R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1436 more book reviews
Dark and disturbing but realistic, this novel is about a murder in Japan that is impacted by the culture. A pretty young woman who has two boys realizes when her husband beats her that her marriage has fallen apart. He has gambled away the savings they had accumulated for a home of their own, quit his job, goes out night after night, drinks and seeks the favors of a beautiful hostess in one of the gambling establishments.
Driven beyond normal control she removes the belt from her waist and chokes her husband to teach him a lesson. Unfortunatly, she goes too far and he dies. In panic, she calls a coworker friend who promises to help her dispose of the body. The woman works with the others in the young woman's work group to cut up the body and move parts to different areas.
Interestingly, the husband had had a fight that night with a nightclub owner whose past includes a sadistic murder of a woman. The owner's intent was to warn him away from the hostess and to pay his gambling debts. The detectives who investigate the crime decide that the owner is the culprit but have difficulty finding proof. Publicity ruins the reputation and businesses of the owner who vows revenge on whoever killed the man. His strategy is complex and with care he discovers that the wife and three of her coworkers are responsible. The dark drama continues to unfold to a surprising ending.
Well written, the book is deserving of Japan's Grand Prix for Crime Fiction and was a finalist for the Edgar Award. However, this dark novel may put some readers off. Sometimes though life is too cruel to be believed.
Driven beyond normal control she removes the belt from her waist and chokes her husband to teach him a lesson. Unfortunatly, she goes too far and he dies. In panic, she calls a coworker friend who promises to help her dispose of the body. The woman works with the others in the young woman's work group to cut up the body and move parts to different areas.
Interestingly, the husband had had a fight that night with a nightclub owner whose past includes a sadistic murder of a woman. The owner's intent was to warn him away from the hostess and to pay his gambling debts. The detectives who investigate the crime decide that the owner is the culprit but have difficulty finding proof. Publicity ruins the reputation and businesses of the owner who vows revenge on whoever killed the man. His strategy is complex and with care he discovers that the wife and three of her coworkers are responsible. The dark drama continues to unfold to a surprising ending.
Well written, the book is deserving of Japan's Grand Prix for Crime Fiction and was a finalist for the Edgar Award. However, this dark novel may put some readers off. Sometimes though life is too cruel to be believed.
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