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Roppongi
“Shoko Asahara founded Aum Shinrikyo in 1987. The doctrines of Aum Shinrikyo are based on ancient yoga and primitive Buddhism, and require worshipping the Hindu God Siva, believed to preside over both destruction and creation. The sect has tried to build its own "kingdom" within its controlled compound facilities by establishing ministries and agencies under Asahara, its paramount leader. Among these, the sect "Science and Technology Agency" consists of scientists who graduated from prestigious universities in Japan. It is divided into several teams specialized in chemistry, biology, physics and medicine. This organization provided the technical information required to synthesize the Sarin.” –The Japan Times, 1992
A broken-down Navy Intel operative swimming in a sea of alcohol. The Japanese girl who loves him despite the tragic price she may have to pay. The "old salt" with a dark past who nonetheless tries to save them both. All coming together to face a madman more dangerous than Hitler himself with the very survival of civilization itself on the line.
Fresh from his critically-acclaimed psychological thriller, Silver or Lead, James Cox brings us Roppongi, a ripped-from-the-headlines page-turner about an all-too-real terrorist group that many had never heard of but after this read will never forget.
"The subway nerve gas attack, deranged and inscrutable payback, committed in the long shadow of Hiroshima, Roppongi is story dynamite lived by unlikely survivors. A killer read." -Graeme Whifler, writer/director
"Roppongi is a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness. The beautifully drawn setting, central characters, crackling dialogue hooked me from the very first page. A scary, shocking, and riveting read." -Haris Orkin, award winning author of You Only Live Once
A broken-down Navy Intel operative swimming in a sea of alcohol. The Japanese girl who loves him despite the tragic price she may have to pay. The "old salt" with a dark past who nonetheless tries to save them both. All coming together to face a madman more dangerous than Hitler himself with the very survival of civilization itself on the line.
Fresh from his critically-acclaimed psychological thriller, Silver or Lead, James Cox brings us Roppongi, a ripped-from-the-headlines page-turner about an all-too-real terrorist group that many had never heard of but after this read will never forget.
"The subway nerve gas attack, deranged and inscrutable payback, committed in the long shadow of Hiroshima, Roppongi is story dynamite lived by unlikely survivors. A killer read." -Graeme Whifler, writer/director
"Roppongi is a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness. The beautifully drawn setting, central characters, crackling dialogue hooked me from the very first page. A scary, shocking, and riveting read." -Haris Orkin, award winning author of You Only Live Once
319 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2023
About the author
James Cox
2 books36 followersJAMES COX is a writer, an actor and a twenty year veteran of the United States Navy. SILVER OR LEAD is his first novel.James has written several plays which have been presented at various Los Angeles area theatres.”Love, Madness and Somewhere in Between” a solo show that James wrote and performed in at the Hudson Theatre won the Ovation Award at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival. His second novel, ROPPONGI, a thriller set in Japan will be published by Black Rose Writing and released in January 2023. He dedicates SILVER OR LEAD to his late mother, Lucille. James just moved to Phuket, Thailand where he is researching his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2026
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
I didn't get past the first few pages of a character's self loathing. I just don't have the patience for that.
I didn't get past the first few pages of a character's self loathing. I just don't have the patience for that.
February 17, 2023
This thriller is set in Japan in the early 1990s before and during the time of the infamous sarin attacks by the Aum Shinrikyo cult led by Asahara Shoko. Cult members released sarin on the Tokyo subways and killed 13 and injured hundreds, and the leader and six followers were ultimately executed in 2018 for their crimes.
Roppongi offers a fictional account that runs parallel to these events, and the main characters are members of the American military. For me (a former military brat), it was interesting to see the Japan of that time through their eyes. As I was also living in Japan at that time (and still do), I was keen to read "Roppongi," even though this is not my usual genre. In fact, I also was on the subway the morning of the sarin attack, but luckily for me, going in the opposite direction.
Much of the story takes place at the Sanno Hotel, which is operated for American military personnel. At the time of the sarin attacks, my mother was visiting Japan, and because my father had been a vet, I visited there every few days with her since I lived just down the road. I thoroughly enjoyed being transported back to those memories, even though the ones surrounding the sarin attack were awful. As an academic researcher who focuses on gender issues in the Japanese context, particularly interracial relationships, I felt discomfort with how some of the Japanese women in the story were portrayed, although such attitudes might have reflected the time of 30 years ago.
However, the book was a fast-paced page-turner. I think people who read thrillers, particularly with a military focus, would thoroughly enjoy this book.
Roppongi offers a fictional account that runs parallel to these events, and the main characters are members of the American military. For me (a former military brat), it was interesting to see the Japan of that time through their eyes. As I was also living in Japan at that time (and still do), I was keen to read "Roppongi," even though this is not my usual genre. In fact, I also was on the subway the morning of the sarin attack, but luckily for me, going in the opposite direction.
