| Title | : | Sins as Scarlet |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1250223784 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781250223784 |
| Format Type | : | Audiobook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published July 26, 2018 |
Sins as Scarlet Reviews
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Never be content to sit back and watch as others' rights are trampled upon. Your rights could be next.”
― DaShanne Stokes
One of the things that I enjoyed about Nicolás Obregón’s previous book ‘Blue Light Yokohama’ was that it was set in Japan, and therefore afforded new experiences for the reader. His latest offering ‘Sins As Scarlet’ is set in LA, but you know something? I enjoyed this one just as much. I guess that means that it’s the protagonist Inspector Kosuke Iwata that is the main attraction!
Former homicide detective Kosuke is now working in LA as a private investigator, mainly covering the mundane 'cheating spouse' cases, but all that is about to change when his wife's sister Meredith is found strangled on the train tracks in a seedy part of town. Was she targeted because she was transgender, or was she in the wrong place at the wrong time? Well that's what Kosuke will have to find out, but in the process he discovers that LA is not the eponymous 'City of Angels' - but a very dark and dangerous place that will lead him to the depths of hell before he's done.
This book deals with some really important and sensitive issues, not least gender, exploitation, corruption, and man's inhumanity to man ( human rights abuse comes very much under the microscope) The trail will take Kosuke from the underbelly of LA to the desert landscapes of the Mexican borderlands, with some heartbreaking scenes that are hard to witness, as part of his journey.
I'm really beginning to love Kosuke Iwata - he's far from perfect, but there's a lot of love hiding behind that gruff and angry exterior. The author has really developed his characters this time around, including compelling details about Kosuke’s mother, and if you've not read the wonderful 'Blue Light Yokohama' don't worry as there is sufficient back story to read this one as a standalone. The plot was extremely involved yet gripping, and the author writes with great clarity - it was easy flowing and matter of fact, and even though Kosuke's view of his own personal life leaves little time for anything or anyone else, Obregón manages to bring great appeal to his protagonist. Would definitely recommend.
* Thank you to Netgalley, and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for my ARC, I have given an honest, unbiased review in exchange* -
This the second in the fascinating series by Nicolas Obregon featuring the Japanese American Inspector Kosuke Iwata. Kosuke has returned to Los Angeles after the dramatic turn of events in his last case in Japan. He may have returned, but he cannot escape his haunting and traumatic past. He is now working as a private investigator following cheating spouses for a living. Murder is to cross his path once more when familial connections results in Charlotte Nichol demanding that he look into the murder of transgender 29 year old Julian/Meredith whose dead body was found close to rail tracks. Charlotte is unhappy with the LAPD investigation led by Detective Joseph Silke and Kosuke cannot refuse her, he owes her as he takes on a case that is emotionally harrowing and heartbreaking, which takes him to the US border country and Mexico.
Kosuke's mother, Nozomi, lives close by and the two meet regularly, but a barrier exists, Kosuke cannot find it in his heart to forgive her for abandoning him as a child. Nozomi's past in Japan is slowly revealed, a story that ends in trauma. Kosuke's wife, Cleo and his daughter, Nina's fate leaves him consumed by guilt and feeling overwhelmed by his sins, excerpts of their tragic lives are interspersed in the narrative. As Kosuke tries to find out more about Meredith, it soon becomes clear from the information acquired from his prosecutor friend, Kate Floccari, that someone is murdering transgender women. He meets the enigmatic transgender Mara, and tries to warn her of the danger she is in but to no avail. When the case connects Meredith and others to surgeries carried out at Fox Hills Feminazation, Kosuke follows the trail to Mexico, to Cuidad Cabral, and the US borderlands, uncovering the most heinous of crimes and corruption, the worst of humanity's underbelly preying on the desperate for profit with no compunction whatsoever.
