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From Kirkus Reviews An intelligent and suspenseful follow-up to Mantis (1993). The extreme violence, however, may not be to everyone's liking. Joey Tanaka, the half-Japanese, half-American forensic pathologist, is summoned to his native Japan after the sudden death of his half-brother, whom he had crippled in a karate match when they were youths. Joey has never grappled with his guilt over the incident, and the death, which is certified as the kind of congestive failure quadriplegics often suffer, only serves to reinforce his emotions. Complicating matters is the fact that his girlfriend, Rachel (who still bears the psychological scars of being abducted in the first novel), has accompanied him and that he must deal with his cousin Ken Sato's racist hatred of all things (and people) Western. When he sees the body at the funeral, however, one look tells Joey that the death was anything but natural. The deceased has, in fact, been brutally murdered. This puts Joey and his partner, detective Bill Fogarty, who has arrived from Philadelphia to help, on the trail of a most unusual gang of serial killers led by a mysterious man known as the Leopard because of his unusual full-body tattoo, which is visible only when he is sexually aroused. The search also dredges up memories of Mishima's failed coup attempt, the Red Brigade, and discloses a new xenophobic warrior society known as the Red Mist that arose from their ashes. In the end, all the main characters' demons are purged, and the Leopard, whose identity turns out to be a surprise, is destroyed. Officially, none of it ever happened. Taut and well-presented, though the linking of sex and death is a bit clich‚d. And Japan-bashing of the sort engaged in Crichton's Rising Sun (to which this has more than a passing affinity) comes off as racist on occasion. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Read more
H**Y
Tanaka, Rachel (and Fogerty to some extent) in Japan
Joseph Tanaka receives a call that his quadriplegic brother has died. He and his fiancée Rachel go to Japan for the funeral. To Tanaka’s surprise, his father and the rest of the family great him warmly; his cousin Ken even asks Tanaka and Rachel to stay in his apartment.Rachel is frustrated by the misogyny that is so much a part of Japanese culture especially when Tanaka shuts her out to attend to family business. To add to her feelings of isolation, Ken gives her major creeps.Tanaka finds out that his brother did not die of natural causes but was rather brutally murdered and vows to catch the killer. He learns that several sons of Japanese industrialists doing business in the west have been killed by an ultra-nationalist group led by “The Leopard” who wants Japan to be pure.The characters are fully realized as usual in this series and the final outcome is in doubt until the end. I particularly liked the role Rachel plays in the story, especially at the end. She is not an all too typical damsel in distress.
D**E
Disappointing
Compared to the first book in the series this one was disappointing. A whole lot of psycho-drama and not as much great action. Tanaka is a better action hero and detective in the first book. In Leopard he takes on the role of foil and victim.It's hard to imagine a martial artist of his caliber giving in to this kind of insipid manipulation.
J**S
Great read...
Motivated me to read all of the Fogarty-Tanaka series. A page turner that is well researched with excellent writing and a great story. Don't miss it, but be prepared to read the whole series after this appetizer!
A**N
Leopard
This novel is well researched and creepy. Love Tanaka's cousin--a smooth psycho who seems to be schizophrenic in his dual roles. Fogarty is great, as usual.
A**R
Twenty times better than Mantis
Mantis was formulaic and quite boring. This book is the exact opposite, and the Leopard was one of the most original/interesting villians that I have read about in a long, long time. Read this book ASAP if you love thrillers.
H**E
Another ten star book!
Most people don't realize how hard it is to write a great sequel. The plot needs to be a logical continuation of the first book but still be able to stand on its own. The characters need to remain the friends we made of them in the first book yet show growth and give us fresh insight into the motives that drive their lives. Leopard is just such a great sequel to Mantis. Once again we have a unique and original novel, but one that advances the series to new heights of reading pleasure. Can you tell I really enjoy Mr. La Plante's books?