I recently finished reading ‘Three Assassins’ by Kotaro Isaka and I have to say, it was a thrilling ride from start to finish. The story follows three assassins as they are thrown together on a job that quickly spirals out of control.

One of the things that stood out to me about this book was the unique and complex characters. Each of the three assassins had their own motivations and backstories, making them more than just one-dimensional killers. Isaka does an excellent job of delving into their pasts and showing how they became who they are.

The plot was fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Isaka would throw in a new curveball that kept me on the edge of my seat. The action scenes were well-written and had me holding my breath, eager to see what would happen next.

I also appreciated the cultural elements woven into the story. As someone not familiar with Japanese culture, I found it fascinating to learn about the traditions and customs of the country, especially in regards to the world of assassins.

One thing that I would have liked to see more of was the relationship between the three assassins. While they all had their individual stories and conflicts, I felt that their bond could have been explored more deeply. However, this did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, ‘Three Assassins’ by Kotaro Isaka is a gripping and action-packed read that will keep you hooked until the very end. With complex characters, a fast-paced plot, and a unique setting, it is a must-read for fans of thrillers and crime fiction. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from this talented author.

Having read Bullet Train from this author first, I was looking forward to reading this book too and wasn’t disappointed.
The story flips between the three main characters until they cross each others paths leading to the conclusion of the story. The story goes from witnessing Terahara’s son being killed to the witch hunt to find the pusher who caused the incident and how the three characters link into each other.
I enjoyed the story very much and did not expect the story to end the way it did and seeing references to characters in bullet train too which make me want to reread that!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 5*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 4*
Suspense: 3*

Wow, another fantastic book by this author. Absolutely loved Bullet Train, massive 5* from me, and I had a feeling this wouldn’t quite match up to that but I’m throughly impressed with this book as a whole. The pace was super quick, short snappy chapters, with a 3 person POV, my favourite!!
As I was reading I could absolutely see this as another movie, shot the same way Bullet Train was.
I believe this and Bullet train could be read in any order, no need to read in series order. And if you liked one, you’re bound to get on board with the other.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This is so effective in presenting the dilemma of a man seeking revenge and cornered among killers to kill .. and go after professional killers himself that I kind of read it covering my eyes it is so deft at observational psychology .. wow .. top flight .. and satisfying if not easy to read as if its a calm sunny bday. Amazing writer! .. I read his previous too ; he's v good ....

I had just recently finished reading Bullet Train so was very excited for this one. I loved every minute of it. I don't think people should read reviews as someone may spoil the fun and I would recommend just read the book!

I really enjoyed this book, it was quite fast paced, which is what I liked about it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Fast paced sequel to Bullet train. Great characters, revenge and someone who can persuade others to take their own lives just by talking to them

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Full of suspense and action, it’s a great read for thriller fans. Really enjoyed it and will be seeking out more by this author!

Three Assassins had an interesting premise - three criminals, well known as killers, brought together by a series of accidents and poor decisions.

I enjoyed the fact that this book was character-driven, but being privy to the characters' thoughts at any given moment did slow down the action and I felt the pace of the story suffered as a result.

Having said that, I did enjoy the book and I am now reading Bullet Train by the same author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.

Fans of Isaka's 'Bullet Train' will lap this up, although it doesn't quite make the same impression. Three assassins, and one widower intent on revenge on the person or people responsible for the death of his wife. Giving up his job as a maths teacher, Suzuki joins a criminal agency to get closer to the truth. OK, so it's not that probable, but go with the flow and Isaka will draw you into his crazy world of philosophising killers and oddball characters. With the narrative perspective switching between characters it's a nicely rounded story.

The blurb isn't exactly what happens in the book: Suzuki doesn't have to 'take each of the [three assassins] on', but eventually all paths collide and we barrel towards an explosive and violent conclusion.

As I said initially, for me this doesn't quite have the stunning impact that 'Bullet Train' did, but it is satisfyingly wonderful and is unlike most stuff that is out there, so it's a minor quibble.

4.5 stars, just not quite a 5.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Really enjoyed the author’s previously translated novel, Bullet Train, so was eager to read this.It’s a tale of revenge that follows three separate characters whose stories dip in and out of each others and finally combine at the climax. There’s an interesting philosophical element that comes strongly into focus in the closing pages but don’t worry, it’s still a fast paced and exciting read for sure, if one that lacks the focus the single confined location lent to Bullet Train.

Suzuki's wife was killed by the son of a Tokyo mobster, driving recklessly. Suzuki joins the gang, leaving his job as a maths teacher in the hope of being able to somehow exact revenge on the gangster and his son.. The son is killed in a traffic accident which Suzuki witnesses and thinks he saw that it was no accident but the act of an assassin who specialises in pushing people in front of vehicles. H pursues the suspect - if he can find him it will cement his place in the gang but soon finds himself out of his depth in a strange world of specialist killers and ruthless gangsters seeking revenge. Its a refreshingly unusual book, part thriller, part face and with a near surreal final scene.

This was an OK book for me. I liked the story it just did not blow me away. I don't know if something was lost in the translation.

Sadly, for me Three Assassins didn't quite live up to the exciting blurb. The book did have some intriguing characters, and it was interesting to read about a lesser-seen underbelly of Japan, but for whatever reason I didn't feel especially gripped by the action, or the various twists and turns throughout. Nonetheless, I did find the story enjoyable, so settled on 3 stars. Three Assassins wasn't the most compelling read for me, but having heard great things about Isaka I'm sure I'll still read his other titles.

This is the first book I have read by Kotaro Isaka. Intrigued by the book's description I requested a review copy from NetGalley. The premise of the book sounded great: Suzuki is an ordinary man whose wife is murdered. He discovers that the murderer is the son of a man who heads up a criminal gang and joins the gang, looking for a chance to take his revenge.

The book itself, alternatives between the stories of four different people - Suzuki, and three assassins known variously as The Whale, The Cicada and The Pusher. The Whale convinces his victims to take their own lives using just his words. The Cicada is a talkative and deadly knife expert. The elusive Pusher dispatches his targets in deadly traffic accidents.

I thought this book would be a thriller. Unfortunately I seem to have judged wrong. The book's review indicates that at some point Suzuki must take each of the three assassins on, in order to try to find justice and keep his innocence in a world of killers. I am sorry to say that this book just felt so slow, and the characters so unappealing yet somehow also one-dimensional that I never found out how Suzuki does so - I gave up reading at 33%.

A prequel to Bullet Train that I also struggled with. I had to give up and did not finish. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I couldn't really connect with this book at all, not sure why. Perhaps I had unfair expectations based on reading and enjoying Bullet Train last year? Bullet Train was bananas in a way that amused me whereas this was just...odd.

A grieving academic struggles to move on from the death of his wife by a careless unrepentant speeding driver. Intent on revenge he cultivates the acquaintance of an unsavoury character who leads him along a dangerous path. Three paid assassins, each with a different killing modus operandi, take delight in using their knowledge to cause the demise of various individuals. . A quirky unusual storyline that failed to grip although excellently written characters. Unusual to leave a book unfinished but perhaps this story suffered from the previous book I read which, based on two assassins intent on killing each other, was beyond superlatives in every way. Many thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

After reading and enjoying Bullet Train by the same author I had high hopes for this one, and while I did enjoy it, it didn't quite live up to the first one.

A lot of characters to get your head round, but once you've got them sorted it flows quite nicely. The storyline is kind of backseated to the characters as they are so nuanced and well developed through the book.

A good read, sturdy plot and satisfactory ending.