{"title":"Kotaro Isaka","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKotaro Isaka\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts gripping crime and thriller narratives that blend sharp wit with intricate plotting. His stories, such as \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eSeesaw Monster\u003c\/em\u003e, plunge readers into intense scenarios where danger and dark humour collide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a mix of suspense and unexpected twists, where morally complex characters navigate high-stakes situations. Isaka’s work offers both edge-of-your-seat thrills and a subtle exploration of human motives within the crime genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"seesaw-monster-by-kotaro-isaka-9781787304734","title":"Seesaw Monster","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo inventive tales of espionage in one, from the internationally bestselling author of Japanese fiction sensation \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Japan's recent past, Miyako suspects her mother-in-law is a murderer. She uses her secret skills as an ex-spy to investigate her, while trying to maintain a peaceful home life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd in Japan's not-too-distant future, a courier named Mito finds himself embroiled in the death of the developer of a sinister AI surveillance system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeesaw Monster\u003c\/em\u003e contains two sharp, thrilling novellas from the bestselling and multi-award-winning writer Kotaro Isaka.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46435731013868,"sku":"9781787304734","price":28.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781787304734.jpg?v=1747103998"},{"product_id":"bullet-train-by-kotaro-isaka-9781529113396","title":"Bullet Train","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e by Kotaro Isaka presents a gripping tale: Five killers. One train journey. But who will survive? It's the original and propulsive thriller from a massive Japanese bestseller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR A CWA DAGGER AWARD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSatoshi appears to be an innocent schoolboy, yet he is, in fact, a viciously cunning psychopath. Kimura’s young son is in a coma because of him, and Kimura has tracked Satoshi onto the bullet train heading from Tokyo to Morioka to exact his revenge. However, Kimura soon discovers they are not the only dangerous passengers onboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNanao, the self-proclaimed 'unluckiest assassin in the world', and the deadly partnership of Tangerine and Lemon are also making their way to Morioka. A suitcase full of money coerces others to reveal their intentions. Why are they all on the same train, and who will make it off alive at the last station?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDon't miss the next thrilling Kotaro Isaka book, \u003cem\u003eHOTEL LUCKY SEVEN\u003c\/em\u003e, available to pre-order now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A locked-room crime drama played out at 200mph'\u003c\/em\u003e — The Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A high-octane thriller... Thoroughly enjoyable'\u003c\/em\u003e — Guardian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can't stop devouring \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Original, quirky and highly entertaining'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A dark-humoured, twisty thriller that's a lot of fun'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'One of the most addictive thrillers I've ever read... Smart and cinematic'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'What an original novel! Exciting from beginning to end'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A whole lot of darkly comic fun'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A thrilling ride'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e was originally published in Japan with the title \u003cem\u003eMaria Beetle\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46500141301996,"sku":"9781529113396","price":22.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11555683482732.jpg?v=1748570520"},{"product_id":"three-assassins-by-kotaro-isaka-9781529115512","title":"Three Assassins","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir mission is murder. His is revenge. A propulsive thriller from the prizewinning author of \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSuzuki is just an ordinary maths teacher... until his wife is murdered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeeking justice, he leaves his old life behind to infiltrate the criminal gang responsible. What he doesn't realise is that he's about to get drawn into a web of the most unusual professional assassins, each with their own agenda:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Whale\u003c\/strong\u003e convinces his victims to take their own lives using just his words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Cicada\u003c\/strong\u003e is a talkative and deadly knife expert.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pusher\u003c\/strong\u003e dispatches his targets in deadly traffic 'accidents'.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSuzuki must take on the three assassins to avenge his wife - but can he keep his innocence in a world of seasoned killers?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheir mission is murder. His is revenge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDon't miss the next thrilling Kotaro Isaka book, \u003cem\u003eHotel Lucky Seven\u003c\/em\u003e, available to pre-order now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Unlike anything you're likely to have read before... white-hot with double-crosses' — \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Entertaining... high-speed... with lots of twists and turns... it has a Tarantino-meets-the-Coen-Brothers feel to it' — \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Part high-octane thriller, part farce, this is an unusual and thoroughly enjoyable read' — \u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'The action accelerates up and down the ten carriages but the question is - who will get off alive?' — \u003cem\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46534145081580,"sku":"9781529115512","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/11576843482732.jpg?v=1749414538"},{"product_id":"hotel-lucky-seven-by-kotaro-isaka-9781787304758","title":"Hotel Lucky Seven","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA luxury hotel full of assassins - what could go wrong? The original, twisty and inventive sequel to the international bestseller \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Fresh and fun and full-throttle' - A.J. Finn, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Woman in the Window\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNanao, \"the unluckiest assassin in the world,\" has been hired to deliver a birthday present to a guest at a luxury Tokyo hotel. It seems like a simple assignment, but by the time he leaves the guest's room, one man is dead and more will soon follow. As events spiral out of control, it becomes clear several different killers, with varying missions, are all staying in the hotel at the same time. They're all particularly interested in a young woman with a photographic memory, hiding out on one of the twenty floors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWill Nanao find the truth about what's going on? And will he check out alive?