Pro Bono

by Seichō Matsumoto

When Kiriko Yanagida first came to Otsuka's law offices, she had only a familial conviction of her brother's innocence despite his confessing to the murder. To the high-profile (and high priced) lawyer Otsuka, this small-town girl's belief was nothing more than naive hope, so he sent her away, advising her to find a local lawyer or something. Now, Kiriko plots to avenge her brother -- entirely pro bono.

Genres: Japanese Literature

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

Seicho 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.

Reviews

[Viva · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked the first Seicho Matsumoto book I read, about Inspector Imanishi so I decided to try this one. Spoilers ahead.

But this isn't even a mystery and I disliked the premise a lot. And I disliked the main character as well. A young woman's brother (in Kyushu) is accused of murder but he's innocent. She (Kiriko) asks around for the best lawyer in Japan and is told a well known lawyer (Otsuka) in Tokyo is the best. So she travels by train (20 hours) to see him. But he refuses to take the case. The reason bandied about is that she's poor and can't afford her fees. But I feel there are much stronger ones: like he's busy with his case load and can't travel to a different city for one case out of many, plus there are just as good lawyers in the city she's from. The main reasons should be distance, timing and other lawyers but the author chose to make money the issue.

Her brother dies in prison of an unknown cause. Believing it's money which prevented her brother from getting the justice he deserved, she quit her job and moved to Tokyo and took a bar hosting job.

We are not really given a reason why she moved to Tokyo but a murder happens and she chances on it together with Otsuka's mistress/girlfriend (Michiko). She frames Michiko by leaving Michiko's dropped glove next to the dead body and denies that she was ever at the scene.

The case goes to trial and she adamantly refuses to change her statement thereby damning Michiko's cause. The reason she does that is to punish Otsuko through his mistress. And the book ends abruptly there. I didn't enjoy the book because it wasn't really a mystery book and all it was was a case of someone wrongly feeling wronged and then punishing someone totally innocent. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Livia Gozali]

Having read the book, known the story. I truly believe that the brother did kill the lady. The protagonist had such a terrible self entitlement mentality. She had no money and yet felt that she deserved the best and turned nasty after being rejected. What a vengeful character. I do not like this book at all.

[Wyatt Mufson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, not the most satisfying ending

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seicho Matsumoto knows how to tell a story well. It's exciting, it's wrenching, and it has a great storyline. It is definitely recommended, but don't expect a good ending...

[Stephen Satchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy his work.

[Joyeeta · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young girl visits a famous lawyer to ask for his help so that her brother can escape death sentence for a crime he has not committed. The lawyer does not take the case because it’s not beneficial to him. The book is not about finding the real murderer but about seeking poetic justice. To take revenge she frames the lawyer for a crime he never committed and also frames his mistress (his loved one ) for a crime she never committed. The end is being left with the uncomfortable truth that the writer is justifying this unlawful act of the protagonist in the name of revenge .