Author: Keigo Higashino
Translator: Alexander O. Smith
Series: Detective Galileo #2 (this is #2 of the books that have been translated, so in Japan, this would be the 5th book but in English, the translation started from the most popular book, not the first one released in the series)
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, Crime
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
Format: Audiobook
Publisher: MacMillan Audio
Narrator: David Pittu
Book Description: Yoshitaka, who was about to leave his marriage and his wife, is poisoned by arsenic-laced coffee and dies. His wife, Ayane, is the logical suspect—except that she was hundreds of miles away when he was murdered. The lead detective, Tokyo Police Detective Kusanagi, is immediately smitten with her and refuses to believe that she could have had anything to do with the crime. His assistant, Kaoru Utsumi, however, is convinced Ayane is guilty. While Utsumi’s instincts tell her one thing, the facts of the case are another matter. So she does what her boss has done for years when stymied—she calls upon Professor Manabu Yukawa.
But even the brilliant mind of Dr. Yukawa has trouble with this one, and he must somehow find a way to solve an impossible murder and capture a very real, very deadly murderer.
Salvation for a Saint is Keigo Higashino at his mind-bending best, pitting emotion against fact in a beautifully plotted crime novel filled with twists and reverses that will astonish and surprise even the most attentive and jaded of readers.
Thoughts:
This is the second story by the author. I had never heard of him before his book was recommended in the Literally Dead Book Club (The Devotion of Suspect X), after knowing that the series is now available in English it seemed like a good idea to try to continue.
This feels like a classic detective mystery- I get the vibes from Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. There is a lot of plot points that seem like background object but that will come into play masterfully in the big reveal.
The main characters are all treated well, with hints at complexity but not in a way that overshadows the plot. Kusanagi is the lead detective, and now has a female member of his team, Utsumi, along with his long-term aide, Kishitani.
It all starts with the detectives being called in to investigate a case of a man found dead in his locked home. He is found by a friend of his wife's. They have to figure out if this was an accident, a natural death, or if a crime might have been committed. And oh boy they definitely take a nice ride. As they start to dig and question the people around the dead man, more and more interesting tidbits come to light.
In this mystery, though the reader has a strong suspicion about who the murderer is and why, as more secrets are revealed enough doubt on the who is generated to keep the reader wondering, and of course, the how is the biggest puzzle.
The whole journey builds up to a very satisfying resolution. I'll be the first to admit this is not 100% realistic, but Higashino builds the story in a way that it makes it plausible. This is one of the most satisfying murder mysteries I have seen in a good while. can't think of a better way to describe a work that intrigued me and captured my attention without resorting to narrative or plotting tricks. I am so tired of the drunk wife, mentally unstable that the police can't help but wonder if she killed her husband then 'forgot'.
One of the things I'm really coming to appreciate about Higashino's storytelling is that while his stories focus on the technical genius of the murders, he gives equal weight to the emotions behind the murder. And the revelation of those emotions, the driving events, the people are just as important as the how of it all.
I gave this
This book was used for the following challenges:
Continue a series.
Around the world: Japan
Translated works
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