Kosuke puts his life on the line as once again he finds himself in desperate danger, but he is unwavering in his pursuit of the truth, putting little value on his life, this helps him assuage some of his own personal sins to reveal the more damning scarlet blood drenched sins of others. He eventually comes to understand what happened to his mother, who his father is and has the opportunity dangled in front of him to gain vengeance, but the mountain of suffering and tragedy that has unfolded around him pushes his energies in a different and more fruitful direction. This is fantastic storytelling with a grippingly flawed central character that has me determined to follow what happens to him next. A brilliant read that I highly recommend. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC. -
It’s not very often that I find myself moved when I’m reading Crime Fiction, it’s usually a rare occurrence but a totally appreciated one when it does happen and Obregon managed to touch a part of my soul with his painfully beautiful writing and stunning imagery. It was a little like reading high brow literary fiction without the pretentiousness and with way more grit.
The real appeal of this one for me was two fold, the main character, Iwata was just the kind of damaged and broken leading man that always gets under my skin and then there was the setting. When an author can make me truly feel the location they’re describing and make it a living, breathing entity I am blown away and Obregon did a phenomenal job creating a strong sense of place. It takes place mainly in LA, and this isn’t the glittering mecca we’ve all seen on TV, this is the dark underbelly, the very depths of humanity.
One last thing that made this a standout was that you can clearly see this is written by an author who is not only extremely talented, but he has a social conscience. This examines the marginalized community of transgender individuals and it was explored in a sensitive yet honest and raw manner. It was also diverse with Iwata being Japanese and I learned some interesting things about the culture and their traditions that was really cool. This whole book was just really cool, it mixed a modern vibe with current social issues with an old school noir style that is entirely the authors own.
Sins as Scarlet in three words: Intoxicating, Smooth and Sophisticated. -
My Rating ~ 4.5*
Five years ago, he lost his family. Now he may have found his redemption.’
Sins As Scarlet is the second book from Nicolás Obregón featuring former homicide detective Kosuke Iwata. Just published by Michael Joseph, it has been described by author Jeffery Deaver as a ‘masterpiece, a classic noir, a psychological thriller and a riveting examination – sometimes dark, sometimes moving to the point of tears – of life in a less-than-angelic Los Angeles’
Nicolás Obregón’s first book, ‘Blue Light Yokohama’, set mainly in Japan, garnered some great praise, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of Sins As Scarlet to review.
As I began to read Sins As Scarlet I was immediately immersed in a world that was both frightening and exhilarating. The prologue is set on the Mexican- United States border and the scene described is shocking. I knew from those first few pages that this was going to be my type of of book.
Nicolás Obregón is a writer I was unaware of until recently and I have to ask – why is this? With such a unique approach, his style is reminiscent of another era, yet also very current with the societal issues he deals with. As I researched the author it came as no surprise that Philip Marlowe was an influence from a young age. In reading the book, it was very easy for me to see a Humphrey Bogart type lead playing the role of the main character Kosuke Iwata. He is a man that has a darkness and unease about him, a man with a past. He suffered some great loss in his life, which does unfold with the pages and it is this continued need for righteousness that drives him forward.
No longer a homicide detective, Iwata now runs a Private Investigation business in Los Angeles. He has left his life in the Japanese police force behind and now spends his days in an almost solitary existence assisting his clients with his skills as a Private Eye under the LA sun.
‘Iwata understood the importance of heritage, he just didn’t care much about home or where it could be found; he’d done without for the better part of forty years. Here in California he was Japanese. In Japan, he was an outsider.’
When the body of Meredith Nichol is discovered, the sister of Iwata’s wife and also a transgender woman, Iwata finds himself delving into the underbelly of LA’s darker side for answers.
Nicolás Obregón takes the reader into a very dark world, a place where evil lurks and where hatred and racism is rife. The death of Meredith is initially treated as a hate crime, a crime against the Trans community, but as Iwata soon discovers there is a hidden world where abhorrent and shocking activities are taking place.
Iwata, in his own eyes, has nothing to lose so he jumps right into this warren of evilness with the swagger of one who just doesn’t care anymore. This attitude makes Iwata a very lethal adversary indeed. Iwata is a very complex character and his past follows him wherever he goes. His relationship with his mother is very strained and as the novel progresses we get an insight into her history and the reasons for her difficulties in having a mother-son emotional connection with Iwata.
Obregón has taken Iwata and built a very sophisticated and multi-layered character. There is a great depth to his psyche, with his thoughts and feeling portrayed so powerfully by the author.
When reading Sins As Scarlet I grappled for words to describe the experience but, to be honest, I think Jeffery Deaver’s words are best...'A Classic Noir’.
Sins As Scarlet is a highly astute and perceptive novel, as the author raises the extremely topical issues of immigration, transgender, corruption, violence, exploitation, murder and of course, human nature. I can honestly say I was quite blown away with the style of writing and, when I read that Obregón is currently researching a possible project based in 1950’s Spain and two further Iwata novels, I just may have done a little dance!!
Intense. Harrowing. Riveting. -
Second outing for Japanese detective. He's now back the USA, where he grew up, and working as a PI in Los Angeles. To be honest, I loved the first novel in this series and was disappointed that this one moved away from Japan. There are so many crime novels set in the US that I enjoy those set in other countries, especially those with a culture so different to my own. Great writing and storyline, just not enamoured of the setting.
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Review can be found on my blog here:
https://booksonthebookshelf.wordpress...
Thank you to the publisher Minotaur Books for sending me a free physical copy of this book.
This was the first book I have read by Nicolas Obregon and even though this was a second book in the Inspector Iwata series it can be read as a standalone book. After reading this book I am definitely interested in reading the first book in the series. I loved Obregon’s style of writing, and the way the writing sucks you into the book as if you are there living in the book yourself.
Inspector Iwata was a badass Inspector, who sometimes broke the rules and did what he had to do to solve a case and get the job done. I loved Iwata’s personality and his view on things in the world. Kosuke Iwata is a very likeable character and I enjoyed reading about his daily life, both while he was working as an Inspector and while he was on his own downtime, simply living his life like everyone else.
It was interesting to get the glimpses into his past, not only of his own childhood growing up but about his life with his wife in Japan that has made him into the man he is today. He get a better understanding of the obstacles and experiences he had over his life that have shaped and moulded him into the man he is now.
This book was an interesting read that grabs the reader’s attention and demands it the whole way through to the very ending. I enjoyed how the book incorporated different cultures, countries, lifestyles, and characters into the book. We are introduced to such a wide variety of characters and I really liked that about this book. Some characters you will quite like and some characters you will absolutely despise.
I definitely recommend this book. A great read all the way through! -
Quite honestly, this was as faultless as a second novel in a series can ever be.
Although I thought Blue Light Yokohama was one of the best crime novels of the past few years, this sequel expanded everything there was to love and loathe about the characters and the story, and somehow Nicolás Obregón has managed to grip me with this one even more, all whilst completely changing the setting from Tokyo to Los Angeles.
A huge part of the reason I picked up Blue Light Yokohama was because it was set in Japan, a country I love reading about. The fact that this book carried the same visceral intelligence as the first, the same plot gravity, the same intriguing mystery, the same brutal realities but is just MORE in every way, and therefore I enjoyed it more, eventhough it's set outside Japan, for me is just hugely surprising. I can enjoy great crime novels set anywhere, but the fact that I loved the new Californian setting, something that's been done time and again, when I initially began this series for it's Japanese essence, is all down to Obregón's writing. The descriptions and comparisons transported me to the city of angels effortlessly.
There were extremely hard-hitting topics in this part of Iwata's story, but I felt everything was handled with the perfect amount of respect and reality. To sugar-coat or skim over some of the horrific and traumatic themes in this novel would be an injustice to them, but likewise, none of the scenarios felt as though they were included with the sole intention to shock.
