This is an ARC version.

I liked Japantown. It was a quick thriller with copious amounts of action and the evilest bad guys.

Barry Lancet's bonus to the story line was the international setting of Japan. Some reviewers felt the Japanese scenes were not always necessary and sometimes too long. I appreciated the historical aspects that Mr. Lancet shared in the story. To this reader, these informational pieces remade the typical suspense/thriller genre. Without the history, the story line would have no real basis.

I do think since the novel was written in a 7 day format, parts of the story were rushed and left under developed. Some characters also were victims of this haste and turned out flat. The ninjas were super-cool (although extremely evil and cold-hearted).

What I don't like about suspense/thrillers is the cliche of the evil guy spilling his guts before 'killing' the protagonist. It seems to be an inevitable part of the genre.

Overall a decent read.