Hooked

THE MILLION COPY #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BUTTER IS BACK WITH A NEW NOVEL OF OBSESSION

‘Tender and thrilling it’s Yuzuki at her best’ ELLE

‘Deliciously satisfying’ iPAPER

‘Enjoyable and addictive’ INDEPENDENT

‘Fantastically dark’ ERIN KELLY

Eriko really wouldn't mind being savaged, if it was her best friend doing the savaging …

Eriko's life appears perfect – devoted parents, pristine apartment and a high-flying job in the seafood division of one of Japan's largest trading companies. Her latest project, to reintroduce the controversial Nile perch fish into the Japanese market, is characteristically ambitious. But beneath her flawless surface she is wracked by loneliness.

Eriko becomes fascinated with a popular blog written by a housewife, Shōko. Shōko’s posts about convenience-store food and her messy home are the opposite of the typical manicured housewife. When Eriko tracks Shōko down at her favourite restaurant, Shōko is at first charmed by her new companion. But soon Eriko's obsession with Shōko begins to spiral out of control. How far will she go to hold on to the best friend she’s ever had?

Beautifully translated by Polly Barton, Hooked is a delicious exploration of food, loneliness and womanhood in contemporary Japan.

A most anticipated book in Vogue, Guardian, New York Times, The Times, Sunday Times Style, Elle, Stylist, Grazia and more.

‘Expect to see this distinctive pink cover everywhere’ GRAZIA

‘A psychological thriller with a social commentary bite’ INDEPENDENT

‘Unsettling, compelling, richly written’ JODIE HARSH, author of You Had to Be There

‘Translated with crackling verve’ GUARDIAN

‘I couldn't stop reading’ COSTANZA CASATI, author of Babylonia

‘Stayed with me for weeks’ IRISH TIMES

‘Tremendous – an elegantly written … dissection of female friendship’ THE GLOSS

‘You can’t fail to be reeled in’ SERVICE95

‘Will leave you gasping’ TOBI COVENTRY, author of He’s the Devil

‘No one writes about the lurking monstrosities of womanhood quite like Asako Yuzuki’ ALICE SLATER, author of Death of a Bookseller

© 2026 Fourth Estate (Audiobook): 9780008753818

Translators: Polly Barton

Release date

Audiobook: 12 March 2026