Description

‘A bloody feast of multiple murders in a terrorized mountain community’ Sarah Weinman, New York Times

A classic Japanese mystery from the author of The Honjin Murders and Murder at the Black Cat Cafe

A remote mountain village is struck by a series of gruesome murders, eerily mirroring the lines of a local nursery rhyme.

Kosuke Kindaichi comes to remote Onikobe expecting a peaceful mountain retreat, but finds death stalking him at every turn. No sooner has the famous sleuth learnt of a decades-old murder haunting the village than a new series of killings strikes the community. This time the victims’ bodies are eerily arranged to allude to the lyrics of a children’s song.

As the scruffy sleuth investigates, the murders continue, with a sinister, stooped old woman appearing before every new death. Kindaichi must unravel a tangled tale of broken hearts and blackmail to get to the truth.

Can he do so before the killer reaches the final verse?

PRAISE FOR SEISHI YOKOMIZO

‘Fiendishly complex and wonderfully atmospheric’ S.J. Bennett, author of Murder Most Royal

Publisher Review

"Embarking on a journey through the captivating world of Seishi Yokomizo's crime fiction is a thrilling adventure. His works, rich with the essence of the Golden Age of crime writing and imbued with a unique Japanese flair. From the chilling 'The Honjin Murders' to the intriguing 'The Little Sparrow Murders', each book showcases Yokomizo's mastery of the genre. As you delve into these tales of mystery and suspense, you'll find yourself immersed in the intricate plots and compelling narratives that have made Yokomizo a beloved figure in Japanese literature. So, if you're searching for your next crime read, look no further than the works of Seishi Yokomizo." -- Japan Nakama