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Prosecutor Kirishima #3
Luna di miele verso il nulla
Tokyo, anni Sessanta. Segnata da una cocente delusione, la giovane Etsuko ritrova la speranza di un matrimonio romantico quando incontra il timido professore universitario Yoshihiro. Figlio di un criminale politico e fratello di un presunto omicida, non è il genero ideale, ed Etsuko convola a nozze contro la volontà dei genitori. Ma le ombre del passato minacciano la serenità alla vigilia della luna di miele, dopo una telefonata misteriosa, Yoshihiro scompare. Sul caso indaga il sostituto procuratore Kirishima, il primo, tormentato amore di Etsuko...
«Takagi traccia raffinati ritratti psicologici degni di Patricia Highsmith o William Irish. I suoi personaggi sono travolti da un vortice di tensione che li conduce sull'orlo del baratro».
«Publishers Weekly»
Dopo una cocente delusione sentimentale, dall'inquietudine dei suoi ventisei anni Etsuko vede davanti a sé solo una distesa di angoscia, tanto piú che nel Giappone del secondo dopoguerra le coetanee hanno già marito e focolare da tempo. Il padre, noto avvocato della Tokyo altolocata, corre ai ripari promettendola in moglie a un collega suo pupillo. Quell'accordo ha i confini di una prigione, e quando Etsuko incontra per caso Yoshihiro, timido professore universitario, intravede la via di fuga che porta alla felicità. In poche settimane tra i due giovani nasce un'intesa speciale. Anche se le ombre del passato di Yoshihiro incombono minacciose - un padre che ha partecipato al tentativo di colpo di Stato del 1945 e un fratello presunto omicida - e mille ostacoli si oppongono all'idillio, Etsuko è determinata a suggellare quell'unione con le nozze, persino contro il volere dei propri genitori. Il giorno tanto atteso arriva. Dopo la cerimonia, i coniugi si ritirano in hotel per la notte. Qui Yoshihiro riceve una telefonata misteriosa e dice di doversi recare con urgenza all'università, ma assicura che tornerà presto e che il mattino seguente partiranno per la luna di miele secondo i piani. Etsuko aspetta Yoshihiro è scomparso. Il caso viene affidato al brillante sostituto procuratore Kirishima, una vecchia conoscenza della novella sposa. Anzi, molto di piú: il suo primo, tormentato amore... In questo romanzo pubblicato originariamente nel 1965, il maestro del giallo Takagi Akimitsu intesse una trama avvincente e restituisce un ritratto autentico del Giappone dei primi anni l'influenza di una borghesia colta e agiata vittima delle convenzioni, l'ambiente ipocrita dell'università, i maneggi segreti del mondo dell'industria, le tensioni che attraversano una società che guarda al futuro seppure ancora prostrata dalle ferite della Storia.
«Takagi traccia raffinati ritratti psicologici degni di Patricia Highsmith o William Irish. I suoi personaggi sono travolti da un vortice di tensione che li conduce sull'orlo del baratro».
«Publishers Weekly»
Dopo una cocente delusione sentimentale, dall'inquietudine dei suoi ventisei anni Etsuko vede davanti a sé solo una distesa di angoscia, tanto piú che nel Giappone del secondo dopoguerra le coetanee hanno già marito e focolare da tempo. Il padre, noto avvocato della Tokyo altolocata, corre ai ripari promettendola in moglie a un collega suo pupillo. Quell'accordo ha i confini di una prigione, e quando Etsuko incontra per caso Yoshihiro, timido professore universitario, intravede la via di fuga che porta alla felicità. In poche settimane tra i due giovani nasce un'intesa speciale. Anche se le ombre del passato di Yoshihiro incombono minacciose - un padre che ha partecipato al tentativo di colpo di Stato del 1945 e un fratello presunto omicida - e mille ostacoli si oppongono all'idillio, Etsuko è determinata a suggellare quell'unione con le nozze, persino contro il volere dei propri genitori. Il giorno tanto atteso arriva. Dopo la cerimonia, i coniugi si ritirano in hotel per la notte. Qui Yoshihiro riceve una telefonata misteriosa e dice di doversi recare con urgenza all'università, ma assicura che tornerà presto e che il mattino seguente partiranno per la luna di miele secondo i piani. Etsuko aspetta Yoshihiro è scomparso. Il caso viene affidato al brillante sostituto procuratore Kirishima, una vecchia conoscenza della novella sposa. Anzi, molto di piú: il suo primo, tormentato amore... In questo romanzo pubblicato originariamente nel 1965, il maestro del giallo Takagi Akimitsu intesse una trama avvincente e restituisce un ritratto autentico del Giappone dei primi anni l'influenza di una borghesia colta e agiata vittima delle convenzioni, l'ambiente ipocrita dell'università, i maneggi segreti del mondo dell'industria, le tensioni che attraversano una società che guarda al futuro seppure ancora prostrata dalle ferite della Storia.
