Tokyo Zangyo is a work of fiction in the mystery and suspense subgenres and is the fourth installment in the Detective Hiroshi series. It is aimed at mature adult readers and was penned by author Michael Pronko. Set in the corporate world of modern-day Tokyo, the book follows Detective Hiroshi as he investigates the death of a high-ranking executive who allegedly fell to his death from the office roof. But when Detective Hiroshi realizes that an employee from the same company committed suicide in that spot three years ago, he dives into the corporate culture that drives workers to breakdowns, or worse.

Tokyo Zangyo instantly put me in mind of the gritty murder mystery thrillers of yesteryear, with an unpleasant side of Japanese business culture serving as the murky waters into which Detective Hiroshi must dive in order to find the truth. Author Michael Pronko creates palpable tension throughout the novel as the inimitable characters he’s crafted get lost in a dangerous labyrinth of lies and truth. His understanding of this type of corporate culture is evident as the never-ending quest for efficiency and profit (at the expense of individual happiness and even safety) is laid bare for all to see. Tokyo Zangyo is a thrilling installment in an already excellent series, one that pushes Hiroshi even further out of his comfort zone and into a well-conceived and sharply executed mystery. This is a must-read for fans of dark and dangerous mystery novels, and I’d definitely recommend Tokyo Zangyo to fans of modern noir mysteries.

Tokyo Zangyo is the fourth book in the Detective Hiroshi Series by Michael Pronko. The story of Detective Hiroshi continues as he gears up to tackle his toughest case yet. What made Shigeru Onizuka, a higher-up at a leading Japanese media company, fall to his death from the roof of the company building? Hiroshi reaches the crime scene with Detective Sakaguchi to find his mentor Takamatasu already present and examining the body. The death appears to be a simple case of suicide, but soon things change, and Hiroshi and Takamatsu dig a little deeper. Turns out Onizuka’s death was not the first one to occur from the roof. Hiroshi has no idea if Onizuka committed suicide out of guilt, or if someone else took revenge by killing him. It is up to Hiroshi and Takamatasu who will have to give everything they've got to figure this case out before it is too late.

Impeccable is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this novel. The worldbuilding is amazing. Author Michael Pronko is very precise about his characters and the setting, so it isn’t a surprise for me. As expected, Hiroshi is a fantastic character, one who keeps his wits about him and uses his brain to block out his fear or discomfort. Takamatasu is the unsung hero of this series, and the author does him full justice. The bond between the two men is also realistic yet very idealistic at the same time. The pace is perfect, the mystery behind the suicides is handled exceptionally well, and the development of the characters makes the whole reading experience memorable. Michael Pronko teaches his readers something new about the Japanese culture with Tokyo Zangyo, as in all his works. I can’t wait for the next novel in the series.