Sōji Shimada

島田荘司

A gripping tale of magic and illusion by Japan's master mystery storyteller.

The Tokyo Zodiac Murders

The Tokyo Zodiac Murders is a brilliantly executed and unique novel that stands out as a compelling addition to the Japanese thriller genre. As someone who has read a considerable amount of Japanese thrillers, I can confidently say that this book is unlike anything I've encountered before. While many thrillers tend to follow familiar patterns, Shimada's approach in this novel is refreshingly different, offering a deep dive into an intricate mystery that feels more like an exploration of a real-life case than a work of fiction.

Set against 1936 (and 1979, yes, its a dual timeline), when the eccentric artist is found dead in his studio home. Before his death, he had allegedly made a cryptic confession about a series of planned murders and dismembered his daughters and nieces bodies in order to create a perfect woman called 'Azoth' based on astrology and zodiac signs. Soon, it is revealed that his mysterious death is only the first of a series of gruesome killings. Three separate murders unfold in an unsettling pattern that seems to align with the twelve signs of the zodiac, leading to a case that defies logic and challenges the real motives between astrology, madness, and cold-blooded murder. 

One of the outstanding strengths in this book is the level of detail that goes into describing the murders and the investigation. The book is meticulously crafted, presenting detailed descriptions that are not limited to just the events of the murders themselves but extend to drawings of the crime scenes, making it feel as though we are flipping through an actual investigation report. This element of the novel blurs the lines between fiction and reality, immersing us in a true crime-like experience. Not only that, but the book was truly a page-turner, with each chapter pulling me deeper into the mystery. Even during the silly talk moments between Mitarai and Kazumi, the tension never dissipates. 

Instead, Shimada creates an atmosphere of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, unsure of what twist will come next. The narrative unfolds like a play, which helps to continually build just the right amount of twists, turns, and red herrings to make it nearly impossible to put the book down. Every chapter has this mini-revelation, yet with every answer, more questions arise, and the more the case seems impossible to solve. Overall, the clever use of astrology and symbolism and the brilliantly crafted murders make it such an enjoyable read. I had a great time reading this book and highly recommend it if you want to explore more Japanese thrillers. 4.35 ⭐️

Nisha

The Tokyo Zodiac Murders is a brilliantly executed and unique novel that stands out as a compelling addition to the Japanese thriller genre. As someone who has read a considerable amount of Japanese thrillers, I can confidently say that this book is unlike anything I've encountered before. While many thrillers tend to follow familiar patterns, Shimada's approach in this novel is refreshingly different, offering a deep dive into an intricate mystery that feels more like an exploration of a real-life case than a work of fiction.

Set against 1936 (and 1979, yes, its a dual timeline), when the eccentric artist is found dead in his studio home. Before his death, he had allegedly made a cryptic confession about a series of planned murders and dismembered his daughters and nieces bodies in order to create a perfect woman called 'Azoth' based on astrology and zodiac signs. Soon, it is revealed that his mysterious death is only the first of a series of gruesome killings. Three separate murders unfold in an unsettling pattern that seems to align with the twelve signs of the zodiac, leading to a case that defies logic and challenges the real motives between astrology, madness, and cold-blooded murder. 

One of the outstanding strengths in this book is the level of detail that goes into describing the murders and the investigation. The book is meticulously crafted, presenting detailed descriptions that are not limited to just the events of the murders themselves but extend to drawings of the crime scenes, making it feel as though we are flipping through an actual investigation report. This element of the novel blurs the lines between fiction and reality, immersing us in a true crime-like experience. Not only that, but the book was truly a page-turner, with each chapter pulling me deeper into the mystery. Even during the silly talk moments between Mitarai and Kazumi, the tension never dissipates. 

Instead, Shimada creates an atmosphere of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat, unsure of what twist will come next. The narrative unfolds like a play, which helps to continually build just the right amount of twists, turns, and red herrings to make it nearly impossible to put the book down. Every chapter has this mini-revelation, yet with every answer, more questions arise, and the more the case seems impossible to solve. Overall, the clever use of astrology and symbolism and the brilliantly crafted murders make it such an enjoyable read. I had a great time reading this book and highly recommend it if you want to explore more Japanese thrillers. 4.35 ⭐️

Jason Lo

I think this pure objective style is not for me.

Layla

Been months since the last time I saw someone recommended this book but I finally get the chance to read it now. The plot and the characters make me feel so intrigued from the very first, and have their own.. unexplainable charms. I also love how Mitarai is absolutely amazing and unique... He's full of mystery, and affection. And Ishioka? I totally love him. Feels like seeing myself in him

Savindi Jinasena

4.5. Stars. 

The ending was so clever! I definitely didn't see the perpetrator in the beginning. I guess it's also because there are so many characters and sometimes it was hard to keep up with all of them. But the ending was somewhat heartbreaking. I really liked Kiyoshi's character towards the end. I feel like he was thoughtful and was quite self-aware, but also aware of other people's thoughts, intentions etc. Overall this was a great read!

shellybn

This was an excellent locked room-type mystery. As you read, you can find all the clues necessary to solve the puzzle. It even includes diagrams od the crime scenes. Highly recommended for those who enjoy trying to solve the mystery along with the detective.

Soji Shimada

Astrologer, fortuneteller, and self-styled detective Kiyoshi Mitarai must in one week solve a macabre murder mystery that has baffled Japan for 40 years. Who murdered the artist Umezawa, raped and killed his daughter, and then chopped up the bodies of six others to create Azoth, the supreme woman? With maps, charts, and other illustrations, this story of magic and illusion, pieced together like a great stage tragedy, challenges the reader to unravel the mystery before the final curtain.

Lauren 

So starts off super creepy ( I had to check my door was locked and everything) and then its so confusing, my guess was very wrong but still enjoyed the aha moment

Santosh Singh

First half of the book might be a bit disappointing but after that it proves to be one of the best and genre defining murder mystery. Surely worth a read for anyone who loves the genre of murder mystery/crime novels.

Jayarna La Bozzetta

4.5 stars. This had me obsessed, absolutely loved it!

Christine Liu

I almost didn't read this because it opens with a manifesto of astrology-obsessed artist Heikichi Umezawa, detailing his plan to murder six women and use them to assemble the perfect woman, and I didn't need to read that. But when chapter two picks up, 40 years have passed and you find out that before he could commit his murders, Umezawa was killed in a studio whose only door was locked from the inside. But someone else has killed and dismembered the women just as he'd described, and the case has never been solved.

This is the first of Shimada's books featuring Kiyoshi Mitarai, a Holmes-esque fortune teller who in the present has been approached by a client with new information related to the unsolved murders. He and his friend, illustrator Kazumi Ishioka (the Watson character), decide to look into the case and attempt to succeed where many have failed before. This story is absolutely captivating, and I had a lightbulb moment when the puzzle pieces started to click into place. The solution is both ingenious and satisfying.

The Tokyo Zodiac Murders

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