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Tokyo

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Tokyo

By: Mo Hayder
Narrated by: Bert Kwouk, Emily Woof
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Student Grey Hutchins comes to Tokyo seeking answers to what happened during the notorious Nanking Massacre in which, in one city, the Imperial Japanese Army killed up to 300,000 civilians. Only one man can help her, a survivor of the Massacre, and now a visiting professor at the prestigious university of Todai in Tokyo; a man who is rumoured to possess documentary evidence of Nanking. But first Grey must gain his trust. Increasingly desperate and alone, she accepts a job as a hostess at the "Some Like It Hot" club, an upmarket nightspot catering for Japanese businessmen and wealthy gangsters. One gangster dominates, an old man in a wheelchair guarded by a nurse with sharpened teeth, said to rely on a powerful elixir for his continued wealth and well-being. It is an elixir which other members of the club want for themselves, at any price.©2004 Mo Hayder; (P)2004 Random House AudioBooks Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
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Critic reviews

"Hayder's horrible ability for making you fear for your life is a very modern achievement." (Daily Telegraph)
All stars
Most relevant
very compelling and a true gift to the mind.but darker than the devil's door

brilliantly chilling

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I first read Tokyo 20 years ago as a teenager, and it left a mark on me that no number of intervening books could erase. Returning to it after so long, I was quickly reminded why. This novel is lean, fast-paced, and dripping with character. Both the modern-day 1990 and historical 1937 storylines are gripping, weaving together a tense narrative that leaves you craving more. Grey, the protagonist, is a fascinatingly scarred and peculiar figure, and her journey pulls you in with unsettling intensity. The dark moments are unforgettable—haunting scenes that linger long after you’ve turned the final page. My only criticism is that the story feels a little restrained; it could have dived deeper into Tokyo’s seedy depths, raised the stakes further, and leaned more heavily into the horrors of Nanking. Even so, it’s a book that lingers like a shadow in your mind.

Emily Woof and Bert Kwouk deliver solid performances in the audiobook. Woof captures Grey’s oddness well, but her voice for Jason was grating and nearly intolerable. In contrast, Kwouk’s narration of the 1937 sections was smooth and engaging, adding weight to those diary-style passages. Together, they carry the story competently, though not without flaws.

Stuck with me for two decades…

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An excellent thriller, set in Japan, with a fascinating central character. It works really well with two narrators (one male, one female), both of whom are excellent. Gripping, though some may find it gory in parts.

Thriller...

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This is a gritty and compelling thriller that immerses you in an exciting, exotic and seedy world. Written from two perspectives, the narration of both Bert Kwouk and Emily Woof are superb. The main character, Grey Hutchins, is quirky but very likable. The rest of the characters are also rather quirky but with a characterisc charm that is again, very likable. Be warned though ? this is not for the faint hearted! This is a gritty thriller that gets down and dirty! This was my first Mo Hayder novel and I?ve become a huge fan of her books ever since.

A Gritty and Compelling Thriller

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I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it a lot. Listening to this audible version was an even better experience. Mo Hayder writes an intelligent thriller which keeps you hooked all the way and both the narrators were perfect for their roles. The last part of the book is really exiting and made a 6 hour bus trip fly buy. Really recommend you to listen to this.

Great story, great narrators.

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