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John Rain kills people. For a living. His specialty: making it seem like death by natural causes. But he won't kill just anyone. The target must be a principal player. And never a woman. Half American, half Japanese-but out of place in both worlds-Rain is filled with opportunities. John Rain may not be a good man, but he's good at what he does...
Until he falls for the beautiful daughter of his last kill.
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The atmosphere of modern Tokyo shines in RAIN FALL. I lived in Japan for seven years and read this book on a recent trip back. Barry Eisler, who was based in Japan for many years, worked for the US Government and earned his black belt at the Kodokan International Judo Center in Tokyo. This is a rare book set in Tokyo that gets the details of setting and mannerisms correct. Too many Japan themed efforts are sloppy and just plain wrong. Your reviewer lived and worked for seven years in and around the exact places described in the novel. The book was read and this review written around the corner from one of the coffee shops described in the book. And another rare feat by Eisler � a Japanese-translated version of RAIN FALL was published in Japan to rave reviews from the local media.
John Rain is an efficient killer who will take on any assignment where the death needs to appear natural. But he�s a killer-for-hire with particular rules of engagement � he only accepts contracts to eliminate principal parties and he will not touch women or children. The plot starts quickly when Rain �s technologically fascinating killing of a Japanese Government official on a subway train goes wrong. There are other people who come from the shadows of the subway car suddenly interested in the contents of the corpse�s suit pockets. As his fee is deposited into a secret account the next day, Rain steps up his caution. But he finds himself hanging out with a jazz pianist who just happens to be the daughter of the government official. And Rain�s old CIA buddies from Viet Nam are mixed up with the dead man somehow and come after him.
... Read more ›There are three main selling points for the book. First is the main character. John Rain is part James Bond, part Trevanian's Nicolai Hel, and part Blade Runner. He's both complex and interesting. His "voice" comes off as an old friend with a shady path.
The second stellar point is the ability of Eisler to capture Tokyo. It's a Tokyo that many expats will recongize. The places, style and feel of the city are brought to life with excellent prose. I truly felt like I was back in Roppongi and Shinjuku. The flashbacks really brought me back to a great place.
Lastly, the book has a gripping "can't put it down" quality. Expect to read the book in one sitting. Don't start it unless you have time to finish it. You'll find yourself looking at the clock at 3am thinking, "Where did the time go?"
Well done on an outstanding novel!
That death, however, sets off a chain reaction that forces Rain to flee his comfortable, orderly world, and battle the ghosts of his past. He must fight not only to stay alive, but to earn the love of a beautiful and talented young artist - a woman who just happens to be the daughter of his recent target.
For a first novel in particular, "Rain Fall" is written with a firm and confident hand. The story's intriguing plot moves forward at a driving pace, but the author still has the skill and foresight to include some rich characterizations, along with enough of the right kind of details to make his writing authentic and engrossing.
There is much to recommend about this book, not the least its compelling protagonist. John Rain is a remarkable creation, a multifaceted killer with the soul of a poet. He is easily one of the most interesting characters to come along in some time. One can only hope that Eisler is already hard at work on his return. "Rain Fall" is a tremendous debut, the best to come out so far this year.
Reviewed by David Montgomery, Mystery Ink
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