Soji ShimadaThe Tokyo Zodiac Murders (Pushkin Vertigo Crime): 4

This is one of a series of 20 or so classic crime 'who dunnit' thrillers from around the world published by Pushkin Vertigo.This story is set in Tokyo in 1979 when an amateur detective and his friend reinvestigate the series of murders from 1936 which included an artist and seven female members of his family, including 2 nieces, 3 step-daughters and 2 daughters. The youngest 6 women are discovered dismembered and buried across Japan at sites with some astrological significance in an incidence known as the 'Tokyo Zodiac Murders'. The artist had penned a bizarre treatise about carrying out such a plan for his own reasons, but he is murdered prior to the women, so he couldn't have done it, or could he?? His murder occurred in strange circumstances in a locked room. Kazume Ishioka asks his friend and amateur sleuth Kiyoshi Mitarai to investigate.The books is written almost as if it were a true event being re-opened rather than a novel, which it is. It starts with the rambling and very detailed astrological treatise and plan of the artist, Heikichi Umezawa, to recreate an ancient Japanese goddess from the body parts of his female family members. Mad stuff, but a compelling insight into the logic of his mind. It then details the murders and the reinvestigation. It is unsettling and gruesome in parts, but compelling nonetheless.The solution is clever, but the plot ultimately a bit contrived. However, it is still worthy of high praise because of its unique style and ingenuity. I definitely will read others in this series, and would recommend this to anyone with a devious mind and a strong stomach.

Disturbing story. Probably could have been shorter. Motivation seems improbable.

Take a compelling, intricate, well-written 'locked room' mystery and set it in Japan. What have you got? Probably my perfect book! My husband gave me this book as part of my Christmas present (one book, every month for 12 months) and he did his thorough, pain-staking research before choosing The Tokyo Zodiac Murders. He chose a blinder!An artist spiralling into madness decides to create his perfect woman, Azoth. To do this he needs to kill and dismember six young woman. Luckily for him four of his five daughters and his two nieces live in the same house as him so he doesn't have to look too hard for his victims.Unluckily for him he is killed and left in a locked room before he has a chance to create Azoth. However if Heikichi Umezawa can't make his dream woman then someone else will. The bodies of the original six young women turn up dead, dismembered and scattered all over Japan. Does this mean Azoth exists, and if so where is she?The story is told from the perspective of Kazumi Ishioka who decides with his slightly strange friend, Kiyoshi Mitarai, to solve the mystery when they are presented with new evidence. All of the clues are there for you to solve the mystery yourself so it's a perfect read for amateur sleuths. The culprit is of course revealed in the end so you're not left disappointed.I couldn't put this book down. It held my attention as I turned the pages and before I knew it the killer was being revealed! There are three different investigations to uncover and each one blends seamlessly with the next. I really warmed to Kazumi Ishioka. He felt like the bumbling sidekick to Kiyoshi Mitarai's super intelligent super sleuth. Always three or four steps behind!Did I work out who the murderer was? No chance I'm afraid. The book is so intricate and absorbing that I was just enjoying the story and paying little attention to what could and what couldn't be a clue. I absolutely loved this book and will recommend to anyone who asks in the future. It really is THAT good.Five out of five stars.

An extremely interesting case that is well structured and has a somewhat satisfying conclusion. The dialogue is particularly rough and lifeless though which made some chapters something of a slog. This could be due to the translation or the original text, but either way it didn't land the characters well with me, and caused some of the deduction scenes to be outright annoying. It's place in the crime pantheon is well earned be the mystery, but it wasn't the most enjoyable book overall.

It was recommended as an example of a "locked room" mystery which it is. The ambiance is semi exotic and the characters quicky yet credible. The pace is pretty slow and deliberate so if you're looking for action look elsewhere. Overall enjoyable.

This is one of best mystery novel .It's page turner. Authors note in between...I liked them.Looking forward for more reads from the author.Just loved the novel and felt satisfied after reading it. I would recommend this book to who love mystery novel...pl read and enjoy as I did

Very intresting book.

Esse livro é a primeira obra de Soji Shimada e é claramente inspirado na literatura policial tradicional (como os livros de Agatha Christie). O próprio Shimada-sensei afirma que foi influenciado por autores como S. S. Van Dine. Esse livro traz um mistério extremamente justo com o leitor e é possível solucionar o caso bizarro sem dificuldades.A edição, porém, não me agradou tanto por conta da qualidade do material. Ainda assim é imprescindível em coleções de literatura policial.

Dentro del libro, hay un momento en donde el autor detiene completamente la historia para decirte que ya debiste de haber resuelto el caso. Después de que yo pase esa advertencia, no toque el libro por una semana tratando de ver si lo podía resolver por mi cuenta. Eventualmente lo termine sin poder romper el caso.Es un caso con respuestas simples a preguntas muy complicadas. Muy bien escrito y aun mas recomendable.