—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love locked room mysteries and this was no exception.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the heart of Tokyo at the beginning of the Meiji era, detectives Kazuki and Kawaji of the Imperial Prosecuting Office set out to investigate a series of seemingly impossible murders. Within a friendly rivalry, Kazuki has the upper hand on many investigations with help of his foreign Miko, Esmeralda that helps him put together "whodunnit."

During a time of reform and restoration, the Japanese government is still putting itself back together again, leaving plenty of room for corruption to slip through the cracks. The first "arc" as I will call it, follows a lax group of rasotsu going about their day-to-day business which includes extorting money wherever they can. The remainder of the story mainly follows Kawaji during his investigations, and while learning about each rasotsu was relevant, it didn't seem to be important until quite a number of chapters pass. After the first investigation is kicked off however, I was hooked.

Each method of murder was entirely unique and definitely felt "impossible" as described by Kawaji, but ultimately made so much sense. The writing is very clever in giving the reader only as much information as was available to the detectives without necessarily pushing you towards a solution. As the reader you could take your time to figure out how the murder was possible before the big reveal, which I think is the best way for a mystery novel to be; not obvious, but solvable. I was very excited to learn I was correct in a few of them!

Throughout the book, I did become a bit attached to Kawaji, and I wish there were a little more depth to the personalities of all of the characters. A lot of time is spent discussing the political state of Japan, and while I understand that is integral to what is happening in the story, I do wish more time was spent on the characters as well. It is important to note that several characters, including Kawaji himself, are real people in history, so I do understand that there is only so much creative liberty that can be taken.

I have one final note, but it's important for me to mention that this is not something I let influence my star rating as it is a nitpick with the translation. Many Japanese words are kept, likely to preserve their exact meaning, however there are no foot notes or glossary in the back of the edition I was provided. I do hope one of the two things are added, and again I did not let this influence my rating, and I still highly recommend The Meiji Guillotine Murders to those who have no experience with the Japanese language as it's story narrative is entirely worth it.

The Imperial Prosecuting Office was in danger. Despite being just created, there were already issues with regards to crossovers or overlapping. It was during the earlier years of the Meiji era.

Japan was in chaos and people lost their livelihoods and social status during the transition from Edo. The fall of shogunate was made even more difficult with the arrival of the Western Influence. And then the guillotine arrived, along with the golden haired maiden. This was not received well.

‘ Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians!’
Obviously, the Westerners were deemed as barbarians. However, Esmeralda who was the golden-haired maiden, helped solved several murders when she went into the trance. The murders that first seemed as separate, started to form a pattern. Who was behind this? Was this the classic case of the new trying to get rid of the old? Or was it the other way round?

Personally, The Meiji Guillotine Murders is quite heavy for me. Of course, I understand the need of having a lot of characters and scenes as this was not short of political upheavel but boy! What a journey.

I loved the mystic element. The last murder really took my breath away. I can just imagine a body cradling its own head. I would love to know Esmeralda more. Most of the time, only Kazuki spoke for her. This is not a sign that it is lacking but I was so taken my Esmeralda’s presence every time a spirit was summoned.

Locked door mysteries have always been my favourite and I was totally engrossed in each of the cases in The Meiji Guillotine Murders. At the end of it, I felt like I had just ran a very satisfying marathon. Trying to not spoil the story, the core of the story can be found in guillotine itself. Whatever you make of it, it is up to. What are your thoughts?

Quite a lot of fun to read but also maybe a bit too elaborate in details regarding the political ins and outs of the Meiji era government. But it is a fascinating time and you feel through the pages who Japan is opening up to ideas of the outside word and feel the struggle of it as well.

I would recommend this book for people who murder mysteries but are also interested in historical details.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this book! My spoiler-free review lies below, cradling its severed head in its hands:

My opinion on this book warmed so much the more I read—while it started feeling a bit like I was pushing through a fairly dense history book at the beginning, by the middle I couldn’t put the book down. The final 40 or so pages were devoured, leaving me thrilled.

For readers expecting a cozy murder mystery or a classic detective novel, know that this is more similar to a bound anthology in nature: our pair of detectives (technically government investigators) investigate five murders over the course of about a year, with the help of a French miko and a gaggle of dimwitted by useful rasotsu. The overarching through line is the interrogation of a Just Government—is it possible for a governing body to be free of corruption, to mete out justice, and to be manned transparently? The two main characters grapple with this throughout, within the heavily-detailed setting of early Meiji Japan.

At times the historical background and set dressing felt dry, and many of the less-fleshed-out characters bled into each other. I think in large part, this is due to my reading this out of it’s original context: many of the characters in the story, including one of the protagonists, are important figures in Japanese history. Even if Japanese readers aren’t necessarily familiar with all of them by name, the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration is enough to provide sufficient context. I can’t fault the writer or the translator for my own ignorance on the topic—I think it’s just worth noting to anyone picking up this book that they may get more of a history lesson than they may anticipate, as this element is less advertised in the summary.

