Reviews
Tokyo Tempos
Feathered Quill (December 2024)
Tokyo Tempos is a poignant and passionate presentation of Tokyo as a city of contrast, not just a setting but a living entity representing the modern tension between innovation, progress, and the roots of tradition. Read More
Independent Book Review (December 2024)
“Tokyo Tempos is a charming, unaffected, and yet profoundly philosophical collection of essays on the colorful chaos that is Tokyo.” Read More
IndieReader (November 2024)
”For readers familiar with Pronko’s excellent Detective Hiroshi series of Japanese-set crime thrillers, it will come as no surprise that the prose is beautifully weighted, a sense of place evoked, and telling details precisely set—not just the sights, but the sounds and the smells of the city.” Read More
SPR Review (November 2024)
"An artful love letter to an inimitable city. Pronko's obvious reverence for Japan is clear, and he writes with a blend of humility and pride that only comes from deeply loving your chosen home. No matter the topic, Pronko approaches his subjects with respect and a playful sense of awe that is both endearing and convincing. Taking a poetic, personal, and aesthetic brush to a dynamic landscape, this collection is an impressive and rousing homage from a gifted storyteller." Read More
Reader Views Five Stars (November 2024)
“These aren’t just snippets of Tokyo and the usual touristy accounts of the big attractions. Pronko takes a deeper look at what makes Tokyo hum, what gives it the appeal that draws thousands of visitors every year.” Read More
Readers Favorite (November 2024)
“A fantastic collection that does a wonderful job of capturing Tokyo’s ultra-layered experiences, even if they are mere moments, through succinct, immersive entries. The bite-sized format lends itself perfectly to Pronko’s reflective style, allowing readers to savor his keen observations, packing a lot of texture into impressively compact pieces.”
Readers Favorite (November 2024)
“Pronko captures the essence of a city that pulses with both tradition and innovation, inviting readers to discover the countless small moments that define life in one of the world's most fascinating urban landscapes.”
Midwest Book Review (November 2024)
“These vignettes insert readers into the beating heart of Tokyo’s culture, offering insights and knowledge that is nearly impossible to find in more general books about travel to Tokyo, and understanding its special culture.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer Read More
Shitamachi Scam
Indie Reader (February 2024)
”Pronko is a master craftsman, painting a fascinating portrait of a city and its underbelly through engaging characters and depictions of crime that are more gray than black-and-white.”
Kirkus Reviews (February 2024)
“Pronko’s knowledge of Japanese life is simply extraordinary—with painstaking care, he limns its shadowy contours and ambiguities. An absorbing drama conveyed with incisive intelligence.”
Booklife (February 2024) Editor’s Pick
“A book that operates on multiple levels—and is successful with each of them. The clever plot, engaging characters and haunting themes will stay with readers long after they read the last page.”
Literary Titan (February 2024) Five Stars
“A well-crafted noir crime novel that combines a suspenseful storyline, rich character development, and a profound understanding of a significant societal issue.”
Independent Review of Books (February 2024)
“Carving his unique niche in a crowded genre, Pronko continues to craft believable contemporary crime fiction with enrapturing plots that work both as a cultural study and page-turning thriller.”
Crime Fiction Lover (February 2024)
”Fans of crime fiction set in Japan will once again appreciate Michael Pronko’s exploration of Tokyo, and crime readers in general might find a new favourite cast of characters.”
Independent Book Review (January 2024)
“Pronko’s meaty thriller takes time building up the backstory and confidently shifts between the tireless footwork of Hiroshi and team and Takuya’s quest to confront the swindle threatening to swallow up his own. Towering above the human drama is the vibrant, chaotic character of Tokyo itself.”
Blue Ink Review (January 2024)
“Pronko’s sixth novel in the Detective Hiroshi series showcases his ability to weave a gripping crime story with his deep knowledge and appreciation of Japanese culture and society.”
SPR Review (January 2024)
"Balancing revelatory character development and relationship building with hard-nosed investigation, this sixth installment of the Detective Hiroshi Series is brimming with well-strung tension. Pronko excels in his world-building and immersive writing, welcoming readers into the vivid sights, sounds, cultural norms, and behaviors of Japanese people. Pronko continues to craft believable contemporary crime fiction with enrapturing plots that work both as a cultural study and page-turning thriller." Self-Publishing Review
BestThrillers.com (January 2024)
“As in his other books, Pronko succeeds in delivering yet another dimension of the megacity that is Tokyo. He uses shitamachi for great atmospheric effect, gradually building a sense of darkness and claustrophobia while erecting a landscape primed for white-knuckled physicality.”
