Found this mystery set in Tokyo at a recent library book sale and thought it looked intriguing. Also, it will help me fulfill my goals on the 666 for 2011 Challenge, and will make a good addition to the Mystery/Thriller VBB I have signed up for.

A very different crime novel. Reviews on the cover likened it to P.D. James, which is not inaccurate, although the flavor is very strongly Japanese. Most of the paragraphs in the book are only 2 or 3 sentences long, with a sense of precision, and each seems complete in itself in a strange way -- which ties in somewhat with the fact that the detective is an amateur haiku poet.

The method of murder was quite interesting for 2 of the 3 victims, and there was a definite sense of suspense throughout the book. I had a pretty good idea all along who had done it (which wasn't entirely accurate), so the main mystery was "why?" or rather, "what secret was the murderer trying to hide?" The cultural overtones were quite strong -- very precise sense of etiquette and almost compartmentalization for the sake of privacy. Would definitely recommend this to others.

Adding this to the Mystery/Thriller VBB started by bookstogive.

Sent off to jumpingin in North Vancouver because she selected it from the VBB. Enclosed a sheet with some haiku on it (not mine, never fear) as part of the Bring Poetry to the World Challenge.

Thanks so much for the book and the haiku!

What I found most interesting about this book was that, although it was similar to British procedural mysteries, it was at the same time so very different, especially in the pace and writing style. I felt that it gave a very vivid picture of Japanese culture at the time.

This book will soon by travelling to JennyC1230, who chose it from bookstogive's International Mystery VBB.

Sent to JudySlump612 by surface mail today. Sorry for the delay!

Arrived here safely today. DrSlump & I will both enjoy this, and thank you, jumpingin, for that nifty bookmark!

I'm not completely sure I agree with 6of8 about a resemblance to P.D. James, although both Dalgleish and Imanishi write poetry. And of course they also act as mentors to younger detectives within the police force. Well, maybe there's more than I thought. But the strong Japanese flavor is certainly there, which adds to the pleasure of the book. We get to share Japanese train rides, food and drink, geography, and even regional accents. In fact, in some cases we don't have the context to understand the importance of the clues until Imanishi explains at the end. I'm wondering if the motive is even exclusive to Japanese culture. In other countries, would the secret have been so shameful as to lead to murder?

This is a beautiful example of a police procedural. I found myself reminded a little of Kurosawa's film 'High and Low,' which also shows the police searching for a criminal, gathering and winnowing clues, eliminating the dead ends, and eventually zeroing in on the perp. And although I haven't read all that many translations from Japanese, this one by Beth Cary strikes me as just about perfect. The English is fluent and comfortably readable, while still keeping up that Japanese flavor. Thank you to both 6of8 and jumpingin for sharing this delightful book - it's going to stay here in Minneapolis for quite a while now.

DrSlump has enjoyed traveling in Japan, and will enjoy this at least as much as I did.

Looking forward to reading this - I've only read a few modern Japanese mysteries.
Really enjoyed the film "High and Low" - if this has the same flavor it should be
enjoyable.

I'll echo what previous reviewers have said. I thought the translation was very smooth -
I could guess what the original Japanese must have been in a few conversations.
I was a bit surprised at the motive.

Picked up at the November TC meetup. Thanks DrSlump612!

Wow. First of all this is a police proceedural at a very specific time in Japanese history. Published in 1961, the memories of the heavy censorship lifted only 5 years before by the occupation forces hangs over this book in an unspoken way. Japan was still rebuilding, and trying to make a new future. Having said this, some of the absolute secrecy reflected in this novel makes sense. Inspector Imanishi does not talk about his theories, cases with superiors, juniors, or his wife. It would be innappropriate in Japan of the late 1950s, and very dangerous. We are left to follow his train of thought through eventual results, hence, I like all the other readers (and Inspector Imanishi) were distracted by the red herring. Good book.

Handed over to a friend.

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