Saying anything more about the plot and characters would spoil the twists and surprises, but I will say that Kosuke Iwata is as ever the authentically troubled detective that leaves that bittersweet aftertaste in your mouth, and I'll be continuing with his journey in Unknown Male very soon. -
Having been much impressed by Obregon’s first book, Blue Light Yokohama featuring Japanese homicide detective Kosuke Iwata, I’m delighted to report that Sins As Scarlet is even better. So much so that it has parachuted its way into my top five reads of the year so far…
Kosuke Iwata is a powerfully constructed character, shaped and formed, but with an underlying sense of self questioning, by his dual heritage and the collision of west and east almost fighting for supremacy in his identity. He has had a troubled past in terms of his upbringing and former estrangement from his mother, and has undoubtedly been tarnished emotionally by his fraught and ultimately destructive marriage. This book effectively straddles all of these relationships, providing an offshoot of narratives concerning his mother and wife, and cleverly by what we observe of their own characteristics gives us a broader understanding of Iwata himself, as a man, a son, a husband and a father too. I felt that sometimes I was observing him through a prism when it came to his emotional and personal identity, and the only real clarity in his character came through his professional role as a private investigator. I liked the way Obregon did this, and how Iwata then became a man of contradictions, and certain notions about his morality, integrity and so on were undermined by his interactions with, and influence of, the women in his life. An extremely interesting character, beautifully rendered, but undercut with a sense of personal tragedy, and a tangible lack of belonging.
Similarly, to the first book, I admire Obregon’s willingness to tackle big issues head on, showing no fear or favour, and opening the reader’s eyes to aspects of society that some would rather ignore. I think Obregon achieves this cleverly in two ways. First the straightforward narrative of murder within the transgender community, and Iwata’s later, and harrowing, experience traversing the desert from Mexico to the USA, which neatly encompasses the experiences of two groups of people that society as a whole are prone to vilify. Secondly, through the psycho-geography element of the book, where Obregon neatly uses the course of Iwata’s investigation, to crisscross Los Angeles, taking us on a tour of myriad neighbourhoods, divided by race and social inequality that show not only the singularly unique makeup of the city, but the gritty reality behind the showbiz exterior. I found these wanderings of Iwata absolutely fascinating, and the little factual nuggets of Los Angeles life that these give rise to, summed up by the assertion that, “Kosuke Iwata had gotten used to the staggered pockets of city that made up Los Angeles”, as his investigation becomes ever more difficult and personal.
Having become increasingly annoyed with a recent upsurge in the decrying of crime fiction as somehow inferior to ‘literary’ fiction, this is where a book such as this is worth its weight in gold. As author Jon Courtenay Grimwood commented on my social media rant on the subject saying “Crime novels specialise in asking the hard questions” and this is what Obregon deftly shows here. Sins As Scarlet is not only compelling as a thriller should be, but has layers of scrutiny and observation on the themes of race, gender roles, social division, migration and more, which makes it punchy and thought provoking, and at times exceptionally moving. Highly recommended. -
I am a huge fan of diverse novels and you don’t really get many more diverse than Sins As Scarlet. It features a variety of characters from all walks of life and differing cultures. The victim in the novel is a transgender woman and Inspector Kosuke Iwata is determined to solve the case.
The novel opens on the Mexican – USA border. A pregnant woman is fleeing, and she has sustained violent injuries. The truck is gaining on her as she recites a Spanish prayer. . .
‘Most sacred heart of Jesus, I accept from your hands whatever death may please you to send me into this night’
The United States border patrol are the figures that have given chase. With another unidentified male, making his escape. They murder the pregnant female and it is at this instance I knew, things were not as they seem at the border. This novel was going to be very dark indeed.
Kosuke Iwata is a second-generation Japanese American citizen. He currently lives in Torrance in California. Iwata’s past is fully explored within the novel. He has known considerable emotional pain. Both in his childhood and adult life. He works as a private investigator, when he is asked to take a case by Kate Floccari (state prosecutor) with regards to her husband potentially cheating on her. Iwata relinquished his own police career in Japan and has never attempted to join the police forces in the USA.
