Dead End

Shig Sato #6

by Joseph Mark Brewer

There's a killer on the loose in Tokyo and the victims are gangsters. The body count is adding up and the crime bosses don't like it. But they don't like each other, either. Now it's up to Shig Sato to stop the bloodbath. Because any yakuza with a grudge could be the killer. Or the victim.
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Find out why reviewers say ‘This is how you write the perfect murder mystery set in Japan.'

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2020

About the author

Joseph Mark Brewer grew up in Ohio and at an early age developed an interest in reading, writing, and discovering the world around him. An enlistment as a journalist in the US Navy gave him the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and Asia. He has continued working at that craft at publications in the US, Canada, and Japan. His years there are the inspiration for his 12-part Shig Sato Mystery series.

When he's not writing about Shig and Japan, he's busy with the upcoming Tom Becker, Bounty Hunter series; a magical realism romance, and a historical novel about an unlikely murder linked to the 1919 "Black Sox" World Series scandal. He also writes a variety of short fiction, such as his warm-hearted collection of holiday short stories SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN. Some of his short stories have appeared in the international anthologies TWISTED TALES and CROOKED TALES.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shig Sato is retired, and has become a PI at age 61.


Just as he's settling into things, someone starts killing Yakuza soldiers. Japan recently passed some laws against the Yakuza, and it isn't a good time for rumors of a gang war to start.

Sato is given 48 hours to solve the case.

Pretty good with a few twists I didn't see coming.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Japanese police procedural

„Dead End“ cannot be a more accurate title for the sixth installment in the Shig Sato Mysteries Series by Joseph Mark Brewer. As the third gang member gang is found dead in the span of four months, the police do not really care that much, it is a Yakuza member after all. But as it turns out Shig Sato, former police officer turned P.I., finds himself in a very inconvenient situation as his mentor Takahashi ask for his help in catching the murderer. Yakuza members appearing dead on the street is not good for business, furthermore as the murderer seems to target all different groups, and thus plays every gang against each other. With a deadline of just 48 hours, a cold trail and near to none clues to begin with, Shig Sato has this work carved out.

The story takes place in just two days, from the eerie hours of March 2nd to the midmorning of March 4th and encompasses 49 chapters. This is not an action thriller, it is a police procedural, that offers a good insight both in Shig Sato’s investigation style and the general Japanese way of dealing with crime. Choosing 1992 as time frame for the depicted events serve the story exceptionally good and helps to highlight the changes that the Organized Crime Countermeasures Law (Bōryokudan Taisaho Hō) of 1991 entailed with dealing with Yakuza business in Japan.

Joseph Mark Brewer narrative style is unique and conveys the peculiarities of Japanese procedural to perfection, thus appealed to fans of police procedurals in general and Japan in particular. Even if the book is part of Series revolving on Shig Sato’s character and his investigation, could also be read as Series starter without previous knowledge as all pertinent information of the character is given without giving away any previous stories.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shig Sato´s books are always full of intrigue, tension, plots twists and turns and Dead End is no exception. It also describes in details what means to live in a city as crowded as Tokyo where tradition battles with everything new and the old ways are still strong in the society. It also shows how a culture has a high impact on social relationships, on how we deal with orders, our elders, our bosses, our peers and so on - Sato´s ways certainly are totally different from a PI in the Americas or Europe. This book makes a great reading and is entertaining.
I received a copy of Dead End before its launch date in exchange of an honest review.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these books about detective Shig Sato of the Japanese police bureau. Although in this book he is not a police inspector any more but now a private investigator. It's an interesting insight into the world of the Japanese, a country which the western world isn't as familiar as some other countries.

I have to say that although I enjoyed the tension and the perplexment, is that such a word?, in this book I did have my work cut out working out who was who in the beginning, and then what and why at the end. I don't think this is as good as Joe Brewer's other books about Sato but I still enjoyed it!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have read all of the Shig Sato mysteries and I recommend them. In fact I think Dead End is the best one. Shig is a remarkable protagonist highly regarded for being an excellent detective but more so for his honour and honesty. A true old school Japanese character. This book takes you around Tokyo, introduces you to their culture and cuisine. This is a thriller full of intrigue, tension, twists and turns. A very good read.

[Beth Temin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated murder investigation

It was sometimes difficult for me to follow all the characters in this novel due to the Japanese language used. While the solution to the crimes resolved in the end, the path to justice seemed too long.

[Connie Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book

If you haven't read any of Shig Sato books I recommend you read them i don't think you would be disappointed

[Jeannie Huie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery with Sato as the main character. I always get caught up in the story as I try to follow Sato's reasoning, and I also try to beat him to the right conclusions. He always wins!!