'An irresistible Hitchcockian gem: a fiendishly-plotted crime novel told in crisp, elegant prose' Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train 'Matsumoto was Japan's Agatha Christie' Laura Hackett, The Sunday Times 'It was a puzzle with no solution. But he did not lose heart.' In a rocky cove in the bay of Hakata, the bodies of a young and beautiful couple are discovered. Stood in the coast's wind and cold, the police see nothing to investigate: the flush of the couple's cheeks speaks clearly of cyanide, of a lovers' suicide. But in the eyes of two men, Torigai Jutaro, a senior detective, and Kiichi Mihara, a young gun from Tokyo, something is not quite right. Together, they begin to pick at the knot of a unique and calculated crime... Now widely available in English for the first time, Tokyo Express is celebrated around the world as Seicho Matsumoto's masterpiece - and as one of the most fiendish puzzles ever written.
Seicho Matsumoto
Seicho Matsumoto (1909-1992) was a Japanese mystery writer known for his psychological depth and intricate plots. His most notable works include "Points and Lines" and "Inspector Imanishi Investigates". Matsumoto's writing style often delves into the complexities of human nature and societal issues, making his stories both engaging and thought-provoking. He is credited with revolutionizing the Japanese detective genre by introducing a more realistic and socially conscious approach. "Points and Lines" is considered his masterpiece, portraying the investigation of a murder on a train as a metaphor for the fractured post-war Japanese society. Matsumoto's contributions to literature have left a lasting impact on the mystery genre in Japan and beyond.