Feathered Quill (January 2024)
“Another winning story complete with corruption and murder, yet balanced with thoroughly developed characters that seasoned readers have grown to love and appreciate. Pronko truly has a gift for superb storytelling that is well-crafted, entertaining, and thoroughly captivating.”
Reader Views (January 2024)
“The pacing of this story is pitch-perfect, and the conflicts are well-conceived and executed. It's a simple story told in intricate layers. But even in the gritty storytelling, you get a sense of positivity. He makes Tokyo come to life for readers who are curious about the city and wonder what it’s like there.”
Midwest Book Review (January 2024)
“Michael Pronko lives, breathes, and captures the streets and culture of Tokyo as the story evolves, one of the strengths of the Detective Hiroshi cases in general and Shitamachi Scam in particular.” D. Donovan
Reader’s Favourite (2024)
“If you are a fan of thrilling crime and mystery novels, you will certainly enjoy how this series lifts the veil and reveals the criminal behavior behind some of the perceived politeness, formality, and mystique of Japanese culture.”
Azabu Getaway
Booklife Prize 2022
“A superb combination of suspense, murder, and finance, Azabu Getaway will keep readers up way past their bedtimes.”
theAudiobookBlog (October 2022)
“From the lifelike protagonists, to the well thought out plot and to the locations, descriptions and respect with which he treats the Japanese people, their culture and their way of life, the Detective Hiroshi novels are flawlessly written and exquisitely performed. Peter Berkrot manages each time to bring something magical to the audio production.”
Midwest Book Review (October 2022)
“While mystery libraries and readers will choose Azabu Getaway for its strong trail of revelation and financial misconduct, it also should attract readers not normally drawn to mysteries, who harbor a special affection for Japanese culture and urban backdrops.”
Feathered Quill (October 2022)
“A fast-paced and exciting mystery that crosses with an honest glimpse of family dynamics and culture in Tokyo. You, as the reader, feel almost like you are there. I can give no higher praise than that.”
Literary Titan (September 2022)
“A fast-paced, thrilling crime novel that gives readers an excellent mystery to follow and memorable characters as the hunt for a killer takes the detective team into a world of wealth, greed, and violence.” Five Stars
Blue Ink Review (September 2022)
“Pronko serves up another satisfying crime thriller that vividly showcases Japan at the same time.”
Kirkus Reviews (September 2022)
“While being on the lam already accelerates the narrative’s pace, Pronko’s typically concise prose stamps the pedal to the metal. Strong characters drive an edgy, nimble thriller.”
Independent Book Review (September 2022)
“This big-money thriller really follows through on the promise of a good mystery. It hits all of the right beats and impresses with exquisite prose along the way.”
Booklife (September 2022)
“Lovers of hard-boiled procedurals will relish Pronko’s interweaving of suspense and drama. Jolting bursts of violence and a consistent wit will keep the attention of even the most procedural readers.” Editor’s Pick
IndieReader (September 2022)
“Works as a stand-alone introduction to Detective Hiroshi but new readers will undoubtedly be drawn to the earlier novels as Michael Pronko’s storytelling is gripping with a prose style that is lyrical and intelligent. A very high quality literary thriller.”
LoveReading (September 2022) “Expertly integrating family ties and Japanese culture, ‘Azabu Getaway’ is a complex case that kept me guessing throughout. Another great addition to the series and a great read for police procedural fans.”
Crime Fiction Lover (September 2022) “Pronko’s fifth novel in the Detective Hiroshi series has all the elements of a classic police procedural with a dash of extra action to raise the blood pressure.”
AdvicesBooks (September 2022)
“The story runs on the frail line of human ambiguity, where appearance never coincides with real intentions.”
