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Tokyo Express

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Tokyo Express

By: Seicho Matsumoto, Jesse Kirkwood - translator
Narrated by: Eleanor Matsuura
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In a rocky cove in the bay of Hakata, the bodies of a young and beautiful couple are discovered. Stood in the coast's wind and cold, the police see nothing to investigate: the flush of the couple's cheeks speaks clearly of cyanide, of a lovers' suicide. But in the eyes of two men, Torigai Jutaro, an old and shabby detective, and Kiichi Mihara, a young gun from Tokyo, something is not quite right. Together, they will begin to pick at the knot of a unique and calculated crime....

A coiled mystery in the vein of Georges Simenon, Tokyo Express is Seicho Matsumoto's best-selling masterwork.

©2022 Seicho Matsumoto (P)2022 Penguin Audio Classics Crime Fiction Mystery World Literature Fiction Crime
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Intriguing and detailed murder mystery, easy to read with fun twists and turns and endearing characters.

Fast paced mystery

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This was my first listen to a Matsumoto novel, although not my first Japanese work. This was culturally very interesting, even if it took place 60years ago. It is a very detailed story, involving plenty of references to railway timetables and other such details. Sadly, for me, this results in a detailed explanation at the end of the story as to exactly what happened, how, when and who was involved. If you don’t mind such closely explained plots right at the end, then you’ll be fine. I’m a tad mixed as to whether I’ll try another of Matsumoto’s writings in the future. It may be fine if not so detailed.
The narrator is fine, despite it being a woman with mostly male characters. It didn’t bother me one jot.

A Japanese novel involving a very, very detailed plot.

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A brilliant, relentless police procedural in the vein of the Martin Beck and Maigret series. A great narrator brings the story to ebullient life.

Thrilling

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Love this book. While the narrator is unquestionably a good narrator, I always find Japanese stories work so much better when read in English by Japanese speakers. The accent adds authenticity - much better than the faux cockney we’re given in this particular book. Also, this story has a masculine feel to it, not wishing to sound remotely sexist here. I feel a Japanese, but English-speaking male narrator might have added something much more to it’s gritty telling. But it’s a great novel - one I’ve read as well as listened to. Can’t rate it enough.

Very clever and entertaining

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I really enjoyed this book. It was a very clever story. The only thing that bothered me a little was the very many Japanese station names which I found a little confusing sometimes.

Excellent Crime Story

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