Much of the story takes place at the Sanno Hotel, which is operated for American military personnel. At the time of the sarin attacks, my mother was visiting Japan, and because my father had been a vet, I visited there every few days with her since I lived just down the road. I thoroughly enjoyed being transported back to those memories, even though the ones surrounding the sarin attack were awful. As an academic researcher who focuses on gender issues in the Japanese context, particularly interracial relationships, I felt discomfort with how some of the Japanese women in the story were portrayed, although such attitudes might have reflected the time of 30 years ago.
However, the book was a fast-paced page-turner. I think people who read thrillers, particularly with a military focus, would thoroughly enjoy this book.
November 19, 2024
A suspense thriller, Roppongi (2023) by James Cox is set in 1992 Japan and an imminent potential terrorist attack. Based on the author’s own experience, the tale is mainly set in the Sanno Hotel. It has a diverse range of characters, including American military personnel, Japanese locals and of course, the actual Aum Shinrikyo Japanese cult and terrorist group. The narrative is very jumpy from the start with the introduction of the protagonists and the action unfolds in small chapters, which lack any clear segways. This novel is a very terse or abruptly recounted story segments combined with a strong underlying theme of alcohol dependency, making it a less enjoyable read, with a disappointing two and a half stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Black Rose Writing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.
November 10, 2024
This is a book with a good premise but I DNF at 20% as the book needs another round of edits:
- too much description compared to action and the description doesn’t serve much purpose other than backstory/filler. I started skimming.
- too many characters to keep track of and I wasn’t sure who were essential to the plot. I get that we’ve got Adam and his buddies and The One and his cult members but there are lots of others as well.
- the writing style is very choppy with lots of clauses punctuated as sentences rather than flowing/drawing me in.
- I struggled to relate to the very heavy drinking culture of the US Navy where everyone is an alcoholic.
- Adam’s treatment of Keiko is horrible and lost my sympathy for him
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
- too much description compared to action and the description doesn’t serve much purpose other than backstory/filler. I started skimming.
- too many characters to keep track of and I wasn’t sure who were essential to the plot. I get that we’ve got Adam and his buddies and The One and his cult members but there are lots of others as well.
- the writing style is very choppy with lots of clauses punctuated as sentences rather than flowing/drawing me in.
- I struggled to relate to the very heavy drinking culture of the US Navy where everyone is an alcoholic.
- Adam’s treatment of Keiko is horrible and lost my sympathy for him
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2023
The beautifully drawn setting and central characters hooked me from the first page. The events of the story are real and I remember the incident well. It was the 1990’s and terrorism was on the rise all over the world. The Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult in Japan was particularly mysterious, creepy, and horrifying. Roppongi is told from multiple points of view. From the U.S. Naval personnel stationed in Japan to retired military to American expats and even members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. James Cox was living in Japan when this all went down, so he’s writing from experience and the dialogue crackles with authenticity. A scary, shocking, and riveting read.
July 23, 2023
Bravo Jimmy Cox! From the moment I picked up "Roppongi", I was captivated by the characters, the setting and the compelling, thrilling adventure woven around the Aum Cult.
I felt as if I was whisked back in time, when I lived in Tokyo, and narrowly missed being a victim of that doomed underground in Shibuya. What a great read depicting the terror of the time with many twists and turns propelling the main character into the hero of the day. I highly recommend this book.
I felt as if I was whisked back in time, when I lived in Tokyo, and narrowly missed being a victim of that doomed underground in Shibuya. What a great read depicting the terror of the time with many twists and turns propelling the main character into the hero of the day. I highly recommend this book.
October 10, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This one completely pulled me in. The Tokyo setting is so vivid — I felt like I was right there in the middle of the neon lights and late-night tension. The story has that gritty, noir vibe, with a main character who’s sharp but clearly carrying some baggage. There’s a scene in a bar early on that totally sets the mood — you know things are about to get complicated. If you’re into atmospheric thrillers with a bit of edge, this one’s a solid pick.
This one completely pulled me in. The Tokyo setting is so vivid — I felt like I was right there in the middle of the neon lights and late-night tension. The story has that gritty, noir vibe, with a main character who’s sharp but clearly carrying some baggage. There’s a scene in a bar early on that totally sets the mood — you know things are about to get complicated. If you’re into atmospheric thrillers with a bit of edge, this one’s a solid pick.
July 21, 2023
Another great thriller by Author James Cox! He clearly put his whole heart, soul, and passion for his love of writing into Roppongi. Can’t wait to get to the next page. Awesome job James C !!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews