“A gripping, twisty thriller…deftly, tautly plotted.”

 — Kirkus Reviews

“5 out of 5…The gripping thriller Ways to Die in Tokyo follows a broken man as he tries to rebuild his family—and to survive Tokyo’s criminal underground…intriguing and insightful…suspenseful…emotional and satisfying.”

— Foreword Clarion Reviews

Praise

[Garver] has crafted an engaging, if violence-laden, story that introduces readers to the underbelly of Tokyo. There’s plenty of action, suspense, and even some romance as Fisher’s saga unfolds, keeping readers on their toes. [Garver] is able to tell the story at a perfect pace that keeps the reader invested. [He] succeeds in defining the characters through their actions…particularly Fisher, who at first presents as a hot-headed brute, but evolves to become highly sympathetic. This book is fresh and unique, offering a vivid setting and distinctive characters. The author does a fine job with characterization, particularly for Fisher, but also for lesser players who enhance the story.”

— The BookLife Prize

“Written by a man who clearly knows his way through the back alleys of the seedier parts of Tokyo, this fast-paced thriller is a rare combination of action, suspense, and cultural insight.”

– Amazon Customer

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About the Author

Tokyo-based lawyer and author Thomas Ran Garver was born and raised in Northern California. A long-time student of the Japanese language, Garver first traveled to Japan on a year-long study-aboard program in college. He returned to the country as a graduate student a few years later and then worked for several years as a translator at a Tokyo-based investment bank before attending law school in the US.

Garver has had a lifelong interest in the martial arts and began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Los Angeles in 1995. He holds black belts in both judo and BJJ.

Ways to Die in Tokyo is his first novel and the first book in a projected trilogy featuring the expat MMA fighter Hank Fisher.

Garver is married with two children. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, writing, and exploring Tokyo’s amazing food scene.

(headshot in the works)