The Tokyo Zodiac Murders

Discussions of new films, books, television shows, and media indirectly related to magic and magicians. For example, there may be a book on mnemonics or theatrical technique we should know or at least know about.
Richard Stokes
Posts: 237
Joined: September 11th, 2008, 8:18 pm

The Tokyo Zodiac Murders

Postby Richard Stokes » March 4th, 2016, 10:12 am

This ingenious crime novel by Soji Shimada was published back in 1981, and only translated into English in 2004.
The book became quite rare and expensive on the 2nd hand market.
Fortunately, it was reprinted in September 2015.

I finally finished my copy last week while taking a break downunder.

The opening lengthy chapter appears to be intentionally off-putting. And defies the usual convention of hooking the reader.

I actually thought - what is this ludicrous astrological crap?

Fortunately, I persevered and kept on reading.

The author provides several 'murder' diagrams and a family tree . The latter is very helpful as I had problems distinguishing female and male names. (My daughter who has studied Japanese and has visited the country says , in fact, that once you become familiar with Japanese you can easily differentiate between male and female names.)

Well, all those out there in Genii land, if you are interested in classic detective fiction and bizarre locked room mysteries and impossibilist crimes - then you will enjoy this book.

Please don't introduce any spoilers, but I welcome any responses to this novel.

Those that reach the end will appreciate why I have posted this topic in the Genii Forum.

Pete McCabe
Posts: 2332
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Simi Valley, CA

Re: The Tokyo Zodiac Murders

Postby Pete McCabe » March 26th, 2016, 2:53 am

I read this on your recommendation and it was great. I thought the ending was extremely satisfying, both in the solution and in how you figure it out.


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