Start reading SHAKEN: Stories for Japan on your Kindle in under a minute. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

 
 
 

Try it free

Sample the beginning of this book for free

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Read books on your computer or other mobile devices with our FREE Kindle Reading Apps.
SHAKEN: Stories for Japan
 
 

SHAKEN: Stories for Japan [Kindle Edition]

I.J. Parker , Gary Phillips , C.J. West , Dale Furutani , Wendy Hornsby , Naomi Hirahara , Debbi Mack , Cara Black , Brett Battles , Timothy Hallinan
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Digital List Price: $3.99 What's this?
Kindle Price: $3.99 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet


Book Description

June 7, 2011
One hundred percent of the royalties from this new collection of original stories will go directly to the 2011 JAPAN RELIEF FUND administered by the Japan America Society of Southern California. The 2011 Japan Relief Fund was created on March 11, 2011 to aid victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and resulting tsunami waves. With the funds that have been raised so far, $750,000 has been committed to nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines of relief and recovery work in northeastern Japan.

This collection was born out of the writers' concern for the people in the disaster zone. SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN is an attempt by writers to pool their talents to help people in need, as musicians and actors so often do.

The book contains original stories by Brett Battles, Cara Black, Vicki Doudera, Dianne Emley, Dale Furutani, Timothy Hallinan, Stefan Hammond, Rosemary Harris, Naomi Hirahara, Wendy Hornsby, Ken Kuhlken, Debbi Mack, Adrian McKinty, I.J. Parker, Gary Phillips, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jeffrey Siger, Kelli Stanley, C.J. West, and Jeri Westerson. As a group, these authors have won every mystery award there is and sold hundreds of thousand of copies. They're all working at the top of their games in this volume. SHAKEN; STORIES FROM JAPAN is art for heart's sake, and the purchase price will help those who are struggling to repair, or at least soothe, these terrible losses.

Not all the stories are mysteries; the consensus was simply that all writers should submit something that touches on Japan. Linking the stories are haiku by the 17th-century master Basho, translated by Jane Reichhold, and Issa, translated by David Lanoue. Both translators donated their work, as did the cover designer, writer Gar Anthony Haywood, and the e-book producer, Kimberly Hitchens.


PRAISE FOR THE AUTHORS

“Kelli Stanley has her eye on greatness.” –George Pelecanos
Wendy Hornsby's “stories are edgy, menacing, and masterful.” –Booklist
Dianne Emley's books are “Intense and hard-edged… First-rate.” –Tess Gerritsen
"[Naomi Hirahara] is truly one of a kind." –Chicago Sun-Times
“[Brett] Battles is a master storyteller.” –Sheldon Siegel
I. J. Parker's books are “terrifically imaginative work” –Wall Street Journal
Ken Kuhlken's writing is "Elegant . . . haunting, and beautiful." –Don Winslow.
Jeffrey Siger's work “Brilliantly explores a fascinating culture” –Leighton Gage
“Hank Phillippi Ryan understands plotting and she writes beautifully.” –Robert B. Parker
Adrian McKinty is “One of his generation's leading talents" –Publishers Weekly.
Jeri Westerson's work is "creative and enthralling..." –John Lescroart
“Gary Phillips writes tough and gritty parables.” –Michael Connelly
Vicki “Doudera expertly weaves a tale of suspense.” –Tess Gerritsen
Rosemary Harris is “Hilarious” (Kirkus Reviews), “A rising star” –Crimespree Magazine
Timothy Hallinan's writing is “razor-sharp, convincing, and heartbreaking.” –Gregg Hurwitz
C.J. West's work is "Powerful, thought provoking and massively entertaining.” –Crimesquad.com
Cara Black's Aimee Leduc novels are an “irresistible series set in Paris.” –New York Times
“Debbi Mack has carved her own niche in the mystery pantheon." –Scott Nicholson
[Dale]”Furutani manages a fluid mix of cultural history and swashbuckling adventure.” –Publishers Weekly
Stefan Hammond created the "Essential guide to Hong Kong's mind-bending films." –Entertainment Weekly


Product Details

  • File Size: 681 KB
  • Print Length: 249 pages
  • Publisher: Japan American Socieity of Southern California; 1 edition (June 7, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00556WX9A
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,291 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  •  Would you like to give feedback on images?


