million copies worldwide. His work has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film and television by major studios. Midwest Book Review has likened his storytelling to that of Stephen King and Joe Lansdale, calling him a "master of the art." Bates is a KDP Select All-Star and the recipient of the Australian Shadows Award and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award. He was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book honors chosen by readers.

His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.

Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...

Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72

Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man From Taured, the third book in the series The World’s Scariest Legends, was a solid 4 stars. The book centers around main character Gaston Green, a whiskey ambassador traveling to Japan for work. Serious problems arise when Mr. Green enters Tokyo International Airport with what appears to be a valid passport but from a country that Japanese officials deem non-existent.
The Man From Taured was a fast paced book that had me intrigued from the moment I started it. Though Mr. Green was an unlikable character, I was truly interested in his fate and the mystery surrounding his “non-existent” country. Recommend to fans of mystery/thrillers and horror books.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable horror/ suspense

The story starts with Gaston Green, who tries to enter Japan with a perfect passport. The problem? Gaston is from Taured and no one has ever heard of the country.
After that the story goes at a furious pace and what stuck me was the research of the author. The author had brought in almost all cultural references related to the non-existent country and the man entering from there and the way it was weaved together was amazing. Though some of the words of the story were difficult to follow, the way the story was narrated and fast pace kept me hooked till the very end.
Liked it.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of the author, but the last couple of books in his latest series just haven't done it for me.

This is better than the last one, but it's still a slog to get through. Though our main character was a bit pompous, I was with him for a while, hoping that things would work out and he'd find out the reason behind everything.

But the book soon turned into...a rather miserable tour book to Japan? Really. We got some interesting but dismal passages on Japanese prisons, Japanese views of race, and even the Yakuza - none of which had anything do to with the mystery of our main character's identity.

By the end of the book I no longer cared if Taured was real, didn't care if our main character made it home or not, and really sort of hoped he may end up dead because I disliked him that much.

It is readable, but not the fun and entertaining book I was looking for at all.

[Nancy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is in the World’s Scariest Legends series by Bates, this story is not horror. It is more a sci-fi thriller which surprised me but I was still very impressed with the story as I have been with all of Bates’ books I have read so far. There is a real sense of immediacy and tension in the story. I can’t really tell much of the story as it would ruin the plot but the main character finds himself in a world where his homeland doesn’t exist as he knows it. He is like a stranger in a strange land. The author does a great job with his research, both scientific and geographical, adding depth to the story. A lot of fun and another winner by Jeremy Bates.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is too low, I know that, but 4 stars just didn’t seem quite right either. This was an interesting read, I didn’t love it and I’m not sure why. It kept my interest throughout but I wouldn’t rave about it. I did not love the ending, that didn’t help.

We get off to a very intriguing start and the whole thing is nicely written. I always like this authors writing, it flows well.

The story itself had shades of Stpehn King about it. Sort of horror but in a supernatural kind of way, it was quite the puzzle in fact.

Overall a very well written mystery with a bit of everything: science fiction, action, romance, thriller all rolled into one.

If you have Kindle Unlimited it is definitely worth a read as it is included in their books.

3*/5 But so close to being a 4!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE MAN FROM TAURED - 3.5/5
By Jeremy Bates

This was a legend that I had heard of previously but hadn’t really done much digging into.

I found the main character really really unlikeable. Although I felt sorry for him, I did think he was the root of most his problems - if that even makes sense!

I loved the idea of inter-dimension travel but just felt this one fell a bit flat of my expectations as I have loved every other book by this author!

[Joy St John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

As expected, Jeremy Bates does not disappoint. I absolutely could not put this book down! I was only sad that I went through it so fast. Descriptions of Tokyo were wonderful too. Reminded me of places I visited in a brief once in a lifetime trip I took there.
Loved this book! Can't wait for his next!

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frustratingly mysterious--in a good way. I had never heard of this particular legend before. I did some quick, surface-only research before plunging into this book. And I enjoyed it. A fun, bendy, twisty, psychological mystery. It wasn't until I dug deeper that I realized how creative this take on the legendary truly was.

