Review of GUILT by Keigo Higashino (New Release)

 3.5 Stars

I’ve read and enjoyed several of Higashino’s novels so I look forward to a new offering.

This one is set in 2017. Detective Godai of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department investigates the death of Kensuke Shiraishi, a lawyer. During the course of the investigation, Godai interviews Tatsuro Kuraki who has had limited contact with the victim but then confesses to his murder and to another one from 1984. In the latter case, another man was arrested and died in custody before the trial. With Tatsuro’s confession, the police consider the case closed, but neither his son Kazuma nor the victim’s daughter Mirei is convinced. Kazuma doubts his father is capable of murder and Mirei doubts the supposed motive. The two set out separately to determine the truth.

The pace in this 400-page novel is slow. Pieces of the puzzle slowly fall into place. There are times when there is needless repetition; for instance, characters often repeat information in conversations that the reader already knows. The plot is intricate so I appreciate the author’s not wanting to leave the reader in a state of confusion, but some of these exchanges could have been summarized.

At first, I found the slow pace frustrating and then I was amazed at how quickly the case is closed, only a quarter of the way through the novel. Thereafter, my interest lay in wondering why Tatsuro would lie and take responsibility for two murders, especially since the statute of limitations has expired for the murder from over 30 years in the past. I enjoyed when Kazuma and Mirei start to work together.

Higashino is known for complexity in his novels: convoluted plots, nuanced characters, and complex moral choices. In this novel, for instance, there are connections between two murders, and characters have conflicting motivations. The focus is on the psychological, multi-generational toll of crimes. One child worries about inheriting the blood of a killer from a parent. Tatsuro speaks of his overpowering sense of guilt, but there are many characters whose lives are shaped by guilt.

Another element of Higashino’s novels that I enjoy is the insights into Japanese culture. For instance, the ritual of exchanging business cards is highlighted. Of course, there’s also the food; Godai and an associate often met in cafes or restaurants and the food they order is mentioned. I also liked learning more about the Japanese judicial system, in particular the Victim Participation System.

I don’t consider this the best of Higashino’s novels, but I still recommend it, though with the caveat that readers must be fine with a slow pace.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.