274 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1965
22 people are currently reading
583 people want to read
About the author
Akimitsu Takagi
111 books106 followersAkimitsu Takagi (高木 彬光 , Takagi Akimitsu?, 25 September 1920–9 September 1995), was the pen-name of a popular Japanese crime fiction writer active during the Showa period of Japan. His real name was Takagi Seiichi.
Takagi was born in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan. He graduated from the Daiichi High School (which was often abbreviated to Ichi-ko) and Kyoto Imperial University, where he studied metallurgy. He was employed by the Nakajima Aircraft Company, but lost his job with the prohibition on military industries in Japan after World War II.
On the recommendation of a fortune-teller, he decided to become a writer. He sent the second draft of his first detective story, The Tattoo Murder Case, to the great mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo, who recognized his skill and who recommended it to a publisher. It was published in 1948.
He received the Tantei sakka club sho (Mystery Writers Club Award) for his second novel, the Noh Mask Murder Case in 1950.
Takagi was a self-taught legal expert and the heroes in most of his books were usually prosecutors or police detectives, although the protagonist in his first stories was Kyosuke Kamizu, an assistant professor at Tokyo University.
Takagi explored variations on the detective novel in the 1960s, including historical mysteries, picaresque novels, legal mysteries, economic crime stories, and science fiction alternate history.
In The Informer (1965), a former Tokyo stock exchange worker is fired because of illegal trades. A subsequent stock market crash means that he has no hope of returning to his old career and therefore he accepts a job from an old friend even though he eventually discovers that the new firm he works for is really an agency for industrial espionage. The plot is based on actual events.
He was struck by stroke several times since 1979, and died in 1995.
From Wikipedia
Takagi was born in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan. He graduated from the Daiichi High School (which was often abbreviated to Ichi-ko) and Kyoto Imperial University, where he studied metallurgy. He was employed by the Nakajima Aircraft Company, but lost his job with the prohibition on military industries in Japan after World War II.
On the recommendation of a fortune-teller, he decided to become a writer. He sent the second draft of his first detective story, The Tattoo Murder Case, to the great mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo, who recognized his skill and who recommended it to a publisher. It was published in 1948.
He received the Tantei sakka club sho (Mystery Writers Club Award) for his second novel, the Noh Mask Murder Case in 1950.
Takagi was a self-taught legal expert and the heroes in most of his books were usually prosecutors or police detectives, although the protagonist in his first stories was Kyosuke Kamizu, an assistant professor at Tokyo University.
Takagi explored variations on the detective novel in the 1960s, including historical mysteries, picaresque novels, legal mysteries, economic crime stories, and science fiction alternate history.
In The Informer (1965), a former Tokyo stock exchange worker is fired because of illegal trades. A subsequent stock market crash means that he has no hope of returning to his old career and therefore he accepts a job from an old friend even though he eventually discovers that the new firm he works for is really an agency for industrial espionage. The plot is based on actual events.
He was struck by stroke several times since 1979, and died in 1995.
From Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 9, 2022
An enjoyable pace and style to this novel. By that, I mean that it is at odds with contemporary mysteries and their hurried and brusque quality. This novel from 1965 reflects its times and its mores and culture. That's not to say it doesn't have an interesting structure. For the first third of the story, despite all the shadows that keep dipping into Etsu's awareness of the mystery surrounding her fiance, things seem to be working out satisfactorily. So much so that I believed the twist would come from within the marriage. And it did, in a way. For a murder takes place because of the marriage. All the while, you also expect violence to erupt from the secret background of Etsu's new husband. And that, too, happens. In a way. But the remaining two thirds of the novel provides a well thought out procedural detective story--but still manages a bit of a shocker as to the identity of the murderer.
The storyline of Honeymoon is well plotted and self contained. No surprises intrude at the end to "help" solve the case. Follow the clues, and the answer as to who is the murderer is there for the reader and the state prosecutor to discover at the same time. Finally, a note on the translation. Good job, here. Very few awkward moments in the dialog or narration. With one exception. The charwoman speaks, it seems, with a mangling of an uneducated cockney. That is awkward. But it's only for a few pages. Otherwise, only a couple of twisted idioms and metaphors.
The storyline of Honeymoon is well plotted and self contained. No surprises intrude at the end to "help" solve the case. Follow the clues, and the answer as to who is the murderer is there for the reader and the state prosecutor to discover at the same time. Finally, a note on the translation. Good job, here. Very few awkward moments in the dialog or narration. With one exception. The charwoman speaks, it seems, with a mangling of an uneducated cockney. That is awkward. But it's only for a few pages. Otherwise, only a couple of twisted idioms and metaphors.
June 28, 2015
This is the first book of Takagi's that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Takagi creates a romance novel beginning and then quickly turns it on its head with a murder. It starts off innocently enough with 26-year-old Etsuko, chubby, awkward, and deemed an "old maid" by most of the people around her, especially her parents. She suffers through a painful, unrequited crush on her best friend's fiance and is too heartbroken to attend the wedding. Her father is trying to force her to marry a boring legal colleague of his, Higuchi. Etsuko thinks he's a cold fish and is not interested in him in the least. What I found interesting was that Etsuko thought she was so unattractive, but at least three men were interested in her. In many ways, it is her perception of herself as plain and fat that is responsible for her being alone, not that she is really unattractive.
Instead, she falls for the clumsy, messy, rather goofily charming Yoshihiro Tsukamoto, who is a lecturer in economics at a university. The two quickly fall in love, despite opposition from Etsuko's parents and her erstwhile fiance, Higuchi, who digs up some dirt about the pasts of Yoshihiro's father and younger brother. However, true love will not be denied - with a little help from strategically timed lie on Etsuko's part - and Etsuko and Yoshihiro marry. Just when you think everything is going to end well, Yoshihiro vanishes on the wedding night, and Etsuko's perfect world comes crashing down.
Etsuko falls completely apart, but soon displays a strong will and sense of independence that shocks - and possibly even scares - her friends and family who are not used to this side of her. It is up to Etsuko's former crush, Kirishima, a prosecutor, Inspector Yoshioka, and Etsuko's friend/Kirishima's wife Kyoko to discover the truth behind what happened to Yoshihiro on his wedding night - and why anyone would seemingly want to harm the absent-minded professor.
This novel is great fun. I quickly came to care for the characters, especially poor Etsuko, trying so hard to be independent for once in her life, and getting angry when her family thinks she's crazy for wanting to make her own decisions. I also liked the relationship between Kirishima and his wife Kyoko. I can see why Etsuko was so envious of them. Takagi did an excellent job of hiding the killer - I didn't figure this one out at all.
Instead, she falls for the clumsy, messy, rather goofily charming Yoshihiro Tsukamoto, who is a lecturer in economics at a university. The two quickly fall in love, despite opposition from Etsuko's parents and her erstwhile fiance, Higuchi, who digs up some dirt about the pasts of Yoshihiro's father and younger brother. However, true love will not be denied - with a little help from strategically timed lie on Etsuko's part - and Etsuko and Yoshihiro marry. Just when you think everything is going to end well, Yoshihiro vanishes on the wedding night, and Etsuko's perfect world comes crashing down.