While reading this book, I tried to keep in mind the context of it’s original publication—the late 1970s were a period of marked political, economic, and social change for Japan—and how the novel’s setting must have resonated with readers at that time. What’s more, I feel that Pushkin Vertigo’s decision to publish this book in 2023 is equally as timely. The feel of complete helplessness in a time of political turmoil is just as overwhelming now as it was for the characters in 1869, and I find both protagonists’ diametric ideals about government to echo public sentiment today.

Overall, I had hoped for a detective story and got something a little bit more than that. It wasn’t what I expected, and it had a slightly slow start, but the last chapter left me thinking about it a lot more than I probably would have if it were just another whodunnit. 4/5 stars.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

It was very hard for me to finish this book. The subject was quite heavy on the history and all. I've read several japanese murder mystery books but the first time I couldn't connect to this one.

It begins in a place of old Edo and the newly renamed Tokyo. Five rosatsu (police) have shown how corrupt things were back then. A change of event took place with the arrival of a new Chief Inspector of The Imperial Prosecuting Office, who brought a new device that claimed to fasten the prosecuting method in uncanny but swift ways which is the guillotine. Of course, not all will agree with this method as it may seem as a terrifying method to end one's life.

Each of the chapters holds different cases that happen around the chief inspector Kazuki and Kawaji territory. However, the supposed-to-be-suspense and tense excitement we often find in mystery-solving books had been cut short with the involvement of a 'miko' - a kind of psychic whom a deceased victim can possess. We will find ourselves presented with cases worth investigating only left with a disappointment with all the surprises that had been taken down by a single story of 'confession' from the Miko. Just call the Miko they said, then the murderer will be caught they said.

However absurd the solving method was, this book is not a total letdown as one matter falls then another matter shall rise and shine bright, in this case; the historical part of the story. The raw life of how people trying to live in an affected after-war country, the struggle to get things to settle down or figuring out what will happen then are the main catalysts to end the reading hence making the last chapters a kind of make sense resolutions.

This is not a recommendation but if you like historical events blended with mystery fiction that took place in old Edo then this may be your best pickup.

The politics behind solving a mystery is wonderfully illustrated through the stories, I did feel at times that it was difficult to follow the plotlines, especially in the beginning. If you pay close attention to the context that is set, you can follow the story well, otherwise like me you might have to keep referring to older pages to follow the book! The twists right at the end are fantastic, so if you're a fan of Japanese literature and translation works, this is to be added to your shelf.

Detailed and rich setting, you definitely feel the atmosphere of Tokyo as it was. Corruption, instability, and loose structure where anything can fall through the cracks. Reads almost like noir.

You will like this book if you love: Japanese literature, magical realism, murder mysteries, historical fiction.

Novel Concept 5/5
Execution of Concept 3/5

Title 4/5
Characterization 2/5
Dialogue 5/5
Plot 3/5
Atmosphere 5/5
Theme 4/5

Does this pass the Bechdel Test: No

I genuinely thing that there is a level of genius to this novel but I cannot say that I was having fun getting to that point. The apex of the novel is when all of the pieces finally click into place--and you realize the things that felt odd about the narrative were odd for a reason. I could imagine that during the Blue Sky phase of this novel (to mean, the phase where ideas are generated without any thought to the logical constraints) that the final section was fully realized and the author needed to get us there somehow. The sort of cold open / first section of this novel is also well executed and in my opinion, the strongest part of the novel.

The worldbuilding in the beginning about the dishevelment of society and how police interact with that society is very good. And the only memorable characters are from that section, which is the western scholar who doesn't flinch and the Japanese police member who's very lazy.

And this goes into my main struggle with this piece is that there are so many characters and the direct minimalist style of the translation struggles to make any of the memorable. Our main characters Kazuki and Kawaji did not feel like distinct characters for 90% of the book, but rather two heads to speak dialogue together. And while the dialogue was good, they only became genuinely distinct from each other at the very end. I think part of the problem is they both have names that start with K, and while I understand Kawaji is a real person and you don't want to change his name, Kazuki's name could have been changed to start with a different letter so help readers make them distinct. In fact, I felt this book had a K name problem. There were so many people with 5-7 letter names that started with K that it was so easy to lose track of who was who.

This is a collection of short stories that funnel into a singular moment at the end, and each short story varies in quality. All of them were difficult to track but even with a recap I was still struggling to understand the actual timeline of events per individual storyline. The concepts for each short story were interesting though. I also felt that the way each murder was solved was repetitive but I also understand, with having read the book in its entirety, that there really isn't another way to do it, so I've accepted this repetition because the ending twists make it worth it.

