Tokyo Lives

Book excerpt: When a teenage runaway-turned-prostitute is found murdered in the dark alleys of Tokyos raunchiest red-light district, no one seems to careexcept The Snake, a grizzled, whiskeyswilling yakuza. Its an affront to his authority: No one gets away with murder on his turf. Determined to render justice and restore his reputation, The Snake juggles his investigation amidst an impending gang war and an effort to get the Governor of Tokyo elected Prime Minister. The victims former best friend holds the key to the mystery, and a romance blossoms while they chase the killer. As the couple wades through their familiar milieu of ruthless gangsters, elite hostesses, and corrupt politicians, they reveal a cover-up that threatens the highest levels of power. Ancient yakuza codes of honor give way to betrayal as The Snake is torn between lifetime loyalties and justice. The seamy back alleys of Tokyo come to life in this thriller folded as tightly as origami. These Tokyo lives arent the ones you read about in travel guidestheyre the ones that prey on the flaws and indiscretions of a nation.