A review by mary_wyrd
The Black Lizard by Edogawa Rampo

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

The Queen of Tokyo's Underworld. Dark Angel. The Black Lizard. Mme Midorikawa has many names but one focus; to collect beauty through outrageous crimes. Adding to the excitement and audacity, The Black Lizard always notifies her victims in advance. She openly bates the great detective, Akechi Kogoro into a bet: prevent the kidnapping of a wealthy jewel merchant's daughter or give up his career. Not knowing her secret identity, Akechi Kogoro accepts the bet. Told directly to the reader, Edogawa Rampo breaks from scenes to openly remind the reader about plot points or asks for our patience. One story plot directly references another Edogawa Rampo story, which the detective has read. Fellow readers would do well to read The Human Chair before this tale. The Black Lizard gives us a femme villain who is feared and respected by all the men who work for her. Bond would not survive her.