Kotaro Isaka, author of the internationally best-selling novel Bullet Train, returns with an equally exciting, fast-paced, high-stakes thriller in this sequel, Hotel Lucky Seven.

Nanao – codename ‘Ladybug’, the self-proclaimed unluckiest assassin in the world – is back with another mission that should be incredibly easy to accomplish, and yet, of course, turns out not to be. Here, he must deliver a birthday present to a guest staying at a Tokyo hotel. The only thing standing in the way is the portrait he’s delivering, which doesn’t match the recipient, and the countless assassins crawling throughout the hotel, each with their own mission to accomplish. Although beloved Tangerine and Lemon do not return, fans will still love Blanket and Pillow with equal measure.

Hotel Lucky Seven is Tarantino-esque with its storytelling and aesthetic delivery, peppered with Isaka’s signature stylistic violence, dark humour and witty banter, which remains intact even after the English translation. Ladybug continues as a captivating protagonist, once again highlighting his resourcefulness and uncanny ability for getting out of the trickiest situations. His interactions with the quirky hotel staff and assassins create a memorable cast who breathe new life and eccentricity into the crime genre. Amid all the plot twists and intense fight scenes, this novel effortlessly explores themes of identity and the unpredictability of life, and contemplates whether we are governed by fate or by our own choices.

While there are references from Bullet Train, Hotel Lucky Seven can still be read as a standalone. This bizarre gem of a book is perfect for crime readers looking for something beyond your classic whodunnit. If you loved the 2022 film Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt, or are immediately intrigued by the sound of a hotel full of hitmen and not a single mission going right, this is a crime novel for you.