What do you think?
Rate this book
疑惑
雨の港で海中へ転落した車。妻は助かり、夫は死んだ――。妻の名は鬼塚球磨子（おにづかくまこ）。彼女の生い立ち、前科、夫にかかっていた高額な生命保険について、稀代の悪女“鬼クマ”と断定しセンセーショナルに書き立てる記者と、孤軍奮闘する国選弁護人の闘い。球磨子は殺人犯なのか？ その結末は？ 桃井かおり、尾野真千子らが熱演した名作推理サスペンス。明治の藤田組贋札事件を描く「不運な名前」併録。
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1982
59 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
Seichō Matsumoto
591 books625 followersSeicho Matsumoto (松本清張, Matsumoto Seichō), December 21, 1909 – August 4, 1992) was a Japanese writer.
Matsumoto's works created a new tradition of Japanese crime fiction. Dispensing with formulaic plot devices such as puzzles, Matsumoto incorporated elements of human psychology and ordinary life into his crime fiction. In particular, his works often reflect a wider social context and postwar nihilism that expanded the scope and further darkened the atmosphere of the genre. His exposé of corruption among police officials as well as criminals was a new addition to the field. The subject of investigation was not just the crime but also the society in which the crime was committed.
The self-educated Matsumoto did not see his first book in print until he was in his forties. He was a prolific author, he wrote until his death in 1992, producing in four decades more than 450 works. Matsumoto's mystery and detective fiction solidified his reputation as a writer at home and abroad. He wrote historical novels and nonfiction in addition to mystery/detective fiction.
He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1952 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1970, as well as the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1957. He chaired the president of Mystery Writers of Japan from 1963 to 1971.
Credited with popularizing the genre among readers in his country, Matsumoto became his nation's best-selling and highest earning author in the 1960s. His most acclaimed detective novels, including Ten to sen (1958; Points and Lines, 1970); Suna no utsuwa (1961; Inspector Imanishi Investigates, 1989) and Kiri no hata (1961; Pro Bono, 2012), have been translated into a number of languages, including English.
He collaborated with film director Yoshitarō Nomura on adaptations of eight of his novels to film, including Castle of Sand.
Matsumoto's works created a new tradition of Japanese crime fiction. Dispensing with formulaic plot devices such as puzzles, Matsumoto incorporated elements of human psychology and ordinary life into his crime fiction. In particular, his works often reflect a wider social context and postwar nihilism that expanded the scope and further darkened the atmosphere of the genre. His exposé of corruption among police officials as well as criminals was a new addition to the field. The subject of investigation was not just the crime but also the society in which the crime was committed.
The self-educated Matsumoto did not see his first book in print until he was in his forties. He was a prolific author, he wrote until his death in 1992, producing in four decades more than 450 works. Matsumoto's mystery and detective fiction solidified his reputation as a writer at home and abroad. He wrote historical novels and nonfiction in addition to mystery/detective fiction.
He was awarded the Akutagawa Prize in 1952 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1970, as well as the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1957. He chaired the president of Mystery Writers of Japan from 1963 to 1971.
Credited with popularizing the genre among readers in his country, Matsumoto became his nation's best-selling and highest earning author in the 1960s. His most acclaimed detective novels, including Ten to sen (1958; Points and Lines, 1970); Suna no utsuwa (1961; Inspector Imanishi Investigates, 1989) and Kiri no hata (1961; Pro Bono, 2012), have been translated into a number of languages, including English.
He collaborated with film director Yoshitarō Nomura on adaptations of eight of his novels to film, including Castle of Sand.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 4, 2025
Award-winning crime writer Seichō Matsumoto’s ingenious novella dates from 1982. Matsumoto builds on a notorious, real-life crime from 1974 known as the “Beppu insurance murder” in which a husband was accused of killing his wife and stepchildren for an insurance payout. In Matsumoto’s version of events the likely criminal is a woman Kumako Onizuka. Onizuka is now awaiting trial for the possible murder of wealthy husband Shirakawa. But Onizuka’s already been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. Her case and, above all, her character ruthlessly dissected by ambitious reporter Moichi Akitani. His fiercely condemnatory articles have positioned Onizuka as a heartless femme fatale - not unlike Velma in Farewell My Lovely - who must have married aging Shirakawa for money. Akitani’s relentless smear campaign’s been so successful it’s become lore. Even finding a lawyer willing to defend Onizuka’s been a challenge. But there’s a snag, Onizuka’s known for violent acts of retribution backed up by her old Yakuza acquaintances. So, Akitani’s very existence may depend on a guilty verdict.
