Headless

by Tristram Lowe

Overview

A supernatural serial killer in Japan is collecting heads. An unlikely pair of journalists try not to lose theirs.

A delicious blend of murder-mystery and horror mixed with ancient Japanese folklore, Headless grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go till the end. ... The characters are quirky and likable ... and the banter between the two of them were some of my favorite parts of the book. -- Reader's Favorite (5 stars)

"A captivating mystery with just the right touch of paranormal . . . a great read for those who enjoy a bit of gore, historical fiction, and mythology in their mysteries." -- Portland Book Review (5 stars)

"engrossed with the mystery, loving the combination of supernatural and historical details. ... Though the book had undeniably dark and creepy moments, the humor helped balance it out." -- 52 Letters in the Alphabet

Akio Tsukino is a staff photographer at a Tokyo newspaper, stuck in the back pages, shooting parades and grade school plays. When a serial killer starts chopping off heads in nearby Kofu, Akio sees a chance to break out of the routine and prove himself. It never occurs to him he'd end up in the path of a monster.

Masami Sato, a top staff writer on the police beat, is a tenacious woman making a name for herself in a male-dominated news world. When she's sent to investigate the serial killer, she'll stop at nothing to get the scoop. If only Akio would get out of her way.

As they struggle to get along, and ghost stories of evil samurai creep into their investigation, Akio and Masami soon realize that the price for getting the story may be their own heads.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781946398000
Publisher:	Mortimer & Ambrose
Publication date:	11/25/2016
Pages:	238
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Hi, I'm Tristram Lowe. I write mostly fantasy of some flavor or another, with a focus on reluctant heroes, underdogs, and misunderstood monsters. I much prefer exploring the internal struggle over the outward sweeping actions of confident rulers and superheroes.The first two books of my urban fantasy thriller series, The Ghost and The Mask, are out and available. The first book, Headless, is about a couple of journalists in Tokyo investigating a serial killer who is chopping off heads-and keeping them. Masami is a top staff writer at a newspaper and she gets stuck on the assignment with Akio, a newbie staff photographer. The closer they get to the story, the stranger things become. I also wrote a fun and uplifting children's book called The Wrong Monster, which has great artwork by Jiyoon Shin. You'll love the monster and the positive message.Other than writing, I love fencing (and taught it for 15 years) and tabletop games. I narrate books, was an actor for a time, and wrote and played music in bands and solo for many years, all of it under another name. I currently live in Oregon with my amazing wife and kiddos. To pronounce Tristram correctly, simply put these two words together: Tryst (a clandestine meeting between lovers) + Rum (a hearty pirate's drink). Combined you have TrystRum: a hearty drink to be shared by clandestine pirate lovers.

Table of Contents

ONE Sayaka.........................................1

TWO An Assignment..........................10

THREE Kofu.......................................19

FOUR Kuramoto.................................45

FIVE The Spy Shop............................55

SIX The Hot Maid Girl.........................73

SEVEN The Kendo Instructor..............83

EIGHT Fujimaki...................................96

NINE The Crazy Innkeeper................111

TEN The Wide-Faced Boy.................141

ELEVEN The Snake Woman.............160

TWELVE Kofu Station........................166

THIRTEEN Maizuru Castle Park........184

FOURTEEN The Verses of Despair...206

FIFTEEN Masked...............................230

SIXTEEN Arrogance...........................237

SEVENTEEN Betrayal........................252

EIGHTEEN Torment............................262

NINETEEN Escape.............................268

TWENTY Absolution...........................276

TWENTY-ONE The Boss....................296

TWENTY-TWO Things Found.............304

Editorial Reviews

"Headless...manages to meld elements of crime procedurals, buddy comedies, horror, thrillers, and historical fiction... The mystery and sharp writing will keep you turning the pages...the author gives you countless interesting little details and reflections that will stick with you long after your first read. Highly recommended!"

"Headless is an exciting supernatural thriller with a dash of light-hearted comedy that explores a story and setting far more unique than your typical book in this genre. I was immediately drawn in from the first paragraph and couldn't put it down until the end."

"if you like Japanese culture, Swords, Supernatural and a good mystery, definitely check out Headless!"

"What a page turner! ... brings crime drama to a fascinating new place. The characters are beautifully drawn, the structure guiding them inevitably toward the wild conclusion."

"Lowe’s writing style is that of a more seasoned writer. Where a lot of beginning writer’s prose is often stilted and uneven, Lowe’s is fluid and confident."

"Continuously enthralling, this is a book I would recommend to just about anyone."

From the Publisher