Review: Tokyo Express

Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story isn't fast paced at all, but still very meticulous and interesting. Although, since it paid so much attention to detail, I have to say I disagreed with some small details (it doesn't seem that odd for a train passenger to go to the dining car alone even when traveling with someone else. They might be watching the luggage, or simply want to rest, etc.). 

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Review: A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place by Seichō Matsumoto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I enjoyed this story more than "Inspector Imanishi Investigates" by the same author, although that one was made more interesting by the details of various parts of Japan and the different accents. 

This was originally published in 1971, and in many ways it shows. The pace is rather slow, and the people unremarkable. On the other hand, it is a glimpse into Japanese life in the late 60's/early 70's, with a mysterious death and its aftermath thrown in the mix. What's not to love?

4.5 stars

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Review: Inspector Imanishi Investigates

Inspector Imanishi Investigates by Seichō Matsumoto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an excellent find. A Japanese detective novel written in 1961, about a tenacious police officer (Imanishi) investigating an odd murder. 

The book brought the inspector (and another policeman, partly) around Japan, from the North to the South to Ise Shrine to Shimane, and discusses the different accents (a point that turns out to be important). 

It was different from many contemporary detective novels, and reminded more of something like Inspector Maigret, or Hercule Poirot. It wasn't a fast-paced action-packed novel, but more of a slow-going, but relentless one. 

There were a few coincidences too many, and some points seemed a bit of a stretch, but overall it was a great read. 

4.5 stars

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