December 6

December 6 follows American expatriate Harry Niles through a tense 24-hour period in Tokyo on the eve of Pearl Harbor. As the owner of the Happy Paris bar, Niles caters to the city's international crowd while navigating complex relationships with both Japanese and Western figures in 1941. The narrative centers on Niles' race against time as he attempts to leave Japan before war breaks out. His background as a child raised in Tokyo gives him unique insights into Japanese culture and society, but also complicates his loyalties and relationships. The story builds tension through a series of mounting threats: a vengeful military officer, police surveillance, a complicated romance, and the increasing difficulty of finding an escape route as Japan prepares for war. Niles must draw on his deep knowledge of Tokyo's streets and cultural intricacies to survive. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, divided loyalty, and the personal impact of historical events, set against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in World War II. Through its focus on a single day, the story captures the complex dynamics between East and West on the brink of conflict.

Readers found this historical thriller set in 1941 Tokyo to lack the depth and momentum of Smith's Arkady Renko series. Many noted that while the period details and atmosphere feel authentic, the protagonist Harry Niles comes across as flat and difficult to connect with emotionally. What readers liked: - Detailed portrayal of pre-war Japanese society and culture - Complex moral questions about loyalty and identity - Tense final act leading up to Pearl Harbor What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in first half of book - Too many meandering subplots - Main character lacks clear motivations - Romance elements feel forced Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,124 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (116 ratings) Several reviewers mentioned struggling to finish the book, with one noting "the historical backdrop is fascinating but the story never quite catches fire." Another wrote that it "has all the pieces for a great thriller but somehow doesn't come together."

The Rising Sun by John Toland This historical account follows multiple perspectives from both Japanese and American sides during World War II, providing context similar to the pre-Pearl Harbor tension found in December 6.

Six Days of War by Michael Oren This narrative tracks the hours and days before a major military conflict through multiple viewpoints of participants on different sides of the conflict.

Shanghai by Christopher New The story chronicles a Western man's complex relationship with an Asian city on the brink of war during the 1930s.

The Far Side of the World by Patrick O'Brian A naval intelligence officer navigates political intrigue and conflicting loyalties in the Pacific theater during wartime.

The Last Days of the Rising Sun by Sandro Maio This thriller follows an investigator uncovering conspiracies in Tokyo during the final months before World War II.

🔹 The attack on Pearl Harbor, depicted in the book's climax, occurred at 7:48 AM Hawaiian time on December 7, 1941 (December 6 in Japan due to the time difference), involving 353 Japanese aircraft. 🔹 Author Martin Cruz Smith spent three years researching in Japan to accurately portray 1941 Tokyo, including studying period maps and interviewing survivors from that era. 🔹 The book's setting in Tokyo's entertainment district mirrors real historical locations like the Ginza district, which was one of the few areas where foreigners could freely socialize in pre-war Japan. 🔹 The character of Harry Niles represents the unique "straddler" class of foreigners who grew up in Japan during the early 20th century, known as "old Japan hands," who often faced suspicion from both Japanese and Western societies. 🔹 Smith wrote this novel as a departure from his famous Arkady Renko series, demonstrating his versatility by switching from Soviet/Russian settings to Japanese historical fiction.