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Inspector Aizawa Crime Novellas
Poison Across Tokyo
Tokyo, September 1932
After the chaos of the May 15th Incident, the Great Depression, and the invasion of Manchuria, Japan searches for stability. The puppet state of Manchukuo is finally set to be recognized by the Japanese government when a prominent businessman receives a threatening letter. Although he downplays it, Inspector Kenji Aizawa of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department assigns his geisha spy Reiko Watanabe to watch him in secret - until the businessman is suddenly poisoned.
The killer is a mysterious figure dubbed the Poison Woman. New deaths break out across Tokyo, all poisoned but with few, if any, connections. Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Watanabe search for clues, unraveling the Poison Woman's connection to a group of Korean nationalists plotting political assassinations.
But the victims all appear random and unconnected - until Aizawa begins prying into the past, unearthing crimes and tragedies that were buried long ago. Meanwhile, a rising politician plans to host a lavish banquet for General Shigeru Honjo, the conqueror of Manchuria. The dreaded Tokko, Japan's Thought Police, soon intervene, widening the case from simple murder to international espionage.
Time is running out for Aizawa and Reiko to find the Poison Woman, uncover her motives, save her targets, and expose the truth before it's forgotten forever.
Poison Across Tokyo is the first in a side series of thriller novellas starring Inspector Aizawa, all steeped in politics, conspiracies, and crimes from 1930s Japan.
After the chaos of the May 15th Incident, the Great Depression, and the invasion of Manchuria, Japan searches for stability. The puppet state of Manchukuo is finally set to be recognized by the Japanese government when a prominent businessman receives a threatening letter. Although he downplays it, Inspector Kenji Aizawa of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department assigns his geisha spy Reiko Watanabe to watch him in secret - until the businessman is suddenly poisoned.
The killer is a mysterious figure dubbed the Poison Woman. New deaths break out across Tokyo, all poisoned but with few, if any, connections. Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Watanabe search for clues, unraveling the Poison Woman's connection to a group of Korean nationalists plotting political assassinations.
But the victims all appear random and unconnected - until Aizawa begins prying into the past, unearthing crimes and tragedies that were buried long ago. Meanwhile, a rising politician plans to host a lavish banquet for General Shigeru Honjo, the conqueror of Manchuria. The dreaded Tokko, Japan's Thought Police, soon intervene, widening the case from simple murder to international espionage.
Time is running out for Aizawa and Reiko to find the Poison Woman, uncover her motives, save her targets, and expose the truth before it's forgotten forever.
Poison Across Tokyo is the first in a side series of thriller novellas starring Inspector Aizawa, all steeped in politics, conspiracies, and crimes from 1930s Japan.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2025
12 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Legare
8 books71 followersMatthew Legare has always loved reading, writing, and history. He’s combined his passions to tell stories set during little-known, but fascinating, events of the past. His style is a smooth blend of old pulp magazines and contemporary thrillers, which makes for a pulsating read.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 27, 2025
Poison Across Tokyo (Inspector Aizawa Crime Novellas Book 1)
by Matthew Legare
Matthew Legare Is a very good writer and storyteller. I have read and enjoyed all his previous books about Japan and this new novella too, is an excellent read. It can be read as part of the series beginning with Shadows of Tokyo (Reiko Watanabe? Inspector Aizawa book 1) or it can be read as a standalone.
The story is set in Japan in 1932: a tumultuous time for the country. It is expanding physically after its conquest of Korea and Manchuria and through the exploitation of the peoples and raw materials of these conquered nations it is experiencing a high rate of economic growth. Internally there is massive discord as the battle between social and cultural stability versus economic progress and change unfolds. The military as the arm of conquest want an important or dominant role in proceedings, the emperor and his courtiers want to continue to regulate social affairs, and the new beneficiaries of Japan’s nascent democracy and emerging capitalism want to play their part too. To the normal political debate through posturing and point scoring have been added the apolitical weapons of assassination and murder, and the lid of the country is threatening to boil off.
Against this background Inspector Aizawa and sometime geisha Watanabe are tasked with solving a series of murders and with explaining the motives for those actions. The early murders take place in Geisha Houses and so Watanabe is perfectly placed to provide unusual insight about the deaths. At the same time the Tokko or Thought Police, a secret agency has a stake in their investigation and can both facilitate their task with secret knowledge or inhibit it because of some political or social consideration. As the case unfolds Aizawa considers whether there is an external explanation for motive or a domestic one. Externally Manchuria has been recently conquered, and Korea has been painfully absorbed into the greater empire. Less than 10 years before Koreans were blamed for the burning of Tokyo in the aftermath of the great earthquake of 1923 when much of Honshu Island was destroyed. Thousands of Koreans were killed so that the country could account for a natural tragedy. The domestic political and social turmoil also provides another possible motive, or it could be personal revenge. Somehow Aizawa, with Watanabe’s help, must unravel the mystery.
The level of detail and insight into Japan in this story is a joy to read. A largely unknown history of this great country is revealed. Many of us know something of the shogun, the emperor, Pearl Harbour and the rebirth of Japan and its emergence as an economic powerhouse after World War 2, but about the domestic political, social and cultural machinations that led to war, much less is known. This is a fascinating, engrossing and superbly researched novella and I recommend it unreservedly.
by Matthew Legare
Matthew Legare Is a very good writer and storyteller. I have read and enjoyed all his previous books about Japan and this new novella too, is an excellent read. It can be read as part of the series beginning with Shadows of Tokyo (Reiko Watanabe? Inspector Aizawa book 1) or it can be read as a standalone.
The story is set in Japan in 1932: a tumultuous time for the country. It is expanding physically after its conquest of Korea and Manchuria and through the exploitation of the peoples and raw materials of these conquered nations it is experiencing a high rate of economic growth. Internally there is massive discord as the battle between social and cultural stability versus economic progress and change unfolds. The military as the arm of conquest want an important or dominant role in proceedings, the emperor and his courtiers want to continue to regulate social affairs, and the new beneficiaries of Japan’s nascent democracy and emerging capitalism want to play their part too. To the normal political debate through posturing and point scoring have been added the apolitical weapons of assassination and murder, and the lid of the country is threatening to boil off.
Against this background Inspector Aizawa and sometime geisha Watanabe are tasked with solving a series of murders and with explaining the motives for those actions. The early murders take place in Geisha Houses and so Watanabe is perfectly placed to provide unusual insight about the deaths. At the same time the Tokko or Thought Police, a secret agency has a stake in their investigation and can both facilitate their task with secret knowledge or inhibit it because of some political or social consideration. As the case unfolds Aizawa considers whether there is an external explanation for motive or a domestic one. Externally Manchuria has been recently conquered, and Korea has been painfully absorbed into the greater empire. Less than 10 years before Koreans were blamed for the burning of Tokyo in the aftermath of the great earthquake of 1923 when much of Honshu Island was destroyed. Thousands of Koreans were killed so that the country could account for a natural tragedy. The domestic political and social turmoil also provides another possible motive, or it could be personal revenge. Somehow Aizawa, with Watanabe’s help, must unravel the mystery.
The level of detail and insight into Japan in this story is a joy to read. A largely unknown history of this great country is revealed. Many of us know something of the shogun, the emperor, Pearl Harbour and the rebirth of Japan and its emergence as an economic powerhouse after World War 2, but about the domestic political, social and cultural machinations that led to war, much less is known. This is a fascinating, engrossing and superbly researched novella and I recommend it unreservedly.
October 18, 2025
The author does an excellent job putting this story into real events and real places. It certainly allows the reader to relate to the surrounds both in time and location.
The story is very well told as he brings Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Watanabe to the reader in pursuit of justice. Sometimes there is confusion between culture, the truth and justice. This point is brought firmly home to the reader as the story weaves its way through Japanese history and culture at that time.
It is a very good police procedure story with hidden gotchas waiting for the Inspector to trip over. The characters will become your friends as you immerse yourself in their story. You will feel the heartbreak that you can't have both truth and justice. But those who love historical novels will certainly enjoy this telling of life in Tokyo.
The story is very well told as he brings Inspector Aizawa and Reiko Watanabe to the reader in pursuit of justice. Sometimes there is confusion between culture, the truth and justice. This point is brought firmly home to the reader as the story weaves its way through Japanese history and culture at that time.
It is a very good police procedure story with hidden gotchas waiting for the Inspector to trip over. The characters will become your friends as you immerse yourself in their story. You will feel the heartbreak that you can't have both truth and justice. But those who love historical novels will certainly enjoy this telling of life in Tokyo.
December 26, 2025
Another trip into Japan 1932
Lots of culture and history as with the other Inspector Aizawa stories. Only 167 pages, but no skimping on plot. I enjoyed this story. I hope you do too.
Trying to read between Thanksgiving and Christmas was a challenge for me. Too much going on.
Lots of culture and history as with the other Inspector Aizawa stories. Only 167 pages, but no skimping on plot. I enjoyed this story. I hope you do too.
Trying to read between Thanksgiving and Christmas was a challenge for me. Too much going on.
November 6, 2025
I was excited to see that Matthew Legare had released another book and it doesn’t disappoint. Reiko Watanabe as the main character is fascinating as a trained Geisha, who lives the life of a modern girl (moga) and has been officially recruited as a paid spy for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. As a favored Geisha Reiko is privy to the secrets of celebrities, politicians, wealthy business men and government officials. As a modern Japanese girl she has connections in the modern world of Tokyo who are experimenting with the melding of Western ways to the Japanese culture. And as a spy for the Metropolitan police she has friends in high places. Reiko doesn’t realize how powerful she is. She is assigned to work undercover reporting to Inspector Aizawa investigating the case of a spate of murders of celebrated men using a very powerful and unique chemical poison not available in Japan. Quickly the newspapers showcase the myth of the Poison Woman. The front pages of the popular newspapers take the readers on a chase to identify and arrest this deadly woman and her Korean male co-conspirator. The author is known for his extensive research and knowledge about the history of Japan and his understanding of historical figures is seamlessly built into the narrative. Matthew Legare’s “Author’s Notes” to the reader includes historical facts that enhance the reader’s understanding of the events in the novel. Throughout the book unfamiliar Japanese terms include a brief translation and definition giving the storyline an authentic flavor.
Poison across Tokyo, set in 1930’s Japan, presents the reader with details about clothing both traditional and modern, about restaurants and Tea Houses, bars and nightlife and entertainers, politicians, military figures, law enforcement and criminals giving depth to the story of this novella. The complicated and layered relationship between Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa is again ignited as they conspire outside of official lines of inquiries to track down the Poison Woman. The narrative has an exciting pace throughout the storyline moving the reader along from one new interesting character to the next. Legare’s prose conjures up images, atmosphere and the attitude of life in Japan of the 1930’s. A thriller mystery with Japanese culture and history as the plot. Don’t miss it.
Poison across Tokyo, set in 1930’s Japan, presents the reader with details about clothing both traditional and modern, about restaurants and Tea Houses, bars and nightlife and entertainers, politicians, military figures, law enforcement and criminals giving depth to the story of this novella. The complicated and layered relationship between Reiko Watanabe and Inspector Aizawa is again ignited as they conspire outside of official lines of inquiries to track down the Poison Woman. The narrative has an exciting pace throughout the storyline moving the reader along from one new interesting character to the next. Legare’s prose conjures up images, atmosphere and the attitude of life in Japan of the 1930’s. A thriller mystery with Japanese culture and history as the plot. Don’t miss it.
January 9, 2026
Metropolitan Police try to stop a rash of targeted poison killings - 4.5 stars
Many loyal subjects of the Emperor believed that the firestorm which followed the Kanto earthquake of 1923 was caused by Koreans who wanted to disrupt Japan for annexing Korea in 1910. The customs of the era - mimicking international fashions, films from the United States, and graft combined with economic fallout from the depression - gave background to the story. This short historical novel was set in 1932 after Japan had been dragged into the worldwide Great Depression.
The Tokyo police did not anticipate revenge against the Japanese soldiers who had assaulted Korean residents of Tokyo after nearly a decade had passed following the 1923 firestorm. The woman who lost her husband and son and then was gang raped was understandably consumed with rage. She needed years in a hospital just to be able to function again. A Korean nationalist group had found the woman through her brother; they wanted to make a dramatic murder of high-level Japanese officials to draw attention to the Korean fight for independence.
A policewoman (Reiko Watanabe) happened to be doing a part-time job as a Gisha in a small teahouse when the first of several poisonings took place. Reiko realized that the woman who delivered poisoned food acted out of the ordinary and had a slight accent. Reiko and her boss (Inspector Aizawa) developed plans to try to identify and intercept the killer. Newspapers sensationalized the second murder by poison as the "Poison Lady".
Reiko did not find a match after searching photographs of suspected criminals. Her recall of the name of a businessman named by the first victim provided enough information to try to be on hand when that businessman went to a different teahouse. When the Poison Lady showed up at the teahouse, Reiko was not able to stop the second death by poisoning. The newspapers fed the public curiosity about the Poison Lady; a member of the Japanese Diet became quite anxious and eventually agreed to work with the police.
When a war hero arrived at the central train station to great fanfare, a plan to lure the Poison Lady was developed.
Many loyal subjects of the Emperor believed that the firestorm which followed the Kanto earthquake of 1923 was caused by Koreans who wanted to disrupt Japan for annexing Korea in 1910. The customs of the era - mimicking international fashions, films from the United States, and graft combined with economic fallout from the depression - gave background to the story. This short historical novel was set in 1932 after Japan had been dragged into the worldwide Great Depression.
The Tokyo police did not anticipate revenge against the Japanese soldiers who had assaulted Korean residents of Tokyo after nearly a decade had passed following the 1923 firestorm. The woman who lost her husband and son and then was gang raped was understandably consumed with rage. She needed years in a hospital just to be able to function again. A Korean nationalist group had found the woman through her brother; they wanted to make a dramatic murder of high-level Japanese officials to draw attention to the Korean fight for independence.
A policewoman (Reiko Watanabe) happened to be doing a part-time job as a Gisha in a small teahouse when the first of several poisonings took place. Reiko realized that the woman who delivered poisoned food acted out of the ordinary and had a slight accent. Reiko and her boss (Inspector Aizawa) developed plans to try to identify and intercept the killer. Newspapers sensationalized the second murder by poison as the "Poison Lady".
Reiko did not find a match after searching photographs of suspected criminals. Her recall of the name of a businessman named by the first victim provided enough information to try to be on hand when that businessman went to a different teahouse. When the Poison Lady showed up at the teahouse, Reiko was not able to stop the second death by poisoning. The newspapers fed the public curiosity about the Poison Lady; a member of the Japanese Diet became quite anxious and eventually agreed to work with the police.
When a war hero arrived at the central train station to great fanfare, a plan to lure the Poison Lady was developed.
October 23, 2025
I am a Legare fan. I've read all his Aizawa/Watanabe books and each one is a well-written thriller set in the full-of-intrigue interwar years Japan. Legare weaves real historical figures and events into his fictional narrative, which gives context to his crime story (especially enlightening for a reader of crime and spy fiction mostly set in interwar Europe and Nazi Germany, like me.) This is the first book in what Legare calls his "side series;" stories that fill in spaces in the existing chronology of the Aizawa/Watanabe series, and takes place between books two and three, Smoke Over Tokyo and Treason in Tokyo.
A prominent businessman dies of poisoning in a geisha house. Reiko is there, in her geisha guise, working on behalf of Kenji to observe and report on the evening's events. And so Kenji and Reiko are thrust into the case, which is more than it appears. After all, this is 1930s Japan.
A prominent businessman dies of poisoning in a geisha house. Reiko is there, in her geisha guise, working on behalf of Kenji to observe and report on the evening's events. And so Kenji and Reiko are thrust into the case, which is more than it appears. After all, this is 1930s Japan.
October 31, 2025
Absolutely riveting despite being a novella not being my preferred reading as I usually prefer full length books . Having said that that at 160 pages it provides more than enough of Matthew Legare’s beautifully researched and clear background to a very convoluted period of Japanese history without compromising his characteristic thrill a minute writing style.
I continue to love the interplay between the two enduring characters - the staid and honest policeman and his modern girl/geisha undercover assistant.
This novella will keep me going his next full length book.
I thoroughly recommend this book.
I continue to love the interplay between the two enduring characters - the staid and honest policeman and his modern girl/geisha undercover assistant.
This novella will keep me going his next full length book.
I thoroughly recommend this book.
February 11, 2026
A short novel that packs a lot of history and politics into a police procedural.
Set in 1930s Tokyo, a series of murders in Geisha houses (high end socializing and whore houses). The MC is a police inspector who is assigned the cases, he has an informant geisha who becomes an almost assistant to him. Lots of political overtones to the case, and the background.
I felt like the setting was real, and vivid.
Set in 1930s Tokyo, a series of murders in Geisha houses (high end socializing and whore houses). The MC is a police inspector who is assigned the cases, he has an informant geisha who becomes an almost assistant to him. Lots of political overtones to the case, and the background.
I felt like the setting was real, and vivid.
November 5, 2025
Mystery, death, and more assassination attempts. Inspector Kenji Aizawa and Geisha Reiko Watanabe team up again to find out what is happening. Reiko has seen some of the deaths, and her crucial testimony helps Kenji solve the crimes.
Poison across Tokyo, by Matthew LeGare is a fast-paced novella that is sure to please.
Poison across Tokyo, by Matthew LeGare is a fast-paced novella that is sure to please.
October 28, 2025
Mr. Legare has given us another fabulous story with research that entwines fact and faction to bring it all together into one remarkable, fantastic novel. His characters and scenes are lively, exciting, and very entertaining. I highly recommended Poison Across Tokyo
November 18, 2025
It's the early 1930's, and Japan has just taken over Manchuria. A big businessman is poisoned by a mysterious woman. Inspector Aizawa and Reiko get on the case, even though it is connected to a bigwig politician.
Pretty hard boiled, from a time period we in America don't read about much.
Pretty hard boiled, from a time period we in America don't read about much.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews