Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco

Kats Takemoto #1

by Peter Kageyama

San Francisco, 1958

Second gen Japanese American and WW II vet Katsuhiro “Kats” Takemoto accepts a PI case in Bayview Heights that includes the Hunters Point naval base. Kats’ investigation of the government cover-up at Hunters Point leads to his discovery of an environmental disaster and larger conspiracy in the city.
During Kats' investigation, we meet Jimmy Stewart, Jack Kerouac, Dorothea Lange, Allen Ginsberg, and the Beat Poets at City Lights Bookstore.

First book in multicultural noir series.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Peter Kageyama is the bestselling author of For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places, the follow ups, Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places, and The Emotional Infrastructure of Places. In 2021, he released For the Love of Cities REVISITED, a revised and updated version of his award-winning book.

In 2023, his debut novel, Hunters Point, based in part upon the post-internment life of his parents, was released by St. Petersburg Press.

Peter is a special advisor to America In Bloom and was a Senior Fellow with the Alliance for Innovation, a national network of city leaders. He is an internationally sought-after community development consultant and grassroots engagement strategist who speaks about bottom-up community development and the amazing people who are making change happen around the world.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco is a gripping noir historical mystery based on his parents’ post-internment life in 1958. This is Detective work at its finest. Plus, while reading you can count how many famous and notable people are in this book!

San Francisco, 1958

Second gen Japanese American and WW II vet Katsuhiro “Kats” Takemoto is a private investigator residing in San Francisco. He and his family had been interred in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. It was a devastating and hard time, yet Kats went on to serve his country and is a decorated veteran.

Kats was approached and accepted a case in Bayview Heights that includes the Hunters Point naval base. When his new 'employer' refused to sell their land and property at the shipyard, strange things/incidents become happening and they escalated. While conducting his investigation, Kats comes up against some very tough and dangerous people. Kats will need to depend on his smarts, connections, and combat skills to solve this case.

This was a fast-paced historical mystery book that also looked at how Japanese Americans were treated during WWII and after. I enjoyed the detective work and action scenes. The famous people I mentioned in the beginning of the book help Kats along the way. There is a lot of action, solid detective work, Navy secret dealing, danger, corruption, cover ups, intrigue, romance, history, and tension which kept me turning the pages wanting more.

There are quite a few interesting characters in this book and I enjoyed their backstories. Kats, himself is an interesting character. I was fully invested in him and his investigation.

I am very impressed with the author's research and writing skills. The pacing in this book was spot on. There was never a dull moment. This is the author's debut novel, and it is an impressive one. I enjoyed the blending of fact and fiction. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Stepanie Barko, Literary Publicist in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco by Peter Kageyama was a very compelling historical fiction mystery. It revealed and spoke about the controversial work that was being carried out at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and how it affected the people who lived and worked in Bayview Heights and the environment there during the 1950’s. Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was supposedly being used by the United States Navy to repair ships. In addition to the secretive and controversial work being performed at the Hunters Point Naval Yard, the author, Peter Kageyama, also included some details throughout the book about his family’s experience when they were forced to sell their home and business after the attack on Pearl Harbor and relocate to the internment camp, the Minidoka War Relocation Center in south-central Idaho. Peter Kageyama was also able to realistically portray the presence of racism that still prevailed in San Francisco even in the 1950’s, long after the conclusion of World War II. Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco was fast paced and drew me in right from the start. I really enjoyed the fact that Peter Kageyama based this book on elements of his own parent’s lives.

Anton Vello’s family had been building ships for over four generations. His father, Carlo, came to the Bay Area from Malta in 1927 with the hope of making a better life for himself and his family. When Carlo first arrived in the Bay Area he worked on the docks and saved enough money to start his own ship building company in Bayview Heights. He now owned and operated a company that built sailboats that were seen as “floating works of art”. Anton’s father, Carlo, was dying of cancer. Several months ago, a lawyer and one of his associates showed up saying they represented an east coast ship builder and wanted to buy his father’s business and his land. Of course his father refused their offer. More recently, the pressure was building and threats were being made and being carried out. Stores had been broken into, the nets of a shrimping company had suspiciously been cut and there was even a fire in a warehouse that totally destroyed the entire structure. It was only a matter of time before someone was going to be seriously hurt.

