There is a lot to this story. I was gripped the whole way through. I found some of it hard to read. People can be so cruel to each other. All the pieces of the plot made it a really good read that I would definitely recommend.

A fast-paced thriller with a complex and intriguing lead

After apprehending the Black Sun Killer in Tokyo, former homicide detective Kosuke Iwata is now living in LA and working as a private detective. Spending his days spying on unfaithful spouses, Iwata believes he has left his past life chasing murderers behind in Japan, but he still struggles to forget the traumatic loss of his family that he also suffered there. One day he is approached by his deceased wife Cleo’s mother asking for his help. Cleo’s sister Meredith, a transgender woman, has been murdered and whilst the police believe it to be a hate crime, Cleo’s mother has doubts. Reluctantly agreeing to look into it, Iwata ends up uncovering a series of missing transgender women and upon exploring further, discovers a vast and dangerous network of exploitation and trafficking lurking beneath LA’s exterior. Iwata’s investigation takes him to the dangerous lands of the US-Mexico border and before long, he finds himself fighting for not just his life but the lives of those that the seedy underbelly of his city aims to exploit.

I have read and immensely enjoyed Obregon’s previous novel Blue Light Yokohama and have been looking forward to the promised sequel ever since, albeit with some trepidation that the author would not be able to match the relentless pace and crafty storytelling of his debut. Luckily, Sins as Scarlet is not a disappointment. The writing is elegant, the characters fleshed out and real and the plot is packed with action, excitement and twists. As well as covering many vital aspects of a successful crime thriller – including corruption, gangs and crime lords - the author tackles difficult issues such as transgenderism and illegal immigration in a way that is brutally honest and thought-provoking and paints a realistic and bleak portrayal of LA and Mexico and the issues that are ongoing there.

Inspector Iwata is a complicated and flawed character and once again his past (particularly the breakdown of his family life) is explored throughout the novel in dreams and flashbacks, providing the reader with a multi-layered sense of his personality. I felt very invested in his character and cared about what happened to him, which added to my enjoyment of the story. Despite having many demons (like most detectives seem to in crime thrillers), Iwata is also intriguingly different from the usual lead in these sorts of novels and his thoughts and actions consistently match with what the reader knows of his personality.

As with the previous instalment, some readers may find this book a little bleak and depressing, although it is far less graphic than the author’s debut. There are also certain aspects of the plot that are admittedly a little unrealistic, particularly regarding Iwata’s ability to repeatedly get out of life-threatening situations. However, in my opinion, this adds to the excitement of the novel and keeps the reader turning pages to figure out what can possibly happen next. The ending was unexpected, if a little abrupt, and sets up well for the promised next book in the series.

In conclusion, this was an excellent novel and a brilliant addition to what is looking to be a fantastic series. I am sure that thriller fans will enjoy reading Sins as Scarlet, and I will eagerly await the final chapter of Iwata’s story and hope to read much more from this author in the future.

Daenerys

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

I enjoyed the first book featuring Inspector Iwata, Blue Light Yokohama, and after reviewing it through NetGalley was kindly offered the second in the series by Penguin Random House. Sins as Scarlet was based in Los Angeles as opposed to Japan. I quite enjoyed the previous immersion into the Japanese culture and although this book still incorporates aspects of this and other communities in LA I think I preferred the unusual qualities of Blue Light Yokohama. However, the brilliantly skilful and imaginative writing more than makes up for this, transporting the reader to the very depths of American society. The sights, sounds smells and descriptive observations permeate the mind in a most realistic manner. This personal murder investigation takes Iwata to a dark, seedy world where secrets and despicable acts abound. A dangerous world has to be faced head on to get the answers he knows he must find. The story also relives his mother’s early life in Japan and easily blends the past and present. Answers are eventually found but at what cost?

Sins as Scarlet, a very different novel to Blue Light Yokohama and quite a harrowing tale. Kosuke Iwata now in California earns a living in private investigations. He’s reunited with his mother who left him at an orphanage as a child but he cannot forgive her and it’s the elephant in the room between them. He mourns his wife Cleo and baby Nina and we find out why he bears the guilt for their demise. Cleo’s mother who understandably despises Iwata, unexpectedly hires him to find the killer of her son Julian (now called Meredith). From there on the novel spirals down into a world few of us have encountered and it’s tough reading. There’s the occasional reprieve where we have flashbacks to Iwata’s and his mother’s earlier life. His mother a budding novelist writes a prophetic piece, hoping for publication. Only in the final chapters do we discover its significance when Iwata finds out who his father is. Most novelists give the lead detective a ‘side’ to them, never have I read of one like Iwata’s. Is this the last in the Iwata series or will he confront his father in a later publication?

A very long complex tale showing the depths humanity can sink too.. A little lightness at the end but very heavy.

After reading the excellent "Blue Light Yokohama" I was looking forward to the next novel of Nicolas Obregon. I was not disappointed. The novel is part thriller, part "whodunit", but also a well written development of the principal character. the detective Kosuke Iwata. We discover more about Kosuke's past in Japan in particular with regard to his wife and mother Nozomi - which were touched on in the first novel and developed further here. The main story about Kosuke's investigation into the deaths of transgender women in Los Angeles is gripping and the denoument is surprising and gripping. Thoroughly recommended.

Japanese professional investigator in L.A. - murder of trans people and a lot more besides – non-stop action.

Iwata returns, now living in LA to investigate a missing relative and finds himself embroiled in just about every modern-day crime possible. How he survives is a miracle, to be honest. Characters are well-defined and fleshed out and the plot moves along at a steady pace with plenty of flashbacks to explain his move from Japan to the US and his background. There are also betrayals and revelations.

Thought-provoking and ultimately, in some sense, quite depressing, this thriller works well and is worth a look, especially if the reader reads Blue Light Yokohama first. Recommended to lovers of thrillers.

Honestly I expected more from this because I loved Blue Light Yokohama. I guess it just wasnt for me.

The writing was messy and filled with banal details that were not related to the story. Too many subplots were going on at once,with none of them being fleshed out. The author seemed to focus on all the wrong things here versus the nice flow of his previous book.

Another super tale of the Japanese detective Iwata now living in the USA. A story started around the murder of his brother-in-law with trans gender issues takes him into illegal migrants ,the sale of body parts all wonderfully described in violent detail. We discover more of his family history all cleverly tied into the plotline of this marvellous yarn! Recommended!

Having read Obregon's previous book, I was very excited to see this one come out!
As with Blue Light Yokohama, my favourite parts were the flashbacks to Japan however, the whole book is an exciting and pacey thrill ride covering off contemporary issues with sensitivity and style.
Iwata is a truly, truly unique protagonist and the whole book is fresh and new.

This is a soulful book which challenges the reader's emotions. It would so also effective way n dealing with complex contemporary issues such as immigration and transgenderism. It would s evocatively written and grips the reader from page one. The flashbacks to the Japanese lifetime of the main character add to the next nterest.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. A very good book, it took a quite a bit of time to get into the story, but as usual it didn’t disappoint. Great thriller, it had me wanting more. Great storyline and great characters. Definately worth a read.

I love a good old detective thriller and this one did not disappoint.

Kosuke Iwata is in the top 3 of my favourite detectives, along side Logan Mcrae and Will Trent. He is a very interesting character and the book showed a lot of depth. I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it