Synopses & Reviews
Young, pretty Junko Aoki has an extraordinary ability she can start fires through sheer force of will. When she begins using her gift of pyrokinesis to take the law into her own hands and punish violent criminals, her executions attract the attention of two very different groups: the Guardians, a secretive vigilante organization that tries to recruit her, and the arson squad of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Soon the police are on Junkos trail, most notably Detective Chikako Ishizu, a rationalist who must come to terms with the existence of paranormal forces. As Junkos crusade against evil escalates and she finds it harder to control her power, we are taken on a breathtaking and brutal journal through the urban landscape of Tokyo. . .a journey that challenges us, along with Chikako, to think about whats right and whats wrong in the name of justice.
Review
"This provocative paranormal police procedural. . . .keeps the reader turning pages right up to the breathtaking climax." Publishers Weekly
"As it unfolds in a brisk, straightforward style reminiscent of a graphic novel or episodic video game, [Crossfire] throws off lots of fun sparks and even finds time for some pyrokinesis and a tragic romance." Booklist
"ELwill be a big hit with fans of Stephen King and John Connolly alike." Bookpage
"[MIYUKI MIYABE] is a master of small gestures, the precise geometry of meaning as it moves between people. . .a subtle observer of a country on the cusp. Her American readers can only hope for more chances to see through her eyes."The Los Angeles Times
On Shadow Family:
"EL the theatrically constructed plot is soon swirling with the naked emotions of unattached, deeply unhappy people eager to express their yearnings for an idealized family life no longer possible in the fractured social structure of modern-day JapanEL." The New York Times Book Review
"ELa smartly observant police proceduralEL both a suspenseful murder mystery and an astute running commentary on the parallel cyberworld inside which millions of people now spend so much of their time." The Washington Post Book World
"The [Ruth] Rendell comparison is particularly apt: Shadow Family starts like one of her Inspector Wexford police stories and then slides gradually into the kind of dark psychological mystery she often writes. . .Miyabe blends her two styles with impressive ease as the answers and villains are revealed." Chicago Tribune
"Miyabe expertly manipulates mood and pace as the action builds to a house-of-mirrors-like interview that slowly reveals the killers surprising identity. . . . [a] satisfying read." Publishers Weekly
"A clever puzzle whose commentary on the fragility and reinvention of families gives it a special edge." Kirkus Reviews
"Offers a fascinating look at the dark side of the Internet." Booklist
"Shadow Family has all the breathless immediacy of a courtroom drama." Pages
On All She Was Worth:
"Beautifully fashioned. . .enormously compelling. . .combining expert pacing and psychological nuance to ultimately haunting effect."Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An artful blending of puzzle-solving and social commentary."The Washington Post Book World
Review
"[Miyuki Miyabe's] true subject is the mystery of modern Japanese identity ... she is a master of small gestures, the precise geometry of meaning as it moves between people ... a subtle observer of a country on the cusp. Her American readers can only hope for more chances to see through her eyes." -
Los Angeles Times"A powerful and satisfying mystery." -Time, Asia Edition
"Crossfire will be a big hit with fans of Stephen King and John Connolly alike." -Book Page
"This provocative paranormal police procedural from the prolific Miyabe, like her two previous crime novels translated into English (All She Was Worth and Shadow Family), examines the dark side of Japanese society. ...this startling genre mix keeps the reader turning the pages right up to the breathtaking climax." -Publishers Weekly
"In this newest novel by awarding-winning mystery author Miyabe (All She Was Worth), the power of one woman is taken to new heights. ...As these two women draw closer together, a twisted plot unfolds that tests the limit of taking the law from the hands of the powerful and giving it to the powerless. This novel goes well beyond the concept of Stephen King's Firestarter (Miyabe herself has been called "the Stephen King of Japan") with beautiful subtlety and suspense. Recommended for all public libraries." -Library Journal
About the Author
MIYUKI MIYABE is Japans bestselling mystery writer. She was born in Tokyo in 1960 and worked in a law office before becoming a full-time writer. She is the recipient of numerous literary prizes, including Japan's most prestigious award for popular literature, the Naoki Prize.