Katsuhiro Takemoto (Kats), a private investigator, former decorated World War II vet who had earned a silver medal, a second generation Japanese American (Nisei) and good friend of Shigeyoshi Murao (Shig), manager of the City Lights Bookstore and an important person in San Francisco’s cultural and creative movement, was asked by Shig to meet with Anton and see if he could help Anton’s family. Anton was an aspiring poet and part of the Beat art scene. Presently, Anton was more concerned about his father’s failing health and the future of Vello & Sons ship building business than he was of his own career as a poet. Anton needed Kats to help him determine who was behind all these threats and pressure to sell. He wanted Kats to help the people of Bayview Heights stop whoever was behind this before anyone got seriously hurt. After listening very intently to Anton’s story and plea for help, Kats decided to try and help Anton and his family and the people of Bayview Heights. What would Kats discover? Would he be able to stop the people who were threatening Anton’s family and their neighbors? Could Kats’ unconventional investigative skills and tactics help him discover some long buried secrets and help the people of Bayview Heights get what they deserve?

Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco was the first fictional novel author Peter Kageyama has written. Many of the characters and events though, were real. Kats had formed friendships with some famous and prominent people like Jimmy Stewart, Dorothea Lange and Shig Murao. All of these famous people came to Kats’ aid when he required information only they could provide him with. Their information helped Kats get to the bottom of the case he was working on for Anton and his family. Jack Kerouac, author of On the Road and Jimmy “the Hat” Lanza of the west coast organized crime families were also mentioned and played roles in Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco. His research for the book was impeccable and it was very well written. The book was well plotted and its characters were well developed. There was also a bit of romance included. I enjoyed learning about this time in San Francisco’s history. Prior to reading this book, I did not know a lot about the history of the Bay Area in San Francisco during this time period. I look forward to reading more books by Peter Kageyama and I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for January 17, 2023.

Thank you to Stephanie Barko, Literary Publicist, for sending me an ARC of Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco by Peter Kageyama in exchange for an honest review.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HUNTERS POINT: A Novel of San Francisco by Peter Kageyama is a compelling historical P.I. crime mystery that engaged me immediately. The historical research mixed with a unique San Franciscan Nisei P.I. and an intricate plot kept me reading from page one to the end in one sitting.

P.I. Katsuhiro “Kats” Takemoto is asked by a friend to help a boat building family in Bayview Heights that is being strong-armed to sellout and move. As Kats begins to investigate who is behind the threats, he discovers local government hiding future plans for the area, criminal builders and mob bosses looking for a windfall, and the U.S. government trying to manipulate everyone to cover up their need to keep the public unaware of the nuclear waste problems at the Hunters Point naval base.

Kats and a group of old and new friends work to get to the bottom of the greed, corruption, and conspiracies to find a way to help their friends in Bayview Heights and stay alive at the same time.

I loved this book! Kats is an engaging and unique main character. His friends, both famous and not, were all interesting and added depth to the story. The research done for not only Kats family history but also Hunters Point history is intertwined throughout the story without ever slowing the pace of the plot. The plot has plenty of action scenes, both the usual with fists and guns but also intelligent nonlethal action with smoke bombs, pepper bombs, and snakes. The detective work and discoveries are well paced, and the conclusion is gratifying. I am very happy this is a proposed series because I am looking forward to many more cases with P.I. Kats Takemoto.

I highly recommend this historical crime mystery!

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunters Point by Peter Kageyama reminds me of why I love mystery/thrillers. They have you thinking fast, engaged in the action, delving deeper into the characters’ backgrounds to understand what makes them tick, and before you know it, you’ve come to the end of the mystery. And I suspect we’ll be seeing these characters again.

