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Tokyo Express

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( 20,417 ratings, 2,366 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto is a gripping crime and thriller novel that sets the stage with the mysterious discovery of two bodies on a desolate beach. Inspector Mihara takes on the challenging case, navigating through a complex web of deception and intricately timed alibis. As the story unfolds, it artfully explores the nuances of human nature and the intricacies of a seemingly perfect crime.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're a fan of meticulously detailed crime mysteries with a strong sense of place. Its narrative unfolds with a combination of clever detective work and intricate plotting, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of Japan. If you appreciate stories where every clue counts and suspense builds methodically, this gripping thriller will likely captivate you.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A perfectly plotted, cosy detective story from Seicho Matsumoto, Japan's master of mystery.

In a rocky cove in the bay of Hakata, the bodies of a young and beautiful couple are discovered. Standing 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.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto is praised as a cleverly plotted crime novel reminiscent of Hitchcock's work. It involves a complex mystery of a supposed double suicide that swiftly captivates readers. Several reviewers draw parallels to Agatha Christie, highlighting the intricate alibis and unexpected twists within this concise Japanese crime classic, which combines a compelling narrative with political critique. Originally banned for its "decadent western ideas," the novel is celebrated for its masterful pacing and suspense. The book offers a fresh translation that maintains its tension and serves as a thrilling, intriguing read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241439081

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 March 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Jesse Kirkwood

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 123g

Pages: 160

About the Author

Seicho Matsumoto (Author) Seicho Matsumoto was born in 1909 in Fukuoka, Japan. Self-educated, Matsumoto published his first book when he was forty years old and he quickly established himself as a master of crime fiction. His exploration of human psychology and Japanese post-war malaise, coupled with the creation of twisting, dark mysteries, made him one of the most acclaimed and best-selling writers in Japan. He received the prestigious Akutagawa Literary Prize in 1950 and the Kikuchi Kan Prize in 1970. He died in 1992.

Also by Seicho Matsumoto

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  • Inspector Imanishi Investigates
    A thrilling crime classic, from the bestselling author of Tokyo Express Tokyo, 1960. As the first rays of morning light hit the rails at Kamata Station, a man's body is found on the tracks. With only two leads—a distinctive accent and a single word, 'kameda'—Senior Inspector Imanishi Eitaro is called in to solve the puzzle. Setting aside his beloved bonsai...
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  • Suspicion
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  • Point Zero
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  • Twilight in Musashino
    From the best-selling author of Tokyo Express, a chilling tale where Japanese tradition and Western crime collide - now available in English for the first time. Musashino, 1959. A young Japanese flight attendant is found strangled on the icy banks of the river. The police suspect foul play - but the deeper they dig, the more they collide with a...
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