I wanted to like this book as it sounded good but I couldn't get into it. I would have not reviewed but NetGalley insists on a review to keep your profile rating up even when you say you are declining to read it.

My thanks to Random House U.K. Transworld Bantam Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Fine Art of Invisible Detection’ by Robert Goddard. My apologies for the late feedback. I have since purchased both ebook and audiobook editions.

This was my first experience of Robert Goddard’s writing and found it a unique, engaging crime thriller with compelling characters.

In Tokyo, Japan middle-aged widow, Umiko Wada, works as a secretary to renowned Private Detective Kazuro Kodaka, though prefers keeping her head down. He then takes on a new client, Mimori Takenaga, who has been contacted by a man in London who has important information for her about her father’s death thirty years before. However, as she is unable to travel Kazuro asks Wada to assume the client’s identity and travel to London for the meeting. She agrees.

In London, Nick Miller grew up not knowing his father. He is contacted by an old friend of his late mother who says there are things that Nick needs to know about his parents.

It transpires that both Wada and Nick are meeting with the same person, who stands them both up. In a bid to find out why they travel to Reykjavík, Iceland to track him down. A series of violent events are triggered linked to their investigations. No further details to avoid spoilers.

Before I started reading I had expected a more traditional mystery and was delighted to be drawn quickly into this sophisticated political crime thriller with its fast-paced action, international settings, and quite a body count.

I especially loved Umiko Wada, who constantly surprised and delighted me. Kazuro Kodaka said of her that she has “the gift of being invisible. No one noticed her. She was anonymous. She attracted no attention.”

Goddard has not confirmed whether there will be another book featuring the invisible detective though the final sentence allows for that possibility. I really hope there will be!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

What a nice find. This was the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The story was different from anything I've read recently and really captured my attention. It was so well written and the characters were fantastic.

I absolutely wasn't expecting that from this book, but this is a smart and complex thriller! I am not usually a fan of thriller novels but this was so clever.

Very different to Goddard's previous books which tended to weave the past and present together. Even so, this was a n interesting, complicated and rivetting thriller with an unlikely heroine thrust into the role of detective.... Not as good as his previous offerings IMHO ....

Very complex story with lots of twists and turns. Not an author I have previously read but I enjoyed his character depictions in a fast paced story.

Following a private detective's assistant through a complex slow burn storyline was everything I needed when I picked up this book. Umiko Wada was not expecting things to turn out as they do when she agreed to pose as a client to go to a meeting.

Spanning 3 continents and a mystery dating back over 40 years this story had me captivated from the start. Robert Goddard built an intricate storyline with excellent characters and a sinister undertone that brought this book to life.

I'd read one of his novels previously and will definitely pick up more in the future.

This was a little bit different to my usual reads but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions and the story, characters and plot was interesting and engaging,

A middle aged Japanese lady working for a detective agency and a man who wants to know the truth about his father soon get more than they bargained for! Usually I devour books by this author but not so much this time. There’s the usual murder/items going missing/intruders etc etc. I liked the start and as always it was easy to get into the story but then my interest began to flag and I can’t put my finger on why! Well written though, very entertaining in parts with an interesting assortment of characters and diverse locations. A must for fans of Mr Goddard.

This was so different to anything I’ve read. Totally loved it. And because this author has written so many other books that I’m thrilled! Absolutely 5/5.

This was a great read, with great writing. It's an immersive thriller set in Japan with very interesting characters. It's really all I need from a good thriller. It has a very good plot as well.
Thanks a lot for this copy!

I'm a big fan of Robert Goddard's and it's lovely to see an established author experimenting with his work and keeping it so fresh. The introduction of the Japanese strand worked really well. This is a great, chunky, immersive thriller and a great summer read.

I loved it. Wada san is my new heroine.

Wada san is 47 years old from Tokyo and female. She's the unassuming heroine of this book. Working as an assistant to a Private Detective she is asked to go to London to pose as a lady who is unable to go herself. The man she is meant to meet never shows and so begins the mystery.

Meanwhile a Londoner who was also to meet the same man, finds him a no show too. Leading to Wada San and Nick Miller becoming involved in some great edge of your seat stuff. The Japanese angle brought so much to this book, despite being set mostly away from Japan. Pure escapism and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. There were some comedic touches too, which I thought were a little reminiscent of the Bond films.

I found it to be cleverly written with an intriguing plot and wondering all the time how Wada san was going to get out of the different situations she found herself in. I was also wondering how all the different strands were ever going to come together, and when they did it was the perfect ending. Maybe even left open for a follow up? I'd certainly read it.

A cliché-ladden, poorly executed spy/crime-novel that tries to be a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and James Bond and failes miserably.

I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good murder mysery and this was no exception. Set in fabulously-described locations with a brilliant protagonist and an interesting cast of characters and I really liked the author's writing style. I look forward to reading more of his work!

Japanese widow Umiko Wada lives a solitary life, her only excitment is as the assistant of corporate detective. However when her agency is commissioned to look into an issue in England, Wada is dispatched abroad. Her employer is killed in a suspicious accident and Wada finds herself on the run pursued by dangerous opponents.
This book is a complete delight. At it's heart is complex international intrigue involving fraud, chemical weapons and the super-rich but the focus is on a couple of ordinary people caught up in web of intrigue. The plot is fast-paced, jumping between the two main protagonists, but with a strong sense of humour and a light, almost whimsical, touch. This is a deliciously addictive concoction!

Robert Goddard is, mostly, a brilliant author who writes enjoyable, readable, intriguing books. I say mostly because some of his recent ones have been a bit underwhelming compared to his earlier books. But here he is, back on form, and delivering a blistering page-turning murder mystery novel where unexpected things happen and you can’t put the book down to find out what happens next.. And how refreshing to have a Japanese female detective’s assistant playing such a major role. More please!

A fast paced intriguing thriller. I enjoyed all the characters especially the Japanese lady Wada and the different countries she is sent to on her quest to find the truth. An excellent read from one of my favourite thriller writers.

Robert Goddard’s books are always guaranteed to be well-written, interesting and entertaining; and The Art of Invisible Detection is no exception. Actually, I think it’s my favourite one. Set in several different countries and cultures, full of colourful ,memorable characters, this twisty story grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the last page. I really hope there will be a continuation as I would love to read more of Wada’s invisible detections.

This is a fun book as far as I got! Lots of it-the characters, the setting, the narrative style- are reminiscent of the Robert Galbraith series (don't read books from that series, please, it's written by a transphobe!) but really has a strong voice of its own! Couldn't entirely finish it and will be getting the ebook to finish it ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e- ARC in exchange for an honest review!