0
    • Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
    0 0
    Download high-resolution image

    Tokyo Heist

    Author Diana Renn
    Ebook
    Penguin Young Readers | Speak
    On sale Jun 14, 2012 | 384 Pages | 9781101572412
    Grade 7 & Up
    Reading Level: Lexile 710L
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    See Additional Formats
    A thrilling adventure awaits amidst the vibrant streets of Tokyo in this “fast-paced and engaging mystery with a spunky protagonist” (VOYA).

    “Violet filtering her investigation through her passion for manga, art, and Japan makes her seem like a real, relatable teenager.”—A.V. Club

    “Renn keeps the tension high and the pace moving in a modern, unique whodunit.”—The Los Angeles Times

    Sixteen-year-old Violet is thrilled when her father’s new painting commission means a summer trip to Japan. But what starts as an exotic vacation quickly turns sour when a priceless sketch by van Gogh is stolen from her father’s client and held ransom for a painting by the artist. The problem is that nobody knows where the painting is hidden, and until they find it, all their lives are in danger.

    Joined by her friend Reika, Violet searches for the missing van Gogh in a quest that takes her from the Seattle Art Museum to the mafia-infested streets of Tokyo to a secluded inn in Kyoto. As the mystery deepens, Violet’s not sure whom she can trust. But she knows one thing: she has to find the painting and the criminals—before it’s too late.
    © Nicole Lewis Photography
    Diana Renn grew up in Seattle and now lives in Boston. She has taught ESL and writing, most recently at Boston University. She has published numerous short stories and essays, and she is also the Fiction Editor at YARN (Young Adult Review Network), an award-winning online magazine featuring short-form writing for teens. She is the author of several ESL textbooks, as well as the YA mystery novels Latitude Zero and Tokyo Heist. She is an avid traveler. View titles by Diana Renn
    “Dangerous yakuza (Japanese mobsters), blackmail letters and FBI stings. A proficient caper spiced up by Violet's eye for art.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “This art heist has twists and turns, romance, and the happily-ever-after that many will be rooting for.”—Booklist

    “Renn’s fun debut takes a kitchen-sink approach, throwing together romance, mystery, and action in a way that echoes the manga that the 16-year-old Violet loves to read.”—Publishers Weekly

    “Will enthrall readers who love action.”—Examiner

    “A fast-paced and engaging mystery with a spunky protagonist.”—VOYA

    “The plot has lots of twists and turns, leaving readers on edge . . . Readers will cheer for Violet as she uses her wits to outsmart the adults.”—School Library Journal

    “We can't stop talking about action-packed YA mystery novel Tokyo Heist . . . author Diana Renn's first YA novel, but we certainly hope it isn't her last!”—The Huffington Post

    “It’s rare for YA heroines to have such specific, developed interests, and Violet filtering her investigation through her passion for manga, art, and Japan makes her seem like a real, relatable teenager.”—The A.V. Club

    “Young adult mysteries do not get any better than this.”—Peter Abrahams, author of the Echo Falls Mysteries

    “Irresistible. I couldn’t put it down!”—Alane Ferguson, author of the Forensic Mysteries

    “Adventures don’t get any more thrilling than Tokyo Heist.”—Kristen Miller, author of The Eternal Ones series

    About

    A thrilling adventure awaits amidst the vibrant streets of Tokyo in this “fast-paced and engaging mystery with a spunky protagonist” (VOYA).

    “Violet filtering her investigation through her passion for manga, art, and Japan makes her seem like a real, relatable teenager.”—A.V. Club

    “Renn keeps the tension high and the pace moving in a modern, unique whodunit.”—The Los Angeles Times

    Sixteen-year-old Violet is thrilled when her father’s new painting commission means a summer trip to Japan. But what starts as an exotic vacation quickly turns sour when a priceless sketch by van Gogh is stolen from her father’s client and held ransom for a painting by the artist. The problem is that nobody knows where the painting is hidden, and until they find it, all their lives are in danger.

    Joined by her friend Reika, Violet searches for the missing van Gogh in a quest that takes her from the Seattle Art Museum to the mafia-infested streets of Tokyo to a secluded inn in Kyoto. As the mystery deepens, Violet’s not sure whom she can trust. But she knows one thing: she has to find the painting and the criminals—before it’s too late.

    Author

    © Nicole Lewis Photography
    Diana Renn grew up in Seattle and now lives in Boston. She has taught ESL and writing, most recently at Boston University. She has published numerous short stories and essays, and she is also the Fiction Editor at YARN (Young Adult Review Network), an award-winning online magazine featuring short-form writing for teens. She is the author of several ESL textbooks, as well as the YA mystery novels Latitude Zero and Tokyo Heist. She is an avid traveler. View titles by Diana Renn

    Praise

    “Dangerous yakuza (Japanese mobsters), blackmail letters and FBI stings. A proficient caper spiced up by Violet's eye for art.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “This art heist has twists and turns, romance, and the happily-ever-after that many will be rooting for.”—Booklist

    “Renn’s fun debut takes a kitchen-sink approach, throwing together romance, mystery, and action in a way that echoes the manga that the 16-year-old Violet loves to read.”—Publishers Weekly

    “Will enthrall readers who love action.”—Examiner

    “A fast-paced and engaging mystery with a spunky protagonist.”—VOYA

    “The plot has lots of twists and turns, leaving readers on edge . . . Readers will cheer for Violet as she uses her wits to outsmart the adults.”—School Library Journal

    “We can't stop talking about action-packed YA mystery novel Tokyo Heist . . . author Diana Renn's first YA novel, but we certainly hope it isn't her last!”—The Huffington Post

    “It’s rare for YA heroines to have such specific, developed interests, and Violet filtering her investigation through her passion for manga, art, and Japan makes her seem like a real, relatable teenager.”—The A.V. Club

    “Young adult mysteries do not get any better than this.”—Peter Abrahams, author of the Echo Falls Mysteries

    “Irresistible. I couldn’t put it down!”—Alane Ferguson, author of the Forensic Mysteries

    “Adventures don’t get any more thrilling than Tokyo Heist.”—Kristen Miller, author of The Eternal Ones series

    Additional formats

    Other Books by this Author

    Related Articles

    Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Book Covers: 9780593731659 THE OUTER COUNTRY (RH) 9780593185667 MARSHA (Penguin) 9780593710920 THE FIGHT OF OUR LIVES (RHCB) 9780807023488 A QUEER HISTORY OF THE US (Beacon)
    Social Studies Literature

    Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

    In June we celebrate Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan and highlights the accomplishments of those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) community. Browse our titles that celebrate LGBTQIA+ history, creators, and stories. LGBTQIA+ Fiction & Literature LGBTQIA+ History & Memoir

    Read more

    Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

    Social Studies Literature

    Penguin Random House Secondary Education

    © 2026 Penguin Random House

    Back to Top
    0
    Wish List (0)