Review: One Summer In Tokyo

When Japan's  "Bubble Economy" collapses in the early 1990s, several factions join forces to protect their economic interests.  The yakuza (Japan's traditional organized crime families), right wing politicians, and businessmen on the verge of bankruptcy unite behind a mentally unstable, anti-American politician.  Any new government formed by this desperate group promises to be disastrous for the United States.  Can CIA station chief Claire Whitlock intervene in time?

William J. Shannon's One Summer in Tokyo (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012) is an intelligent thriller that makes you think.  Unfortunately, it also makes you work. From its slow start to its sloppy editing, One Summer in Tokyo makes it difficult for the reader to get to the meat of the tale (murder, blackmail, and high stakes currency manipulation).   Despite absolutely loving the insights into different aspects of Japanese culture, I just can't recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of One Summer in Tokyo to facilitate my review.  No other compensation was received.  For full disclosure, see the sidebar.