The Honjin Murders
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4.2 • 99 Ratings
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- $9.99
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?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Holmes, Marple, Poirot—and now, Kosuke Kindaichi. Fans of classic mysteries should be very excited that they can now read the first novel featuring Japan’s most beloved fictional detective, just translated into English. This story centers around the murder of the eldest son of a prominent Japanese family and his new bride. Mysteriously, the cabin where the newlyweds were found is completely sealed off, and the bride’s uncle brings in amateur sleuth Kindaichi to solve the perplexing case. Set in 1937, The Honjin Murders was originally published in 1946. Author Seishi Yokomizo brilliantly blends his love of western detective stories with the distinctive conventions of pre–World War II Japanese culture. Kindaichi is an intriguing character: young and disheveled, with an exacting eye for detail matched only by his boyish enthusiasm for important clues. Every character in this bewitching locked-room mystery is just as lovingly crafted—and none are above suspicion.
Customer Reviews
Slow start but a turn for the better
This was a great story filled with mystery at every turn. It sets the scene from the beginning and lets the reader attempt in solving it themselves. In the end it lays the whole case out and the painting is seen in full.
Japanese version of the locked room murder
"The Honjin Murders" is a classic example of a Japanese honkaku mystery, which emphasizes logical puzzles. Written in 1946, the story is based in pre-World War II, it is representative of Golden Age detective fiction, and a locked-room mystery.
One notable aspect of the story is the complexity of the locked-room solution, as the mechanism of the murder are highly elaborate and rely on coincidences. Additionally, characters are stilted and conversations are equally so, and the motive takes a backseat to the plotting.
Thought provoking
Easy read with lots of interesting parallels to real life. How families treat each other, especially with brothers.