If you're a fan of murder mysteries but eschew the usual genre-formatted adventures that offer too-predictable protagonists and not enough depth, it's time to take a look at Buried Threads: a horse of another color. More than a murder mystery, this mingles a treasure hunt, an international race against time, a dark prophecy, Japanese culture, erotic encounters and a clever killer's modus operandi into a story that just won't quit.

Buried Threads is beautifully written. It is very apparent that McFarren did her research and put a lot of effort into this book. All of the different story lines and sub-plots came together perfectly. You get everything from romance to violence to spirits and religion, all blending naturally. McFarren's use of imagery was equally enjoyable. I can't imagine that anyone who enjoys this kind of reading would find much disappointment except maybe wondering about a sequel. The way this one ended, I just can't wait to see if there is more coming!

Turning each page in this book, it's hard not to imagine the glossy, high-budget film that is begging to be made. The setting of modern Japan is exotic and jumps off the page whether in the form of the demure geishas or the twisted honor of the yakuza. Almost immediately, readers are treated to action and double-crosses in the seedy underbelly of the land of the rising sun. With plenty of all the elements we come to expect from an action blockbuster, this title is satisfying and entertaining from start to finish.