Customer Reviews

4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Tim Hallinan and the 20 or so mystery writers who have contributed to this anthology have done a remarkable job with stories that cover a range of mystery sub-genres and are each somehow connected to Japan. Some chilling, some scary, some funny but all well written and a pleasure to read. Well done!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
SHAKEN is a book of short stories written by some of the most popular writers in fiction today, especially in the mystery genre. Tim Hallinan approached some of his friends with the idea of a book that could be sold as an ebook with all the money going to help the people of Japan suffering from the earthquake and the tsunami. SHAKEN is the result of that collaboration and it is a book worth everyone's attention. For the paltry sum of $3.99 on Amazon, less than the cost of most fancy coffees, readers will get a taste of writers whose works are new to them and another look at authors whose work we know in long form and now get to appreciate in the shorter form of story-telling.

The Japan America Society is the organization which will be dispersing the money raised by the sales of the book, guaranteeing that every penny goes where it is pledged.

Not all the stories are mysteries. They are stories that span human experience while reflecting Japanese culture. Some are in the present time, some are not. Some take place in Japan, many do not. All will resonate with the reader in a way that is personal to each.

Some of the writers are new to me but I will be remedying that very soon. Vicki Doudera sets her story in a small town on the coast of Maine. Wendy Hornsby tells the story of The Emperor's Truck and a determined young girl during World War II. Stefan Hammond writes of a group of young women who have lost their way but maybe have found the way for another. Dianne Emley introduces the reader to a couple of girls, teenagers in the 1970's, who share a secret that challenges their views of family. Rosemary Harris offers a glimpse of life among the genteel, gracious ladies of Connecticut in 1983. Debbi Mack takes a look at roots and the soil that nourishes them. Gary Phillips takes a slightly different look at the obligations of family.

Then there are all the wonderful stories written by people whose books I have read : Naomi Hirahara, Kelli Stanley, Dale Furutani, Brett Battles, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jeri Westerson, C.J. West, and I.J. Parker.

Last but not least are Tim Hallinan, Cara Black, and Jeff Siger who prove again that they cannot write anything that isn't terrific whether it is a full-length mystery, a short story, or a post on their blog, Murder Is Everywhere.

And because a picture is worth a thousand words, congratulations to Gar Anthony Haywood who designed the stunning cover that is so evocative of the double horrors inflicted on the people of northern Japan.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Read it! Loved it! June 11, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Guys, this is not only a wonderful book, but a wonderful initiative.
Thanks for the reading pleasure.
And thanks for the opportunity it gave me to contribute, in a small way, to the very worthy cause for which it was conceived.
I hope you sell millions!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Terrific read. Great writers all here in one book!
Twenty-one authors accepted the challenge set down by Tim Hallinan: write a short story that would be one part book, one part gift of time--which by the way, is no mean gift. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RP Dahlke
Poignant, moving and enduring
This book is everything one would want in a book about the Japanese people, and their ability to endure so many heartbreaking realities. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Lil Gluckstern
Great Idea, Great Stories
I can't wait to dig into these. Thank you, Tim Hallinan, for organizing this anthology, and thanks to all the stellar writers who participated.
Published 10 months ago by Elizabeth Loupas
Great Stories for a Great Cause
I'd never heard of the Japan America Society of Southern California before picking up a copy of "Shaken: Stories for Japan. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Benjamin Sobieck
I love this trend of books for charity
and eBooks making it possible. Love supporting this cause while reading some great stories. ^.^/\ My heartfelt prayers to the people of Japan for their continued recovery and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by alchemyofscrawl
Excellent short stories and a worthy cause
A wonderful collection of short stories centering on Japanese individuals in both the US and Japan and ranging in time from the far past up through the 1906 San Francisco... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Coolfire
What a excellent opportunity to help Japan and read the BEST
I just downloaded my kindle for PC. I had no idea that this was something that could be done. I only was made aware of it from these stories. "Shaken: Stories for Japan" ...... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Nanday Conure
Astonishing!
It is astonishing that 20 writers could produce such wonderful works in such a short time. The stories touch the gamut of emotions, and the proceeds are going to touch people who... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Stanley R. Trollip
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



Look for Similar Items by Category