Full review forthcoming on 1/18 at Savvy Verse & Wit.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1950's San Francisco, A Japanese America WWII hero turned PI is hired to find out who is trying to force a boat builder out of his shop.

It turns into a vast conspiracy, with connections to the US government and the MLB. Very interesting.

There are a few anachronisms. Plus, I thought it odd that the PI rode a motorcycle for a lot of the book, and we never learn anything about the bike.

[Judy Alter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katsuhiro “Kats” Takemoto, a Nisei, spent the last of his teen years interned with his family at a camp in Utah during WWII, fought for the United States in Italy, winning a Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, and returned to San Francisco. It’s the mid-fifties, Beat poets are reading their first works at City Lights bookstore, the US Navy is rushing its nuclear power program into action, and Kats is a licensed PI. A friend asks him to help a Maltese family, the Vellos, save their shipbuilding business in Bayview Heights from ruthless and dirty contractors who are trying to force them to sell the extensive property. What follows is what you expect from a thriller: breathtaking action scenes, bullies and hit men, amazing physical feats, no-bid government contracts, the mafia, kidnappings and rescues. What you don’t expect is pepper bombs, crates of snakes, and a cobra. And romance.
Red-headed and Irsih Molly Hayes works for the shady contractor and is feisty and tough. She’s soon Kat’s sidekick on the case—and his lover, even though Kats is nervous about being seen with a white girl. Too many people still distrust the Japanese.
Japanese culture is pervasive, from the martial arts that enable Kats to survive and win countless battles to the elderly neighbor who cooks Japanese food for him. Japanese terms are sprinkled throughout, and the history of internment hangs heavily over the story.
The naval nuclear program adds another layer. Based on solid research, author Peter Kageyama reveals contamination in the waters off San Francisco and programs that the government hid from the public. The navy, he tells us in an afterword, left behind a huge, contaminated wasteland in Hunter’s Point and Bayview Heights. Today, community leaders, activists, artists, and poets have come together to try to heal the area.
Cameo appearances by famous figures from the fifties enrich the story: Jimmy Stewart, Admiral Hyman Rickover, Shig Murao of City Lights, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, photographer Dorothea Lange, Mafia boss Jimmy “The Hat” Lanza, Jack Kerouac. In each case, Kageyama has woven into the story a plausible reason for these people to be involved as Kats tries to save his friends the Vellos and the entire Bayview Heights area.
Well-crafted, carefully researched, and written with insight and understanding of the lives of the people and the world they live in, this is a strong debut novel. A note indicates that Kats, Molly, and their friends will continue to have more adventures.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Land Grab

The city is San Francisco, the time is 1958. The community in the warehouse district on the bay is being pressured to sell their property to a large company. When it begins to get dangerous the Japanese American detective Kats is asked to help his friends.

I was quite interested in the historical information Kats shared about his family's internment at the Minidoka Japanese internment camp in Minidoka Idaho as I am from Idaho. I have read much on the camp and even know someone that was interned there. This camp is still open for tours during the summer.

The story also touched on how the Japanese were still viewed unfavorably by some of the more racist in San Francisco in the 1950's.

This story is a fast paced detective story, it has action, danger, betrayal , gangs, and even government involvement. It is an interesting story and it keeps you reading. I loved the inventive way that Kats gathered information.

I liked the descriptions of the foods served, they sounded very different and very good according to the characters. It was all very interesting, the beat scene of the poetry, the clothing, the people, the food and the scenic San Francisco where it took place.

I loved the characters and the story, and I would recommend it.

[Betti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a most fascinating story, many details of which are true within the license of added fiction. Kats, a first generation Japanese American, had the dubious privilege of being shunted off to an internment camp as a teenager. Surviving that experience, along with a number of friends, he enlists to fight in WW2 in Europe. This background gives him a unique opportunity to help others with his PI credentials.