Sublime Reviews (September 2022)
“Pronko has created another winner with this newest addition to the series. [His] engaging characters drive this captivating story of international intrigue and murder.” 4.5 Stars
Self-Publishing Review (September 2022)
"Hiroshi continues to shine as one of the most unique and compelling detective protagonists in recent memory. The procedural aspects of the writing are fascinating, from visceral descriptions of crime scenes to the dangerous tension of a high-stakes investigation, and Pronko’s familiarity with Japan makes for remarkably in-depth scene-setting." Four Stars
The Wishing Shelf (September 2022)
“A highly addictive set of books that just get better and better. Skillfully plotted and simply impossible to put down!” Five Stars
Reader Views (September 2022)
“A riveting ode that is rhapsodic and rattling, with sentences that feel like carved magma: honed and polished…all whodunits should end as gratifyingly.” Five stars
Best Thrillers (September 2022)
“Detective Hiroshi has never been more entertaining in this electrifying crime thriller featuring some truly ingenious financial crimes.” Five stars
Readers’ Favorite (September 2022)
“This is a masterful story, well-crafted, with incredible characters, and strong thought-provoking themes!” Five stars
The Bookbag (August 2022)
"Book five in this excellent series looks at wealth and it's a cracker. Highly recommended.” Five stars
Tokyo Zangyo
Publisher’s Weekly (November 2021)
”Fans of quality police procedurals will welcome more of Hiroshi.” Starred Review
The Book Commentary (October 13, 2021)
”This mystery and crime thriller doesn’t let up in intrigue or intensity. It is an entry into the series that will fascinate readers, thanks to the author’s gift for plot and the deft sculpting of characters.”
Sublime Book Reviews (October 2021)
“Tokyo Zangyo is an attention-grabbing police procedural that checks off all the boxes for a winning mystery.”
Feathered Quill (October 2021)
“Tokyo Zangyo is not just your average murder mystery thriller. It’s a much more complex mix of fiction, and an exploration of what the author believes is a critical issue with Japan's often ruthless corporate philosophy.”
The Bookbag 4.5/5 (September 2021)
“The characterization is excellent: I was particularly impressed by the way that Hiroshi has matured over the series and the way that the dynamics of the police group has adjusted to accommodate the changes.”
Kirkus Reviews (September 9, 2021)
“A superb procedural thriller with an always entertaining and appealing cast. The final act, which boasts a convincing and satisfying wrap-up, is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting Hiroshi’s next case or seeking out previous series installments.”
Crime Fiction Lover 4/5 Stars (September 9, 2021)
“The character of Hiroshi has developed over the course of the series, and the true value of Tokyo Zangyo comes out of the way that this character has developed. International readers who can’t travel to Tokyo currently will love Tokyo Zangyo’s immersive representation of the megacity.”
Donovan’s Bookshelf (October 2021)
“The interplay between characters, a sense of place, and a murder mystery that plays out on an especially involving stage will keep both prior readers and newcomers to Detective Hiroshi's world thoroughly engaged and guessing to the end.”
Best Thrillers (September 5, 2021)
“Pronko’s best series book yet. Hiroshi is now as synonymous with Tokyo crime fiction as Harry Bosch is to LA noir.”
Literary Titan 5 Stars (August 26, 2021)
“With a believable cast of characters, an engrossing storyline, and superb writing, Pronko has delivered a hard-boiled whodunit any murder mystery fan will enjoy.”
IndieReader 4.7 stars (August 25, 2021)
“Has the feel of classic noir imbued with Far East culture–a strange and engaging concoction that goes down smooth yet packs a punch.”
Wishing Shelf Book Review 5 Stars (August 11, 2021)
“A skillfully plotted, fast-paced mystery. Highly recommended!”
SPR Review 5 Stars (August 2021)
“A multilayered mystery that hits hard and strong as both a high-caliber detective thriller and a trenchant take on the world’s priorities.”
Reader Views 5 Stars (August 2021)
“The author uses his wealth of sheer passion for Tokyo and its people, and writes this unique color and vibrancy into his characters and their surroundings.”
Tokyo Traffic
US Review Recommended (October 15, 2020)
“Combining old-fashioned gumshoeing with modern-day social conventions, Pronko’s tale is as much a Tokyo detective’s diary as it is a gritty underworld whodunit.”
The Wishing Shelf 5/5 (September 16, 2020)
“He understands how important it is not to just simply describe Tokyo but, rather, have the characters interact with it in a natural and unobtrusive way. It’s all very dark; all very gritty, and ALL totally gripping.”
Reader’s Favorite 5 Stars (September 13, 2020)
“The worldbuilding is impeccable and I enjoyed the complex environment the protagonist navigates.”
Reader Views (September 9, 2020)
“Pronko’s immediate style puts you into the guts of the action but will pull at your heartstrings at the same time.”
