Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review:
"Someone is killing the great martial artists of America....." That was on the book's cover and hooked me into reading it. Indeed, Sensei turned out to be a very good read although it was somewhat action-lite. The basic plot revolves around a manhunt for a revenge-seeking Ronin killer who is capable of vanquishing martial arts experts in his attempt to find one particular victim. Through this manhunt, author John Donohue deftly exposes the reader to the arcane martial arts culture and takes them deep into the soul of the martial arts warrior. Sensei doesn't contain a lot of fight-action sequences (if that is what you are looking for) but is well written and entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Workmanlike Effort
Review: "Sensei: A Thriller" is an OK piece of edu-tainment. Its a crime novel about capturing a killer that includes a lesson on kendo. The author's prose is wry and at times amusing: "Long Island in the summer is like the Mekong Delta, hot and humid, but with more concrete". This made reading the story easier. However, the story takes too long to develop and ends too quickly. The Japanese characters remain very stereotypical. Oddly, this book violates the Thriller formula, in that it has no female love interest and no sex. Women are mentioned very infrequently, and play almost no part in the story. The book is readable, but unremarkable.
Rating:
Summary: Workmanlike Effort
Review: "Sensei: A Thriller" is an OK piece of edu-tainment. Its a crime novel about capturing a killer that includes a lesson on kendo. The author's prose is wry and at times amusing: "Long Island in the summer is like the Mekong Delta, hot and humid, but with more concrete". This made reading the story easier. However, the story takes too long to develop and ends too quickly. The Japanese characters remain very stereotypical. Oddly, this book violates the Thriller formula, in that it has no female love interest and no sex. Women are mentioned very infrequently, and play almost no part in the story. The book is readable, but unremarkable.
Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review: "Someone is killing the great martial artists of America........" That was on the book's cover and hooked me into reading it. Indeed, Sensei turned out to be a very good read although it was somewhat action-lite. The basic plot revolves around a manhunt for a revenge-seeking Ronin killer who is capable of vanquishing martial arts experts in his attempt to find one particular victim. Through this manhunt, author John Donohue deftly exposes the reader to the arcane martial arts culture and takes them deep into the soul of the martial arts warrior. Sensei doesn't contain a lot of fight-action sequences (if that is what you are looking for) but is very well written and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Connor Burke was a college teacher with a passion for the martial arts. His brother, Micky, was an NYPD detective on a murder case and asked for his help. Someone calling himself "Ronin" was murdering Masters of the martial arts in America. Connor and his sensei began following the killer's trail only to find it all went further than anyone had ever expected. The author was able to teach me SO MUCH about the culture without me even realizing I was learning. Those, like myself, who know very little about this topic will NOT be hindered. The story flows evenly and all is spelled out so you can easily understand. For those of you, like my husband, who DO know the topic, do not worry. The author does not insult your intelligence. You are likely to find yourself nodding while you read. However, the author does not write unnecessary details so you will not feel the need to begin skimming pages. Recommended reading.
Rating:
Summary: a.weiss , author of the BackSmart Fitness Plan
Review: I enjoyed the first half of the book and how the student and instructors relationshiped developed and the underlining of meaning when the sensei would say something to his number one student- it reminded me of my training.
Rating: 
Summary: Kick into Sensei's world!!
Review: In Brooklyn, New York, Homicide Detectives Mick Burke and Art Pederson pick up the former's younger brother Connor for two reasons. First a witness Robert Akkadian testified that he saw first hand the bad blood between Connor and murder victim Mitchell Reilly. Second they need a martial arts expert, which, though the part time Dorian University professor would deny, he fits the bill.The killer left his name in blood, "Ronin", a masterless samurai. Due to an Internet link, the cops learn that Mitchell is not the first victim as the Los Angeles police share information with their New York counterparts that someone called Ronin killed an expert there. Other homicides follow with Connor and his SENSEI Master Yamashita trying to end the debacle by capturing the culprit. SENSEI is an exciting thriller that is at its best when the sociology of the martial arts groups is explored. The amateur sleuth and police procedural subplots are also fun to observe, but seem red belt when compared to the black belt insightful interrelationships that John Donohue provides with fervor and pleasure. The victim's motives seem stretched (perhaps only to this couch potato). Fans of martial arts mysteries will relish this delightful tale and expect Connor to return in more top rate novels like this one. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: fun martial arts mystery
Review: In Brooklyn, New York, Homicide Detectives Mick Burke and Art Pederson pick up the former's younger brother Connor for two reasons. First a witness Robert Akkadian testified that he saw first hand the bad blood between Connor and murder victim Mitchell Reilly. Second they need a martial arts expert, which, though the part time Dorian University professor would deny, he fits the bill. The killer left his name in blood, "Ronin", a masterless samurai. Due to an Internet link, the cops learn that Mitchell is not the first victim as the Los Angeles police share information with their New York counterparts that someone called Ronin killed an expert there. Other homicides follow with Connor and his SENSEI Master Yamashita trying to end the debacle by capturing the culprit. SENSEI is an exciting thriller that is at its best when the sociology of the martial arts groups is explored. The amateur sleuth and police procedural subplots are also fun to observe, but seem red belt when compared to the black belt insightful interrelationships that John Donohue provides with fervor and pleasure. The victim's motives seem stretched (perhaps only to this couch potato). Fans of martial arts mysteries will relish this delightful tale and expect Connor to return in more top rate novels like this one. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Kick into Sensei's world!!
Review: John Donahue's no stranger to the world of Martial Arts - he's an expert and it shows in this novel, a snappy thriller, Sensei.
The dialog is so readable, I was reading the new Nance book, and just glanced at the first page and was hooked - Nance can wait!
More more of these characters, Mr. Donahue!!!
This is a wonderful thriller and a welcome addition to the regular gang of thriller authors -
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful First Novel
Review: John Donohue has written an exciting, funny, tightly plotted book in the Robert B. Parker 'Spenser' genre. The story is about a college professor and Martial Arts officionado who gets involved in the investigation of a killer whose prey is great martial artists. The book is written in the first person and is filled with snappy dialogue. It's very clear that Donohue has a great deal of first hand knowledge about the martial arts that he features in 'Sensei'. Readers who are interested will gain a great deal of insight into the mind of traditional japanese martial artists and martial arts masters. I also really enjoyed the inside look that Donohue gives concerning the psychology and methods of modern police work. I will be on the lookout for more of this man's work. Congratulation Mr. Donohue.
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