The Makoto Murders by Richard Jerram ~ a Review

by MK French

Ken Kato is half British, half Japanese, and works as a photojournalist. He grew famous after publishing a photo of a drowning boy in the 2011 tsunami, and hasn't repeated that success since. His option to return to fame is to generate attention-grabbing bodies to photograph, increasing sales for the magazine he works for. Hoping to impress a colleague's estranged wife Makoto that he's obsessed with, he seeks out to murder people named Makoto. Though suspicion rises, he sees no reason to stop when sales are booming.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

July 2026; Titan Books; 978-1835417232
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); thriller

Ken really isn't a nice guy, yet there's something compelling about his actions. The fame from his photo is all he cares about professionally, since he wants to match it and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way. He's obsessed with his coworker's wife and keeps trying to resume their affair, and begins killing to try keeping his job. He has the morality of a sleazy tabloid reporter and isn't above creating news with a deliberate and soulless manner. Many of his colleagues are the same, though the book is written from his POV, so that could be suspect. 

Why You Should Read The Makoto Murders

The main draw is the look into Ken's mind and how he justified his actions. He has little concern or remorse for his "project," and he lies so much that it's ironic he kills people named Makoto, which means truth. We read this to see how he does it and tries to get away with it, and if police can stop him. The finale shows us who he is, and what matters to him: himself. It's a fascinating look into someone I would never want to know. 

Buy The Makoto Murders at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.