California Bookwatch (August 2020)
“Mystery readers who enjoy their detective pieces firmly rooted in reality will find Tokyo Traffic an excellent read.”
Crime Thriller Hound (August 2020)
“If there’s a better crime series set in Japan, I’ve not yet read it.”
Diane Donovan Midwest Book Review (August 2020)
“Pronko’s familiarity with Japanese culture in general and Tokyo atmosphere in particular enhances a story that once again excels in exploring both while presenting a murder mystery and romance that holds reader attention to the end.”
Feathered Quill (July 30, 2020)
“Adroitly takes readers on another outstanding Detective Hiroshi thrill ride into the streets of Tokyo.”
Crime Fiction Lover Review of Tokyo Traffic 5 Stars (July 8, 2020)
“It makes for uncomfortable reading at many points, but it’s a necessary discomfort. Tokyo Traffic exposes what is wrong with the new global economy, and does it in the form of a tense, compelling mystery.”
Best Thrillers (bestthrillers.com) ( June 22, 2020)
“The Bottom Line: A first-rate hardboiled crime novel set at the nexus between porn, human trafficking, crypto-currency fraud, and murder. Hiroshi is one of the most distinctive and intrepid detectives in contemporary crime fiction.”
Review from SPR Review: Tokyo Traffic 5 Stars (June 21st, 2020)
“As both a love letter to Japan and a bold condemnation of certain human rights crises still alive and well in our modern world, Tokyo Traffic is a superlative addition to the Detective Hiroshi series.”
Literary Titan 5 out of 5 stars (June 10, 2020)
“The way in which these two genuinely intriguing characters riveting storylines come together is something that I rarely see and makes Tokyo Traffic the most thrilling book I’ve read this year.”
Foreword Clarion Reviews 5 out of 5 (June 8, 2020)
“The beginning, middle, and end all share the same quality of sociological commentary and cynicism. This is a captivating mix executed to perfection by taut and terse writing.”
IndieReader 4.5/5 (June 3, 2020)
“Its indictment of the human trafficking industry, and lax government policies and laws that allow it to continue, is fierce, righteous, and not at all subtle, but does not end up being preachy or interfering with the storytelling or the plot.”
Blue Ink Review Starred Review (June 2020)
“It’s clear the author knows Japan deep in his soul. Pronko is also a masterful storyteller. As the narrative’s tension builds, readers will find themselves racing toward the inexorable moment when police, victims, and villains collide.”
Advicesbooks (May 25, 2020)
“Indeed, the novel is not an erotic mystery. It is a literary work with a well-arranged background, where the borders between good and evil are perfectly outlined and never granted!”
Kirkus Review (May 8, 2020)
“A dark and striking thriller with an indelible cast and setting. The Japanese city is instead rather lively and appealing, like a vivid character standing “amid the grid of apartment blocks, gyudon shops, manga cafes, and family restaurants.”
Booklife Review
“A sophisticated, humane, and compelling take on the modern police procedural.”
Booksplainer Review
“Tokyo Traffic, the third in the series is a mature thriller, a nice melding of suspense elements, an engaging detective team, and a mystery with a few twists.”
Reedsy Discovery 5 Stars
“The action scenes aren’t exaggerated which was a relief and the climax is fast-paced and nail-biting. The ending ties up all the loose ends beautifully and provides a satisfying closure to the whole story.”
Pacific Book Review
“His uses of neighborhoods, streets, and sections of the city from gleaming high-rises to teaming underbelly drop readers right into the middle of one of the world’s most interesting metropolises. Crime and mystery fans should definitely get to know Detective Hiroshi and the town he calls home.”
San Francisco Book Review 4.5/5
“Pronko’s characters are fully developed, his dialogue is authentic, and his writing is clear and concise.”
Chanticleer Review of Tokyo Traffic 5/5
“In a dangerous and evolving world of human trafficking and porn, one man returns to make certain the Tokyo streets remain safe. Pronko delivers another breath-taking, action-packed thriller you won’t be able to put down! Highly recommended.”
The Bookbag
“It’s a great page-turner with real tension towards the end and I hope that it won’t be too long before we hear more about Hiroshi.”
The Moving Blade
Indie Reader 4/5 (September 21, 2018)
“This smoothly written and fast-paced police thriller is populated with colorful characters. The writing is compact and sometimes quite elegant.”
Kirkus Reviews Starred Review (October 1, 2018)
“A tight, rock-solid installment in a series that’s only getting better.”