Matsumoto’s arresting piece incorporates lengthy conversations between Akitani and Onizuka’s lawyer, snippets from Akitani’s articles and forensically-detailed reconstructions of the alleged crime. But as Akitani becomes increasingly fearful that Onizuka might actually go free, Matsumoto changes tack steering us into feverish, noir territory – there are echoes of Poe in his depiction of the tortured, unravelling Akitani. Onizuka herself never makes an appearance, Matsumoto’s far more interested in how others see or construct her. Making her a woman enables an exploration of how gender figures in crime reporting and in the justice system. Some of the comments about Onizuka made me think of Amanda Knox during her murder trial or the harsh framing of Madeleine McCann’s mother in the weeks and months following her daughter’s disappearance. Even Onizuka’s vehement denials and claims of innocence are dismissed as theatrical and/or hysterical. Onizuka’s dubious past provides even more ammunition. It’s obvious too that Onizuka’s failure to conform to mainstream standards of femininity marks her out as suspect. She’s considered unusually tall; frequently referred to as ‘buxom’ as if to suggest she’s somehow designed to excite men’s desires for her personal gain. It seems that anything and everything is a strike against her - even her name contains the character for demon. Tightly structured, Matsumoto’s story is a fascinating examination of culpability, discrimination and bias and, in its final sleight-of-hand scenes, nail-bitingly tense. Translated by Jesse Kirkwood.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Penguin Classics for an ARC
Rating: 3.5
Matsumoto’s arresting piece incorporates lengthy conversations between Akitani and Onizuka’s lawyer, snippets from Akitani’s articles and forensically-detailed reconstructions of the alleged crime. But as Akitani becomes increasingly fearful that Onizuka might actually go free, Matsumoto changes tack steering us into feverish, noir territory – there are echoes of Poe in his depiction of the tortured, unravelling Akitani. Onizuka herself never makes an appearance, Matsumoto’s far more interested in how others see or construct her. Making her a woman enables an exploration of how gender figures in crime reporting and in the justice system. Some of the comments about Onizuka made me think of Amanda Knox during her murder trial or the harsh framing of Madeleine McCann’s mother in the weeks and months following her daughter’s disappearance. Even Onizuka’s vehement denials and claims of innocence are dismissed as theatrical and/or hysterical. Onizuka’s dubious past provides even more ammunition. It’s obvious too that Onizuka’s failure to conform to mainstream standards of femininity marks her out as suspect. She’s considered unusually tall; frequently referred to as ‘buxom’ as if to suggest she’s somehow designed to excite men’s desires for her personal gain. It seems that anything and everything is a strike against her - even her name contains the character for demon. Tightly structured, Matsumoto’s story is a fascinating examination of culpability, discrimination and bias and, in its final sleight-of-hand scenes, nail-bitingly tense. Translated by Jesse Kirkwood.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Penguin Classics for an ARC
Rating: 3.5
November 24, 2025
Suspicion - Seichō Matsumoto
تدور هذه النوفيلا حول امرأة متهمة بقتل زوجها عمدًا بعد تعرضهما لحادث سيارة في ليلة عاصفة.
يكتب سيشو ماتسوموتو هذه القضية– وفي أقل من مئة صفحة، بأسلوب فريد؛ عبر لقاءات محامي الدفاع وصحفي لمناقشة القضية خلال بحثهما عن الحقيقة...
يكتب الصحفي مقالة حول القضية ويركز على المتهمة ويتحرى عن ماضيها ويكتب عنها بتحامل، ويقابل المحامي ويكتشفان معًا وجهات نظر جديدة من خلال مناقشاتهما حول الجريمة ..
تعرفت على سيشو ماتسوموتو العام الماضي حين قرأت رواية
| Tokyo Express..