‘He figured tomorrow would just be another day, another case’
90K people go missing in LA each year!
As the novel takes you around Los Angeles, the author does an impressive job of describing the various communities. From the poverty of Skid Row to the wealthy untouchables.
Iwata is alone in his office when he is accosted by his mother in law, Charlotte Nichol. Iwata’s wife died previously, and Charlotte asks for his help to find the killer of her only surviving child. What makes the case so unique is that Charlotte’s son Julian had transitioned gender and was living as Meredith. Meredith was murdered two weeks ago, and the police have shown little to no interest.
‘I won’t ever forgive you for what you did to Cleo. But maybe you can still do some good in this world’
It is widely known that transgender women are at an extremely high risk of being the victim of violent crime. Although this is widely known and an issue globally. Little is done in the way of preventative measures and ensuring the safety of transgender women. In fact, 45% of hate crime victims are transgender women and sadly the statistics reflect and upward trend in the crime. The novel is timely, accurate and raises awareness of the dangers the trans community face.
Iwata attempts to gather information from LAPD cop detective Joseph Avery Silke. But has little success. The cops are simply not interested.
‘Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul’ – Marilyn Monroe
Iwata has a contact in LAPD records and information, Earnell McCrae, who owes him a favour. He soon finds he has access to the police file and it does not look good. Meredith was living at Skid Row, she was a known prostitute and drug user. She was strangled on some train tracks and found by a homeless man. She had, what appears to be injuries of a sexual nature, but were they part of the murder? Or a sexual encounter? Did a punter discover her male genitalia and Meredith paid with her life?
Something happened to Meredith and Iwata finds his new case, also a quest for redemption. He begins his investigation by speaking to customers and staff at the various Latino exotic dancing bars. He learns of Meredith’s lover ‘Talky’ and friend Genevieve. He has little to go on and decides to research similar cases.
‘I know whoever killed Meredith is still out there. And I don’t think he’s finished’
Iwata uncovers a spate of local murders of transgender women. With five women dead and only one solved case. All except one, strangled. Is someone murdering transwomen? Do they make the perfect victim to a sexual predator?
‘There was a man with a garrotte and a taste for transgender women’
Iwata can’t get Meredith’s plight out of his head. The people he encounters at Skid row, stay with him long after he has left. The homeless, destitute, disabled, mentally ill and undocumented. They are marginalised, vulnerable and undesired in society.
‘Meredith had moved a thousand miles to be herself. He wondered is she died for it too’
When Iwata attempts to contact the trans community he is met with a wall of silence. He hears of a trick rumoured to kill trans women, but rumour soon becomes urban legend. What he does uncover is a community of people, often rejected by their families and loved ones, forced to live on the fringes of society.
The novel is deeply layered and very intelligent. The author has done an outstanding job of describing the locations mentioned in the novel. The characters come alive on the page. You get a real sense of the struggles the trans community face and risk of violence in their daily lives. It appears to me that vulnerability and exploitation go hand in hand.
‘The devil is on every street corner in this place’
The novel has a brilliant ending and I can not wait for the next in the series. 5* -
Really I give this a 4.5. It is a *crime* or *detective* novel. There is a definite crime committed and a private (or professional) investigator on the trail. But it is so much more. The writing is superb. Oregon manages three separate storylines (plus part of a novella) with perfect balance. The overall theme seems to be about belonging or not belonging---to a group, a family, a community, a country. It is a study of belonging and not belonging including transgender people, the homeless, sex workers, the mentally ill and immigrants-- both documented and undocumented. It is moving and without self pity. I loved the first novel of this series and was not let down by this one. I have become quite attached to Kosuke Iwata and hope to see where he goes from here.
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Wonderful. I love the complexities of the main character and the theme of identity (or lack thereof) that he experiences. This is the second mystery novel this week that I read tackling the issue of immigration and rights of people who don't have a voice for themselves and I love it. The mysteries rooted in a current fight make it more relevant and I wonder how it will be received if I ever reread this novel in a decade or two. Time will tell.
