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einnymydog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
fay144's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shruthim's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
danubooks's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning and intriguing mystery
A police officer watches a man stagger onto a bridge and collapse. At first the officer assumes the man is inebriated, but discovers upon approaching him that he has a knife in his chest and is in fact dead. As the police search for the original crime scene, where the victim was stabbed, they find a young man nearby who runs away from them and is hit by a car. This young man, Yashima, has the dead man’s wallet on his person, but is comatose by the time he arrives at the hospital. A seemingly open-and-shut case, but one with more questions than answers. Enter Tokyo police detective Kaga, known for his keen abilities in solving crimes although not beloved by his bosses. Since the suspect, the “who”, can not be questioned and no one can ascertain why the victim, an upstanding businessman, was in the area where the crime was committed, Kaga searches to find the answers to the questions to other questions. What was the motive for the killing? Why did the victim expend the effort to move himself onto the bridge? Working with his younger cousin, Kaga quietly and painstakingly pursues the truth.
This, the third in a series featuring Kaga, is not a story full of explosions or car chases, foul language or grandstanding. Here the detective is an intelligent observer of human nature, one who uses his knowledge of the area and its inhabitants to his advantage while always upholding the dignity of all who cross his path. It is brilliantly written and a compelling read, and it is not necessary to have read the earlier two books in the series (I hadn’t, though I plan to rectify that omission soon). I recommend it highly, and thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.
A police officer watches a man stagger onto a bridge and collapse. At first the officer assumes the man is inebriated, but discovers upon approaching him that he has a knife in his chest and is in fact dead. As the police search for the original crime scene, where the victim was stabbed, they find a young man nearby who runs away from them and is hit by a car. This young man, Yashima, has the dead man’s wallet on his person, but is comatose by the time he arrives at the hospital. A seemingly open-and-shut case, but one with more questions than answers. Enter Tokyo police detective Kaga, known for his keen abilities in solving crimes although not beloved by his bosses. Since the suspect, the “who”, can not be questioned and no one can ascertain why the victim, an upstanding businessman, was in the area where the crime was committed, Kaga searches to find the answers to the questions to other questions. What was the motive for the killing? Why did the victim expend the effort to move himself onto the bridge? Working with his younger cousin, Kaga quietly and painstakingly pursues the truth.
This, the third in a series featuring Kaga, is not a story full of explosions or car chases, foul language or grandstanding. Here the detective is an intelligent observer of human nature, one who uses his knowledge of the area and its inhabitants to his advantage while always upholding the dignity of all who cross his path. It is brilliantly written and a compelling read, and it is not necessary to have read the earlier two books in the series (I hadn’t, though I plan to rectify that omission soon). I recommend it highly, and thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
When a man dies below the statues on a famous Tokyo bridge, two detectives from different divisions are part of the task force convened to solve the case. Kaga and Matsumiya are cousins, but Matsumiya admires his cousin's skill at solving complex crimes and happily plays sidekick to his taciturn colleague. When a perpetrator is quickly found, it looks like the case will be wrapped up, but a few questions remain and as Kaga looks into the victim's life, he finds clues that show a connection between the victim and his murderer. But still a few questions remain.
This is a police procedural where the two detectives are able to act independently and to continue to investigate long after the case is considered closed. This isn't a thriller, it's a methodical examination of a life, with a detective who carefully untangles each thread, no matter how unrelated to the crime it seems. This is a fascinating look at life in Japan and a quiet sort of crime novel. I enjoy this author's novels and it's good to see that more of them are being translated.
This is a police procedural where the two detectives are able to act independently and to continue to investigate long after the case is considered closed. This isn't a thriller, it's a methodical examination of a life, with a detective who carefully untangles each thread, no matter how unrelated to the crime it seems. This is a fascinating look at life in Japan and a quiet sort of crime novel. I enjoy this author's novels and it's good to see that more of them are being translated.
br1na's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
shreyas390's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
exhaustedchaitea's review against another edition
4.0
Idk what's on the cover of the English edition but it's not the Nihonbashi Kirin Statues, which play an important role in the story...
It's interesting how parts of this story contrasts with A Midsummer's Equation.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Keigo's other books but it was definitely worth the read and possible reread.
It's interesting how parts of this story contrasts with A Midsummer's Equation.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Keigo's other books but it was definitely worth the read and possible reread.
beth_books_123's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this - 4*
I didn't love this as much as the previous ones in the series. I'm so sad there is only one left with Detective Kaga. I am amazed that each of Higashino's books have been VERY different but all great crime books.
I didn't love this as much as the previous ones in the series. I'm so sad there is only one left with Detective Kaga. I am amazed that each of Higashino's books have been VERY different but all great crime books.
jwsg's review against another edition
4.0
Another riveting murder mystery featuring Detective Kaga. In A Death in Tokyo, Takeaki Aoyagi stumbles onto the Nihonbashi Bridge after being stabbed and dies shortly after. Kaga, a detective from the local Nihonbashi precinct, is paired with Tokyo Metropolitan Police Dept Homicide detective Shuhei Matsumiya, who also happens to be Kaga's cousin. Kaga's approach to investigation is unorthodox; he spends an inordinate amount of time walking around the Nihonbashi area, trying to figure out what brought Aoyagi to the area. Eventually, he and Matsumiya figure out that the roots of Aoyagi's murder go much further back than anyone could have guessed.