First 25% of the book I was waiting, really worried for Mari and Kate but then the book had me rushing through pages
Book: The Fallen Persimmon
Author: Gigi Karagoz
Release Date: July 2020
Genre: Suspense
Pages: 322
Amazon | Goodreads | Buy Book
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book, The Fallen Persimmon from Love Book Tours as part of the book tour.
Synopsis:
Japan 1985 – a young English woman battles her conscience.
A page-turning suspense novel...
Money blows across a field, the notes slapping against the stubble of dry rice stalks. Mr Ito walks towards the irrigation ditch at the end of his field, his rubber boots kicking up dust.
Standing at the ditch, he remembers the rumour; the one about the missing English woman.
But this is Mari’s story. She knows it’s her fault that her sister died, and trying to move on, she takes a dream job teaching English in small-town Japan. It turns into a nightmare when Mari learns that she’s employed by the yakuza (Japanese mafia), and that the man she loves has his own dark secrets. When the yakuza play their final hand, Mari believes that once again, it’s all her fault.
If you like a novel that builds suspense, is set in an exotic location, has a strong female lead, and a pinch of romance; then this book is for you.
Review:
I did not expect the book to go the way it did. In short, first 25% of the book I was waiting, really worried for Mari and Kate but then the book had me rushing through pages to finish it.
Mari and Kate travel to Japan thinking about it as a job in a foreign land to save money and to experience something new. But Mari has one more motive all she wants is to keep herself away from her family and some how move on. We seen Japan in the 1980s from the eyes of Mari an English woman who has lived all over the world and she wishes to continue her travels.
She makes the plans to go to Thailand and India without knowing that her future is rather bleak. In the starting chapters I was pretty much sure that they were in deep trouble, but every time I left my guard down and thought, ha! maybe it’s not that bad, something worse happened.
Gigi’s writing style and prose was very simple, character focused and easy to follow. I definitely hated Kate so much, for a minute I did feel bad for her. My hate for Kate was the best part of the book. Mari on the other side was a strong character she really changes throughout the book and the voice reflects.
The suspense really builds up once you have reached half way into the story, and the stakes are super high, not going to spoil much here but it’s completely unexpected form what you are hoping at the start. There is a hint of everything from mafia, murder mystery vibe, crime thrillers and even a bit of forbidden romance.
There isn’t much I can say about the Japanese representation but Mari’s appreciation for the culture shows. It’s pretty surface based and is expected as the experience comes from a tourist.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, if you are looking for slow burner suspense The Fallen Persimmon is for you.
Author Bio
Gigi has spent most of her life living and working in countries all over the world. Her big passion is travel, especially in Asia, and India is a favourite destination. Giving up a career in tourism, she qualified as a holistic therapist and worked in yoga retreats in the Mediterranean for twelve years. Currently, Gigi lives in Wiltshire with Isabella, the cat she rescued from the streets of Fethiye, in southern Turkey.
thr4sam 
Leave a comment