[Michael Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Jeremy Bates book. A very intriguing and immersive storyline. Made me feel like I was one of the characters in the book. Also kept me a reading until way passed by bedtime. The characters had so much backstory to them, they really felt alive and real.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Bates novel I could not put down! Such an interesting and thought provoking story! I highly recommend this one to anyone. Not a scary horror like his other novels, more of a thriller without the gore.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this one was well written as I expect from Jeremy Bates, but the story just wasn’t as much to my taste as others. It really isn’t scary, more like a sci-fi, which I also like, but this one didn’t do it for me. It kept my interest and if you’re into guy in the wrong place being chased stories this is for you.

[Kimberly Orr]

Beta read so I won’t give anything away!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book from Jeremy Bates.
This one is a little most fast-paced mystery than most of his others.

Sometimes, the writing seems a little pretentious. The author doesn't use contractions, so everything is written out perfectly. He also loves using incredibly difficult words when a simple one would have served just as well.
It doesn't take anything away from the perfectly good storytelling, but it's something that not everyone is going to like.

Things I really liked:

The fact that it's based on a supposedly true urban legend.
The sheer amount of cultural knowledge that Bates puts in his books. In this case, it was set in Japan, and the customs and interesting snippets included made it so much fun to read.
The fast pace. There's never a moment of boredom!
The way the science behind what's happening is explained concisely, but thoroughly.

Very much worth reading. I had a great time.

[Murrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all feel somewhat nervous at a customs desk entering another country and our worst fears happen as this book takes us into an adventure we would dread. In fact, more happens than we might guess. Without giving away any more secrets about Bates's perfectly written novel, all I can say is that you live in these pages, but not comfortably. Dark impossibilities become possible - perhaps. And that niggling fear, makes us uncomfortable about such solids as truth and logic. It causes cracks in the confidence that we all take for granted, all that has meaning that makes our lives. It's a book with a new slant on an old thought. Shaken by this tale leaves, even at its ending, a certain niggling fear that it might be or could be true. And if so, where would it leave us? It undermines our hubristic knowledge of all that we thought was infallible and how delicate it truly is.

[Katie Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging little story by Mr. Bates. The main character can be a little bit unlikeable at times, especially due to some of the decisions he makes. And an admission upfront, I rarely read 'Dear Diary' style, first-person narrated books as I find being stuck inside one person's head for an entire novel to be rather off-putting. That being said, it was well written and engaging. However, I found it to be a little more a sci-fi travel adventure than one of the world's scariest legends, as the book was advertised. Still, an enjoyable read if you don't mind first-person narratives.

[Donnaskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a feel-good story, but a good story, the kind that would be made into a movie. At that point I would have granted 4 stars.

Then I got to the dumb ending.
SPOILER BELOW:
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A certain mafia villain is suddenly no longer a problem. What the what?? Definitely minus a star for that. The author could have done significantly better, either by explaining, or by choosing a different ending altogether.

[Vicki Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo

Once again, Jeremy Bates does it again. I so enjoy this author. I’ve read all his books and never been disappointed. Don’t buy into any of the negative reviews, from beginning to end this book was interesting. I read it in about 12 hours. My only complaint with the author, is he can’t crank out his books fast enough to suit me.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Man From Taured

Twisty science fiction and crazy to think about. Imagine waking up as yourself in a different world where everything you know is different or doesn't exist. That's what this tale is about. I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know how it ended and the ending was perfect!

[Erica smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

I was going to give this book a four stars until it started talking about science and all other things that I find boring . I feel that it went to much into his side life in detail for my liking . Anyways it was an okay book .

[Linda Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cunningly brilliant tale of suspense. Loved the descriptions of Japan.

[Erika Walker]

Meh

[Michi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is easily the weakest of his work.

[Juanita❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line but it wasn’t what I expected. I honestly thought it was based off the true events from the 50s. Overall still a good read.

[Mischa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable time/dimension travel, but not thrilling or horror

I love a psychological thriller more than any other genre, and a horror story comes in a close second. I wouldn’t put this book in either category. I’d put it in sci-fi, time/dimension travel. (Time travel is a rival for my second favorite genre, but definitely not less than third.) I definitely wouldn’t put it in the “world’s scariest legends” category, even with the brief mention of Japan’s suicide forest.

The story was quite interesting and is one of the more intriguing books I’ve read in a long while. The way the author presents the dimensional travel is believable, uncomplicated, and thought provoking. Have you ever met someone whom you would swear you already knew even though you’re just meeting them for the first time? Or been somewhere you know you haven’t been before but know your way around? Or feel like you know how to do something, if only you could unlock the door in your mind to let it out? This book gives you an explanation for those things. You’ve simply slipped into a different timeline for a moment. The potential of this is something that science says is possible, that people debate and some believe we experience. The internet is full of stories from people who say they experience this phenomenon.

Something else I really enjoyed about this book was the vocabulary. As an editor and lover of language, my vocabulary is more extensive than average. I love words. I love ordinary words used in beautiful ways. I love unusual words. I love learning new words. I love learning in general. I learned several new English words in this book. I took four years of French, and I even learned a few new French words, too! I learned some Japanese words that I’ll probably forget, but it was fun to look them up and figure them out. I also learned something about the proper way to hold a Japanese sword, and that you can’t go in a Japanese hot spring if you have tattoos, so I may never be able to experience that, though the rules may be changing for tourists!

If you don’t mind having to stop and use the dictionary (on a kindle or the kindle app, it’s a quick lookup, but physical books or other apps may take a little longer) or a translator occasionally as you go, it’s not a bother at all. If that kind of thing frustrates you or breaks your immersion, you might want to think twice on this one.

Overall, I would recommend this book, just know it’s not a horror/thriller genre, and you won’t be disappointed on that front. I’m knocking off a star because it’s not at all the genre it claims to be. The story is interesting, the characters are engaging, and the ending is satisfying. You close the book with the feeling that it all turned out well enough in the end. Maybe not perfectly, but you can breathe that happy sigh of contentment for everyone as you ponder your own life and wonder which dimension you’re in.

[Hugo S · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Taured aka Andorra!

The author took a story about a man from another dimension or one such of stories about interdimensional travellers as there are a number of such misteries like "Green children of Woolpit" and other stories. The Man from Taured supposedly took place in 1954, the author's take on the story however takes place on our time 2020 and for that I deducted a star. Our man from Taured, this country in our parallel universe is known as Andorra, appears to be a well travelled fellow but with some bad luck that seems to follow him no matter the universe he happens to be in, lol, but to no fault of his own; nevertheless, the story around this hapless character is somewhat believable even though it's a little embellished but yeah I repeat believable that is why I gave it four stars one shy of a perfect score for the reason I explained above.

[Alejandro Arellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is well-crafted and suspenseful, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Bates creates a palpable sense of tension throughout the novel, leaving you on the edge of your seat and eagerly turning pages.

The characters are complex and intriguing, with nuanced motivations and believable actions that keep the story grounded in reality. Bates does a masterful job of exploring the depths of human nature, portraying both the best and worst aspects of humanity in a way that feels authentic and relatable.

Overall, "The Man from Taured" is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking novel.

[Anthony Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read because of the articles I’ve read beforehand on this person who visited Tokyo from a country that didn’t exist. I wasn’t sure what to expect given there’s not much of a story in real life after that, but the tale itself was fun and broken up well. The only part I didn’t enjoy was the final transition between dimensions and how they didn’t clarify how that occurred. The first transition made more sense on the flight itself. And it also didn’t make sense how Gaston made it back to his homeland but that’s also me overthinking too much. Overall a really fun read!

[Andrea Králová · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man from Taured, Europe, with valid passport arrives in Tokio to be taken to prison, because his country doest exist. He manages to escape and contacts his flight attendant an tells her his story, she believes him. While he contacts his family, they are all from Andorra and his son doesn't exists. He must be in parallel universe. He is taken by jacuza because of his girl and she dies in his arms. After he tries to hang himself, he returns to his normal reality.

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book. It was fluidly written and it was hard to put it down. The author apparently is well versed with both Japanese language and customs. He is also quite familiar with French colliqualism. This book was described as science fiction which is accurate to some extent since it deals with alternate dimensions. Add to this aspects of Japanese society that are found in newspaper headlines and you have a book that is hard to put down. Loved it.

[Christina Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wondered about this story when I first came across it on a video on YouTube. It would be extremely insane IF this story were to be true or not. You just never know. I love the fact that this story was elaborated in full detail in what "might've" been and I love the fact that we were given the best story and to enjoy the reading of it. It's a fantastic story and I hope this author will bring more to us. :)