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3.5 

The Honjin Murders

By Seishi Yokomizo & Louise Heal Kawai
The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo & Louise Heal Kawai digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

A Town & Country “Best Classic Murder Mystery Books of All Time”

Japan’s Agatha Christie introduces the beloved Detective Kindaichi in this 1930s classic locked room mystery—now translated into English for the first time!

In the winter of 1937, the village of Okamura is abuzz with excitement over the forthcoming wedding of a son of the grand Ichiyanagi family. But amid the gossip over the approaching festivities, there is also a worrying rumor—it seems a sinister masked man has been asking questions around the village.

Then, on the night of the wedding, the Ichiyanagi household are woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music. Death has come to Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword, thrust into the pristine snow outside the house. Soon, amateur detective Kosuke Kindaichi is on the scene to investigate what will become a legendary murder case, but can this scruffy sleuth solve a seemingly impossible crime?

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1222 Reviews

3.5
Surprised Face with Open Mouth“This was kinda boring, but that twist totally got me!”
Smiling Face with Heart-Eyes“Review: This book is a masterpiece of classic detective fiction, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's intricate puzzles. The atmospheric setting, eerie foreshadowing, and clever misdirection kept me hooked from start to finish. Kosuke Kindaichi is a fantastic detective—quirky, observant, and razor-sharp. The way Yokomizo crafts the mystery, using traditional Japanese elements like the koto music and family honor, adds a unique cultural depth. The final revelation was both shocking and satisfying, making it a solid 4.5-star ⭐ read. Fans of locked-room mysteries will love this one! A must-read for mystery lovers, blending classic detective fiction with rich Japanese storytelling.”

About Seishi Yokomizo

Seishi Yokomizo (1902-81) was one of Japan's most famous and best-loved mystery writers. He was born in Kobe and spent his childhood reading detective stories, before beginning to write stories of his own, the first of which was published in 1921. He went on to become an extremely prolific and popular author, best known for his Kosuke Kindaichi series, which ran to 77 books, many of which were adapted for stage and television in Japan. The Honjin Murders is the first Kosuke Kindaichi story, and regarded as one of Japan's great mystery novels. It won the first Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1948 but has never been translated into English, until now.

Originally from Manchester, UK, Louise Heal Kawai has lived in Japan for about 25 years and been a translator of Japanese literature for the past 10. Her translations include the bestselling memoir Yakuza Moon by Shoko Tendo, the ground-breaking feminist Taeko Tomioka novel Building Waves, and A Quiet Place by the mystery writer Seicho Matsumoto. Ms Ice Sandwich is her second Mieko Kawakami translation.

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