Honor, Underworld & Koi Fish: Crafting Tokyo Black with Andrew Warren

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I sit down with thriller author Andrew Warren to dive into one of the world’s most enthralling cities—Tokyo.

We explore what makes Tokyo such a captivating backdrop for storytelling and how Andrew strikes the balance between cultural authenticity and fast-paced fiction. Andrew shares vivid memories from his time in Tokyo that shaped the novel, along with insights into how he weaves setting, character values, and action into his books.

We also delve into the research behind writing about the Yakuza, and how Andrew blends gritty realism with the cinematic flair that keeps readers turning the pages!

Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, fascinated by Tokyo, or just love a good story well told, this episode is for you.

Tokyo Black by Andrew Warren is available here. Here's what it's all about:

Thomas Caine was the CIA’s deadliest killer. Then he was burned, betrayed, and left for dead.

Now he survives off the grid, currently in Pattaya, Thailand. But when a feud with local criminals lands him in jail, his old CIA masters return with an offer he can’t refuse… Rot in a Thai prison, or accept one last mission in Tokyo, Japan.

Forced to hunt the neon-lit city for a CIA asset’s runaway daughter, Caine soon crosses paths with a sinister faction of the yakuza crime syndicate and finds himself drawn into a terror plot that could throw the US and Japan into chaos.

But Caine knows a double cross when he sees one. He’s convinced someone in the CIA is manipulating him from behind the scenes. Someone who knows his past in intimate detail.

But this time, he’s not going down without a fight…

Takeaways:

• Tokyo Black captures Tokyo’s unique blend of ancient shrines and high-tech sprawl, reflecting the city’s layered identity.
• Themes of honor, duty, and redemption run through the story, reflecting the protagonist’s search for moral clarity.
• Andrew's book taps into Japanese mythology, specifically the koi fish that transforms into a dragon to mirror the hero’s journey.
• Andrew's research into the Yakuza included books, films, and Japanese video games, helping him avoid clichés while keeping things dramatic!

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