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I love a good old detective thriller and this one did not disappoint.
Kosuke Iwata is in the top 3 of my favourite detectives, along side Logan Mcrae and Will Trent. He is a very interesting character and the book showed a lot of depth. I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it -
Really enjoyed this - the setting is a character - grittiness & desperation
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I was curious to see if Obregon would step his game up with the second outing and left mostly disappointed. While it feels a bit tighter in a lot of ways, some of the things that were getting on my nerves in Blue Light kept recurring here, sometimes less pronounced, but still very present.
One of my issues with Blue Light was the paper-thin use of Japan as a setting. I was pretty soft on it in that review, but Obregon (despite a purported love for the country) really fell through on representing it or its unique cultural intricacies. A western interpretation of the country, where Tokyo was basically just New York but with kanji and noodle stands. In the sequel Iwata finds himself in Sanfran California, that infamous shithole, and clearly a place that the hispanic author has much more familiarity with. This familiarity lent Sins a sort of cultural authenticity that Blue Light lacked, which is a tradeoff for a much less unique setting, I suppose.
One of my major gripes with this novel though is the protagonist himself. One of the other reviews I saw on here that was critical of the novel labeled him as very 'Californian', which hit the nail on the head with pinpoint precision and totally explains why I can't stand the guy. Always 'cool' (in the boring and liberal safe sort of way) listening to vinyl and moping, having all the 'right' political beliefs and leanings, more concerned with what kind of delightfully 'ethnic' meal he's going to eat next than the people gunning for his head or the next scrap he'll find himself in. Gumshoe? More like wheatabix, this guy's fucking LAME. My favorite parts of the book were when he was getting beat up or shit on. It goes beyond the usual self-pity or conflicted protagonist that most hardboiled detectives have or are. In general, the guy's a massive piece of unlikeable dogshit, and no amount of sad backstory is going to change the fact that he's a huge twit when he isn't being bland as fucking cardboard.
The excessive POV hopping is toned down a little, at least. But in place of the constant spiral of repetitive flashbacks and prose in Blue Light meant to represent how trapped in the past Iwata was, as it kept constantly bleeding into the present, we instead get a million different flashbacks for his mom and dead wife that feel, again, like unnecessary padding.
I will say, I was surprised to find the progressive politics of the book were mostly palatable. I read the summary and immediately let out a groan, expecting several long lectures through thinly veiled political mouthpieces about the trans movement but thankfully Obregon spared the reader from most of that. I still rolled my eyes when the novel opened with EEEVIIIILLL border patrol agents trying to rape a pregnant mexican immigrant and then killing her in cold blood. About as subtle as a hammer to the face, there, Obregon.
And before you write me off as a CHUD, I've probably sucked more dick than you and voted much bluer than you. So save it. I'm just tired of progressive politics in my media, if that bothers you then I'll add your tears to list of things I could not give less of a fuck about. It expands every day!
All in all, again, not something I'd spend money on. I'm only reading them to pass the time at work and because I can get 'em for free. The third one is probably a skip from me though. Maybe way down the line, if I can find it for dirt cheap or my local library gets a copy. -
Suspense, intrigue and poignant darkness mark Obregon's latest novel. In an ironic twist of fate, the protractor Iwata now resides in LA, the city of Angels. Tormented by past demons he immerses himself in the mundane work of a PI in an attempt to heal. It appears he is getting there when he is approached to find his wife's sister Meredith Nichols. After Blue Light Yokohama (BLY), one did wonder what more would Obregon throw at Iwata. His wife's sibling though is an unexpected surprise. As in BLY, a subtle undercurrent runs throughout the tale, a hint that there is more to Iwata's torment than meets the eye. He doesn’t seem to be living life to the full. Unable to escape his ever-present past, the job opens up old wounds. One has insights into Iwata's past, his childhood itself, things he had buried deep in his psyche and forgotten. They surface as he grapples with them in an effort to keep his sanity and stop himself from unravelling completely. This is a 400 page long rattlesnake, sinuous, twisty with huge doses of the psychotic. The characters in this story have many deep, dark secrets, full of violence, death and illicit acts. Going nowhere quickly with the investigation Iwata is forced to make an unusual decision. Prepare to step into the darkness of Iwata's mind, his anguish as he encounters LA's seedy underworld. Yet again Obregon obligingly indulges his readers with a thought provokingly devious read. One is grateful for his expert artistry as he delicately melds his characters persona, their purposes and the logic. He continues what he subtly started in Blue Light Yokohama when one barely realised his intent. Both novels however can be read as standalones, further attesting to his penmanship. However having read the first one would be keen to read the second and vice versa. One appreciates Sins as Scarlet so much more; glad to be there with Iwata in the ride of his life, rooting for him hoping this damaged soul finds the peace he so desperately craves, no needs, to start living. This is a heartrendingly beautiful read, taut, deeply immersive and sensual. Can a dark psychotic read beguile a reader? One leaves it to the reader to discover. Obregon's unique protagonist is a welcome addition to this genre. One would like to see Iwata again, to see how he develops and grows. Gritty, raw, suspenseful, like his first novel, Sins as Scarlet is worth every sinister moment.
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“Sins as Scarlet” (Inspector Iwata book 2) by Nicholas Obregon ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Murder Mystery. Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA, Arizona, USA, and south of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, with flashbacks to Tokyo, Japan. Time: present.-
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After his last case in Japan, Inspector Iwata has moved back to Los Angeles and become a private detective. He visits his mother, and tries to live a quiet life. Then the mother of his late wife appears, demanding he investigate the murder of her transgender son.-
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The investigation brings up traumatic memories for Iwata, and leads him to a corrupt organization dealing in transgender surgeries, immigrants trying to cross from Mexico into the US, and the sale of pretty much anything to anyone. Beat up and almost killed several times, Iwata has to overcome double crosses and deadends to get to the grisly truth.-
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Author Nicholas Obregon is English and Spanish, but he loves to write about cultures other than his own. He wrote book 1 (which takes place in Japan) after only 2 visits to Japan. In my opinion, he did a pretty good job of representing Japan’s locations and culture. Now, in book 2, he’s writing about Los Angeles, CA, Arizona, and Mexico. In detail...in large swaths of vividly descriptive prose.-
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Here’s an example: “Sunset Blvd was a never-ending serpent known for its scales of neon, its alleyways like venom glands, its diet composed strictly of dreamers and wannabes. This far west, however, Sunset was a pampered domesticated pet—all Old World mansions and pruned hedges, strip clubs replaced by country clubs, the wannabes replaced by those who wanted for nothing.”-
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And that’s my issue with the book. In his effort to provide cultural context, he rambles. That’s why I rate a complicated and timely murder mystery only 3⭐️.- -
Dark detective Noir.
Intense and shocking; we follow Kosuke Iwata through the dark underbelly of America, Mexico and his past.
Now living in Los Angeles Iwata is confronted by his ex mother-in-law who demands the solves the murder of her son who has been brutally killed. Compelled, Kosuke still filled with pain and guilt over the death of his wife and child heads into an abyss of corruption and horror to solve the case.
Interspersed with this we delve into Kosuke’s past and that of the mother who abandoned him but now wants to make amends.
Sins as Scarlet is complex and multi layered as Iwata uncovers the true horrors surrounding his brother in law’s murder and the truth about his own past. He confronts demons both past and present.
Oregon takes us on an emotional journey leaving the reader to wonder what if any kind of peace there can be at the end.
This is a worthy follow up to the brilliant, ‘Blue Light Yokohama’. With strong characters and plot and a great sense of pace, it can be read as a stand alone but is richer for reading Blue Light first.
