shihangh 's review for:

A Midsummer's Equation by Keigo Higashino
2.0

2.5 stars

This is a well-written novel, with interesting and lively characterisation, especially of the young boy whose perspective we adopt first. I liked the characterisation of Hari Cove itself a lot, and the description of the tensions within the community about its directions in modern Japan.

This theme is however mostly dropped for a tragic plot based on a slaying many years ago. I found this somewhat tragic plot really irritating, and this seems to be the kind of thing that raises many unanswered questions. Is there no such thing as a juvenile justice system in Japan? The interesting ecological discussion becomes a somewhat tired resolution of a family secret many years in the making.