I think this piece is very timely for an American audience in the way that Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf became a timely piece with the pandemic. There's a lot of political and police corruption going on in America (and presumably the world but I can only speak to where I am from) and so this story will resonate with audiences in ways that could feel very personal. I think the discussion that this novel brings up is something that can be talked about in it's parallels with our own walks of life. Thematically it really is an impressive piece and I think it's going to be divisive on who agrees with who in the book.

One final thing I want to note is that this book was originally published in 1979, and when it comes to books written prior to the aughts I tend to expect depictions of women to be questionable. But I have to say, for a book published in this era it is generally decent for its depiction of women. We don't pass the Bechdel test, but the geishas aren't oversexualized and neither is Esmerelda. There's a lot of women that are mistresses and daughters being married off, but that's also just accurate to the time period. I think fondly of the wife character that everyone calls a troublemaker when in reality she's just trying to get to the truth.

In conclusion, this book is a bit of a mess. At times it's incredibly difficult to understand what is happening, who is who, and why people act in the way they do. There is a noticeable lack of memorable characterization. However, the atmosphere and concept as a whole is pretty fascinating and I think if you're just a general fan of Japanese translated literature, then this is something you'd consider adding to your shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy to me in exchange for honest criticism.

The Meiji Guillotine Murders is a murder mystery set in 19th century Japan. At least, that’s what the description says. In truth, it feels more like an Agatha Christie story where the focus is more on political intrigue than the actual crimes being committed.

Not enough time is spent with the characters to get to really know them - we’re told how they are, but we don’t really get a chance to see their personalities - so certain things don’t really feel sincere or authentic. The last section of the book is by far the most exciting, but it doesn’t really feel earned.

The story is well-written, and for those who love Japanese literature and history, I’m sure that this will be an enjoyable read. For those looking for a fast-paced murder mystery, this isn’t it.

It is Restoration Japan and corruption is seemingly running rampant in Tokyo, or it would be without the talents of Kazuki and Kawaji of the Imperial Prosecuting Office. These men are dedicated to putting an end to the underhanded affairs of the men who make up the new Japanese government so when one murder seems to set off a chain reaction of more bizarre murders linked to Japanese Officials of higher and higher ranking one of these detectives will stop at nothing to see these corrupt men weeded out of the government and one will become an unwitting pawn to a deadly obsession.

I had so much fun reading this! These murders are just quite cleverly executed and some of them definitely remind me of the more bizarre murders found in the Detective Kindaichi series. And I enjoyed how I always knew who the killer was I just couldn't figure out how the hell they did it, it made the reveal that much more interesting to know the who and not the why.

I really enjoyed that this was episodic as well, given how it all comes together at the end I don't believe one continuous narrative would have had the impact the last few chapters of the book has on the reading. Especially given that the end such an insane reveal, although one where you have to stop yourself and say, Nope that all makes perfect sense.

Finally, I'm genuinely torn as to whether or not I like either Kawaji or Kazuki! They both have their points and they make good ones, Kawaji is maybe a little too naive for my taste though and Kazuki is well a little nuts. And I'm glad they were written like that. I think it makes them more believable.

Overall, definitely an excellent mystery novel that is never really what you expect it to be. I think those who enjoy Stuart Turton's style will definitely enjoy this one, especially with the end plot twist, Ruth Ware fans as well.

And as always thanks to Pushkin Vertigo and Netgalley for the eArc!

The Meiji Guillotine Murders by Futaro Yamada is not what I was expecting, but it is still a great read. It read, especially at the beginning, more like a historical fiction than a mystery thriller, but seeing as I enjoy both genres, I did not view this as a bad thing. I have not really read much regarding Japanese history, so I loved reading about the Meiji period as this is a part of history that was new to me. It is hard to get into the book at first. I had a hard time determining “the point” of the book until later on. Once you get into the novel though, you could see how everything tied together. One thing that I liked is learning about how the guillotine was introduced in Japan as well. This may seem morbid, but I found it an interesting component as well. Learning about the miko was another very interesting component. One thing I didn’t like though is that is how they solved a lot of cases, and there is not near as much buildup as with other “murder mysteries” where there is more investigation into the who done it and all the plot twists and turns that go along with that. Not as rewarding when the miko is able to channel the voice of the dead and tell you exactly what happened directly. Still a very interesting concept though! This is my first ARC of a book that I have read and reviewed, the format took a little bit of getting used to, but that is to no fault of the author. It will definitely be easier to deal with as I read more ARCs. I would read another book by this author if it is translated to English in the future. Other than the format, this book flew by and is a very quick and easy read. Overall I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to other readers who both enjoy history and mysteries.