Title: LGBT Matchmaking Concierge
Subtitle: Inside Tokyo’s Queer Underworld of Deadly Conspiracy
Series: Japanesque TS
Author: Yulia Yu. Sakurazawa
I’m thrilled to introduce my new novel, LGBT Matchmaking Concierge: Inside Tokyo’s Queer Underworld of Deadly Conspiracy, to fans of my LGBTQ+ storytelling.
When I set out to write this story, I had one initial goal: create a raw, gritty, hard-boiled suspense focusing on a shocking murder scenario in the heart of Tokyo’s budding LGBT matchmaking scene. My plan was to follow a young man, forced into crossdressing for investigative journalism, right into the middle of a labyrinth of violence and twisted relationships. Think moody neon lights, shadowy alleyways, and relentless tension.
But as often happens, once I started fleshing out the characters, the story took on a life of its own. Instead of maintaining a detective novel rigidity, I gradually discovered the emotional arcs overshadowing the gritty aspects I’d planned from the outset. The deeper I went, the more important it felt to portray the everyday difficulties a trans woman or crossdressing figure might face in Japan: encountering employees who don’t know how to handle an unexpected gender expression, family members reacting in disbelief or panic, or the simple challenge of commuting to work in a skirt suit when your body hasn’t fully adjusted to this new presentation.
Originally, I wanted the murders to be front and center. I pictured stalking scenes, intense cat-and-mouse confrontations. Yet along the way, the protagonist’s identity crisis and emotional vulnerability struck me as more compelling. She’s torn between her professional obligations, her sudden swirl of potential love interests, and the ephemeral “normalcy” of daily life as a woman that begins to feel strangely right.
As I wrote, I realized the suspense didn’t need constant car chases or bullet-riddled showdowns. Instead, the “danger” arose from emotional blackmail, from the real possibility that a cunning manipulator will exploit the protagonist’s newly emergent identity.
Another source of inspiration was a newspaper article about LGBT job-hunting events. It was such an offbeat idea, yet so relevant: how do you buy the right business attire if your official documents say you’re male, but your lived gender expression is female? Dive further, and you see how even a simple store purchase can become a hero’s biggest quest. That thread ended up fueling the comedic, slightly heartwarming touches in the novel. The comedic set pieces—like the meltdown over which skirt to wear, or the clueless boss who shouts “Go!” at every opportunity—softened the originally dark structure. I found myself weaving in a gentle comedic lightness.
Yes, the novel still involves sinister dealings, blackmail, and murder. But the texture is more layered: readers see how love, identity struggles, and comedic workplace mishaps can all exist side by side. And that’s precisely the theme that began to resonate with me: real humanity isn’t just gloom and doom, nor is it purely comedic fluff. My main character’s misadventures show a broader array of experiences—pain, confusion, attraction, dreams, and heartbreak.
While the end result isn’t as “hard-boiled” as I initially envisioned, I embrace where it ended up. There’s a sense that the scariest threats aren’t always brandished guns or gory crime scenes, but simpler things: losing your sense of self, alienating your family, or sacrificing your body for the sake of a professional scoop. So yes, you’ll still get a dash of murder mystery intrigue. But you’ll also see how empathy, acceptance, and a dash of comedic romance can transform what might have been a bleak detective story into a richer emotional tapestry.
I can’t wait for all of you on the LGBTQ+Novels blog to discover this new work, which merges my love for suspense with an exploration of trans identity in a country that’s still grappling with modern reforms. If you’re a fan of cross-genre reading—part thriller, part romance, part comedic slice-of-life—then LGBT Matchmaking Concierge: Inside Tokyo’s Queer Underworld of Deadly Conspiracy might just be your next favorite read. Thank you for continuing to support my writing journey. Your enthusiasm inspires me to keep innovating. Enjoy the novel, and let’s continue championing the stories and voices of our community in all their messy, multifaceted glory!