Headless

A supernatural serial killer in Japan is collecting heads. An unlikely pair of journalists try not to lose theirs.

A delicious blend of murder-mystery and horror mixed with ancient Japanese folklore, Headless grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go till the end. ... The characters are quirky and likable ... and the banter between the two of them were some of my favorite parts of the book. -- Reader's Favorite (5 stars)

"A captivating mystery with just the right touch of paranormal . . . a great read for those who enjoy a bit of gore, historical fiction, and mythology in their mysteries." -- Portland Book Review (5 stars)

"engrossed with the mystery, loving the combination of supernatural and historical details. ... Though the book had undeniably dark and creepy moments, the humor helped balance it out." -- 52 Letters in the Alphabet

Akio Tsukino is a staff photographer at a Tokyo newspaper, stuck in the back pages, shooting parades and grade school plays. When a serial killer starts chopping off heads in nearby Kofu, Akio sees a chance to break out of the routine and prove himself. It never occurs to him he'd end up in the path of a monster.

Masami Sato, a top staff writer on the police beat, is a tenacious woman making a name for herself in a male-dominated news world. When she's sent to investigate the serial killer, she'll stop at nothing to get the scoop. If only Akio would get out of her way.

As they struggle to get along, and ghost stories of evil samurai creep into their investigation, Akio and Masami soon realize that the price for getting the story may be their own heads.