Midwest Book Review (October 2018)
“The Moving Blade is well steeped in Japanese history and culture: an unexpectedly delightful backdrop to an investigative ‘whodunnit’ mystery.”
Reader’s Favorite 5 Stars (September 22, 2018)
“Great attention to detail in setting, lifestyle, and characters create an atmospheric, tense, and engaging read. Plots, protests, questions, and secrets drive the reader forward.”
Bookpleasures.com Review (September 22, 2018)
“Pronko manages to arouse the reader’s curiosity about who, what, where, when, how and why?”
Literary Titan Five Stars (September 21, 2018)
“This book made it to my favorites list before I even finished reading it.”
IndieReader 4/5 (September 21, 2018)
“Pronko’s smoothly written and fast-paced police thriller is populated with colorful characters.”
Booklife Prize Judges Assessment 9.25 out of 10 (September 8, 2018)
“A stellar novel with a unique storyline and setting.”
Best Thrillers (September 9, 2018)
“One of the year’s best thrillers.”
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 5 Stars (September 5, 2018)
“A powerfully written crime novel; often stark and unsettling. Highly recommended!”
SPR Review (September 5th, 2018)
“As a detective story, this novel knocks it out of the park. This book succeeds as both an homage to Tokyo and a savagely entertaining mystery.”
Blue Ink Starred Review (September, 2018)
“With its well-crafted plot involving credible, menacing threats, The Moving Blade is sure to captivate mystery fans.”
Reader Views (August 30, 2018)
“Pronko brought this story to life so much that I found myself hoping that none of the negative aspects could possibly be true.”
US Review of Books (2018)
“Ripe with surprising plot twists that take the reader into the deep underbelly of Tokyo, Pronko’s mystery/thriller offers an intriguing story of murder, mystery, and maleficence.”
Chanticleer Book Reviews 5/5
“A rich serving of a thriller, The Moving Blade is a well-cooked and tasty sukiyaki of a novel, written by an American who knows Japan well.”
Publisher’s Daily Reviews (2018)
“Five-plus stars to The Moving Blade. We say to readers, come for a satisfying story — but stay for an immersive experience in Japanese ways and a better-than-Frommer’s guide to Tokyo.”
Hollywood Book Reviews Excellent Merit (2018)
“This is a crime thriller that will stimulate your head, your heart, and your adrenal glands simultaneously. And really, isn’t that the best kind?”
Foreword Clarion Reviews 5 out of 5 (2018)
“Fun and thrilling throughout, The Moving Blade is an excellent potboiler—an exciting modern mystery that focuses on the chiaroscuro of international diplomacy and organized crime.”
The Last Train
Book Review from What Cathy Read Next (December 15, 2017)
“In three words: Atmospheric, compelling, mystery.”
Midwest Book Review (August, 2017)
“A standout story of not only intrigue, but ways in which crimes are solved, influenced, or supported.”
Feathered Quill Spotlight Reviews (July 2, 2017)
“The most compelling aspect of this thriller is not the typical whodunit that lingers on the minds of readers throughout the story (in fact the murderer is revealed early on), but the motivation behind the decision to murder, and who will be the next target.”
Reader Views ( June 8, 2017)
“The Last Train by Michael Pronko is a five-star detective read, the first in the series. It is unique, intriguing, and will hook the reader from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to all mystery lovers
Foreword/Clarion Review 4 out of 5 (June 6, 2017)
“In The Last Train by Michael Pronko, Detective Hiroshi Shimizu and the Tokyo homicide unit go on a thrilling hunt for a murderer of rich men. Theirs is an utterly page-turning adventure.”
Indie Reader (June 5, 2017)
“The Last Train is a heartfelt, thoughtful ode to a strange and beautiful city, in the way that so many classic detective novels are. Lyrically written, with plenty of suspense, this a novel that aims to please, and can’t really help but do so.”
Best Thrillers (May 25, 2017)
“With The Last Train, Michael Pronko takes his adopted hometown and uses it as the setting for this unconventional take on the whodunit, which turns the genre on its ear and focuses not on the who, but the lightning-fast chase to the finish line.”
Kirkus Reviews (May 24, 2017)
“An absorbing investigation and memorable backdrop put this series launch on the right track.”
