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The Honjin Murders

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The Honjin Murders

By: Seishi Yokomizo, Louise Kawai
Narrated by: Akira Matsumoto
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About this listen

In the winter of 1937, the village of Okamura is abuzz with excitement over the forthcoming wedding of a son of the grand Ichiyanagi family. But amid the gossip over the approaching festivities, there is also a worrying rumour – it seems a sinister masked man has been asking questions about the Ichiyanagis around the village.

Then, on the night of the wedding, the Ichiyanagi family are woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music – death has come to Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword, thrust into the pristine snow outside the house. The murder seems impossible, but amateur detective Kosuke Kindaichi is determined to get to the bottom of it.

©1973 Seishi Yokomizo. Translation Louise Heal Kawai 2019. (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing Amateur Sleuths Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Murder Mystery Thriller & Suspense Thriller Village Japanese Detective

Critic Reviews

"A classic locked-room murder mystery, the first in the Detective Kindaichi series.... The solution to this mystery came as a complete surprise - exactly what I asked for." (New York Times Book Review)

"The perfect read for this time of year. Short and compelling, it will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie looking for a new case to break." (Irish Times)

"Japan's Agatha Christie.... It's an absolute pleasure to see his work translated at last in these beautifully produced English editions." (Sunday Times)
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Excellent, timeless story. Had to use google a few times to understand aspects of Japanese architecture and music. I liked the narration, but I can understand if others will take umbrage with an antipodean accent.

Classic

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an interesting story set in a curious time in Japan, and the narrator was a surprise but easy to understand and follow. I'll look for the next book.

having an Australian accent narrate was lovely!

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