'Truly ingenious' Guardian

Japan's greatest classic mystery, from the author of Murder at the Black Cat Cafe

A pair of newlyweds are brutally murdered on their wedding night. Their bedroom was locked from the inside. A samurai sword thrust into the snow is the only clue.

One freezing night in the winter of 1937, the Ichiyanagi household is woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music. Death has come to the village of Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword thrust into the pristine snow.

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?

PRAISE FOR SEISHI YOKOMIZO

'The diabolically twisted plotting is top-notch' - New York Times

'Readers will delight in the blind turns, red herrings and dubious alibis... Ingenious and compelling' - Economist

'With a reputation in Japan to rival Agatha Christie's, the master of ingenious plotting is finally on the case for anglophone readers' - Guardian

'This is Golden Age crime at its best, complete with red herrings, blind alleys and twists and turns galore... A testament to the power of the simple murder mystery and its enduring appeal' - Spectator

'Plenty of golden age ingredients... with a truly ingenious solution' - Guardian, Best New Crime Novels

'Truly ingenious' Guardian

'The king of the locked-room mystery' CrimeReads

'The Japanese Agatha Christie' Sara Cox, Between the Covers

'Fiendishly complex and wonderfully atmospheric' S.J. Bennett, author of Murder Most Royal

"Plenty of golden age ingredients... with a truly ingenious solution" - Guardian, Best New Crime Fiction

"Readers will delight in the blind turns, red herrings and dubious alibis... Ingenious and compelling" - Economist

"At once familiar and tantalisingly strange... It's an absolute pleasure to see his work translated at last in these beautifully produced English editions" - Sunday Times

"With a reputation in Japan to rival Agatha Christie's, the master of ingenious plotting is finally on the case for anglophone readers" - Guardian

"The perfect read for this time of year. Short and compelling, it will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie looking for a new case to break" - Irish Times

"A classic murder mystery... Comparisons with Holmes are justified, both in the character of Kindaichi and Yokomizo's approach to storytelling - mixing clues, red herrings and fascinating social insight before drawing back the curtain to reveal the truth" - Japan Times

"The premise alone is dazzling [and] the solution to this mystery came as a complete surprise - exactly what I asked for" - New York Times

"For lovers of classic mystery and mayhem, these newly translated offerings are a must" - Tokyo Weekender

"A delightfully entertaining locked room murder mystery... There are plenty of twists, red herrings, and suspects in this monkey puzzle of a story... An ideal book to curl up with on a winter's night" - NB Magazine

"A classic locked room mystery... Its intricate thrills just as exciting as they were 70 years ago" - CrimeReads

"Essential reading for fans of detective and historical fiction... [the] solution to the whole mystery does actually make your jaw drop" - Deccan Herald

"A wickedly fun time. Its short length, quirky cast of characters, engaging mystery, and theatrical setting and plot make for a fantastic murder mystery tale." - Books and Bao

"The master of Japanese crime" - Tuttolibri

"The perfect gift for any fan of classic crime fiction or locked room mysteries" - Mrs Peabody Investigates

"A perfect puzzle... Doesn't fail to deliver in its extremely fun and chilling premise. You'll be reading way past your bedtime!" - Litreactor

"Think you got a Sherlock Holmes knack for crime puzzles? Then have a try at Yokomizo's clever mystery riddle" - Metropolis Magazine, The Best Japanese Mystery Novels to Read in 2025

"A classic locked-door mystery with a chilling twist" - Book Riot