Etsuko falls completely apart, but soon displays a strong will and sense of independence that shocks - and possibly even scares - her friends and family who are not used to this side of her. It is up to Etsuko's former crush, Kirishima, a prosecutor, Inspector Yoshioka, and Etsuko's friend/Kirishima's wife Kyoko to discover the truth behind what happened to Yoshihiro on his wedding night - and why anyone would seemingly want to harm the absent-minded professor.
This novel is great fun. I quickly came to care for the characters, especially poor Etsuko, trying so hard to be independent for once in her life, and getting angry when her family thinks she's crazy for wanting to make her own decisions. I also liked the relationship between Kirishima and his wife Kyoko. I can see why Etsuko was so envious of them. Takagi did an excellent job of hiding the killer - I didn't figure this one out at all.
February 24, 2019
Periodically, I decide to give a Japanese mystery a try. Almost always because it will suit a challenge that I'm doing. And almost every time I am reminded that the pacing of Japanese writing just doesn't suit me. The build-up to the crime is sooooooooo slow. Providing background is one thing, but the Japanese style of narration seems to require (as noted in the summary) meticulous (I would almost say tedious) attention to detail. Where British or American mystery authors of the period would tend to summarize characters in short passages, Takagi takes several chapters to slowly provide details on Etsuko and her family, Yoshihiro, and all the supporting characters.
I do enjoy learning about other cultures and those cultures during different time periods, but I find it difficult to adapt to the narrative style. The only exception to this rule so far has been The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji--most likely because it pays homage to the classic mysteries of the Golden Age. The story did pick up once the murder had occurred and Kirishima and his assistant Kitahara begin their investigation. I did enjoy following Kirishima's process of detection and interrogation. ★★ and 1/2. Rounded up here.
Full review on my blog My Reader's Block.
I do enjoy learning about other cultures and those cultures during different time periods, but I find it difficult to adapt to the narrative style. The only exception to this rule so far has been The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji--most likely because it pays homage to the classic mysteries of the Golden Age. The story did pick up once the murder had occurred and Kirishima and his assistant Kitahara begin their investigation. I did enjoy following Kirishima's process of detection and interrogation. ★★ and 1/2. Rounded up here.
Full review on my blog My Reader's Block.
February 25, 2019
On the plus side, dialogues in this book are less stilted and preposterous than in most mysteries. Characters have a decent sense of logic and there is nothing grotesque about the plot. However, once I found out who killed Yoshihiro and his brother Nobumasa, I realized I couldn't care less. The first third of the book is devoted to Yoshihiro's courtship of Etsuko, or rather the reverse, since Yoshihiro, because of his father's right-wing politics and his younger brother's criminal activities, is in no position to ask for lawyer Ogata's daughter in marriage. But Etsuko, having failed to get the man she wanted, is determined to take her happiness in her own hands and not marry her father's successor, the calculating Higuchi. Etsuko is a rather interesting character and it's a pity she virtually disappears from the novel as an agent once Yoshihiro is killed on their wedding night. Another major flaw is that the involvement of Yoshihiro's father with right-wing politics turns out to be a red herring. While the identity of the murderer (he was very close to both victims) and his motivation (greed) make perfect sense, the revelation comes as an anti-climax because we don't know much about this character which makes his betrayal of his friends far less sensational than it could be.
September 28, 2016
Akimitsu Takagi's Honeymoon to Nowhere shows again the author's strengths and weaknesses. It is absolutely one of his novels, for all the good, and for all the bad.
The story is pretty simple. Etsuko is trying to forget about Prosecutor Kirishima when she meets a professor from a small university, Yoshihiro Tsukamoto. He seems rather charming, in a clumsy kind of way, and she starts to fall in love with him. But there are a couple of strange things about him that make her wonder. And he seems to have contacts with some shady people. And then...
As with all other novels I've read from Akimitsu Takagi, the story is not overly complicated, and he expends way more time with the set up than with the development or the resolution. That is one of his problems: he makes the characters very interesting, the atmosphere is really good, and the mystery he sets up quite interesting. But then he falls into the same traps and rushes the end without actually being able to bring much sense of a mystery. His novels are more of a thriller than a mystery. Nonetheless, he is so good at setting up the story and at the atmosphere of a shady, gloomy Japan, that these shortcomings can be forgiven. A little bit more difficult to understand is the repetition of mistakes his characters seem to commit in each one of his novels. There is one excruciating plot development that has happened in each one of his novels, that doesn't really make much sense and just seems to be there to make the novel longer.
"Honeymoon to Nowhere" is a very interesting and entertaining novel. If Takagi just expend more time in creating a thoroughly developed plot he would be a great mystery writer. As it stands, this novel is a great atmospheric vision to a world of darkness and secrets.
7/10
The story is pretty simple. Etsuko is trying to forget about Prosecutor Kirishima when she meets a professor from a small university, Yoshihiro Tsukamoto. He seems rather charming, in a clumsy kind of way, and she starts to fall in love with him. But there are a couple of strange things about him that make her wonder. And he seems to have contacts with some shady people. And then...
As with all other novels I've read from Akimitsu Takagi, the story is not overly complicated, and he expends way more time with the set up than with the development or the resolution. That is one of his problems: he makes the characters very interesting, the atmosphere is really good, and the mystery he sets up quite interesting. But then he falls into the same traps and rushes the end without actually being able to bring much sense of a mystery. His novels are more of a thriller than a mystery. Nonetheless, he is so good at setting up the story and at the atmosphere of a shady, gloomy Japan, that these shortcomings can be forgiven. A little bit more difficult to understand is the repetition of mistakes his characters seem to commit in each one of his novels. There is one excruciating plot development that has happened in each one of his novels, that doesn't really make much sense and just seems to be there to make the novel longer.
"Honeymoon to Nowhere" is a very interesting and entertaining novel. If Takagi just expend more time in creating a thoroughly developed plot he would be a great mystery writer. As it stands, this novel is a great atmospheric vision to a world of darkness and secrets.
7/10
September 6, 2025
Ambientato in Giappone negli anni Sessanta, questo è un giallo deduttivo dall’impianto classico, con particolare attenzione ai risvolti psicologici di alcuni personaggi e al contesto sociale giapponese del dopoguerra: l’ascesa di certe classi sociali, le rivalità in ambito accademico, le spinte reazionarie della destra estrema.
Etsuko, la protagonista femminile, è alla stesso tempo fragile e tenace, in grado di opporsi alla pressione patriarcale della sua famiglia di origine, di accettare il dolore e di non soccombere ai colpi avversi del destino.
Gradevole e intrigante, se siamo in grado di districarci nella selva di ka, hi, shi, yo contenuti nei nomi dei vari personaggi.😅
Etsuko, la protagonista femminile, è alla stesso tempo fragile e tenace, in grado di opporsi alla pressione patriarcale della sua famiglia di origine, di accettare il dolore e di non soccombere ai colpi avversi del destino.
Gradevole e intrigante, se siamo in grado di districarci nella selva di ka, hi, shi, yo contenuti nei nomi dei vari personaggi.😅
August 4, 2025
3,5
un giallo rapido, ben articolato, ma soprattutto una scrittura che incanta
un giallo rapido, ben articolato, ma soprattutto una scrittura che incanta
July 25, 2019
Another cerebral curiosity from the author of The Informer. Japanese murder mysteries are paced so differently from their Western counterparts, and I find them fascinating as a puzzle rather than becoming emotionally involved with the characters. Of course, there is a whole genre of Japanese puzzle mysteries, and they're usually great to dip into every once in a while; though if I read too many consecutively I find the lack of passion and character development a little unfulfilling. Nevertheless, I love to read one every now and again.
September 3, 2019
Very much a book of its time. Specially in the newer mystery genre. Although you'd think the characters would be hard to keep up with, having such non-English names, I found even small characters had a flaw or mannerism that set them apart. I didn't figure out the killer but I only try to solve mildly but at the end see if all the pieces fit.
My only real problem is treatment of women. This one wasn't as bad as some others of this period in the 60's. But the snipes about women drivers and such weren't really unnecessary for the story
My only real problem is treatment of women. This one wasn't as bad as some others of this period in the 60's. But the snipes about women drivers and such weren't really unnecessary for the story
March 17, 2018
If you're the type of crime fiction reader who loves logical reasoning and deduction by means elimination, this is it for you. Throughout the book readers are offered the thought process of officers and prosecutors, expressed through thoroughly expended dialogues while explaining and speculating over the whodunnit. The interrogation process is very well thought out almost as though the author has been doing it all his life.
The first quarter of the book proceeds like romance, with the occasional dreadful comments towards Etsuko's love interest that reminds the reader this ain't just a romance. While I get it is to set the mood and build tension, but sometime it was executed rather unnaturally, to the point of dramatic at times (e.g.: "...the tender beginnings of a new affection in one compartmentt and the slow gathering of a poisonous suspicion in another" (27))
Overall a good fast read and nice collection to your crime fiction stackS
The first quarter of the book proceeds like romance, with the occasional dreadful comments towards Etsuko's love interest that reminds the reader this ain't just a romance. While I get it is to set the mood and build tension, but sometime it was executed rather unnaturally, to the point of dramatic at times (e.g.: "...the tender beginnings of a new affection in one compartmentt and the slow gathering of a poisonous suspicion in another" (27))
Overall a good fast read and nice collection to your crime fiction stackS
June 15, 2015
Honeymoon to nowhere
A woman coming out of a recent heartbreak is set by her parents to marry a man, while in the waiting period to answer she meets a man he wants to marry, against the parents’ wishes (based on the man family past) she marries him, but he is killed the night after they got married, a long line of problem with the family resurfaces and the case complicates when the brother of the murdered man is murdered.
First part the romance, really fleshes out the feelings of Tetsuko, and gives a god setup of the secrets of the groom past life.
A really good “who-done-it” mystery, little by little suspects are cleared until we end up with just two and the prosecutor caching the killer on ruse, for there was no evidence tying him to the murders.
5 stars
A woman coming out of a recent heartbreak is set by her parents to marry a man, while in the waiting period to answer she meets a man he wants to marry, against the parents’ wishes (based on the man family past) she marries him, but he is killed the night after they got married, a long line of problem with the family resurfaces and the case complicates when the brother of the murdered man is murdered.
First part the romance, really fleshes out the feelings of Tetsuko, and gives a god setup of the secrets of the groom past life.
A really good “who-done-it” mystery, little by little suspects are cleared until we end up with just two and the prosecutor caching the killer on ruse, for there was no evidence tying him to the murders.
5 stars
August 31, 2017
This is the second of Akimitsu's book that I've read. I don't know if it's because the writing style is dry (as to be expected from an older novel), but I find this novel more tedious to read that the first one (Tattoo Murder Case).
A certain plot device that was used in Tattoo Murder Case was also present here. Perhaps it was Akimitsu's style, but it was not quite so tense the second time around. Rather, it became eye-roll-worthy, and felt like unnecessary padding.
But I still enjoyed the mystery enough, so I give it 3 stars.
A certain plot device that was used in Tattoo Murder Case was also present here. Perhaps it was Akimitsu's style, but it was not quite so tense the second time around. Rather, it became eye-roll-worthy, and felt like unnecessary padding.
But I still enjoyed the mystery enough, so I give it 3 stars.
May 31, 2008
I did then didn't then finally did really enjoy this crime thriller -- strangely, I'd have to reread it again to fully appreciate it. It did strike me at the time in the same way the Zola's Therese Raquin did, if memory serves...
:)
:)
August 13, 2018
I love reading Japanese mysteries. The formality of society adds a layer of suspense that hides in plain sight much like the banal details so often associated with Japanese prose adds a depth of meaning not expected. Three-and-a-half stars really.
June 20, 2018
Another good mystery. Now I'm depressed because I've read every English translation of this author. I wish there were more.
November 7, 2018
More complicated than was necessary, in my view. If crime fiction is your genre 👍🏽
If it isn't, proceed with caution 😎
If it isn't, proceed with caution 😎
November 15, 2018
Just the right amount of twists in this detective novel to keep one interested. Steady and relaxed pacing, ideal for when one has time on hand and is in no hurry to reach the ending.
January 9, 2022
Why is no one explaining how Nobunasa die by the hand of koike😭🗿 did i miss sth. I reread the last chap 3 times
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up to 5. This is my 3rd Akimitsu Takagi book and my second Prosecutor Kirishima book. I did not like the Noh Mask book and dnf'd it. I liked the first Kirishima book that I got this one. Spoilers ahead.
As with many Japanese detective books of this era the plot is overly complicated with a lot of characters which doesn't do it any favors. The strength of any good book lies in building up interesting characters that readers want to follow. Also in this case the first half of the book follows Etsuko (the protagonist) before abandoning her and somewhat following Kirishima. And as usual the author builds up a mysterious case with lots of people dying before the detective lays bare the mystery in a single chapter at the end of the book. As my old math teacher used to say "Show your work to get the credit!" which none of these authors do.
Etusko is a young spinster who her lawyer father wants to marry off to a young partner in his office. But she has no interest in him. One day she accidentally meets Yoshihiro, a young university lecturer and over time falls in love with him. She finally convinces her parents to let her marry him. On their wedding night he is lured out and murdered. That is basically the summary of the first part of the book.
As Kirishima investigates the case Yoshihiro's brother is also murdered. There does not seem to be any physical clues or suspects but the truth is revealed as Kirishima starts digging into Yoshihiro's past.
The writing (or translation) is very well done and the writing is easy to read and follow. The author does a good job of building up the characters. The mystery and the ending is a bit meh as the reveal is quick and doesn't really let the reader savor the discovery and analysis behind it.
There is a good bit of back and forth between Kirishima and his assistant but I think bringing Kirishima's wife into the story was a bit unnecessary. I'm now on to the last Takagi book available in English, which also happens to be his first one.
As with many Japanese detective books of this era the plot is overly complicated with a lot of characters which doesn't do it any favors. The strength of any good book lies in building up interesting characters that readers want to follow. Also in this case the first half of the book follows Etsuko (the protagonist) before abandoning her and somewhat following Kirishima. And as usual the author builds up a mysterious case with lots of people dying before the detective lays bare the mystery in a single chapter at the end of the book. As my old math teacher used to say "Show your work to get the credit!" which none of these authors do.
Etusko is a young spinster who her lawyer father wants to marry off to a young partner in his office. But she has no interest in him. One day she accidentally meets Yoshihiro, a young university lecturer and over time falls in love with him. She finally convinces her parents to let her marry him. On their wedding night he is lured out and murdered. That is basically the summary of the first part of the book.
As Kirishima investigates the case Yoshihiro's brother is also murdered. There does not seem to be any physical clues or suspects but the truth is revealed as Kirishima starts digging into Yoshihiro's past.
The writing (or translation) is very well done and the writing is easy to read and follow. The author does a good job of building up the characters. The mystery and the ending is a bit meh as the reveal is quick and doesn't really let the reader savor the discovery and analysis behind it.
There is a good bit of back and forth between Kirishima and his assistant but I think bringing Kirishima's wife into the story was a bit unnecessary. I'm now on to the last Takagi book available in English, which also happens to be his first one.
July 8, 2025
Questo primo giallo di Takagi fu originariamente pubblicato in Giappone nel 1965. I magistrali ritratti psicologici dello scrittore nipponico non hanno nulla da invidiare a quelli dei migliori giallisti occidentali nella loro rappresentazione di individui avvolti da un intrigo che minaccia di distruggerli. Una giovane donna, Etsuko Ogata, viene pressata dal padre a sposare un avvocato piuttosto mediocre, Tetsuya Higuchi, che rispetta ma non ama. In silenzio, Etsuko si ribella e inizia una relazione con Yoshihiro Tsukamoto, un docente di gestione industriale che incontra per caso. Sullo sfondo di una cultura in rapido cambiamento, in piena ripresa dalla devastazione della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Etsuko evita Higuchi e corteggia Tsukamoto nonostante i dubbi sul passato della sua famiglia. Alla fine sposa il suo amato, ma la prima notte di nozze è appena iniziata quando il nuovo marito di Etsuko esce improvvisamente di casa dopo una telefonata e viene assassinato. Mentre la trama di questo coinvolgente mistero procede, il procuratore di Stato Saburo Kirishima deve usare tutta la sua sottigliezza per districare i fili di gelosia e avidità che hanno trasformato Etsuko in una sposa e una vedova nella stessa notte.
Forse non all’altezza de Il mistero della donna tatuata (recensito a suo tempo nel gruppo) questo romanzo di Tagaki si fa tuttavia leggere più che volentieri, specie in una calda estate come questa, per i brividi che procura.
Forse non all’altezza de Il mistero della donna tatuata (recensito a suo tempo nel gruppo) questo romanzo di Tagaki si fa tuttavia leggere più che volentieri, specie in una calda estate come questa, per i brividi che procura.
November 2, 2023
Too tedious. The payoff also did not satisfy me. I think I'm too used to (and adore) Agatha Christie's method of writing her mysteries and interconnecting every single character under suspicion so intricately that the guessing and assuming and working out of the killer and the motive, which is always fun for me with the bouncing back of ideas exchanged otherwise felt redundant and tedious here because of a lack of exciting conclusion or motivation behind the murder(s). There was potential, w shorter length and cleaner execution but alas :[
My 100th book! Yay!!! I have never loved reading more ❤️🩹
My 100th book! Yay!!! I have never loved reading more ❤️🩹
February 3, 2023
For the first 90 pages or so I thought I had bought a romance novel by mistake. But it was still intriguing. It definitely isn't a fast-paced Harlan Coben style mystery, but this was a good thing. It seemed more like what it is: a classic Japanese noir.
This is the third novel I read by this author, and unfortunately I think it is the last one in English translation. It's too bad because I really enjoyed all his books.
I highly recommend reading any of his books if you come across them.
This is the third novel I read by this author, and unfortunately I think it is the last one in English translation. It's too bad because I really enjoyed all his books.
I highly recommend reading any of his books if you come across them.
September 7, 2025
Premessa intrigante, sviluppo promettente fino a metà volume, epilogo funzionale ma deludente (un vero peccato).
Serve sempre e comunque lo schemino dei personaggi per uscirne vivi.
Non avevo colto che si trattasse di un romanzo degli anni ‘60 e mi ha stupita, avendolo trovato moderno e scorrevole (merito probabilmente anche della traduzione).
Serve sempre e comunque lo schemino dei personaggi per uscirne vivi.
Non avevo colto che si trattasse di un romanzo degli anni ‘60 e mi ha stupita, avendolo trovato moderno e scorrevole (merito probabilmente anche della traduzione).
January 2, 2023
This book is good if you want a short, reasonably compelling yet decidedly simple detective story. You aren't going to find groundbreaking writing or plotlines in its pages, but you'll be entertained for a few hours.
April 6, 2023
I don’t want to give a synopsis because to do so would reveal spoilers.
The story drew me in the more I read it. I always guess the the solutions to mysteries but this one baffled me. It didn’t change my life but it certainly entertained me. I did prefer it to “The Tattoo Murder Case”.
The story drew me in the more I read it. I always guess the the solutions to mysteries but this one baffled me. It didn’t change my life but it certainly entertained me. I did prefer it to “The Tattoo Murder Case”.
Read
September 14, 2020Underwhelming resolution
October 6, 2023
was pretty good, read for class. ending was kinda anticlimactic.
January 31, 2024
Excellent classic Japanese crime novel, not cosy at all, more noir. More Takagi needs to be translated.
September 20, 2024
The way Takagi tells his is both sad and thoughtful. Japanese crime detection is so different from European and American. Great read.
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