Not for the faint hearted but a great read. -
This the second in the series by Nicolas Obregon featuring the Japanese American Inspector Kosuke Iwata. I enjoyed the first book a great deal and loved the Japanese setting so I wasn't sure about this one as Iwata is now a PI in Los Angeles but I did love it just as much as book one. Iwata is complicated, damaged but ethical. Even when he is following unfaithful spouses etc he is trying to be the best he can be. Then he is approached by the mother of his dead wife. Her transgender daughter has been found dead and the mother wants information. Iwata takes on the case and uncovers the most incredible and hideous story on the Mexican/American borders. I was enthralled and horrified in equal measure, partly because what is in the news currently about the treatment of border crossers in America and especially the children, just lends credence to the author's story.
Recommended if you enjoy good storytelling with a depth of emotional punch.
I was given a free copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review. -
I’m not a fan of detective books. Or, I am; I can be. I don’t give much heft for the entire genre, I must say that. But, at the same time, when you have something as beautiful as “The Big Sleep” which has been imitated and loved by millions of people, why not try to love another detective book?
I dig Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes canon. The canon. I’ll probably never find anything like them again, but I’m admittedly not a book-noir maven like some. I dig some Warren Ellis. Some true-crime shit too, as with David Grann.
I liked Obregón’s “Blue Light Yokohama“, which was in equal parts interesting for its style and language; the former for jumping in time, and the latter for the author using twists and turns that provided thoughts more leaning towards David Foster Wallace than…Marlowe.
“Sins as Scarlet” leans towards the same two paragons as the first book did: you get the hard-boiled, tersely written action, paired with the inner workings of Obregón’s protagonist, Inspector Iwata, as well as dense jumps between two different time periods, the 1970s and the todays.
The book wins by being different. Still, this is also why I’ll leave the boat; when a formula becomes restrictive enough to choke, that’s enough for me; the mechanics used to show that this is really a scene set in the 1970s, that turned all too much. It all made me kind of expect that to spiral lazily, e.g. that there’d be pictures of all things pop-culturesque in the middle of the book.
Anyway, this is a dense ride through the ages, while literally providing a soundtrack for the reader, as Obregón is prone to constantly song-dropping the shit out of every chapter.
This is quite the old-school companion to something like Aidan Truhen’s “The Price You Pay“, a slightly more eclectic and bubblegum-y detective story. I wish there’d been more Christopher Brookmyre in this book. -
I got this audiobook and “Blue Light Yokohama” [the first novel of this series] on the “BorrowBox” app from my local library.
This novel is written well. The prose is full of great sentences and full of lovely language. However, I didn’t love the pacing of the book, it was slow and laborious. Sometimes, it was “description overload”... The themes are very current, talking about the Mexican border (and the ongoing immigration issues in USA and woman/transgender issues (in the sex industry)). I hated that the way in which it kept jumping from present time to the 1970s as it’s messy and difficult to keep up with what’s happening.
The whole novel is a little convoluted and confusing. The character of Inspector Iwata is well created, you really get inside his inner workings and learn lots about him.
I haven’t decided if I will read the first novel. This novel was a 3* as it was just okay. -
Wow ! Just finished it and OMG, it was so good !
I was really happy to read another novel with Inspector Iwata and it didn't disappoint !
The story is a bit different from what we see in Blue Light Yokohama but it's not a bad thing. On the contrary, I'm quite satisfied (happy !) with what the author chose to do with the story and where he made it happen because, by doing so, he tackled some heavy, very interesting and sensitive subjects. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and the ending left me breathless and a crying mess.
I can only say this : it was more than worth the wait and I hope that a third book with Iwata won't be long in coming ! -
Honestly I expected more from this because I loved Blue Light Yokohama. I guess it just wasnt for me.
The writing was messy and filled with banal details that were not related to the story. Too many subplots were going on at once,with none of them being fleshed out. The author seemed to focus on all the wrong things here versus the nice flow of his previous book.
I was really looking forward to this book but was let down.
