Review: The Deafening Silence by Amy Tasukada

Title: The Deafening Silence

Series: The Yakuza Path: Book Four

Author: Amy Tasukada

Publisher: Self-Published

Length: 228 Pages

Category: Contemporary, Crime Drama

At a Glance: This story is no-holds-barred when it comes to betrayal and the war between the various mafia. The violence is gritty and gory and, in this case, the abuses revealed may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t see this series existing without it.

Reviewed By: Maryann

Blurb: An unproven alliance. A broken promise. A mafia boss must shed blood to secure peace…

Nao Murata is on the verge of brokering peace between his syndicate and the rival Mafufgumi mob. To seal the deal, he’ll need to pick up Russian prostitutes to appease his newest ally. When the exchange goes sour, both sides draw blades and Nao has no choice but to care for a blood-soaked enemy. If the man doesn’t make it through the night, Nao and his crew will pay with their lives.

Outnumbered and stranded in enemy territory, Nao is forced to fight his way out before the Mafufgumi Godfather takes the deal off the table. As his wounded enemy’s heartbeat slows, Nao must act fast or condemn his syndicate to a brutal turf war.

Review: Nao Murata is the youngest godfather for the Kyoto Matsukawa Syndicate. His love is the city of Kyoto, and he believes in the old ways of Japan. Not all goes well within the Matsukawa, as Nao has learned there are some not to be trusted. To make the Matsukawa stronger against the Korean Mafia, he’s learned there are deals to make. A meeting has been set up with Sapporo Mafufgumi in Hokkaida, but Nao is uncomfortable leaving his true place in Kyoto. He’s not alone on this trip, though; he’s accompanied by his bodyguards, Jun and Kohta, and his newly appointed secretary, Aki Hisona.

Aki’s dedication to Nao runs deep; he’s willing do anything to please Nao. He’s learned the expertise of tea making for Nao, and handles all calls as Nao has no use for cell phones. Aki is loyal and trustworthy, but there are hidden feelings between him and Nao that they both struggle to fight.

Taking this alliance meeting in a place that has anti-yakuza laws, trouble brews fast. Betrayal of a bodyguard, the Mafufgumi dealing with the Russians, and deceit affects both Aki and Nao and puts them in danger. And, there are other ugly issues that are discovered by both Nao and Aki; there’s no stopping the rage that’s to come. No matter Aki’s and Nao’s feelings, they have to join forces and face danger head on. The relationship between them is a conflict of loyalty and jealousy mixed with a forbidden sense of love and superstition. All these mixed emotions also lead to misunderstandings where mistakes are made, but they find reason that keeps their connection alive. The characters all bring a sense of suspense and danger in this well-paced action novel, and there’s definitely a shock factor involved.

The Yakuza Path by Amy Tasukada is one of my top series to look forward to. It shows readers a young man taking over the syndicate, and not by choice. His love lies with his country and carrying on old tradition—even though he’s a skilled and dangerous yakuza, his talent and knowledge lie in various teas. The story is no-holds-barred when it comes to betrayal and the war between the various mafia. The violence is gritty and gory and, in this case, the abuses revealed may not be for everyone, but I couldn’t see this series existing without it. I highly recommend the entire series. There’s more to come soon with a fifth book, Flowers of Flesh and Blood, and the title alone piques my interest. Can’t wait!

You can buy The Yakuza Path here:
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