American expatriate Hank Fisher as soon as dreamed about changing into a full-fledged MMA fighter and dwelling a snug life along with his household in Tokyo, however issues haven’t fairly labored out. Two years after his spouse, Lisa, took off with their twin sons, Justin and James, following a bitter divorce, Fisher continues to be struggling to make ends meet, his profession all however extinguished. The personal investigator he employed to search out his household wants more cash, however Fisher doesn’t have it. So when a good friend with connections to organized crime in Japan gives him a straightforward job as a bodyguard at a gathering between rivals (he simply must look robust whereas sitting there), Fisher accepts the gig regardless of the brilliant pink flags. All he needs is the cash so he can show to his household he’s a modified man. Issues go incorrect when, throughout the assembly, Fisher unintentionally hurts an vital attendee and goes on the run. What follows is an escalating chain of occasions that embody a theft, homicide, an unlimited sum of money altering palms, harmful thugs and the police on Fisher’s path, and the lives of his household and buddies hanging within the stability. Because the our bodies pile up, Fisher will take any assist he can get even when it means going to the one individual he despises. Garver’s riveting thriller sees its important character stroll a advantageous line between puppet and puppeteer. The story skillfully explores Fisher’s lack of company as occasions spiral fully out of his management, the unhealthy choices he makes, his anger administration points, and his incapability to completely settle for his culpability within the actions that led to his divorce. Whereas on the run, Fisher faces his demons all through the violent, high-stakes clashes with varied gamers. Sadly, the story’s different characters should not as nicely developed because the protagonist and grow to be merely incidental to the narrative. As well as, the pacing is uneven, with a lull in the midst of the novel. However the principle storyline and Fisher’s arc are deftly, tautly plotted.