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this original, gripping and inventive follow-up to the international bestseller \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e, Kotaro Isaka demonstrates his unparalleled gift for unique characters and unexpected twists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Isaka takes readers on a furious cat-and-mouse race through the luxury hotel... a near-perfect thriller\" - Booklist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for Kotaro Isaka:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Showcases Kotaro Isaka's Tarantinoesque blend of offbeat wit and stylised violence\" - The Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Unlike anything you're likely to have read before... white-hot with double-crosses\" - Financial Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Entertaining... high-speed... with lots of twists and turns... it has a Tarantino-meets-the-Coen-Brothers feel to it\" - The Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Thoroughly enjoyable\" - Guardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"An offbeat but touching thriller, with a wonderful final twist\" - Mail on Sunday\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46546564284652,"sku":"9781787304758","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9576623482824.jpg?v=1749840510"},{"product_id":"the-mantis-by-kotaro-isaka-9781529920666","title":"The Mantis","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Mantis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGood dad or good assassin? Can he be both?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the internationally bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e - A seemingly ordinary family man tries to juggle his home life with his job as a hitman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShortlisted for the CWA Dagger Award for Best Thriller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKabuto is an ordinary guy; stressed with work, hassled by his wife, and disrespected by his teenage son. No wonder he visits his doctor so often. Except the 'Doctor' is actually his handler, and Kabuto is a hired assassin. Because although he may seem like a small man at home, Kabuto is really good at killing people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut Kabuto is worn out with the business of murder. So he's trying to pay his way out with a few last jobs. But when the final assignment puts his unsuspecting family in danger, Kabuto realises he is going to need every deadly skill he knows to keep them alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for Kotaro Isaka:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Showcases Isaka's Tarantinoesque blend of offbeat wit and stylised violence' \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Unusual and thoroughly enjoyable' \u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46555218313452,"sku":"9781529920666","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19628383482732.jpg?v=1750098635"},{"product_id":"hotel-lucky-seven-by-kotaro-isaka-9781529936001","title":"Hotel Lucky Seven","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHotel Lucky Seven\u003c\/em\u003e is a luxury hotel full of assassins—what could possibly go wrong? This thriller comes from the author of the international bestseller \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA luxury hotel full of killers. Find the truth. Check out alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNanao, known as 'the unluckiest assassin in the world', has been hired to deliver a birthday present to a luxury Tokyo hotel. By the time he leaves the guest's room, one man is dead, and more will soon follow. As events spiral out of control, it becomes clear that several different killers are staying at the hotel simultaneously, all looking for a young woman with a photographic memory who is hiding out on one of the twenty floors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWill Nanao find the truth about what's going on? And will he check out alive?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for Kotaro Isaka:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Inventive fun...dark humour' — The Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Fresh and fun and full-throttle' — A. J. Finn, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Woman in the Window\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'The twists and turns make this a lively read' — Daily Mirror\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A near-perfect thriller' — Booklist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Laden with dark humour' — New York Times Book Review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47033627771116,"sku":"9781529936001","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/0cebcfa206aefabe9dcb4f84446b1e0a.jpg?v=1764277329"},{"product_id":"the-mantis-by-kotaro-isaka-9781787303935","title":"The Mantis","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGood dad or good assassin? Can he be both?\u003c\/em\u003e From the internationally bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGood dad or good assassin? Can he be both?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the internationally bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eBullet Train\u003c\/em\u003e—A seemingly ordinary family man tries to juggle his home life with his job as a hitman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA STEEL DAGGER FOR BEST THRILLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKabuto is an ordinary guy; stressed with work, hassled by his wife, and disrespected by his son. No wonder he visits his doctor so often. Except 'the Doctor' is actually his handler, and Kabuto is a hired assassin. The 'prescriptions' the Doctor hands over are his unlucky targets. Because although Kabuto may seem like a small man at home, he's really good at killing people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKabuto is worn out with the business of murder. He's trying to pay his way out of the Doctor's employment with a few last jobs. But the most lucrative contracts involve taking out other professional assassins, and his final assignment puts both him and his family in danger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePicture a mantis raising up its blades. It looks fearsome, but it's still just a tiny insect. The mantis actually thinks it can win. 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