Michael Pronko's Blog
March 3, 2025
8 of the best series
Pleased to be included in Independent Book Review's 8 of the Best Book Series
https://independentbookreview.com/202...
https://independentbookreview.com/202...
January 24, 2025
December 9, 2024
December 7, 2024
Reviews for Tokyo Tempos
Tokyo Tempos
Just wanted to share some of the reviews coming in for Tokyo Tempos. Take a look!
“Pronko succeeds in imbuing Tokyo with serene magic, and readers may feel compelled to book plane tickets upon completing this volume.” Kirkus Reviews
“This book gave me a new appreciation for Tokyo's complex beauty, reminding me of the careful balance of tradition and modernity that makes this city and Japan as a whole so alluring.” The Book Revue
“Tokyo Tempos is a poignant and passionate presentation of Tokyo as a city of contrast, not just a setting but a living entity representing the modern tension between innovation, progress, and the roots of tradition.” Feathered Quill
“Tokyo Tempos is a charming, unaffected, and yet profoundly philosophical collection of essays on the colorful chaos that is Tokyo.” Independent Book Review
“For readers familiar with Pronko’s excellent Detective Hiroshi series of Japanese-set crime thrillers, it will come as no surprise that the prose is beautifully weighted, a sense of place evoked, and telling details precisely set—not just the sights, but the sounds and the smells of the city.” SPR Review
“Pronko captures the essence of a city that pulses with both tradition and innovation, inviting readers to discover the countless small moments that define life in one of the world's most fascinating urban landscapes.” Reader’s Favorite
“A fantastic collection that does a wonderful job of capturing Tokyo’s ultra-layered experiences through succinct, immersive entries. The bite-sized format lends itself perfectly to Pronko’s reflective style, allowing readers to savor his keen observations, packing a lot of texture into impressively compact pieces.” Reader’s Favorite
“These vignettes insert readers into the beating heart of Tokyo’s culture, offering insights and knowledge that is nearly impossible to find in more general books about travel to Tokyo, and understanding its special culture.” D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
“These aren’t just snippets of Tokyo and the usual touristy accounts of the big attractions. Pronko takes a deeper look at what makes Tokyo hum, what gives it the appeal that draws thousands of visitors every year.” Reader Views Five Stars
“An intellectual and heartfelt guide to the Tokyo most visitors never see, this deeply engaging work reveals the city’s heart through vivid, street-level perspectives and thoughtful storytelling.” Reader Views
“For readers familiar with Pronko’s excellent Detective Hiroshi series of Japanese-set crime thrillers, it will come as no surprise that the prose is beautifully weighted, a sense of place evoked, and telling details precisely set—not just the sights, but the sounds and the smells of the city.” Indie Reader
Just wanted to share some of the reviews coming in for Tokyo Tempos. Take a look!
“Pronko succeeds in imbuing Tokyo with serene magic, and readers may feel compelled to book plane tickets upon completing this volume.” Kirkus Reviews
“This book gave me a new appreciation for Tokyo's complex beauty, reminding me of the careful balance of tradition and modernity that makes this city and Japan as a whole so alluring.” The Book Revue
“Tokyo Tempos is a poignant and passionate presentation of Tokyo as a city of contrast, not just a setting but a living entity representing the modern tension between innovation, progress, and the roots of tradition.” Feathered Quill
“Tokyo Tempos is a charming, unaffected, and yet profoundly philosophical collection of essays on the colorful chaos that is Tokyo.” Independent Book Review
“For readers familiar with Pronko’s excellent Detective Hiroshi series of Japanese-set crime thrillers, it will come as no surprise that the prose is beautifully weighted, a sense of place evoked, and telling details precisely set—not just the sights, but the sounds and the smells of the city.” SPR Review
“Pronko captures the essence of a city that pulses with both tradition and innovation, inviting readers to discover the countless small moments that define life in one of the world's most fascinating urban landscapes.” Reader’s Favorite
“A fantastic collection that does a wonderful job of capturing Tokyo’s ultra-layered experiences through succinct, immersive entries. The bite-sized format lends itself perfectly to Pronko’s reflective style, allowing readers to savor his keen observations, packing a lot of texture into impressively compact pieces.” Reader’s Favorite
“These vignettes insert readers into the beating heart of Tokyo’s culture, offering insights and knowledge that is nearly impossible to find in more general books about travel to Tokyo, and understanding its special culture.” D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
“These aren’t just snippets of Tokyo and the usual touristy accounts of the big attractions. Pronko takes a deeper look at what makes Tokyo hum, what gives it the appeal that draws thousands of visitors every year.” Reader Views Five Stars
“An intellectual and heartfelt guide to the Tokyo most visitors never see, this deeply engaging work reveals the city’s heart through vivid, street-level perspectives and thoughtful storytelling.” Reader Views
“For readers familiar with Pronko’s excellent Detective Hiroshi series of Japanese-set crime thrillers, it will come as no surprise that the prose is beautifully weighted, a sense of place evoked, and telling details precisely set—not just the sights, but the sounds and the smells of the city.” Indie Reader
November 19, 2021
Mystery of the Year
Tokyo Zangyo was selected as the Winner for Mystery of the Year on BestThrillers.com
July 3, 2021
Foreword Indie Silver Winner
Foreword Indie Silver Winner for Thriller and Suspense 2020
Winner International Book Awards 2021 Thriller/Adventure
Winner International Book Awards 2021 Thriller/Adventure
May 30, 2021
NIEA Winner Thriller 2021
Winner Thriller National Indie Excellence Awards 2021
May 13, 2021
feathered quill
Reviewer’s Choice Feathered Quill Book Awards (2020)
(Each reviewer gets to pick her favorite book from all those she’s reviewed for Feathered Quill in 2020.)
“Adroitly takes readers on another outstanding Detective Hiroshi thrill ride into the streets of Tokyo, this time presenting a murderous case involving human trafficking that you don’t want to miss,” Feathered Quill.