وكانت رواية قصيرة ومدهشة بحبكتها المحسوبة بدقة شديدة .. حتّى الآن صدرت ترجمة 6 من رواياته .
تدور هذه النوفيلا حول امرأة متهمة بقتل زوجها عمدًا بعد تعرضهما لحادث سيارة في ليلة عاصفة.
يكتب سيشو ماتسوموتو هذه القضية– وفي أقل من مئة صفحة، بأسلوب فريد؛ عبر لقاءات محامي الدفاع وصحفي لمناقشة القضية خلال بحثهما عن الحقيقة...
يكتب الصحفي مقالة حول القضية ويركز على المتهمة ويتحرى عن ماضيها ويكتب عنها بتحامل، ويقابل المحامي ويكتشفان معًا وجهات نظر جديدة من خلال مناقشاتهما حول الجريمة ..
تعرفت على سيشو ماتسوموتو العام الماضي حين قرأت رواية
| Tokyo Express..
وكانت رواية قصيرة ومدهشة بحبكتها المحسوبة بدقة شديدة .. حتّى الآن صدرت ترجمة 6 من رواياته .
December 4, 2022
Akitani, un giornalista d’assalto, si avventa bramoso su un caso dall’esito che appare scontato: Onizuka Kumako, una donna avida e seducente, da tempo intrallazzata con la mafia locale, viene accusata dell’omicidio del facoltoso marito, che - guarda caso- aveva da poco stipulato una consistente polizza sulla vita.
La dinamica del delitto mascherato da incidente sembra elementare, e il giornalista procede indefesso con ogni suo articolo a demolire la figura della procace vedova, che continua invece a proclamarsi innocente.
L’avvocato difensore, gravemente malato, deve rinunciare a seguire il caso e Akitani gongola quando la difesa viene affidata d’ufficio a Sahara Takukichi, un oscuro avvocatucolo di provincia.
Qual è il problema ? Beh, se Onizuka dovesse essere riconosciuta innocente sarebbero guai per l’accanito giornalista che sta usando questo caso come trampolino di lancio per la sua carriera di futuro scrittore. La vendetta della potente vedova non si farebbe aspettare a lungo.
Ma ecco che Sahara Takukichi non si rivela affatto una mezza tacca come era facile pensare. Scrupoloso e preciso, si mette a studiare le carte processuali e avanza un dubbio… la cui soluzione non sarà fatale solo per chiudere questo caso.
Un altro congegno narrativo costruito con precisione chirurgica da Matsumoto Seichō.
3.5
La dinamica del delitto mascherato da incidente sembra elementare, e il giornalista procede indefesso con ogni suo articolo a demolire la figura della procace vedova, che continua invece a proclamarsi innocente.
L’avvocato difensore, gravemente malato, deve rinunciare a seguire il caso e Akitani gongola quando la difesa viene affidata d’ufficio a Sahara Takukichi, un oscuro avvocatucolo di provincia.
Qual è il problema ? Beh, se Onizuka dovesse essere riconosciuta innocente sarebbero guai per l’accanito giornalista che sta usando questo caso come trampolino di lancio per la sua carriera di futuro scrittore. La vendetta della potente vedova non si farebbe aspettare a lungo.
Ma ecco che Sahara Takukichi non si rivela affatto una mezza tacca come era facile pensare. Scrupoloso e preciso, si mette a studiare le carte processuali e avanza un dubbio… la cui soluzione non sarà fatale solo per chiudere questo caso.
Un altro congegno narrativo costruito con precisione chirurgica da Matsumoto Seichō.
3.5
December 6, 2025
Maybe 4.5. A short and well drawn thriller!
February 27, 2023
Avendo amato tutti gli altri suoi romanzi publicati da Adelphi, appena era stata annunciata la pubblicazione di questo nuovo libro fremevo dalla voglia di leggerlo!
Al contrario di Tokyo express, dove il lettore viene trascinato in un viaggio attraverso il Giappone insieme ai personaggi per raccogliere informazioni e risolvere il mistero, ne Il dubbio il lettore rimane statico, come chiuso in una stanza, e deve fare affidamento solo sui documenti e le informazioni presentati nel processo giudiziaro per giungere alla soluzione del caso.