Literary Titan Five Star (May 22, 2017)
“The story behind Michiko Suzuki is compelling and engaging, you can’t help flipping the pages to see what she is going to do next and find out why her victims were chosen.”
Booklife Critic’s Report 10/10 (2017)
“Gripping and suspenseful, this fast-paced thriller unfolds on the streets of Tokyo, where a clever and cold-blooded killer exacts revenge.”
Motions and Moments
Feathered Quill (April 23, 2016)
“Motions and Moments is a terrific series of essays that captures the essence and allure of Tokyo with a lot of heart infused in the work.”
Bookpleasures.com (April 9, 2016)
“Michael Pronko has a natural talent to spin out words and astute perceptions in concise, steady and refreshing prose wherein every word counts and nothing is extra. One of the joys in reading these essays is that the language is precisely crafted.”
Independent Publisher Indie Groundbreaking Book (April 2016)
“The groundbreaking facet of Motions and Moments—and, I presume, the same quality that made his previous two essay collections award winners and reader favorites—is that Pronko takes the sweeping size, bustle, and chaos of Tokyo and makes it small, introspective, and personal.”
Doing Dewey 5 Stars (March 6, 2016)
“Although I suspect that Michael Pronko’s observations of Tokyo are possible in part because he’s an expat living there, I would be just as happy to read essays he wrote about any country.”
Big Al’s Books and Pals 5 Stars (March 4, 2016)
“Michael Pronko has that rare voice of one who has lived and studied long enough in an “exotic” environment to get it right, but is still able to present a fresh vision.”
Review from Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer (March 2016)
“More so than almost any other treatment, it captures the nuances Westerners find puzzling about Japan and translates them into digestible, vivid insights no visitor should be without.”
Indie Reader (February 17, 2016)
“Motions and Moments captures the personality and vigor of Tokyo with its thoughtful and perceptive essays.”
The Bookbag (December 2015)
“The thing to remember, Pronko emphasises, is that Tokyo is never just one thing: generalisations don’t work perfectly; it’s a city of multiple layers, both literally and metaphorically.”
Publishers Daily Reviews Five-plus stars
“This is a memoir to be savored like a fine red wine, crafted with supreme care by a man who clearly has fallen in love with his adopted city — and we are the beneficiaries of his lyrical reflections, making us want to visit and absorb the rich megalopolis of Tokyo for ourselves.”
Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens
For Novel Lovers Five Stars (June 25, 2016)
“I wanted to say before I begin this review is going to be slightly longer than some of the other ones I do …I really loved being about to learn more about the cultural and social side of my favourite country in the world, some of the things Pronko talks about like the hanko, slight hand gestures and social awareness I never knew before but reading this book has helped me understand better.”
Midwest Book Review (July 2015)
“If Michael Pronko’s prior Beauty and Chaos captured the exquisite essence of the urban heartbeat that is Tokyo, then this follow-up essay collection, Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens, is its soul, offering up pieces of Tokyo’s psyche through the observations of a visitor who became immersed in its culture.”
Beauty and Chaos
Kirkus Review (April 20, 2015)
“A clear-eyed but affectionate portrait of a city that reaches beyond simple stereotypes. An elegantly written, precisely observed portrait of a Japanese city and its culture.”
SPR Review 5 Stars (April 8, 2015)
“Beauty and Chaos is a spectacular read. Its essays are long enough to be cohesive and provocative while remaining short and sweet, never rushing points but never falling too far off track. The collection is masterful and unique.”
Midwest Book Review (April 2015)
“Beauty and Chaos is a rare gem of exploration that holds the ability to sweep observer/readers into a series of vignettes that penetrate the heart of Tokyo’s fast-paced world. Anyone planning a trip to the city (and many an armchair reader who holds a special affection for Japan) must have this in hand – and, in mind. Very highly recommended.”
Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars (March 21, 2015)
“Every small thing that makes Tokyo what it is gives the book a unique and special tone. Whether it is the cherry blossoms, the bars and restaurants, the standing libraries or clothing, the author has researched the place well and revealed to readers a Tokyo not captured so intensely by travelers. The author’s love for the city is evident in the manner in which he has explored the place and soaked up every small detail that covers everything about life in Tokyo.”
The Bookbag 4/5 (November 2014)
“Pronko’s topics are varied and surprising. He notices the kinds of things that might be taken for granted by the Japanese and overlooked entirely by visitors…These pieces feel flowing and natural, perhaps because many arose simply from walking around, people-watching.”