The main character in the book is Wada, who works as an assistent to a private detective called Kodaka.

Wada’s husband, Hiko, had been killed in the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo Subway in 1995, which is something that actually happened,

A woman called Mimori Takenaga consults Kodaka. Her father, Shitaro Masafumi, died when she was five; she believes he was murdered, perhaps by his translator, Peter Evans. Either that or Evans knows who killed him.

She had recently received a letter from an Englishman called Caldwell, who wanted her to come to London to discuss the matter of Peter Evans.

Takenaga cannot go to London so Kodaka asks Wada if she would go instead, pretending to be her.

A man named Nick Miller is also approached by Caldwell. He was a friend of Nick’s late mother, and Nick hardly knew him.

Caldwell asks if they could meet to discuss Nick’s father. As far as he knew, his father was Geoff Nolan, a man who had died early of a drugs overdose.

They made an appointment to meet.

Wada agrees to go to London.

Nick gets a card from Caldwell postponng their meeting.

When Wada gets to London, she receives a call from Kodaka’s lawyer telling her that Kodaka is dead, run over, apparently deliberately.

Wada may also be in danger but she decides to continue with the project now she is in London.

She was to meet Caldwell in the British Museum but he fails to turn up. Perhaps he is dead too.

There are lots of other details and other characters in the story, including Baroness Cushing who meets with Nick and provides him with information about his presumed father, Geoff,

Caldwell did not turn up to meet Nick either.

There are indications that Nick’s father may perhaps have been Peter Evans and part of the story is his search to find out the truth of the matter.

So the story is partly about Wada’s investigation to find the murderer of Takenaga’s father and partly Nick’s quest to find his father. It’s all about fathers.

One problem I had with the book was I had difficulty with the many unfamiliar Japanese names so it was hard for me to distinguish the various characters.

I wouldn’t call the book exciting but I found it extremely readable, like all of Goddard’s books, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a good thriller. ( )

Wada, the main hero of this story, is a pretty sketchy character. On the other hand she is interesting enough at first flush that I'd like to know more, which is a bit better than a lot of recent Goddard characters. Reason for hope in that Goddard bring some fresh elements to the formula. Disappointing in that he doesn't really deliver on the promise of those fresh elements. ( )

The author has penned another cracking story which starts in 1977 in Nancekuke, Cornwall and involves the Japanese assistant, Umiko Wada, of a Tokyo private detective travelling to England to try to uncover the mystery of a Japanese man's death. This leads her into a direct confrontation with a ruthless Japanese organised crime boss. In parallel Nick Miller, whose parents were at Nancekuke in 1977, discovers his father wasn't who he thought and determines to try to meet him. As Nick and Umiko's paths cross, they both face the ruthless crime boss's henchmen. As is often the case, the author builds his story around a real incident and creates an authentic and entertaining tale, full of unusual, but well-drawn characters, especially Umiko. Highly recommended. ( )

This was intriguing and unusual. Listening to the audiobook meant that it was hard for me at the beginning to keep the Japanese names straight in my mind. I liked Wada, the middle-aged non-descript detective's assistant, and I particularly enjoyed her escape at one point by joining a Japanese tour group and blending in. The narration was OK, although there were plenty of times where the stress made it seem as if the narrator didn't really understand what she was reading. Does no one edit these recordings? ( )

This is an entertaining thriller with plenty of suspense, adventure and atmosphere. It ranks high for plot, people and place, particularly a segment set in Iceland. There's excellent storytelling, with dual narration to keep up a good job of pacing. The middle-aged female Japanese detective is the real standout and the stage is set for her to return. All in all, an enjoyable read. ( )