Shaken: Stories for Japan

by Brett Battles

Genres: Short Stories; Mystery

Synopsis

One hundred percent of the royalties from this new collection of original stories will go directly to the 2011 JAPAN RELIEF FUND administered by the Japan America Society of Southern California. The 2011 Japan Relief Fund was created on March 11, 2011 to aid victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and resulting tsunami waves. With the funds that have been raised so far, $750,000 has been committed to nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines of relief and recovery work in northeastern Japan.

This collection was born out of the writers' concern for the people in the disaster zone. SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN is an attempt by writers to pool their talents to help people in need, as musicians and actors so often do.

The book contains original stories by Brett Battles, Cara Black, Vicki Doudera, Dianne Emley, Dale Furutani, Timothy Hallinan, Stefan Hammond, Rosemary Harris, Naomi Hirahara, Wendy Hornsby, Ken Kuhlken, Debbi Mack, Adrian McKinty, I.J. Parker, Gary Phillips, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jeffrey Siger, Kelli Stanley, C.J. West, and Jeri Westerson. As a group, these authors have won every mystery award there is and sold hundreds of thousand of copies. They're all working at the top of their games in this volume. SHAKEN; STORIES FROM JAPAN is art for heart's sake, and the purchase price will help those who are struggling to repair, or at least soothe, these terrible losses.

Not all the stories are mysteries; the consensus was simply that all writers should submit something that touches on Japan. Linking the stories are haiku by the 17th-century master Basho, translated by Jane Reichhold, and Issa, translated by David Lanoue. Both translators donated their work, as did the cover designer, writer Gar Anthony Haywood, and the e-book producer, Kimberly Hitchens.


PRAISE FOR THE AUTHORS

“Kelli Stanley has her eye on greatness.” –George Pelecanos
Wendy Hornsby's “stories are edgy, menacing, and masterful.” –Booklist
Dianne Emley's books are “Intense and hard-edged… First-rate.” –Tess Gerritsen
"[Naomi Hirahara] is truly one of a kind." –Chicago Sun-Times
“[Brett] Battles is a master storyteller.” –Sheldon Siegel
I. J. Parker's books are “terrifically imaginative work” –Wall Street Journal
Ken Kuhlken's writing is "Elegant . . . haunting, and beautiful." –Don Winslow.
Jeffrey Siger's work “Brilliantly explores a fascinating culture” –Leighton Gage
“Hank Phillippi Ryan understands plotting and she writes beautifully.” –Robert B. Parker
Adrian McKinty is “One of his generation's leading talents" –Publishers Weekly.
Jeri Westerson's work is "creative and enthralling..." –John Lescroart
“Gary Phillips writes tough and gritty parables.” –Michael Connelly
Vicki “Doudera expertly weaves a tale of suspense.” –Tess Gerritsen
Rosemary Harris is “Hilarious” (Kirkus Reviews), “A rising star” –Crimespree Magazine
Timothy Hallinan's writing is “razor-sharp, convincing, and heartbreaking.” –Gregg Hurwitz
C.J. West's work is "Powerful, thought provoking and massively entertaining.” –Crimesquad.com
Cara Black's Aimee Leduc novels are an “irresistible series set in Paris.” –New York Times
“Debbi Mack has carved her own niche in the mystery pantheon." –Scott Nicholson
[Dale]”Furutani manages a fluid mix of cultural history and swashbuckling adventure.” –Publishers Weekly
Stefan Hammond created the "Essential guide to Hong Kong's mind-bending films." –Entertainment Weekly

Release date: June 7, 2011

Publisher: Japan American Socieity of Southern California

Print pages: 356