In the Miso Soup

“Most people think nothing can happen to them, until it does.”

This book takes you into the dark nightlife of Tokyo, specifically the infamous Kabukichō district in Shinjuku. Kenji is a night guide who leads foreign tourists through this red-light and entertainment district.

He accepts a job from Frank, a mysterious American tourist who wants to be shown around Kabukichō for three nights. From the start, Kenji feels uneasy about Frank, but the money convinces him to go through with it.

Murakami builds tension right away; a constant sense of dread lingers, and so much happens in such a short time that you can't help but keep reading.