Mundie Moms

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Book Review: Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn

Publisher: Viking
Release Date: June 14, 2012
Source: Purchased / ARC for review from publisher
Rating: 4 stars -- I enjoyed it.

Synopsis: When sixteen-year-old Violet agrees to spend the summer with her father, an up-and-coming artist in Seattle, she has no idea what she's walking into. Her father's newest clients, the Yamada family, are the victims of a high-profile art robbery: van Gogh sketches have been stolen from their home, and, until they can produce the corresponding painting, everyone's lives are in danger--including Violet's and her father's.

Violet's search for the missing van Gogh takes her from the Seattle Art Museum, to the yakuza-infested streets of Tokyo, to a secluded inn in Kyoto. As the mystery thickens, Violet's not sure whom she can trust. But she knows one thing: she has to solve the mystery--before it's too late.


 
I love heist plots. They’re my absolute favorite and what I like best about reading them is the anticipation in wondering just how all the pieces of the puzzle will fall.  My favorite theme in stories is anything involving families. Diana Renn combines both of those in Tokyo Heist and boy, does she do it well.
What I loved most about Diana’s book is that it’s not told from the traditional heist point-of-view (usually the people pulling off the heist), rather it’s told from the character who is trying to solve the mystery of who stole the sketches. The character of Violet, the sleuthing protagonist, is downright adorable. I loved her voice and her inner determination. I also loved how her skills in drawing her graphic story, Kimono Girl, gave her a better understanding of her artist father. Her father, a single dad who is paid handsomely to create a mural for a wealthy, Japanese businessman (the very one whose Van Gogh sketches were stolen), immerses himself in his art and demands no distractions. This leaves Violet and her quirky friend, Reika, free to pursue leads on the investigation.
Diana also creates believable stakes. After all, Violet and Reika are teenagers and yet, they find themselves stumbling upon and logically connecting clues that the adults investigating the crime missed or simply didn’t know existed. I liked the fact that they worked hard at finding the logic thread in the mystery.
I must admit that I fell for a red herring or two and when the crime was solved by Violet, I did breathe out a relieved, “HA! I knew it!”  I think that’s all part of the fun of second guessing this type of plot.
As for art, well, the theme is handled beautifully. The book is carefully researched and the Author’s Note in the back explains how Diana was inspired to write the history of the artwork mentioned.
For those of us who love a little romance, don’t worry, there’s just enough of it in Tokyo Heist to make it interesting. And those moments are presented with a sweetness that still makes me smile when I remember it.
If you’re looking for a good mystery with a great setting (it makes me want to visit Tokyo even more), and an artistic protagonist who will not give up until the right criminal is found, you will love Tokyo Heist. This heist story is beach-bag worthy. Be sure to pick it up at your favorite bookstore or library.

6 comments:

  1. Nice review! I've been wanting to read this book for a while now since I'm a big fan of Tokyo and heist-like stories, so I'm glad to hear it's really good.

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    1. Erin W - You will like it then for sure. :) Diane does a fantastic job describing Tokyo.

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  2. Great review Sophie! So glad you enjoyed the book!!

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