I dati rimangono sempre gli stessi e si conoscono fin dall’inizio e forse è proprio per questo che la storia magari può sembrare un po’ banale, però per me non è stato assolutamente così.
Seichō Matsumoto resta una garanzia; la sua scrittura, quell’aura di mistero che accompagna i suoi romanzi mi cattura sempre e mi fa immergere in queste ambientazioni noir di cui lui è maestro.
Al contrario di Tokyo express, dove il lettore viene trascinato in un viaggio attraverso il Giappone insieme ai personaggi per raccogliere informazioni e risolvere il mistero, ne Il dubbio il lettore rimane statico, come chiuso in una stanza, e deve fare affidamento solo sui documenti e le informazioni presentati nel processo giudiziaro per giungere alla soluzione del caso.
I dati rimangono sempre gli stessi e si conoscono fin dall’inizio e forse è proprio per questo che la storia magari può sembrare un po’ banale, però per me non è stato assolutamente così.
Seichō Matsumoto resta una garanzia; la sua scrittura, quell’aura di mistero che accompagna i suoi romanzi mi cattura sempre e mi fa immergere in queste ambientazioni noir di cui lui è maestro.
July 1, 2025
Suspicion is a trial novella by the Akutagawa award winning author Seichō Matsumoto. In this story a widow with a criminal past is on trial for the murder of her husband to obtain a considerable fortune in life insurance policy payouts and some inheritance. Before the trial even starts a local journalist writes a scathing story of the widow’s past and drawing on evidence of the crime, paints an incriminating picture. What follows is a trial fought by passionate and fair lawyers and a journalist who slowly is losing his nerves.
This is the first story from Seichō Matsumoto that I’ve read, but I understand why he is widely praised as a crime fiction author. I’m not exactly sure why, but this story felt similar to To Kill a Mockingbird just without the racism. In this story the reader follows the perspective of the journalist watching from the trial from the outside, similar to the kids watching from the outside in To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a much faster paced story as it is less than 100 pages but still provides a good mystery with an excellent plot twist. My one critique is none of the characters are really deep enough to have a strong opinion of and there is not really any character development.
This is the first story from Seichō Matsumoto that I’ve read, but I understand why he is widely praised as a crime fiction author. I’m not exactly sure why, but this story felt similar to To Kill a Mockingbird just without the racism. In this story the reader follows the perspective of the journalist watching from the trial from the outside, similar to the kids watching from the outside in To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a much faster paced story as it is less than 100 pages but still provides a good mystery with an excellent plot twist. My one critique is none of the characters are really deep enough to have a strong opinion of and there is not really any character development.
May 4, 2025
Sick that
June 17, 2025
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this!*
Actual rating 3.5 stars but rounded up for the sake of Goodreads (I cannot believe in the year 2025 we still don’t have half stars but anyway...).
I enjoyed this. I’m not often a reader of novellas, but this one did a decent job of maximising the space it had. It was really fast paced and snappy, so you get sucked into the story immediately and it holds your attention every chapter. I do think though because of how snappy it was, it struggled to really build up any mystery or tension, because everything was revealed instantly.
There was something a little bit off about the writing that I can’t quite put my finger on, and I’m unsure on whether it was a writing or translation issue. It felt like every chapter rehashed the same details a bit too many times. When it’s such a short read, you fly through the chapters so easily, that details are easy to remember. That felt a bit repetitive.
The ending was a bit underwhelming, but overall I had a good time with it. I think in a full length novel, Matsumoto will write something spectacular. I can’t wait to dive more into his longer work.
Actual rating 3.5 stars but rounded up for the sake of Goodreads (I cannot believe in the year 2025 we still don’t have half stars but anyway...).
I enjoyed this. I’m not often a reader of novellas, but this one did a decent job of maximising the space it had. It was really fast paced and snappy, so you get sucked into the story immediately and it holds your attention every chapter. I do think though because of how snappy it was, it struggled to really build up any mystery or tension, because everything was revealed instantly.
