Hard to believe this is a debut for the writing is so assured, with an incredibly vivid sense of place and the characters draw you in brilliantly to a momentus plot that's chock full of twists and turns that will leave you gasping. Alex, the main protagonist is aiming for a new life in the slow lane in Tokyo, thousands of miles away from the hurt he has caused. But he is so drawn in by what's on offer he finds it impossible to have a quiet life particularly when he meets the mysterious and seductive Naoko. This fast-paced thriller is well worth setting aside time for.
'A fine debut - fast-paced and bleak, with a vivid setting and gut-wrenching twists.' MICK HERRON
'[An] impressive first thriller . . . the action is fast, copious and often unexpected.' The Times
'The vivid setting and skilfully plotted story is compelling and hard to put down.'Daily Express
'One of the most impressive debut crime novels of the year.' Shots Mag
'A vivid and noirish tale of an Englishman abroad discovering that you can run from everything but yourself. James Buckler is one to watch.' SIMON BECKETT, bestselling author of The Chemistry of Death
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The funny thing with suffering is just when you think you've suffered enough, you realize it's only the beginning.
Alex thought running away would make everything better. Six thousand miles from the mistakes he's made and the people he's hurt, Tokyo seems like the perfect escape. A new life, a new Alex.
The bright lights and dark corners of this alien and fascinating city intoxicate him, and he finds himself transfixed by this country, which feels like a puzzle that no one can quite explain. And when Alex meets the enigmatic and alluring Naoko, the peace he sought slips ever further from his grasp.
After all, trust is just betrayal waiting to happen and Alex is about to find out that there's no such thing as rock bottom. There's always the chance it'll get worse . . .
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'This is character-driven fare, but with a vivid sense of place that positively leaps off the page.' Crimetime, Barry Forshaw
'Intriguing and highly compelling . . . Most definitely one of the most original and satisfying novels I have read this year.' reflectionsofareader.blogspot
'Wow! Are you sure this is really a debut novel? . . . absolutely fantastic and had me totally hooked.' aloverofbooks.wordpress
'Last Stop Tokyo is a fast-paced yet easy read which I read in one sitting. Addictive. Magnetic. Glue. Call it what you like. I bloody loved it! What a debut.' pageturnersnook.wordpress
'Continuous undercurrent of tensions that runs throughout the whole book . . . Last Stop Tokyo is tense, engaging and insightful.' earlgreyandcupcakes.wordpress
'The story progresses to a thrilling and unexpected finale . . . a gripping and insightful read.' tripfiction.com
'A riveting thriller and one I'll be recommending to anybody who likes their books to feature the darker, seedier side of life . . . I found myself racing through the pages.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot
'What a web James Buckler has spun in this intoxicating debut novel. Full of descriptive, fast-paced scenes and an interesting take on life in Japan made this such an entertaining read for me . . . had me reading at a rate of knots.' cescalizziereads.com
'I was well and truly hooked from the start . . . a story full of dark, seedy characters and exposes the darkest underbelly of Tokyo. I enjoyed every page and highly recommend it.' randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot
