Girl in a Box

by: Sujata Massey

Published by: Harper Collins

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN Librarian

We meet Rei Shimura when she is training on the West Coast. She has broken up with her fiance Hugh Glendenning and is working for OCI (the Organization for Cultural Intelligence), an obscure spying agency that specializes in Japan.

Rei's appearance, language skills, background and knowledge of Japan make her perfect for the job. She gets her first assignment--she must infiltrate Mitsutan, Japan's most prestigious department store, working as a salesgirl.

An American investment banker suspects shady financial practices, plus a wealthy American discount store owner is interested in purchasing a major Japanese retailer. Rei's attractive boss, Michael Hendricks, comes to Japan to assist. There is a degree of danger, as the previous agent was found beaten to death.

Was it the Yakuza (Japanese mafia)? Or is it simply nasty infighting among the Board of Directors of the company? One of them is found dead in a company truck, after Rei has taped a conversation where she hears the words, "Do what needs to be done, or you'll be erased."

A chase in a parking garage, a body in the trunk of a car, and last-minute escapes make this an exciting read. The exotic settings of Tokyo and a ryokan (a traditional spa on the coast of Japan) are fascinating.

Armchair Interviews says: Lots in this book worth your time.