Greedy by Callie Kazumi
Bantam Books (February 2026)
Reviewed by Briana Morgan
Set amidst the beauty of Tokyo, Japan, Greedy by Callie Kazumi is a horror novel whose satirization of greed comes across as darkly funny. As the protagonist strives to keep food on his family’s table, he’s horrified to learn what might put food on someone else’s. Ultimately, he must decide whether providing a better life for his family is worth hurting others.
Ed Cook is an American who moved to Japan, got married to a Japanese woman, and had a baby. Now, he’s unemployed and struggles with a gambling addiction. Shamed by his wife for not being a strong provider, he faces mounting pressure to find a new job. Enter the wealthy and eccentric Ms. Hazeline Yamamoto.
Plagued by insurmountable gambling debts (and the looming threat of the yakuza collecting on said debts), Ed is thrilled to hear that Hazeline needs a new personal chef. A private, refined woman, Hazeline shares her high standards and exquisite taste with Ed, who will have full creative freedom while he cooks for Hazeline.
This book is neither for the faint of heart nor the squeamish. When Ed starts preparing meals, Hazeline makes it clear she wants meat—the more exotic, the better. Through a heavy focus on food and eating in this book, we see Hazeline’s greed and Ed’s in equal measure. His greed is what drives him to rack up gambling debts with the yakuza and put his family in danger. It’s also what leads him to shirk his morals for the sake of paying off said debt. Even when Hazeline tells him the awful truth about the meat, it’s not enough to make Ed stop.
“Cheers to our culinary sins.”
Kazumi expertly balances the dark core of the story with plenty of twisted humor. The plot kept me guessing and rooting for Ed as he encounters each new obstacle. I also thoroughly enjoyed the references to Japanese culture, especially the cuisine, which helped ground the story.
If you’re a fan of The Menu’s comedic timing and love a spooky satire with a heaping plate of Japanese culture, Callie Kazumi’s Greedy just might be the book for you.
