Tokyo Express
A Novel
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4.5 • 8 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
From “Japan's Agatha Christie” (The Sunday Times): A secluded bay. An apparent lovers’ suicide. And a pair of detectives with a nagging suspicion that the pieces don’t add up. Can you solve one of the most astonishing literary puzzles ever written?
“An irresistible Hitchcockian gem: a fiendishly plotted crime novel told in crisp, elegant prose.”—Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train
In a rocky cove at Hakata Bay, the bodies of a young and beautiful couple are discovered. Standing on the cold beach, the police see nothing to investigate: The flush of the couple’s cheeks and the empty juice bottle speak clearly of cyanide, of a lovers’ suicide. But in the eyes of two men, senior detective Torigai Jutaro and Kiichi Mihara, a young gun from Tokyo, something is not quite right. Together, they begin to pick at the knot of a unique and calculated crime.
Now widely available in English for the first time, Tokyo Express is celebrated around the world as Seichō Matsumoto’s masterpiece.
Customer Reviews
Methodical but Compelling
Tokyo Express” by Seichō Matsumoto is a Japanese detective novel originally published in 1958. The story begins on Kashii Beach, where the bodies of a man and a woman are discovered side by side. Authorities quickly assume the deaths to be a lovers’ suicide, especially since both victims had consumed poison. However, as two dogged detectives investigate further, they uncover a more complicated truth involving train timetables, alibis, and political corruption.
The novel centers on the deaths of government official Ken’ichi Sayama and a waitress named Toki. While their deaths initially seem like a case of double suicide, the connection to an ongoing bribery scandal makes the case suspicious to investigators. Local detective Torigai instigates a deeper probe, joined by Inspector Kiichi Mihara from Tokyo. Their investigation repeatedly focuses on the precise movements of trains and the suspects’ alibis, ultimately exposing the method behind the murders and uncovering hidden motives.
The book has methodical pace, paying careful attention to detail, and emphasis on timetables and alibis—reflecting both the era’s technology and the meticulous Japanese railway system. It also provides a vivid snapshot of postwar Japan, depicting both its social hierarchies and economic changes.
Matsumoto’s writing style is minimalist, with no unnecessary scenes or details, giving the novel a sense of realism and polish. The story’s structure is tightly woven, rewarding attentive readers as the mystery unfolds.
“Tokyo Express” deserves praise for:
• Its absorbing, intricate plot built around seemingly mundane details like train schedules.
• The psychological depth of its detectives, who are persistent but understated in their work.
• Insightful commentary about Japanese society and postwar life.
Although the focus on logistics and meticulous reconstruction of alibis are occasionally tedious, and following the intricate timeline can be challenging for those unfamiliar with Japanese trains or place names, the story, characters and plot are compelling and the book keeps a great pace
Overall, it stands out as a masterwork of Japanese crime fiction, appealing especially to fans of procedurals and those looking for a glimpse into 1950s Japan as well as those of us drawn to a great and imaginative story.