I Should Read That

Book review¹

Early one morning, the owner of a local mill is found lying next to the railway tracks just outside of Kuki Station. Suspicion initially falls on the workers’ union, with whom the man had been embroiled in a labour dispute, then on a new religious sect that has been gaining followers recently.

Chief Inspector Onitsura and his assistant Tanna are called in to investigate, and soon set off in a journey across Japan, from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, and finally to the island of Kyushu, in a hunt for the killer.

But as they investigate, the killer strikes again, and again. Will they be able to catch the murderer before even more people are slain?

Cults! Trains! Trade Unions! Murder! What more could you need?

I’ve been loving Pushkin Vertigo’s translated Japanese crime fiction. The Black Swan Mystery is one of their newest offerings – published in English in fall 2024 – and while it wasn’t my favourite book the imprint has published, it’s a fun addition to their list.

The premise is great and promised a really fun read (please see the opening line of this review).It’s a complicated tale of twisty murder, false starts and failed investigations, and the efforts to break the alibi of the prime suspect. I loved a number of the side characters (no spoilers as to who) and really enjoyed the sprawling investigation that takes place all over Japan. The reveal of the crime, how it happened, and the resolution are all quite complex and maybe a little overly complicated, but I certainly didn’t mind!

This book does have some quirks though. The main detective is quite forgettable – I don’t even remember his name. In fact, he doesn’t even show up until halfway through the book. A strange choice to be sure! However, the number of side characters, including other investigators, kept my interest in the story. I’m curious to find out of this is the first in a series – I’d definitely pick up the next one if it is.

The Black Swan Mystery is a fun, complex mystery and a cracking read. I found myself curled up with my Kindle long after I should have been asleep. And isn’t that the best endorsement of all?

1. A digital copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher. ↩︎