“The premise alone is dazzling [and] the solution to this mystery came as a complete surprise.” — The New York Times

In the winter of 1937, the village of Okamura is abuzz with excitement over the forthcoming wedding of a son of the grand Ichiyanagi family. But amid the gossip over the approaching festivities, there is also a worrying rumour—it seems a sinister masked man has been asking questions around the village.

Then, on the night of the wedding, the Ichiyanagi household are woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music. Death has come to Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword, thrust into the pristine snow outside the house. Soon, amateur detective Kosuke Kindaichi is on the scene to investigate what will become a legendary murder case, but can this scruffy sleuth solve a seemingly impossible crime?

Yokomizo is perhaps the most popular and beloved crime writer in his country’s history. His classic mysteries are a treat for any fan of Golden Age whodunits, taking the reader all over post-war Japan, from remote mountain villages to pirate-plagued islands to the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Featuring stunning French flaps and a beautiful, wintry wrap-around cover, this deluxe gift paperback will delight Yokomizo fans old and new seeking the ingenious puzzle plot that started it all!

Story Locale:Japan

Series Overview: The Kosuke Kindaichi Mysteries are some of the best-loved classic crime novels in Japan. Created by Seishi Yokomizo, his loveable gentleman amateur sleuth featured in more than 70 stories, many of which were adapted for stage and television in Japan.
 
Contributor Bio(s)
 
Seishi Yokomizo (1902-81) was one of Japan's most famous and beloved mystery writers, best known for creating the legendary detective Kosuke Kindaichi, who featured in more than 70 stories, many of which were adapted for stage and television in Japan. The Honjin Murders, the first Kosuke Kindaichi novel, is regarded as one of Japan's great mystery novels and won the inaugural Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1948. Another nine Kosuke Kindaichi mysteries are also available or forthcoming from Pushkin Vertigo.

Louise Heal Kawai grew up in Manchester, England, but Japan has been her home since 1990. She has translated a variety of novels and short stories from Japanese, including Seishi Yokomizo’s Death on Gokumon Island for Pushkin Vertigo, Seicho Matsumoto’s A Quiet Place, and Seventeen by Hideo Yokoyama.