Given the job of trying to ascertain who and why specifically Vello & Sons shipbuilding is being forced to leave the Bayview Heights area, Kats uncovers a whole world of dirty dealings, classified Navy dealings and more. He and his merry band of helpers do an incredible job of revealing what is really going on. I must admit, the author had me sitting on the edge of my seat at times and laughing out loud at other times. Will they get the job done?

This early copy of A Novel of San Francisco was received through St. Petersburg Press. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Smbergin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco is a private detective story that entertains and educates the reader about global and local politics, the environment, economics, and societal forces in the Bay Area after World War II. The protagonist, Katsuhiro (Kats) Takemoto’s, formative years were spent in an internment camp, and after signing a loyalty oath to the United States, he became a war hero who returned from battle and became a private investigator.

The opening chapter is fun and reminiscent of old-time Hollywood, as Kats serves as a PI consultant and driver to Jimmy Stewart and draws readers into Kats’s world. He is extraordinarily likable, with entertaining and unexpected investigative tactics. There are many great elements in the mystery, including local and federal corruption, cover-ups, shady mafia types, Cold War drama, and nuclear exposure cover-ups. I enjoyed Kats'S company of characters, the Beat scene he frequents, and their often-hilarious situations. The Coca-Cola-guzzling, censure-busting, larger-than-life Shig Murao, who, “swims in a sea of art, music, and literature,” won my heart from the start.

Despite the light and adventurous moments, there are also some profound insights. Throughout the mystery, Kats consulted with someone he knew either from his days in the Minidoka Relocation Camp, like legendary photojournalist Dorothea Lange, or in War. Those characters, while minor in the storyline, had fascinating backstories.

I learned a few things from Hunters Point. Until Kageyama's insights, I had no idea how many previously interned Japanese Americans served in the war and what motivated them. I am not a fan of war stories, but I was captivated by Kat's experiences and his battalion's accomplishments. I enjoyed reading about Japanese obligations, familial relationships, food, and Christmas customs. Without feeling forced, this information flowed nicely as part of the storyline.

Hunters Point will appeal to readers who enjoy well-written and fast-paced detective stories. Readers who have been moved by stories about internment camps and the impact they had on Japanese Americans, such as Snow Falls on Cedars, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and The Japanese Lover, should also pick it up.

Thank you to Stephanie Barko for an Advanced Readers Copy of Hunters Point, in exchange for an honest review.

[Philip Zozzaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katsuhiro Takemoto is a private detective hired as a consultant on a future Alfred Hitchcock film. Kats, as he is referred to by friends, has formed a friendship with star Jimmy Stewart. Kats teaches Stewart the skills involved in his work and the pair bond over their World War II service. Despite the persecution suffered by Japanese Americans in the wake of the war, Kats loves his country.

The city he lives in, San Francisco, is in a transitional state. The beat generation is inflaming young minds with their unconventional jazz-infused words and rhetoric. Developers are buying up land all over the city, in some cases utilizing force to dislocate the original occupants. A local neighborhood group is fighting back. Kats has been asked to look into the developers. Kats is quick to discover that there are men of importance angling to buy the area and their motives are not benevolent. This is a case with ramifications for Kats, his friends, and the City of San Francisco.

Hunters Point is the premiere novel of author Peter Kageyama. This mystery/thriller charms its way into the reader’s subconscious with its opening pages and never releases that hold until the very end. The characters, whether fictional or historical, illuminate the scenes with crispy dialogue and noticeable presence. Hunters Point was a book that was near impossible to put down and when done, the reader will be clamoring for more from author Kageyama.

[Teresa Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunters Point by Peter Kageyama is a good mystery with twists, but the unusual setting, unique protagonist, and surprise characters are what really set it apart.

The action takes place in San Francisco during the 1950s. Though not true noir (like The Big Sleep, etc.), that influence remains strong. But now tradition is being challenged as beatniks gather and racial and sexual boundaries are pushed. Meanwhile, the government is engaged in a nuclear arms race.

