The Last Train: Detective Hiroshi, Volume 1 by Michael Pronko starts with the gripping description of two people in the street who look like any couple after a night out in Tokyo. The man has a rambling walk which marks him as a foreigner and a very drunk one. The woman is steady and focused. When an American businessman is murdered, Detective Hiroshi Shimizu, who investigates Tokyo's white-collar crimes, is called in by his mentor, Takamatsu, to investigate the gruesome murder. In a city where crime is easily camouflaged as a suicide or an accident, Detective Hiroshi must go to various places, including hostess clubs, sacred temples, industrial establishments, and skyscraper offices in the fast-paced business environment of Tokyo in search of the killer. But why does an ex-hostess murder someone, and what is she going to do next?

The setting of this novel is enticingly depicted. The story world and backdrops are incredible and picturesque. The protagonist is a seasoned white-collar detective pursuing clues to expose a killer and the motive behind the killing. While this is a sleuth story, it explores the complexity of white-collar crime and presents a high-class business environment filled with complex deals. Ultimately, as the detective investigates the case, he finds his own life threatened by a woman with a tremendous grudge. It is fast-paced and riveting, punctuated by spellbinding descriptions, appealing characters, and vivid images that stay in the imagination long after putting the book down.

Masterfully narrated by Peter Berkrot, The Last Train is a hard-core thriller. His clear and mildly husky voice is compelling, and it captures emotions perfectly, allowing the drama to shine through the narration. Because The Last Train: Detective Hiroshi, Volume 1 is a professionally recorded audiobook, no one will have to pause to think about what the narrator said at any point in the story. It is an exciting and hugely entertaining novel.

The Last Train: Detective Hiroshi, Volume 1 by Michael Pronko follows white-collar crime investigator Detective Hiroshi Shimizu in a case that is as baffling as it is intriguing. An American businessman is found murdered and Hiroshi’s mentor, Takamatsu, invites him on the case. Evidence shows that the killer could be a woman, but why will an ex-hostess murder an American businessman?

In this crime novel, the author takes readers on a ride through the sophisticated world of Tokyo, through the network that sells the most prized lands, to sacred temples, from high-rise condos to the industrial sections of the city. The characters are beautifully written and from the start of the story, readers are intrigued by the two characters, the seemingly drunk man and the lady who walks with him, steadily and with graceful steps. Michael Pronko’s descriptions are stunningly vivid, and whether it is an aspect of the setting, a character trait, or a scene that is being described, it is done in a way that readers can form an image of it in their minds. The plot is cunningly written, the narrative suspenseful, and the conflict deftly handled. It is packed with action and moments that are both psychologically and emotionally engaging.

The Last Train: Detective Hiroshi, Volume 1 is well-narrated by Peter Berkrot. The fast pace of the story is captured in the perfect punctuation, the tone of voice, and the narrator’s ability to convey the sense of urgency as the detective combs the city to locate the murderer. Once you start listening to this professionally recorded story, there is no stopping.