There was something a little bit off about the writing that I can’t quite put my finger on, and I’m unsure on whether it was a writing or translation issue. It felt like every chapter rehashed the same details a bit too many times. When it’s such a short read, you fly through the chapters so easily, that details are easy to remember. That felt a bit repetitive.
The ending was a bit underwhelming, but overall I had a good time with it. I think in a full length novel, Matsumoto will write something spectacular. I can’t wait to dive more into his longer work.
December 16, 2025
Excellent and short story. I’ll happily read anything Matsumoto writes
July 20, 2024
Breve ma pieno di spunti molto interessanti su come la mente umana si faccia ingannare dal pregiudizio e dalla conferma sociale. Ciò può scatenare una serie di convinzioni che portano alle decisioni più sbagliate. Testo asciutto, secco, proprio perché le emozioni sono tra le peggiori consigliere in tema di realtà giudiziale.
May 24, 2025
‘In your testimony, you go on to note that Mr Shirakawa responded as follows: 'I could offer that woman thirty or fifty million yen and she wouldn't be happy. I don't imagine she'll settle—Knowing her, she'll probably try and kill me, but that's a risk I'm willing to take.' Is that correct?’
Stylistically addictive, but didn’t do much/enough for me plot-wise and also in terms of characterisation. A first (Matsumoto) for me, but I doubt it’d be the last. Anticipated something/a narrative or rather ‘vibe’ — that is more a less of a blend between ‘Killing Eve’ (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and ‘Decision to Leave’ (Park Chan Wook) — but that wasn’t quite ‘it’ — it lacked a great deal , somehow. Not sure if I/a reader of this is/was meant to be left with a feeling of ‘shock’ and/or some kind of thrilling surprise, but I was (if anything) sort of unmoved by it (but if it’s any consolation, I’m vaguely intrigued — but annoyed of how ‘softcore’ this was, but I expected too much from it perhaps (much to my own disappointment)). To be fair, it’s my ‘fault’ for dabbling in too many Japanese lit. (in translation) with a more than slightly ‘fucked-up’ vibe/narrative lately. This one left me mentally and emotionally unscathed (and that’s probably for the best anyway).
In any case, Matsumoto seems like a suspiciously interesting writer, and I’m quite keen to get my hands on more of his work. Admittedly quite pleased to have read this one in advance.
‘People often say someone will 'kill' them or they'll 'kill' someone as a sort of joke, without meaning it literally. If Ms Onizuka had no specific plan to commit murder, we can't say she had any intent—or that he had somehow sensed any such intent on her part—Would you agree?’
September 20, 2023
Attualmente l'opera di Matsumoto che ho preferito.
Mi piace molto il suo modo di scrivere; conciso e dritto al punto. Questo romanzo è un po' diverso dai precedenti, le indagini vengono approfondite poco. Più che l'omicidio, sono le vite di un giornalista e degli avvocati della presunta assassina durante lo svolgersi dell'iter giudiziario, a cui assistiamo.
Sarebbe stata una lettura da cinque stelle se avesse approfonditio un po' di più la parte processuale finale, in quanto mi è interessata molto, ma è durata troppo poco.
Finale apprezzatissimo.
Mi piace molto il suo modo di scrivere; conciso e dritto al punto. Questo romanzo è un po' diverso dai precedenti, le indagini vengono approfondite poco. Più che l'omicidio, sono le vite di un giornalista e degli avvocati della presunta assassina durante lo svolgersi dell'iter giudiziario, a cui assistiamo.
Sarebbe stata una lettura da cinque stelle se avesse approfonditio un po' di più la parte processuale finale, in quanto mi è interessata molto, ma è durata troppo poco.
Finale apprezzatissimo.
September 2, 2025
This was a 5 star book for me! Short but gripping, really interesting storyline and I thought very well written.
The book centres on a Japanese ‘femme fatale’ recently put in jail for possibly murder ing her husband. But you actually never meet her. Besides a brief, half page conversation with a legal assistant, the book focuses entirely on men, specifically the lawyers on her case, the key witnesses, her deceased husband, and (our main character) a journalist who is reporting on the case. However, it passes the bechdel test as all these men do is talk about Ms Onizuka and her case.
