A mystery book for children that is both easy to read and engrossing. Recommended for language learners!
Book review: 『七回死んだ男』by Yasuhiko Nishizawa
Time loop and murder mystery… this book sounded so promising, yet I ended up being disappointed with it.
Book review: 『殺人現場は雲の上』by Keigo Higashino
A collection of linked short stories with an overall light tone. Maybe my least favourite Higashino read so far, but still a relaxing and entertaining read.
Book review: 『伝説なき地』by Yoichi Funado
Even though this book won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, it is hard to classify it as “mystery”. It is a fast pace thriller/adventure with a good dose of violence and suspense. I personally enjoyed it much more than I expected.
Book review: 『絆』by Kenji Kosugi
Entirely set in the courtroom, this novel features lawyer Harashima and won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1988.
Book review: 『カディスの赤い星』by Go Osaka
A mystery/adventure book that takes us from Japan to Spain in 1975, カディスの赤い星 won the Naoki Prize as well as a Mystery and Adventure awards.
Book review: 『写楽殺人事件』by Katsuhiko Takahashi
I would not recommend this book if your are looking for a murder mystery about art and ukiyo-e. But if you are interested in the mystery of Sharaku’s true identity, this book is for you!
Book review: 『白光』by Mikihiko Renjo
A really great book if you like mysteries that deal with psychology and family secrets.
Book review:『背いて故郷』by Tatsuo Shimizu
One of the rare hardboiled novels that I enjoyed reading, 背いて故郷 starts with an engrossing investigation which turns into more action in the second half.
Book review:『チョコレートゲーム』by Futari Okajima
チョコレートゲーム is an engrossing mystery with a fast pace. Recommended!
Book review:『渇きの街』by Kenzo Kitakata
Even though 渇きの街 won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award and has overall good reviews, it was not a book that I enjoyed reading, mainly because I disliked the protagonist, the repetitive pattern of the story, and the dry writing style of the author.
Book review: 『天山を越えて』by Koshi Kurumizawa
Though 天山を越えて won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, it belongs more to the adventure genre than the mystery genre, and it was a bit of a disappointment to me.