Hooked

From Asako Yuzuki, the award-winning author of the global bestselling sensation Butter, comes Hooked—a thrilling, unsettling, and unmissable novel about the razor-thin line between deep friendship and dangerous obsession, brilliantly translated by Polly Barton!

About the Book: Eriko’s life appears flawless on the outside: devoted parents, a spotless apartment, and a high-flying career in the seafood division of one of Japan's major trading companies. Her latest ambitious project involves reintroducing the controversial Nile perch into the Japanese market. Yet, beneath her immaculate surface, Eriko is wracked by a profound and suffocating loneliness. That is until she discovers an unconventional blog written by Shōko, a housewife whose messy home and candid posts about convenience store food fly in the face of traditional Japanese domestic expectations. When Eriko tracks Shōko down and befriends her, Shōko is initially charmed. But as Eriko’s fascination deepens into an increasingly possessive obsession, her carefully laid plans begin to unravel. How far will Eriko go to hold on to the best friend she has ever had? Hailed as a most anticipated book by major publications worldwide, Hooked delivers a delicious, haunting, and spiny exploration of food, longing, and womanhood in contemporary Japan.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Bestselling Author & Translator Duo: Written by acclaimed Japanese author Asako Yuzuki (poster girl of the British translated fiction boom) and translated by award-winning translator Polly Barton.

• Critically Anticipated Release: Featured on major 2026 most-anticipated lists across the Guardian, Vogue, ELLE, Stylist, BBC, Oprah Daily, and more.

• Riveting Psychological Tension: A dark, thrilling, and unsettling look into loneliness, female friendship, and the dangerous depths of obsession.

• Rich Cultural & Culinary Backdrop: Blends modern Japanese corporate life, convenience store culture, and evocative food writing reminiscent of Yuzuki’s breakout hit Butter.

• The Perfect Gift: An absolute must-read present for fans of contemporary translated fiction, psychological suspense, and sharp feminist literature.