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7 Japanese Murder Mystery Novels To Add To Your Reading List
If you’re a fan of murder mysteries and you haven’t added Japanese books of the genre to your reading lists, then you need to rectify this stat!
In the 1920s, a subgenre of Japanese crime fiction literature called Honkaku was formed. Novels belonging to this genre featured clever and complex mysteries that could be solved through logical deductions. These murder mystery novels focused on the process of criminal investigation and didn’t rely on unexpected plot twists to tie everything together. In fact, some authors offered tools like detailed maps and list of clues to the reader to encorage them to solve the mystery alongside the characters in the book.
Fortunately for us non-Japanese reading crime fiction enthusiasts, these Honkaku mystery novels have been translated in different languages over the years. If you want to enter the thrilling world of Japanese crime fiction literature, here are a few titles you can add to your reading lists now!
Best Japanese Murder Mystery Novels To Read
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada
This horrifying murder mystery has two amateur detectives trying their hand at solving a decades-old mystery behind an artist’s death. The artist, who had plotted out a scheme to murder all the female members of his family, was suddenly found dead. Soon after his murder, the women in his family start getting killed in the same manner that he had described in his notes.
The Tattoo Murder Case by Akimitsu Takagi
The Tattoo Murder Case by Akimitsu Takagi
Widely considered to be Japan’s finest whodunnit, this murder mystery novel marked the debut of author Akimitsu Takagi. It follows the investigation into the gruesome murder of a woman who was known for her tattoos. Her severed limbs are found in a locked room, with her intrictaely tattoed torso missing from the scene. Aside from a gripping mystery, the novel also offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s rich tattoo culture.
Malice by Keigo Higashino
Malice by Keigo Higashino
Any fan of the genre would be familiar with the works of Keigo Higashino, whose book The Devotion of Suspect X is considered to be one of the best mystery novels of modern times. Higashino’s debut novel Malice can be the perfect induction for people who want to get into reading Japanese crime fiction. It introduced us to the famous Detective Kaga as he investigates the brutal murder of an author in his own home.
The Devil’s Flute Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
The Devil’s Flute Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
One of the most prolific Japanese murder mystery authors, Seishi Yokomizo’s fictional detective Kosuke Kindaichi is one of the most popular literary sleuth, akin to Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. In this novel, he investigates a series of gruesome murders among a feuding family whose patriarch died mysteriously a few months before the killings begin.
The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
This compelling psychological thriller is perfect for fans of classic mystery novelists like Agatha Christie. The novel follows a group of people whose annual trip to the Water Mill House is disrupted, thanks to a mysterious disappearance, a series of convoluted murders and the theft of a priceless painting. Detective Kiyoshi Shimada is now tasked to investigate the crimes and find the truth.
The Master Key by Masako Togawa
The Master Key by Masako Togawa
This award-winning mystery revolves around a residential building that houses only female tenants. Each house in the K Apartment For Ladies harbours a sinister secret. Chaos ensues when a master key that can open all the doors in the apartment complex gets stolen, leading to long-buried secrets being uncovered and a murder occurring within the building.
Out by Natsuo Kirino
Out by Natsuo Kirino
Technically, this one is not a straightforward murder mystery like the others on the list. But it is a mystery with a murder at the center of it all, so it counts! The novel follows a young mother who strangles her abusive husband and enlists the help of her coworker to cover up the crime. Her problems, however, are only beginning as she finds herself getting more and more involved with the seedy underbelly of the society.