Greedy by Callie Kazumi review

About The Book

Book: Greedy
Author: Callie Kazumi
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Century
Publication Date (UK): 5th February 2026

My Review

Greedy is the second book from Kazumi and, like her debut Cuckoo, is a repeat serving of thriller with an added generous 2-tbsp dash of horror. Described as Parasite meets The Menu, a premise I couldn’t wait to eat up.

Ed, originally from just outside London, meets his wife while travelling in Japan. The pair marry and have a young child. Life isn’t so over-easy for Ed though, he has been unemployed for a while and has developed a bit of a nasty pachinko machine habit that’s left him dangerously indebted to the yakuza. Salvation seems to arrive when he finds work as a private chef for a reclusive billionaire named Hazeline.

Hazeline is where the novel really shines. Through her, Kazumi explores themes of identity, beauty standards and appetite. As a mixed-race woman who never fit the “ideal” of either culture, Hazeline experienced many issues growing up but as an adult is more self-assured and unwilling to deny herself any longer. Now, she wants to enjoy food, fully and unapologetically.

And enjoy it she does. As the blurb hints however, Hazeline has some, shall we say unusual tastes…

And enjoy it she does. As the blurb hints however, Hazeline has some, shall we say unusual tastes… I found the setup gripping and tense. You’re on eggshells as Ed starts to wonder what’s really on the menu and the slow simmer of dread is deliciously effective. The book doesn’t claim to be but if you’ve read Cuckoo you may go in expecting a twisty thriller, whereas this is more dark thriller/horror.

The vivid food imagery and Japan influence injected within, skillfully done owing to Kazumi herself being Japanese English, lend the story the atmospheric feel of translated fiction. The ending, too, was immensely chef’s-kiss satisfying and left me feeling full.

Thank you to Century and NetGalley for the ARC.

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Cuckoo by Callie Kazumi
The Lamb by Lucy Rose