WhoDunnits – A Mystery Book Group: “The Honjin Murders” by Seishi Yokomizo (JCCL)

This month, WhoDunnits will be reading The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo.

One of Japan’s greatest classic murder mysteries, introducing their best loved detective, translated into English for the first time. 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?

WhoDunnits is a discussion group devoted to mysteries of all kinds and meets the first Tuesday of every month.