I found this fair-condition softcover on the used-manga shelf at Harrisons Comics in Hudson NH. I adored the anime series, and read several volumes of the manga, starting with Volume 1. It's a remarkable series, a psychological-suspense tale with many, many compelling characters, some sympathetic, some chilling.

This volume focuses on ex-cop Richard Brown, now a private detective who's trying to stay on the wagon in hopes of getting to visit his estranged daughter. Meanwhile, he's investigating a murder, which seems to have ties to a wealthy, elderly blind man whose illegitimate son may have just turned up. In the middle of all this, a handsome and brilliant young man seems to be trying to help bring the father and son together, while spending his spare time tending groups of children; those who know who and what Johan is will shudder, but if this book is your first introduction you may wonder just what's going on!

Things get increasingly tense when Johan takes an interest in Richard Brown's investigations - hint: it's never good to have him take an interest in you. Then his hulking hitman uses his own methods to get close to the clever psychologist Dr. Reichwein (who has also been counseling Brown, and who knows quite a bit about Johan, Dr. Tenma, and other things); some wildly-entertaining and suspenseful action sequences ensue, despite Reichwein appearing to be the most unlikely action hero possible!

Tenma himself does turn up, but only for a small portion of this book; even so, it seems that there may be some hope for clearing his name and helping him to find his target: Johan...

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series that I found quite entertaining - but do beware of spoilers if you haven't read or seen the series yet.]

I left this book on a window ledge in the cinema entrance at around 2; hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2016 Spooktacular Halloween release challenge. ***

*** Released as part of the 2016 TV Series release challenge. ***