Review: Shitamachi Scam by Michael Pronko, performed by Peter Berkrot – Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Entertainment
Shitamachi Scam is the highly entertaining sixth audiobook in the thrilling award-winning Detective Hiroshi Series of mysteries set in the exotic metropolis of Tokyo, Japan.
I have absolutely devoured each and every one of these audiobooks for about five years now and I can assure you that they are exquisitely written by esteemed professor and multiple award-winning author, Michael Pronko.
I love spending time with detective Hiroshi and the gang so much that every time a new book is released I jokingly tell all my friends I’m taking my annual trip to Tokyo, so they better not try to get in touch with me for the next two days.
In Shitamachi Scam detective Hiroshi teams up with Detective Ishii, who’s been running a women’s crime task force, to find out who has been ripping off the pensions, life savings, and deeds to homes in Shitamachi, the older, eastern side of the city. Throw in the suspicious deaths of a seventy-something woman and a student recluse, and the plot thickens. What follows is a cat and mouse game through the streets of Tokyo and its colorful neighborhoods that will put everyone involved in mortal peril.
The writing is exquisite and captivating, the mystery itself is fascinating, the characters feel real and all the events are vividly described with unique details that only someone who actually lives in Tokyo for over 25 years can relay successfully. All these characters feel like family to me and I am deeply involved in their stories.
Renowned narrator, talented actor and award-winning voiceover artist Peter Berkrot returns for a sixth time to the Detective Hiroshi series and, drawing from his remarkable experience of over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Peter brings all the characters, locations and events to life in another flawless, gripping and immersive performance! He reads in a calm, pleasant voice, infuses the narration with emotion, mirth or urgency, and switches seamlessly between voices and accents. Peter successfully enhances the flowing writing style with his stellar narration.
Peter manages to bring something magical to the audio production each time. I have said it many times before, but I will say it again, I think that he is the perfect narrator for this extremely entertaining series and I hope to see him return again and again for even more great mysteries set in Tokyo.
After listening to Shitamachi Scam I am once again truly convinced that the Detective Hiroshi series is getting better and better with each new installment!
I was probably the first reviewer to compare Michael Pronko’s Detective Hiroshi with Michael Connelly’s iconic Harry Bosch character, and I reconfirm my impression once again. Aside from the first name, these two terrific authors have in common some of the most intriguing, compelling and down-to-earth characters in fiction literature.
If you like police procedurals and want to discover new characters to love, a new, exotic location, and some uniquely crafted stories, make sure you pick up Shitamachi Scam and all other previous adventures in this fabulous series!
Starting February 2024, I am giving honorary awards to audiobooks that I enjoy very much and Shitamachi Scam by Michael Pronko and performed by Peter Berkrot is the first audio production to receive the Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Entertainment.
To be considered for these awards, an audiobook needs to seamlessly combine flawless writing and narration in such a way as to elevate the narrative experience to the highest level of immersion and entertainment humanly possible! These awards celebrate the cooperation between author and narrator and are awarded to them together.
I will make a post soon informing how any author or narrator can submit their work for these awards, but until then, take care, stay safe and don’t forget, always listen with your heart!
Victor Dima
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