Is there anything more exciting to read than a perfectly executed mystery? This novel, Inspector Iminishi Investigates, is one of the best mysteries I've ever read. It contains a series of events which seem impossible to tie together unless the author goes through a series of convoluted steps to bring them under his control. But far from being contrived, or implausible, or manipulated, Matsumoto describes a case with an admirable inspector; one who is able to piece together perfectly each seemingly incongruous discovery into a mesmerizing conclusion. There is even a method of murder which I have never heard about, or read about, in my life. Amazing. Well done, Matsumoto. No wonder your novel won the Akutagawa Literary Prize, the Japanese Mystery Writers' Prize, and is also named a New York Times Notable Book.
To win my copy of this outstanding work, simply leave a comment below. A winner will be declared a week from today.
Winner: The Parrish Lantern. Congratulations, Parrish, and thank you for all your encouragement for the JLC5!
Winner: The Parrish Lantern. Congratulations, Parrish, and thank you for all your encouragement for the JLC5!
Absolutely new to me (the author and the book). Would love to be counted in even though I may be the first to comment!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to enter this giveaway! Thanks for hosting this, Bellezza.
ReplyDeletesuko95(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love a chance to read this book. It sounds quite different from anything I've ever read.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this piece of genre J-Lit :)
ReplyDeleteHow can I resist this giveaway? :)
ReplyDeleteI see you are reading Yamada's "Strangers". It was the cover that reminded me I bought it a few years ago and haven't read it. What a shame! I might start it this year, if I have the time... So many books, so little time!
That sounds amazing, and I adore mysteries but have never read a Japanese one, I think. Have to change that! :)
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries! And I love international books, so thanks for letting me know about this one. :) My library doesn't have a copy, so I'd love to throw my hat in the giveaway ring (astripedarmchairATgmailDOTcom)!
ReplyDelete(P.S.: sorry I dropped the ball on Mathilde! Meds affected me more than I expected, and then the internet died.)
enter me please ,all the best stu
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than a perfect mystery. I'd love to be entered. This would double by Japanese mystery authors, as I've loved Miyuki Miyabi's books.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've made me very curious about this one - especially about the method of murder.
ReplyDeleteI would love to enter this, I have never heard of Inspector Iminishi. I am in Wales, not sure if your giveaway is international?
ReplyDeleteMy email is cerievans1[at]gmail[dot]com.
Dear M, Just a reminder that the Japanese festival at Missouri Botanical Garden is September 3-5. It looks awfully good again. Here's the link. http://www.mobot.org/events/japanesefestival/
ReplyDeleteYou would love it. Let me know if you plan to attend - could meet you!
Wow. Them there some strong words Ms. Bellezza ... must be a good book! I am adding this book to my must read list if I don't win. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very intriguing, please count me in!
ReplyDeleteNo need to enter me as I already own a copy:) I really enjoyed this book too and I also recommend The Tattoo Murder Mystery by Takagi Akimitsu.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of him, but I would love to read his book, I enjoy a great mystery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for kindly offering this book. It sounds like a must read!
ReplyDeleteOh, a Japanese mystery. This sounds so interesting, please count me in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds right up my strada & an Akutagawa Literary Prize winner definitely has my interest. Please enter me .Grazie.
ReplyDeletePS. Taichi Yamada's book I adored, one of my early excursions into the world of Japanese Literature.
Sounds like one I would love, and I'm wondering what the murder method is. Thanks for entering me.
ReplyDeletecarolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
Parrish, I am crazy about Strangers. What a great book so far! We'll talk as soon as I finish it. But, I'm on a streak of great Japanese thrillers/mysteries with the start of Villain (thanks to you).
ReplyDeleteWow! This one sounds fantastic! Thanks for the heads up on this one! I would love to enter the giveaway. Sounds like it'll be a terrific read!
ReplyDeleteIf you like Strangers, you may enjoy- I haven't dreamt of flying for a while, by Taichi Yamada.I posted on both of these last year, so will be interested in your opinion when you've finished.
ReplyDeleteI've had this one on my wishlist for a while but for some reason haven't managed to pick up a copy yet. Glad to hear you liked it, and I'm definitely intrigued. Would love to throw my name in the hat too. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting giveaway. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries! Sounds like a great one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting. I have been trying to read more mysteries and I would love to win. Thanks!
ReplyDeletei would love to be entered into the giveaway! Sorry so late in posting just got power back from Irene:((
ReplyDeleteAnd written in 1961! If I don't win, I shall buy a copy. This is something I'd really like to read. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteNan, funny how you should mention one of the things I loved as well. It's not obvious to me as an American that it was written in 1961, but the sixties were such a great era (miss them!). I think one can tell from the incredible amount of respect that the characters use in their dialogue that this was not written to describe a current era. Although I find the Japanese far more respectful as a general rule.
ReplyDeletehmmm, would love to try this, as I am looking at some original titles for my Japanese Literature Challenge. Thanks for this great giveaway. Emma @ Words And Peace
ReplyDeleteWow, one of the beat mysteries you've ever read - that's some recommendation! I recently read another Akutagawa (?) prize winner: All She Was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe. That was fun, so I'd love to enter your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGnoe, I guess the words "one of the best mysteries I've ever read" are a bit strong. I just trying to express how satisfying the conclusion was in this particular novel. While I read All She Was Worth, and another Miyabe novel I'm currently forgetting, the endings do not stick with me. Nor, in fact, do the murders themselves as to purpose or method. But this novel ties everything together flawlessly, and the ending made me sigh.
ReplyDeleteI find with mysteries I very seldom remember the ending, but Miyabe's Shadow Family has a very good ending - you'll remember that one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book-please enter me in the giveaway for which I thank you
ReplyDeleteI urge everyone to go register for book blog appreciation week and vote as I have done for the Japanese Literature 5 Challenge for best book blog event-