I really love Kyotaro Nishimura’s train series: the nostalgia of old sleeper trains coupled with an engrossing mystery…
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: 『白光』by Mikihiko Renjo
A really great book if you like mysteries that deal with psychology and family secrets.
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.
Book review: 『Wの悲劇』by Shizuko Natsuki
『Wの悲劇』, whose title is an homage to Ellery Queen, is certainly one of the most famous works by Shizuko Natsuki, but I did not enjoy it as much as I expected.
Book review: 『蒸発』by Shizuko Natsuki
『蒸発』won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1973 and belongs to Shizuko Natsuki’s most famous novels.
Book review: 『終着駅殺人事件』by Kyotaro Nishimura
An engrossing murder mystery revolving around the sleeper train linking Aomori and Ueno stations. Also one of my favourite winners of the Mystery Writers of Japan Award.
Book review: 『黒い白鳥』by Tetsuya Ayukawa
A social/mystery novel that won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, 『黒い白鳥』gives a realistic portrait of its time while giving the readers a complex murder mystery resolving around train timetables.
Book review: 『四万人の目撃し』by Yorichika Arima
This detective novel won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award, but I found it underwhelming and not satisfactory.
Book review: 『完全犯罪に猫は何匹必要か？』by Tokuya Higashigawa
This is the third book of the Ikagawa series, and it’s very good if you like mystery novels with a lighter tone and a lot of humour that still delivers an engrossing detective case .
Book review: 『密室に向かって撃て！』 by Tokuya Higashigawa
This is the second book of the Ikagawa series. Not as good as the first one in my opinion, but still an enjoyable read.
Book review: 『密室の鍵貸します』by Tokuya Higashigawa
A funny yet engrossing locked room mystery and an impressive debut novel.