Japan's answer to Hercule Poirot returns in the fifth translation of Yokomizo's Kosuke Kindaichi novels. The detective is called in by the family of an aristocrat and flautist, who disappeared and was found dead some time later. Shortly before his disappearance, he composed a strange and horrible piece of music - 'The Devil Comes and Plays the Flute'. Now his family are convinced he may not be dead, the melody haunts them, and it's possible it may all be connected to a mass murder and robbery at a Tokyo jewellers. Soon the body count is mounting and Kindaichi must identify the 'devil' who is behind it all.

Like most of the novels, it features a large, feuding family and takes advantage of an immediate post-war setting and all the opportunities that offers for false identities, missing people and destroyed evidence. The setting is somewhat eerie, in a grand house left standing in an area largely flattened by bombing. As you'd expect from such a mystery, there's a whole host of possible suspects, but no one more obvious than anyone else. Investigations are hampered by post war shortages, transport chaos and the literal obliteration of some of the places the want to visit.

I didn't guess who did it any faster than Kindaichi, which is somewhat unusual for me these days and always a bonus. It is an intriguing plot and as always I enjoy the Japanese postwar setting and learning little bits about the culture of that place and time. Yokomizo is perhaps not as ground-breakingly inventive as Agatha Christie, but he writes a good, solid and very readable story. As always, the translation is excellent and they manage to find ways to make clues work that must have been more challenging in a language other than Japanese.

I would recommend this novel, and all of the others in the series (it is not necessary to read them in order), to fans of detective and mystery fiction. It's also a must-read for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and culture.

It's the first time for me to read Seishi Yokomizo's book in English, and I loved it! A 5 star read for sure. 😊

A few words on the plot, the book opened with the Tengindo incident, inspired by the Teigin incident, which led to Viscount Tsubaki's suicide. Six months later, his daughter showed up at Kindaichi's place and claiming that his father is still alive. After multiple murders of the family members, Kindaichi solved the case and revealed the family's dark past.

I just love this book, I've read it so many times before and will continue to re-read it. Very happy to see the English copy with an amazing translation finally coming out. The formula is the same throughout Seishi Yokomizo's Kindaichi series, a complicated case, multiple victims, and a super dysfunctional family.

Looking forward to get a paper copy when it goes on sale.

LOVE YOKOMIZO. The writing is on point. I thought this one was decent plot-wise. He's just able to capture grimy Tokyo in a way that's very unique and special.