Kats is a Nisei (second-generation Japanese American). During WWII he and his family were interned; later he earned a Silver Star as a Ranger in the Korean War. Now a PI, he’s called in to find out who’s behind the strongarm tactics forcing owners in the warehouse district on San Francisco Bay to sell their property.

His first stop is the library; at his second, he finds Molly. Tough and lovely, she forces Kats to face hard truths about himself—but also provides a soft place for him to land. It’s not a spoiler to say she becomes his love interest since it’s immediately evident that will be the outcome, but happily the book remembers that it’s a mystery and not a romance. Still, their relationship provides interesting insight into some dilemmas faced by interracial couples.

As Kats and Molly, with a few other friends, dig deeper, the plot thickens and twists, dangers lurk, and surprises abound. Based on real-life contamination of the bay, the story imagines how several parties—from the mafia to the US government—try to profit from the incident and subsequent cover-up.

The author gives plenty of description to put the reader in the scene, from the aroma and flavor of various foods to the effect of pepper bombs. I could have used a little less description of moving through buildings, but that’s me. Overall the action is fast paced and keeps you guessing. Of course Kats’ Ranger skills are used extensively, but never going so far that the reader cannot suspend disbelief to enjoy the ride.

It takes a little help from actor Jimmy Stewart (one of several surprise characters who appear throughout the book for extra fun) to put the final piece of the puzzle in place, allowing Kats and the gang to wrap up the case with a bang.

I received an advance copy of HUNTERS POINT for an honest review.

[Kevin Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Retired Naval person and having the US Navy be a somewhat bad guy in the fiction novel Hunters Point did not sit well with me when I first read the back cover. That being said, Mr. Kageyama turned my dislike of that idea into a good story. The main character, Katsuhiro (Kats) Takemoto, is a experienced PI with combat training. Having grown up in San Francisco and having returned after the war he tries to help the people who no one else wants to help. So when people start to get hurt because they won't sell their land, he gets involved to find out why. Espionage, fireworks, Hollywood Movie Stars, the mob and the Nuclear Navy come together to create the perfect action adventure. Well done. I look forward to the next adventure of Kats Takemoto.

I was given an advanced copy of this novel for my honest review.

[Jennifer Tooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I was provided a copy of this book by the author's representative, however, have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own

Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco is scheduled for a January 17, 2023 release

Conspiracy, Lies and Cover-up in 1950s San Francisco

Katsuhiro (Kats) Takemoto is a second-generation Japanese American currently living in San Francisco. Despite the unjustified hardships his family endured at the hands of his adopted country during World War II, Kats persevered and became a decorated military veteran. Now discharged, he has returned to his beloved San Francisco and makes a living as a private detective. After accepting a case in Bayview Heights, Kats meets the Vellos, a family of shipbuilders who own and operate most of the dock area around the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The family advises Kats that a few months ago they were approached by a person offering to buy out their business and their land. After refusal, the family noticed strange “incidents” starting to occur not only on their property, but also that of the surrounding property owners. With most of the other owners giving in and selling out the Vellos appear to be the final holdout, but with the tactics escalating to violence Kats and the Vellos feel that there is more to the story than just an eager real estate mogul. Armed with his wits and assisted by his best friend Kats begins to investigate, but what he uncovers at the Hunters Point Naval Facility goes far beyond the scope of just boat repairs. The more Kats and his friends discover, the more they realize that the secrets hidden inside the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and its surrounding waters are a ticking time bomb that could very well cause a scandal of a global scale. With San Francisco as the potential “ground zero” the PI will need to call in some impressive contacts to bring this case to a close before any more damage is done.

While this is not author Peter Kageyama’s first book, Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco is his fictional debut. Set in San Francisco in the late 1950s Kageyama transports the reader back to a time where America was attempting to recover from the scars of World War II. While the city is starting to resemble its current modern-day self regarding acceptance and diversity, there is still a lingering “anti” sentiment that at times was jarring and shocking to read. With basing his main character on his father’s experiences during this time, Kageyama has managed to weave a tale that is not only entertaining, but also has a personal feel. And the fact that Hunters Point includes several historical reference was such a thrill for me. I absolutely love books that are not only entertaining, but also informational and I soon found myself taking side trips to the internet to research more about certain personalities, locations or events that were mentioned during the course of the story.
Written in a noir style that I feel really fit the characters and the story the mood was set from the very beginning. At one point I even joked to my husband that I was “reading in black and white” as it was easy for me to imagine the characters, mannerisms and styles as that of an an old black and white movie. For me, everything worked together to make Hunters Point an engaging read. From the cameo appearances of various influential poets and personalities of the Beat Generation to a minor supporting role by the legendary silver screen actor Jimmy Stewart, Kageyama elevated Hunters Point from a mere “novel” to a masterfully written immersive historical noir that will captivate any reader. After much enjoying Hunters Point, I am hoping that this is the start of a larger series based on these core characters.

If you are a fan of the Noir genre, like quirky characters with an almost “McGuyerish” type of ingenuity, and stories that are hard to put down “Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco” will not disappoint and will have you waiting for more.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katsuhiro "Kats" Takemoto is a second generation Japanese-American, a Nisei, who is a private detective in post WWII San Francisco. He and his family, like many other Japanese-Americans, were interred in a camp in Idaho during the war. Kats, along with many other Nisei of his age, volunteered for service during WWII, even after being treated unfairly due to their ethnicity.

Kats is asked to help another immigrant family, the Vellos, who own a ship building business along SF Bay. Someone is intent on buying the property in this area, which is directly across from the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. But, what could be so important about this land to cause the potential buyers to resort to vandalism, fires, and even kidnappings?

The author has created a wonderful mix of fact and fiction. He has worked many historical figures into this novel, including Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart, Kim Novak, Admiral Rickover, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsburg. Along with scenes set in clubs involved in the Beat movement, there is plenty of political intrigue, mafia-style strong arm tactics, and a lot of history of San Fransisco during the 1950's. As if that wasn't enough, throw in radioactive leakage causing environmental concerns, nuclear submarines and MLB and you have quite a treat!

This was a fast-paced book and the author has done an outstanding job of intertwining lots of different backstories without losing the main storyline. I enjoyed "meeting" this diverse group and liked the little bit of romance that was added without it being overbearing. I look forward to Mr. Kageyama's future novels and hope that he will continue Kats' story (along with his great group of friends and acquaintances). I was given the chance to read an ARC of this book by the publisher, but the opinions in this review are entirely my own.

[B. Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when greedy men trample the quiet, industrious people who own the property they want? If you listen to the news, you already know the answer, but what happens when a detective with military training stands up for a family being compelled to sell their shipyard to thugs? Probably right again. So, it’s not the situation that surprises readers but the wonderful process of P.I. Kats Takemoto, in Peter Kageyama’s debut novel Hunter’s Point: A Novel of San Francisco.

I am old enough to remember my family’s trips to San Francisco in 1958, old enough to know San Francisco had diverse citizens in separate neighborhoods with little mixing, and old enough to have observed a the Beat scene and the gay scene emerge much more fully than they could have in 1958.

History is enhanced by fiction in this story of moral crises and revenge. The narrator, Katsuhiro Takemoto, nicknamed Kats, became a private detective after he returned to San Francisco as a war hero. When a member of the Vello family asks him to help save their shipbuilding property from thugs, he accepts. Before he’s done, Kats investigates the US Navy, the west coast organized crime families and the Beat art scene of North Beach in search of the horrendous truth hiding beneath San Francisco Bay. Based on facts, and peppered with famous characters like Jimmy Stewart and Dorothea Lange, Kageyama weaves a realistic tale of right and might overcoming slimy injustice. In doing so he foreshadows what San Francisco will become unless thugs still lurk in the shadows playing games with people’s lives.

Despite the fact that he lives in Florida, the author’s excellent research resulted in detailed descriptions of what Hunters Point was like before Candlestick Park was built, how the Navy conducted a coverup, and how an engaging red-headed secretary named Molly used her guts and savvy to help Kats, mirroring Kageyami’s parents.

Peter Kageyami is the author of four non-fiction books about cities and urban development. This is his first novel. He is a third generation Japanese American—sansei—and he got his ideas for Kats and Molly’s budding romance from his parents who are of the same ethnicities as these two characters. For an exceptional blend of fact and fiction, read Hunters Point.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a lot of noir genre books but I enjoyed this one. I picked it up initially because 1) it has a thread tied to the internment of the Japanese during World War II (my father's family was caught up in that) and 2) it was written by a third generation (half) Japanese author (I'm also third generation Japanese). While I did enjoy the book as a piece of fiction, I really enjoyed all the historical elements woven into the story, most notably the history of San Francisco and the cultural times back then.

[Tracy Kennard · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, Hunters Point was engaging and thrilling. The way Peter Kageyama weaved in historical elements of that decade both in location and in the characters of James Stewart and Jack Keroauc with his own personal Japanese American background, made for an authentic immersive experience. Kageyamas' transition from non-fiction to fiction was seamless and allows the reader to visualize the story on the big screen. I look forward to reading the next adventure of Kats and Molly!

[Jani Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Francisco, California - 1957

Katsuhiro Takemoto returned a hero from the war in Europe. After his family, and thousands of Japanese-Americans were forced into camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Kats eventually joined the U.S. Army, and was sent to the European Front with a battalion of fellow Japanese-Americans. Now he is back in his home town where he works independently as a private investigator. His parents moved back to Japan after the war ended, but Kats, being a Nisei, a second generation Japanese-American, had little to no reason to go with them. At the moment he is working for a Hollywood motion picture company as a consultant to help actor Jimmy Stewart know the lingo and style of a private eye. It's not exactly what Kats is accustomed to doing, but it's a paycheck. He and Stewart become friends before the shoot is over.

Kats' friend, Shigeyoshi Murao, Shig, who works at the City Lights Bookstore, introduces him to a fellow poet, Anton Vello who wants Kats do some investigating for him. Anton's father owns a ship building business in Bayview Heights, an area along the bay next to Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Recently Anton's father was diagnosed with cancer, and he has been approached by someone who wants to buy the shipyard. The land surrounding it at Bayview Heights has been slowly being bought up by unknown sources, and apparently they want the entire area. The problem is that lately there have been incidents of threats, as well as break-ins in the community, and Anton would like to find out who is behind it all. Kats agrees to take on the job.

Kats initial research discovers that a company owned by H. W. Charles, and calling itself by a fictitious name is the initial contact trying to purchase the Vello land. When he visits Charles Construction he meets the owner's secretary, a very pretty woman named Molly Hayes, who eventually discovers who he is, and why he's investigating the company. But there seems to be more to this land grab than meets the eye. Molly tells Kats about the men who have been meeting with Harry Charles, and how odd the situation is.

The more Kats delves into the mystery of who wants the land, and why they want it, the more confusing things get. Lately, the announcement is made that the New York Giants are moving to San Francisco, and that a stadium will be built for the team. But why would they want Bayview Heights? And just what does the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard have to do with any of this? When the Vello brothers are openly threatened after the death of their father, Kats uses his stealth skills to get some facts.

HUNTERS POINT is a hair-raising novel of government cover-ups, as well as the dangerous west coast organized crime groups that will stop at nothing to get what they want. What is the Navy hiding at their base? Can Kats, with Molly and Shig's help, get to the bottom of these growing mysteries? Readers will be introduced to the new "beat" generation in the city, as well as several famous people. Based on historical fact, HUNTERS POINT is a real page-turner. And an exciting first novel for this author.

As an aside, the main reason I wanted to read this book is that my late mother worked as a civilian employee at Hunters Point during the war. And I grew up just up the peninsula from the base, and the baseball park that would eventually be built nearby - Candlestick Park. But even I was surprised by the real history of Bayview Heights and the base.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling Historical story!

Peter Kageyama writes a dramatically thrilling tale with Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. The reader is sent back to the birth of the cold war, San Francisco 1958. The reader meets WWII vet, “Kats” Takemoto. There is a lot going on, in this era, and being a Japanese American is not so easy, considering the backlash from the start of the US entering WWII. Kat's is a very interesting character, by not just being a PI, but having to deal with conspiracies, and government take overs, in his town of San Francisco. The west coast can still feel the chill of the Cold war, even across the country, from across the world. I like how Kageyama brought in the culture of San Francisco, the art, the poetry, and intriguing bites from Chinatown. He brings in "famous" characters and places into the story, making it feel so realistic. Hunter's Point is well-written, and definitely an embraceable story. The setting is almost as a noir, and it's very riveting, and provocative at some points. “Kats” is determined and tenacious and determined to get the job done no matter what. There are so many amazing characters, and I really liked how Kats interacted and had chemistry with Molly, and his inherent need to take care of his friends and know who his intended foes were. Hunters Point: A Novel of San Francisco is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[Deb Mazzaferro · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel by Kageyama although he is an accomplished author of non-fiction books on urban living and is known internationally as a speaker on cities and creative livability.
During the COVID lock down, he used his writing discipline to create a fictional character loosely based on his parents and the San Francisco of the 1950s and 60s.
With some World War II historical references, Peter introduces his characters in San Francisco before it becomes famous and a world destination. Its charms are evident in Chinatown, the hills, Little Italy and the waterfront.
This action packed detective story weaves in government conspiracy, romance and friendships to create a believable and engrossing story that's hard to put down.
I never read anything twice, but I did for this one and it was even better the second time. Both my book clubs loved the book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these original characters as well as learning about several historic figures significant to the time period. The settings in San Francisco were evocative. I learned more about the internment of Japanese-American citizens (I had recently finished Clark and Division, a novel on the subject that takes place in Chicago), and this was more centered on the 1958 events but had that as a backdrop. Interesting to learn of the mindset that kicked off the Cold War and our nuclear arsenal. I have never read a novel with footnotes before but they were helpful with historical and cultural insights. Not a big fan of martial arts but the fight scenes were written well. Clearly the author knows his stuff.

[Jeff Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding historical fiction!

Fans of historical fiction will not want to miss this book. Peter Kageyama has an amazing ability to take us back through our country’s nightmarish treatment of Japanese Americans while weaving an exciting tale involving interesting characters, both real and imagined. Great read!

[Christina Bosworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The main character, Kats, was very well developed as were the other main characters. With historical figures and events featured prominently in the book, I learned much about San Francisco post WW2 including about Hunters Point, the Beat movement, early LGBTQ happenings, and even Jimmie Stewart! This debut novel is a must read, particularly if you enjoy detective stories. Cannot wait for the next book by this author!

[Uwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great period novel

I really enjoyed the historical characters scattered throughout the story. These and the historic locations gave the book a solid base for the tense storyline. Recommended.

[Christina Broome · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Suzanne Reusch · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out interesting but I got bored with it towards the end. However, I did learn a few historical facts about San Francisco boat yards.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a splendid fun historical crime read. I didn't know a lot about San Francisco at the period mentioned, the 1950s, and it's a great way to meet not just major figures but ordinary working folks, the backbone of various communities. We meet shipbuilders, caterers, builders, US navy and poets, plus an enquiring Japanese-American gentleman who grew up in internment camps. My favourite cameo is Dorothea Lange, photographer, but Alan Ginsberg and a few Hollywood greats also appear.

There's plenty of crime to investigate, from the financial kind to the environmental kind. The action scenes are terrific and will keep me coming back for more.
I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction and publicist Stephanie Barko. This is an unbiased review.

[Kristen DuVentre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book!!! Well written, suspenseful, and I even learned a thing or two!! Would definitely recommend.