The Phantom Doctor

by Edogawa Rampo

"The Phantom Doctor" (幽霊塔, Yūreitō) is a mystery novel by Edogawa Ranpo, blending crime, suspense, and psychological horror. It follows Heizo, a young man who becomes entangled with a mysterious figure known as the "Phantom Doctor." This elusive doctor appears and disappears without a trace, leaving behind puzzling crimes and eerie occurrences.

The investigation leads Heizo to an abandoned tower rumored to be haunted. Inside, he encounters hidden traps and enigmatic clues that blur the line between reality and illusion. As the story unfolds, Heizo discovers that the doctor’s identity and motives are far more complex than they initially seemed.

Themes of deception, greed, and psychological tension permeate the novel, with Ranpo masterfully creating an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

About the author

Hirai Tarō (平井 太郎), better known by the pseudonym Rampo Edogawa ( 江戸川 乱歩), sometimes romanized as "Ranpo Edogawa", was a Japanese author and critic who played a major role in the development of Japanese mystery fiction.