Inspector Imanishi Investigates

Rating:
Summary: Excellent police procedural
Review: This is an excellent police procedural set in Japan in the early 1960s. It brings out the rigidity of traditional society, the smallness of the circles that most people move in, and the claustrophobia felt by the young and the sensitive (which doesn't include the hero, who is neither young nor sensitive). But it's also about the possibilities for remaking yourself that exist in a society still torn apart, just below the surface, by the war. A lot of lucky breaks, and some fairly far-fetched concepts, somewhat weaken the mystery part of the book, but it's well worth reading for the atmosphere alone.

Rating:
Summary: Classic murder mystery - they don't make them like that!
Review: When I told my mother, who is Japanese, that I had found a great Japanese mystery writer. She was shocked. Her response was "I read his books when I was young!". But we both had to agree that Matsumoto Seicho was a classic murder mystery writer. Just classic - people don't write mysteries like that anymore. He has written so many books, I wish more would be translated into English. If you are not a Japan-phile, you will enjoy this book emensely!

Rating:
Summary: Classic murder mystery - they don't make them like that!
Review: When I told my mother, who is Japanese, that I had found a great Japanese mystery writer. She was shocked. Her response was "I read his books when I was young!". But we both had to agree that Matsumoto Seicho was a classic murder mystery writer. Just classic - people don't write mysteries like that anymore. He has written so many books, I wish more would be translated into English. If you are not a Japan-phile, you will enjoy this book emensely!