Would actually really recommend, reminded me of like an Agatha Christie-esque plot but so well written!!
The book centres on a Japanese ‘femme fatale’ recently put in jail for possibly murder ing her husband. But you actually never meet her. Besides a brief, half page conversation with a legal assistant, the book focuses entirely on men, specifically the lawyers on her case, the key witnesses, her deceased husband, and (our main character) a journalist who is reporting on the case. However, it passes the bechdel test as all these men do is talk about Ms Onizuka and her case.
Would actually really recommend, reminded me of like an Agatha Christie-esque plot but so well written!!
August 18, 2025
Trovare la verità in un mondo dove apparenza e realtà raramente coincidono è difficile, ed è proprio questo il cuore del problema. E non è un problema da poco. Romanzo asciutto, diretto, e lento nel modo giusto. Qui si scatenano pensieri e anche il riflesso di quei pensieri, come in un bel gioco di specchi.
May 24, 2025
matsumoto always SLAYS. tho the start was a tinsy bit slow, the change in storyline composition compared to his usual work was so refreshing and interesting and the build to both the reveal at end AND cliffhanger was crazy. i only wishhhhhhh that this was longer, like PLS republish his longer novelsss PLSSSSS
July 21, 2025
exciting and fast-paced, exactly what I wanted it to be.
October 6, 2024
"A mio parere, Onizuka Kumako ritiene che, a dispetto dell'idea che la corte e il giudice potrebbero farsi di lei, di fronte alla verità costoro non potranno far altro che accettarla. Lei ha fede in una divinità che porta il nome di Verità. E la verità è che non ha commesso il crimine di cui l'accusano. La verità è una sola e nessuno può profanarla. Sacra e inviolabile, è una divinità assoluta. Questo è ciò in cui lei crede, secondo me."
March 28, 2023
Un giornalista, tre avvocati, un’imputata e il di lei defunto marito sono i protagonisti di questo breve giallo giudiziario giapponese.
Pur non dispiacendomi, avrei voluto più di 20 pagine per descrivere 3 anni di indagini, congetture, tormenti su un caso che si riduce alla fine a poche prove indiziali.
Qualche dubbio anche sul finale sospensivo.
Pur non dispiacendomi, avrei voluto più di 20 pagine per descrivere 3 anni di indagini, congetture, tormenti su un caso che si riduce alla fine a poche prove indiziali.
Qualche dubbio anche sul finale sospensivo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2022
Sublime, come sempre.
November 21, 2022
Libro piacevole , piccolo e scorrevole . Storia un po' banale ma avvincente al tempo stesso. Matsumoto ci insegna a guardare oltre alle apparenze.
November 17, 2025
Suspicion is a short novella spanned around 120+pages of psychological noir mystery. A criminal trial and a sensational crime being broadcasted around as public scrutiny on a woman named Onikazu Kumako as she was accused of murdering her husband in a fatal car crash to which she inherited three million payout from his insurance. While Kumako insistent in her innocence, the newspaper article set on painting this woman as the evil femme fatale with her past criminal records and her infamous revenge on those who caused her irk. Akitani, the news journalist that dead set in saying this woman is guilty is now facing the dilemma of her maybe being acquitted is trying to ensure the woman never get the lights of her day out of the prison.
What fascinates me on this story is how this was told in between dialogues and conversation between the journalist and the lawyers as they discussed on the case. Their clashing opinions and interpretation on the case gave more in depth look on the case as a whole. We get detailed investigation matters into the accident as the suspect, Kumako's life were being scrutinized and aired out in the articles. This showed how public sentiment and opinions can get twisted and there is discriminatory bias on the case since Kumako was described as a promiscous woman and greedy for marrying her older husband, Shirakawa for money. The story was short and straight to the point on the discussion on how one's perception can be skewed by these flaming newspaper articles with context to paint a woman as evil just by her past records and could potentially impact the judgement and verdict. Akitani played a big role in this as he started the movement first of creating the story of her as the one that killed her husband based on circumstantial evidence. This was very fascinating to read as we get to see the psychological impact this have to him when he is scared of the repercussions of his action if Kumako ever get released led him to paranoia state.
The ending was solid, leaving us reader to imagine what could possibly happen very in line with Mastumoto's style.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Classics for the review copy.
What fascinates me on this story is how this was told in between dialogues and conversation between the journalist and the lawyers as they discussed on the case. Their clashing opinions and interpretation on the case gave more in depth look on the case as a whole. We get detailed investigation matters into the accident as the suspect, Kumako's life were being scrutinized and aired out in the articles. This showed how public sentiment and opinions can get twisted and there is discriminatory bias on the case since Kumako was described as a promiscous woman and greedy for marrying her older husband, Shirakawa for money. The story was short and straight to the point on the discussion on how one's perception can be skewed by these flaming newspaper articles with context to paint a woman as evil just by her past records and could potentially impact the judgement and verdict. Akitani played a big role in this as he started the movement first of creating the story of her as the one that killed her husband based on circumstantial evidence. This was very fascinating to read as we get to see the psychological impact this have to him when he is scared of the repercussions of his action if Kumako ever get released led him to paranoia state.
The ending was solid, leaving us reader to imagine what could possibly happen very in line with Mastumoto's style.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Classics for the review copy.
May 5, 2023
Carino. Un po' telefonato, meno affascinante degli altri titoli dell'autore che ho letto in precedenza.
Ci troviamo davanti al processo per omicidio a carico si una donna descritta da tutti come malvagia. Ma sarà davvero colpevole? E la sua colpevolezza, giova a qualcuno?
Più che un romanzo, direi un racconto, che preseenta però qualche problema sul ritmo, anche se l'idea è comunque interessante e la sospensione del giudizio sui vari personaggi rende il tutto molto scorrevole.
Si legge in una serata.
Ci troviamo davanti al processo per omicidio a carico si una donna descritta da tutti come malvagia. Ma sarà davvero colpevole? E la sua colpevolezza, giova a qualcuno?
Più che un romanzo, direi un racconto, che preseenta però qualche problema sul ritmo, anche se l'idea è comunque interessante e la sospensione del giudizio sui vari personaggi rende il tutto molto scorrevole.
Si legge in una serata.
November 20, 2025
Short but spicy.
Amazing how bias can shape perceptions.
A well written and displayed story on 97 pages and an ending that leaves room for further writing. If you want to start with Seicho Matsumoto this is the optimal book, short but gold
Amazing how bias can shape perceptions.
A well written and displayed story on 97 pages and an ending that leaves room for further writing. If you want to start with Seicho Matsumoto this is the optimal book, short but gold
August 26, 2025
Quite a strange choice from penguin to publish this novella as a standalone.
April 27, 2024
Da leggere tutto d'un fiato!
September 26, 2025
This was a deceptively tense, gripping, and thrilling read. It started dry and slow, but I found that I just couldn't stop reading.
September 28, 2025
Entertaining . impressively compact for less than a 100 pages.
July 15, 2023
Un mistery molto carino e corto. Non è ricco di colpi di scena o con chissà quale ritmo avvincente ma è comunque scritto in modo raffinato e ha una struttura ottima. Consiglio.
May 13, 2023
Bellissimo.
Un bel thriller psicologico asciutto.
Mi è piaciuta tantissimo la maniera scientifica di arrivare alla soluzione, l'idea di ragionare sui dettagli fino alla conclusione agghiacciante.
I timori, l'imprevedivibilità delle persone oltre le apparenze, ma soprattutto la forza della razionalità e la paura umana delle conseguenze delle proprie azioni.
Ho trovato il mio scrittore del 2023 (spero perché è il primo che leggo di Seicho Matsumoto)
Un bel thriller psicologico asciutto.
Mi è piaciuta tantissimo la maniera scientifica di arrivare alla soluzione, l'idea di ragionare sui dettagli fino alla conclusione agghiacciante.
I timori, l'imprevedivibilità delle persone oltre le apparenze, ma soprattutto la forza della razionalità e la paura umana delle conseguenze delle proprie azioni.
Ho trovato il mio scrittore del 2023 (spero perché è il primo che leggo di Seicho Matsumoto)
November 25, 2022
Trama inconsistente, approfondimento scarso, grande autocompiacimento.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews