Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Japan

by Keisuke Matsuoka

Where did Sherlock Holmes go during his famous disappearance between his death at Reichenbach Falls and reappearance in Baker Street, three years later? God of mystery Keisuke Matsuoka contends that it was in the Far East—in Japan, to be exact.In 1891, Nicholas Alexandrovich, the Tsarevich of Russia, was traveling in a fragile Meiji-era Japan on an official tour when he was almost assassinated. The Otsu Incident, as this came to be known, led to fear of an international incident, perhaps even a declaration of war from Russia. In steps Sherlock Holmes—on the run from the British police and presumed to be dead. Together with Hirobumi Ito, the first Prime Minister of Japan, the two unlikely allies immerse themselves in a knotted tangle of politics, deceit, and great powers.In this deftly researched and immersive novel, based on real historical events, the great Sherlock Holmes stakes his flag in modern history in the turbulent early years of a rising Japan buffeted by the winds of change.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Historical, Japan

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2017

About the author

Keisuke Matsuoka (松岡 圭祐 Matsuoka Keisuke) exploded onto the literary stage in 1997 with the psycho-thriller Saimin (Hypnosis), which sold over a million copies in short order. Two years later he published Senrigan (Second Sight), with a former Air Self-Defense Force fighter pilot turned clinical psychologist as its heroine. The title has spawned a veritable flood of sequels, which have achieved combined sales of over six and a quarter million books to date (Matsuoka's agency has trademarked the Senrigan name). In 2010, Matsuoka launched the Banno kanteishi Q no jikenbo (Appraisal Case Files of the Omnicompetent Q) series, with nine volumes appearing in the span of a single year. He is known for deftly weaving global political issues and near-future projections into his works.

Source：http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...

See also：松岡 圭祐(Japanese)、松岡圭祐(Chinese)

Reviews

[Darling Bookish Swiftie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Phenomenal. Beautiful. Flawless. Impeccable. A MASTERPIECE. *chefs kiss*
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Okay, so I pulled out this book for a picture a week ago without intending to read it right now. But I started to skim the first page and I was HOOKED. This is, without a doubt, one of the BEST Sherlock Holmes novels I have EVER read. Why? Because it shows Holmes when he’s vulnerable.
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The novel starts with Holmes and Moriarity standing at the cliffs of the Reichenbach. I’d never before considered what their conversation there would have been like, but wow. What a dramatic and emotionally deep start.
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Holmes walks away from the incident, as we all know, and fakes his death for just over two years. We know he traveled, adventured around the world, but has anyone ever stopped to consider the emotional context of that for Holmes? Imagine a man who can identify every type of soil in London suddenly thrust into another country where he knows nothing. He is alone, struggling, and far from home.
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I can not believe how good this book was. As the title implies, it follows Holmes as he escapes to Japan after murdering Moriarty. The plot and mystery in Japan are SO GOOD, and the setting is immersive, but the most astounding thing about this book is the deductions. Deductions are hard to create and write- ask any Holmes author- yet this book features DOZENS of genius deductions. I could barely follow some of them, but I personally like it when Holmes is smarter than me.
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Full ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

[Lutz Barz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical research and pertinent insights. Refreshing to get an Eastern view of London in all its foggy murk. The plot is in Japan. Alas the book fails. Holmes is made to realize that enjoying opium, a legal product indulged by the well off contrary to lousy academic research, is ignored because the writer is so concerned about Holmes. There were we all know those types who despised the enjoyments available in life. As Oscar Wilde quipped: I can resist everything except temptation. For Wilde also noted, to The Pure everything is impure.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

シャーロックホームズものは、正典は勿論パスティーシュもかなり読んできたけど、これはかなり面白い部類に入ると思う。
シャーロックホームズの人気だけでどうにかしようとする物語でなく、きちんと形成された、濃厚なミステリだった。
ただ、まぁ、殺人事件を解く！というホームズの典型的な事件とは違って、開国したばかりの日本を舞台にした政治的なミステリだけど。

伊藤博文の事は、小中の歴史で習ったことくらい(つまり、初代首相で韓国では嫌われてる)しか知らなかったけど、この本で人間としての伊藤博文の歴史を知った。
そうか、幕末生まれだから、そういう人生なのか！と目から鱗。
女性にだらし無いのは、ホームズ原作者のコナンドイルと共通するところだな、と思ったり。

大津事件なんて名前、すっかり忘れてたし、隣国ロシアと関係がかなり危うい事になっていた事も思いつきもしなかった。
英国やロシア、開国と不平等条約、そんな歴史の教科書でしか見なかった言葉が、登場人物たちの口から出てきて、そうか、当時の人々(高官だけど)はこう思ったのか、と信じられる内容。フィクションなのは承知だけど。

物語の最初と最後がライヘンバッハと空き家の怪事件の描写なので、正典のどこにどのようにこの物語が組み込まれるのかもスッキリ(そして前後でホームズが「別人」と称されるのも納得)のいい構成だった。

英訳が出版される予定らしいが、本屋で見つけたら買ってみようかと思う。

ちなみに、表紙の「ホームズ」は、1980年代にイギリスのグラナダテレビで放送されたホームズシリーズの主役、ジェレミーブレット版のホームズ。
私が初めにこの本を手に取った理由は題名にあるけど(ホームズだし、「伊藤」博文だし)、わざわざ自分用に本を買ったのは、ジェレミーブレットの絵のせい。
この表紙をデザインした人は、ジェレミーブレットがいかにホームズとして人気が高いか知っててこうデザインしたんだろうか。
それと、このホームズを見て、あジェレミーだ、と思う人はどのくらいいるだろうか。

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grand entry to the Sherlock pantheon. Just as Lamb by Christopher Moore told us about Jesus' adventures when he was absent from the Bible, this volume tells us all about Holmes after his "death" at the Reichenbach Falls. Why not the Far East? Well done.

[Phil Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of few recent novels I could not put down.

Sherlock goes to Meiji era Japan. And the author sprinkles bits of Japanese history and culture in a style readers of The Three Body Problem would find familiar and enjoyable.

Even though this book would have been successful just by being about Sherlock and just by attracting Japanophiles, it was actually well written.

All in all, much kudos to the author and the translator.

My only criticism is that the ending was soppy. Cutting the last few chapters would have been perfect.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it combined two things I like to read about Sherlock Holmes and Japan. I love reading Japanese mysteries and this is actually feels like a political thriller. I think the author wrote Holmes well keeping to Doyle's true vision I'd the character while also giving us a glimpse into his thoughts and feelings.
The political intrigue was interesting and kept me gripped.
I would like to read more by this author, though not sure if there is anything else in translation yet.

[Sakina Mohammed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could've been so much better if some chapters weren't just piled with historical information. Nothing wrong with background information but they felt fillers. Also, why is Sherlock so sentimental? Nevertheless, a good read.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matsuoka gives a compelling entree into late 19th-century Japan but sometimes gets lost in describing the context for international intrigue. The development of Holmes and other main characters is good and the action picks up satisfyingly toward the end.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid novel and a wonderfull read, i praise Keisuke Matsuoka for this wonderfull combination of Japanese history and Sherlock Holmes.

[Jan Moens · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Heel onderhoudend! Ook zeer interessant voor al
wie in de beginfaze van de geschiedenis van het moderne Japan is geïnteresseerd.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

very well done and entertaining

[Avery Engelstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a fucking bop. i had so much fun with this one and the writing didn’t feel to forced to sound like Doyle but still encapsulated Holmes in a way i loved

[F Gato · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can’t finish. A DULL lecture. [Rolling eyes emoji]

[Hoolia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining adventure through Meiji Japan. As far as Holmes pastiches go, my expectations are never high, and this met them satisfactorily.

[Michael Cresci · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun pastiche that gets bonus points with me for incorporating the Sino-Russo history of the moment