| Title | : | A Midsummer's Equation (Detective Galileo #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1250027926 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781250027924 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 358 |
| Publication | : | First published June 1, 2011 |
The night after the tense panel discussion, one of the resort's guests is found dead on the seashore at the base of the local cliffs. The local police at first believe it was a simple accident-that he wandered over the edge while walking on unfamiliar territory in the middle of the night. But when they discover that the victim was a former policeman and that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, they begin to suspect he was murdered, and his body tossed off the cliff to misdirect the police.
As the police try to uncover where Tsukahara was killed and why, Yukawa finds himself enmeshed in yet another confounding case of murder. In a series of twists as complex and surprising as any in Higashino's brilliant, critically acclaimed work, Galileo uncovers the hidden relationship behind the tragic events that led to this murder.
A Midsummer's Equation (Detective Galileo #3) Reviews
-
Higashino is a popular Japanese author who writes mysteries emphasizing character and culture. Though by the time I reach halfway through the book, I'm fighting my usual urge to peek at the denouement, there is still something kind of restful about the story. (Besides, I've learned with Higashino that that's ultimately unsatisfying, due to the build of the relationships that make the resolution so hard-hitting). It is the clear prose? The exquisitely polite mannerisms of the characters? The emphasis on the scientific process? The utter lack of gun fights, car chases or people buried alive?
This book continues to use the crime-solving duo of Yukawa, the physicist, and Kusanagi, the Tokoyo police detective. Unlike Suspect X, Yukawa is the primary investigator in this case, being on the scene. An underwater mining company is holding an informational event in the small town of Hari Cove, a former tourist town that has been declining for years. Yukawa had been consulting on the project and was asked to be present to help address technical concerns. On the train to Hari Cove, he meets a gangly, awkward fifth-grader, Kyohei, on the way to his aunt and uncle's hotel for a vacation while his parents are busy setting up a new store. Yukawa decides to stay at the hotel and an interesting friendship is formed. Things become complicated when the only other guest is found dead at the bottom of a small cliff.
By far one of the most touching aspects of the story was the completely unsentimental way Yukawa befriends Kyohei. Yukawa continues with his cryptic math-teacher commentary, generally encouraging others to work out situations for themselves. However, in deference to his young friend's more limited experience, he explains more than usual:
"A wry smile came to Yukawa's lips. 'Well, I could tell you why Kusanagi called me, but it's a bit of a long story.... Of course, Kusanagi often has ulterior motives for the things he does. Actually, often isn't quite right. Always is the word I was looking for. He always has an ulterior motive.'"
The mystery is convoluted, and there is a wide variety of people who play a role in the situation (unfortunately, many names seem to start with 'S' in this book). There's a somewhat obvious (to the mystery reader) tack that the local detectives don't take. The story didn't take quite the course I expected with the environmental issue, leading me to wonder about its inclusion. I wonder if that had to do with differences in American environmental activism and Japanese? Regardless, Yukawa solves this in his own, somewhat morally ambiguous way.
I started and finished this in a day. It was both engrossing and sad, but rather less devastating than Suspect X. I'll definitely be looking for more of his works, as soon as they are translated into English.
Three-and-a-half, rounding up. -
A Midsummer's Equation is the 3rd Higashino novel I've read in 2016. To say AME's not as strong as The Devotion of Suspect X and Salvation of a Saint is akin to pointing out that The Man Who Knew Too Much is not as great a Hitchcock flick as The Birds or Rear Window. AME remains superior to much of what is sold in the crime/detective/thriller category, is an enjoyable and accessible read, and here's why I recommend it:
[given the description on GR and the couple of dozen prior reviews, I'm omitting the obligatory plot summary]
Higashino's victims, widows, culprits, accomplices, striving police detectives, jockeying-for-credit police department reps are all fully human. Flawed. Virtuous. Dignified. Whether motivated by by fear, duty, or love, or intentionally obtuse, the reader relates to them. Even characters whom we meet in a single 3-page scene midway through AME are authentic. The reader knows their only role is in service to unveiling a tiny piece of the mystery of whodunit, yet Higashino includes enough framing conversation and details for readers to see minor characters as individuals, not conduits of intel.
The relationship between Yukawa, our physics professor, and a grade-school boy, Kyohei. The attention Yukawa gives to Kyohei reveals a side of him we haven't seen before. He talks to Kyohei as no one else in Kyohei's life does - as if his opinions and thoughts have import. He teaches him about why science matters, in a way that resonated with this undergrad English major better than many TED talks. The best passages in AME are those Yukawa and Kyohei share. Their final conversation will stick with me for some time, and is Higashino at his best.
The Japanese culture is a lead character (at least for this American reader). The interactions are so peaceful. So generally non-confrontational. The police don't threaten and run roughshod over citizens during the investigation, including a search of the hotel. The citizens don't view the police with suspicion (much).
What didn't work as well? All of the time devoted to the conference and debate over underwater exploration at Hari Cove. Too many detectives on two teams, so it was confusing from time to time who was meeting with whom, and who was in charge of the official investigation. Narumi lacks charisma, charm and isn't interesting. Various men are wowed by her, but it never made sense why. She will not join the pantheon of Higashino's most memorable female characters.
If you need a physical threat to your protagonist to drive your interest in a crime novel, this is not the book for you. If the mental exercise of figuring out what's going on, and what went on 15 years ago, is your payoff for reading detective novels, learning about the Japanese culture is a bonus, and Yukawa's occasional philosophical statements make you want to grab a pillow and cross-stitch them before you forget them, take a couple of days to enjoy A Midsummer's Equation. -
When I read
The Devotion of Suspect X &
Salvation of a Saint I was reminded of Chess or Shogi
With this title (the third Detective Galileo novel published in English) I am reminded more of a kaleidoscope;
Where there are a lot of repetitive and blurry images that eventually become clear when you get to the resolution of the book - the true centre.
There were a lot of issues that resonated with me as I live in a touristy part of New Zealand (back when we had tourists) and the trade offs that are involved with having tourists, having other businesses operating and really wanting to enjoy a tranquil unspoilt world. And we have had plenty of battles with mining companies too! Some of these issues are repeated maybe too much. Others (like the .)
A Higoshino read seems to always be a read that needs patience. But you will be rewarded.
I'm looking forward to reading
Silent Parade next year.
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess... -
اگر بعد از «فداکاری مظنون ایکس» یا «رستگاری یک قدیسه» بخوانیدش، احتمالاً احساس میکنید که نسبت به آنها ضعیفتر است. با آنکه شخصیت کارآگاه همچنان جذاب و تعلیق و هیجان داستان بسیار خوب است، پایانش قدری باورناپذیر بود به نظرم
-
I am glomming this author. Only two left. I have no self control.
This one is probably not his best--it's an intriguing mystery but a bit more discursive than his other work, and the mystery isn't quite as compelling. Equally, and because of, it's got more description than usual with a really strong sense of place. Still very good but not my favourite. -
The story begins with Manabu Yukawa, a physics professor, known as ‘Detective Galileo’ traveling to Hari Cove, a beautiful town with a rich seabed that the company wants to exploit for mining in order to find rare metals but there’s a protest from the locals and environmentalists, arguing that this would harm the oceanic life.
A man’s body is discovered by the ocean; the incident is dismissed as a suicide but on further investigation, it turns out to be carbon monoxide poisoning and the victim is found to be actually a former policeman working in Tokyo department.
This is a traditional whodunit murder mystery. The story revolves around a teenager Kyohei who meets Yukawa on the same train that’s going to Hari Cove, his cousin Narumi, who’s passionate about preserving the ocean and her parents who run a rundown resort and some other characters.
The story is set in this gorgeous town of Hari Cove that used to be a very famous tourist spot but it has been neglected and there isn’t much economic development. I loved reading about the descriptions of the town and its life, which was different than the usual urban setting of his previous books. So, the change of location was a breath of fresh air.
I really enjoyed the story and it kept me hooked till the end, but it doesn’t quite have that feel that his other books had. The role of Manabu Yukawa is kind of pushed in the background while the investigation is carried out by local policemen and police from Tokyo, as the local police show a little incompetency during the investigation.
On the other hand, we get to know about the professor’s eccentric personality and ideas as he’s right there from the start and I loved his interactions with Kyohei which shows a different side of him.
But, that doesn’t mean we don’t get to see him gather the clues and investigate but a considerable amount of his time is spent in teaching the kid some cool science stuff and helping him with his homework! While its’ fun to follow him along but it does not contribute much to the plot. I felt like there were some side characters that were redundant and dropping them would have absolutely no impact on the story.
There are too many people working on the investigation which is never a good thing as you know: too many cooks spoil the broth. They dig further to find the truth which leads the policemen to chase different clues that was a little dull to follow.
The ending wasn’t what I’d call mind-blowing as it was predictable but overall, I enjoyed the book immensely. If you want an unputdownable mystery, then go for it! -
I have now finished all three books that are available in English of this series and I gave each of them four stars. That is a testament I think of the overall quality of these books as all three are all superb mysteries. Still even all at the same rating there has to be a favorite book in the series (even if only by a marginal point) and with a favorite also comes a least favorite. So where does this one rank?
Honestly, depending on the day this could be my favorite or least favorite in the series. It had some of my favorite moments throughout all these books, while I also found it the most frustrating. To help with this review, it’s time to bring back my old friends, pros and cons.
Pros:
This is the first book where I really feel we get to know Yukawa. He’s the main character of the series in the sense that he always comes up with the solution, but in all the previous books he has been a side character (I think he didn’t even show up for the first 1/3 of Salvation of a Saint). Here he takes center stage for most of the book. While he wasn’t devoid of a personality in the previous books, we get a much more fleshed out version of him in this one.
Kyohei. Kyohei is the type of character who typically annoys the hell out of me. A kid that our professor protagonist befriends, acts as something of an occasional assistant and who of course learns several valuable lessons on his summer vacation. Typically I see this type of character and am instantly annoyed… but here the situation seems believable and rather sweet. This book could practically be used in education classes as an example of how to engage younger people in discussions about science. As I mentioned before, we get to see a lot more of Yukawa’s personality in this one, and it is in part due to his wanting to teach Kyohei basic ideas of physics. Their relationship is well done and comes to a wonderful conclusion.
Plot. I always enjoy the plots to these books, but in this one we get a new spin. In all the previous books we know who did it from the start and had to figure out HOW the crime was committed. This is the first one that operates as a whodunit (though observant readers will catch on fast who it was). There are some excellent twists and turns in this one.
Setting. This is the first in the series to take place outside of Tokyo. The new setting is a nice change of pace as well as it throws a different dynamic to Yukawa’s investigations.
Cons:
Too much about the undersea mining. It is a subplot that goes nowhere. I appreciate that the author remains neutral on the topic and discusses pros and cons on both sides, but seriously, I’m here for a mystery not a political debate.
Too many characters. While I liked that it took place outside of Tokyo, did we really need a list of seemingly every police officer in this small town and plenty of chapters from their point of view (most of which just seem to be showing their bafflement at the crime)?
With these many characters comes several side-plots (most related to the undersea mining). Most of said side-plots go nowhere.
In conclusion: While I only listed three cons, I consider all of them fairly sizable. They would be enough to sink some reads that I’ve had… but not this one. The good far outweighs the bad. I love this series in general, but this one added so many wonderful things that had there been a bit of trimming from the negative aspects, I would have easily listed this as my favorite. As things stand it is still a solid 4/5 stars and highly recommended. -
This was the first time I felt really close to Detective Galileo. He was there since the earliest chapter, involving indirectly with the case-- unlike the previous Keigo I read, Yukawa only appeared later in the middle of the investigation when Kusanagi and Utsumi came asking for advise. How I love Yukawa a lot to the level I don't want to finish reading this (and at some point I'm afraid to read further cause too afraid Kawahata might done something to him). His friendship to Kyohei in here so lovable that I myself suddenly love science too.
Surprises and past secrets-- the usual Keigo style. Puzzling mysteries, leaving me hanging and suspense at each chapter-- waiting for Yukawa or Kusanagi to open up to me. It was testing my patience at a point, but I love the thrill Keigo put in here. The twist and disclosure-- I'm actually stunned when Yukawa met Narumi and told her about what Kyohei did. And it was such a great teamwork of both Kusanagi and Utsumi revealing the past secret, seaching here and there just so the case won't ended up wrongly. I like the part when Kusanagi went to meet the Haruhi's owner. The owner hold the memories of half the characters in here, giving me the bigger picture and go "ahah! I never thought it would turn out like that!". You'll never know how love makes you go and do anything and everything. Sentimental, and heartwarming. But of course, you need to 'pay' for it.
You could guess who was the killer in the middle of the chapter, but on how it been revealed-- I was always in love with that part. Dramatic and intriguing. And honestly, this book has the best ending in any Keigo I have read. The meet up between Yukawa and Kyohei at the waiting room was somewhat gratifying.
"Every problem has a solution. But there's no guarantee that the solution will be found immediately. The same holds true in our lives. We encounter several problems to which the solutions are not immediately apparent in life. There is value to be had in worrying about those problems when you get to them. But never feel rushed. Often, in order to find the answer, you need time to grow first. That's why we apply ourselves, and learn as we go."
And I love how Kyohei gave me the second thought on Shigehiro at the end. This book would be in my favorite shelf for sure! -
After reading a couple of books by Higshino, I know what to expect, and this book was just upto expectations. If not for the cute kid and his homework issues and the way Yukawa dealt with him, it would have been a 3 star read for me.,
Hari Cove, a Japanese seaside village is the main setting here, where a retired Police Officer dies under mysterious circumstances, and where deep sea digging is about to start and enviornmentalists are protesting against it, and our clever Prof. Yukawa, aka Det. Galileo is called upon by the mining company as an expert in their armamentarium to show that sea digging wont affect the local flora and fauna. He checks in to a quaint inn with friendly hosts.
Yukawa soon diverts his attention to the death, and interesting facts are revealed layer by layer.
I love devouring Japanese books as the culture portrayed is quite exotic and strange to me. -
โอย .. จบดีจัง
ชีวิตมนุษย์ มันก็เป็นแบบนี้แหละ
บางที .. คำตอบของบางคำถามในชีวิต
เราก็ต้องใช้เวลาค่อยๆ ครุ่นคิด
และบางครั้ง คำตอบนั้นอาจทำให้เราปวดใจมากๆ -
À thì tác giả ruột, nên vẫn chăm chỉ chi hầu bao. Rồi lại còn hẹn thằng em phải review cho nó, nên dù vẫn hơi hướng lười biếng từ năm cũ còn quẩn quanh thì tôi vẫn phải ngoi lên thế này đây.
Trong Phương trình Hạ chí, Yukawa đã trở lại. Nói thật thì tôi vẫn căm anh này từ hồi Phía sau nghi can X lắm, vì lẽ phải của anh mà tâm huyết của Ishigami đổ sông đổ bể. Nhưng thôi, cứ phải gác lại đã, vì series có anh còn dài, tức là tôi còn phải gặp anh nhiều.
Thừa nhận là khó có tác phẩm nào của Higashino Keigo có thể vượt qua được X, nhưng câu chuyện này quá dễ đoán. Chủ đề gia đình có yếu tố gây nhiễu là bảo vệ môi trường, không phải là chủ đề lạ, càng không phải chủ đề khó làm người ta thổn thức. Nhưng tác phẩm này không chỉ dễ đoán, mà còn có phần chưa rõ ràng. Senba là một phần quan trọng, rất quan trọng, câu chuyện của Senba cũng hay, cũng thú vị, nhưng câu chuyện chính thì bị bỏ quên, không có cái gì để chứng minh cho động cơ ngoài mấy chi tiết vô thưởng vô phạt.
Điểm tôi thích nhất ở Keigo là tâm lý nhân vật. Nhưng trong tác phẩm này tôi không thấy có nhân vật nào đáng để tôi suy tư. Chính ra cuộc chiến trong anh chàng Yukawa tôi còn thấy ly kỳ chông chênh hơn tuyến chính, vì cậu chàng cân nhắc về Kyohei mãi mới nói được.
Quanh đi quẩn lại, là fan thì vẫn mua được. Trinh thám cũng ổn. Duy mấy đứa như tôi, chờ đợi một câu hỏi hay, một chủ đề sâu sắc, thì nên chuẩn bị trước.
Được cái truyện này nhẹ nhàng. Cần chút gì đó yên bình tĩnh tại thì ổn. -
This is so far my favourite book by Keigo Higashino. Perhaps because of the location, a coastal town with wonderful views, or because of the characters a curious preteen and his family. The role Detective Galileo played seemed to be more compassionate than in other books as well.
The mystery in this novel is slowly unravelled and the reader will find it as intriguing and complex as in Higashino's previous novels.
It is all in all a very nice summer read.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com -
Ξανά ένα πεντάστερο στον κύριο Higashino για την ιστορία που έστησε με τόση προσοχή και σεβασμό στον αναγνώστη. Κανένας φτηνός εντυπωσιασμός, καμία σκηνή δίχως λόγο ύπαρξης, κανένας χαρακτήρας χωρίς ανάπτυξη. Μπορεί σε τρίτους η γραφή του Higashino να φαίνεται αποστειρωμένη ως προς την "κατασκευή" του κόσμου εξαιτίας των λίγων εξωτερικών περιγραφών, αλλά ακόμα και αυτό αποσκοπεί στο γενικό μυστήριο - όπου δίνεται έμφαση σημαίνει ότι κάπου αποσκοπεί, ακόμα και αν δεν είναι αρχικά εμφανές το γιατί. Έχοντας διαβάσει τέσσερα βιβλία του, έχω καταλάβει ότι ο Ιάπωνας γράφει με τρομερή οικονομία (ή μηχανικά αν σας κάνει περισσότερο) και αναφέρει μόνο τα απολύτως απαραίτητα δίχως να πλατειάζει, κάτι που μπορεί να ξενίσει αρκετούς αναγνώστες που θέλουν να "μπουν" στον κόσμο του. Αυτό ίσως είναι το μόνο αρνητικό στη γραφή του. Έπειτα, έρχεται η πολυπλοκότητα του μυστηρίου, των προσώπων και των κινήτρων, αλλά για αυτό δε διαβάζει κανείς ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα; Πάντα ρόλο παίζουν πρώτα τα κίνητρα έπειτα οι χαρακτήρες και τέλος ο δολοφόνος. Η κινηματογραφική δράση, άπλετη σε Σκανδιναβούς συγγραφείς μυστηρίου, είναι ανύπαρκτη. Εάν σας αρέσουν τέτοιου είδους ιστορίες, καλό θα ήταν να σταματήσετε εδώ. Αλλιώς συνεχίστε.
Ο Γιουκάβα ή αλλιώς Ντετέκτιβ Γαλιλαίος, που κάνει την εμφάνισή του στη Λύτρωση μίας Αγίας και στην Αφοσίωση του Υπόπτου Χ για να βοηθήσει τον Κουσανάγκι και την Ουτσούμι, πηγαίνει στο Hari Cove με την ιδιότητα φυσικού - μελετητή σε μία ομιλία γύρω από την εξόρυξη πολύτιμων λίθος στο βυθό της θάλασσας. Η DESMEC, η εταιρεία που αναλαμβάνει το έργο, καλεί όλους τους κατοίκους του Hari Cove σε ομιλίες για να δείξουν ένα καλό πρόσωπο που ενδιαφέρεται για το περιβάλλον και την φυσική κληρονομιά. Όμως, σε αυτές τις ομιλίες παίρνει μέρος και μία περιβαλλοντική ομάδα που αποτελείται από τους κατοίκους του Hari Cove και στόχος της είναι η απομάκρυνση της εταιρείας από τις ακτές. Το debate παίρνει φωτιά και ο Γιουκάβα αναλαμβάνει δράση από το πάνελ του, κυνικός και εκκεντρικός όπως τον έχουμε συνηθίσει και στα προηγούμενα δύο βιβλία. Και έπειτα ένα πτώμα βρίσκεται ξεβρασμένο στα βράχια.
Μέσα από μικρά κεφάλαια, γραμμένα από διαφορετικές οπτικές γωνίες αναλόγως το πρόσωπo που πρωταγωνιστεί σε αυτά, το μυστήριο του φόνου ξεδιπλώνεται μαζί με τους χαρακτήρες, τα κίνητρα και το παρελθόν τους. Ο Higashino χτίζει και εδώ με μαεστρία την προιστορία των χαρακτήρων και χρησιμοποιεί μικρές πληροφορίες σε όλα τα κεφάλαια που αρχικά φαίνονται ανούσιες, ως τη λύση του μυστηρίου. Ανά πάσα στιγμή ο αναγνώστης μπορεί να σκεφτεί ποιος είναι ο δολοφόνος με τα δεδομένα που του δίνονται, με τις αποκαλύψεις και με τα έξυπνα διατυπωμένα πειράματα του Γιουκάβα. Δεν υπάρχει κρυφός άσος στο μανίκι, ούτε η τελευταία αποκάλυψη έρχεται ουρανοκατέβατη για να αφήσει τον αναγνώστη με ανοιχτό το στόμα (να κλαίει το χρόνο και τα χρήματα που έδωσε). Είναι ίσως το μόνο βιβλίο που με παρότρυνε να μπω πραγματικά μέσα στην έρευνα.
Και το κερασάκι στην τούρτα; Είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο που ο Γιουκάβα είναι πρωταγωνιστής. Διαβάστε το δίχως δεύτερη σκέψη. Καλύτερο από τη Λύτρωση μίας Αγίας, εξίσου δυνατό όπως η Αφοσίωση του Υπόπτου Χ, αλλά για τελείως διαφορετικούς λόγους. -
I give this a 3.5. With a crime scene by the beach in a small town, this sent a different vibe than Higashino's previous books. It doesn't make it less interesting or slow, as people like to associate country's life to city life, rather it just gives this book a different vibe than the one one usually associate with Higashino. In the book, Higashino finally focused on Yukawa's role in 'investigating' a crime, rather than the opposite in previous books; where he assisted in solving crimes lead by fellow policemen. An interesting twist still, but not as surprising as his previous books.
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বেশি এক্সপেকটেশন থাকা কোনো বই পড়ে যদি একদমই মনমতো না হয়, কেন যেন আর বিস্তারিত রিভিউ লিখতে মন চায় না😅 কিগো হিগাশিনোর দুইটা সেরা সেরা লিখা "Devotion Of Suspect X" আর "Salvation Of A Saint" পড়ে ফেলছি লাস্ট ইয়ারের শুরুতে। জানি না বেশি ভালো লেখা আগে পড়া থাকায় কি না, এটায় একদমই এক্সপেকটেশন পূরণ হয় নাই।
তার আগের লেখা পড়ে মনে হয়েছে একটু স্লো বিল্ড-আপ তার লেখার স্টাইল। সেটা নিয়ে আমার কোনো সমস্যা নেই, কারণ ধীরগতির বইও ধৈর্য নিয়ে পড়ার সাফল্যটা নির্ভর করে শেষ পর্যন্ত গিয়ে পুরো বই পড়বার অনুভূতি কেমন হলো তার উপর। আর এই জায়গাতেই সমস্যাটা হয়েছে। অনায়াসে দৈর্ঘ্য আরো পঞ্চাশ পাতা (হয়তো আরও) কম হতে পারতো বলে মনে হয়েছে। এমন অনেকগুলো জায়গা ছিলো যার কাহিনীর সাথে সংযোগ খুঁজে পাই নি কিংবা এতো বিস্তারিত লেখার অর্থ খুঁজে পাই নি। এবং এতোখানি এতো ধৈর্য নিয়ে পড়বার পর এই ধরণের সমাপ্তিটা অত্যন্ত অসন্তোষজনক ছিল। জানি না আর কি লিখবো🤦♀️
মাঝে মাঝে মনে হচ্ছে এই বছর কুফা লাগছে। গতো বছর ৮০% বই পড়ে এতো ভালো লাগছিলো। আর এবারে পাঁচ তারা বই হাতে গোণা ৫-৬ টা হবে, এখন পর্যন্ত পড়া ৩৬ টা বইয়ের মধ্যে।
বই শেষ করে এতো হতাশ লাগতেছে, এখন আর কিছুই পড়তে ইচ্ছা করতেছে না, মনে হচ্ছে যা পড়বো তাতেই হতাশ লাগবে। -
I like it when all the pieces come neatly together. And the twist. Wowzers! But I guess I understood why the stars are not above 4: he revealed too much right before the finale. The bass dropped too soon.
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Có đoạn tim mình như thắt lại, có đoạn lại được mỉm
cười như được “thắp đèn trong tim”. Mọi thứ cảm giác rất vừa đủ (trinh thám, khoa học, tình yêu, tình thương, tội lỗi, đam mê và ám ảnh). -
Keigo has a way of making your heart sway. His stories always hits something. And with all his books, when the title and the cover made sense? Gosh please, I get deeper into loving his works and especially his characters.
"Every problem has a solution. But there's no guarantee that the solution will be found immediately. The same holds true in our lives.
We encounter several problems to which the solutions are not immediately apparent in life. There is value to be had in worrying about those problems when you get to them. But never feel rushed. Often, in order to find the answer, you need time to grow first.
That's why we apply ourselves, and learn as we go."
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
Unlike both his previous works that I loved
The Devotion of Suspect X and
Salvation of a Saint, this one fell a bit short, but it was not any less good. It was not quite there but I still loved it anyways.
The overall vibe for this one was mellow and very atmospheric. Keigo took us to a place in Japan that I honestly felt like going now. It showed how he has a knack of writing places and characters and felt as you know all their lives. With this one, he didn't give us the clue of the murderer as early as his two works I've read but with Keigo, its suffice to say, everything matters in the book. What you felt like is just a filler scene, is actually not, which makes his works so very interesting.
I would say this still stays a 4.5 read for me because of Yukawa and solely for this man. The fact that its the closest and earliest he had been in a novel makes me feel so happy and reading about him, his interactions and his way of thinking is never boring. I loved his scenes and the fact we get him from the very first page and basically him carrying the weight of this book? I love it with my whole heart. Yukawa is frustrating and eccentric at best, but I loved his interactions with Kyohei and his teachings to him. Its just the cutest thing ever.
The case in here was not only sad but its one that can eat up on someone's conscience. It was a case that shows that sometimes, secrets are too big and that protecting someone is more important than not. Such a simple case but with detailed and complex understanding of the way the world works.
Keigo has sealed a place in my heart. His works and writings are just one that made me think about it from time to time. I love it! Highly recommended! -
ซับซ้อนซ่อนเงื่อน ลากความตายและความสัมพันธ์ในอดีตอันซับซ้อนมาเกี่ยวข้องกันแบบจัดเต็ม
เปิดเรื่องด้วยความตายของ ‘ชายวัยเกษียณ’ ที่ดูเหมือนจะเกิดอุบัติเหตุพลัดตกจากที่สูงลงไปศีรษะกระแทกเสียชีวิตที่ริมหาด
ชายสูงวัยคนนั้นเป็นอดีตนายตำรวจใหญ่มือทอง แผนกสืบสวนคดีอาชญากรรม ที่มาร่วมงานสมนาเชิงวิชาการเกี่ยวกับผลกระทบที่จะมีต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมจากการค้นหาทรัพยากรทางทะเล
ดูเผินๆ เหมือนจะเป็นอุบัติเหตุ
แต่ทันทีที่ผลชันสูตรออก ความน่าระทึกมันก็บังเกิด
เพราะจากอุบัติเหตุกลายเป็นคดีฆาตกรรมไปเสียนี่
การสืบสวนแบบคู่ขนานของตำรวจกับ ‘อาจารย์กาลิเลโอ’ จึงเกิดขึ้น
เรื่องมันมาวุ่นเพราะคดีนี้ดันไปเกี่ยวของกับคดีฆาตกรรมในอดีตที่เกิดขึ้นในเมืองหลวง
ที่ตัวละครสำคัญๆ หลายตัวเคยมีอดีตร่วมเคยพัวพันกันนี่แหละ
เพราะการเดินทางมาที่โรงแรมแห่งนี้ของ ‘ชายวัยเกษียณ’ เป็นการมาที่มีจุดมุ่งหมายเพื่อปกป้องอะไรบางอย่าง
การตายของเขา จึงเกิดจากการฆาตกรรมที่มีจุดมุ่งหมายเพื่อปกป้องอะไรบางอย่างเช่นกัน
เนื้อเรื่องดำเนินตามตามสไตล์ Keigo
ตัวละครมีอดีตที่ไม่อยากให้ใครล่วงรู้
แรงจูงใจของการฆ่าในครั้งนี้ช่างละเอียดอ่อน
ส่วนวิธีการนี่ยิ่งแล้วใหญ่ เพราะมันใช้หลักการที่ simple มาก แต่กลับไม่มีทางเป็นไปได้เลยถ้าขาดเงื่อนไขสำคัญ
ตัวละครสำคัญที่ช่วยให้หนังสือเล่มนี้มันมีชีวิตชีวา มีสีสัน คือเด็กชายชั้นประถมนิสัยขวางโลกจอมแก่น ที่เป็นหลานเจ้าของโรงแรม ที่มาพักช่วงปิดเทอมกลางฤดูร้อนที่โรงแรมแห่งนี้
เด็กคนนี้ช่วยให้คนอ่านที่เคยติดตามหนังสือซีรี่ย์ 'กาลิเลโอ’ ของ Keigo ได้เห็น ‘ยุกาว่า’ ในอีกมุมหนึ่ง
เรียกได้ว่าทั้งสร้างสีสัน สร้างดราม่า และ มีส่วนสำคัญในการกำความลับในการไขคดีนี้
เนื้อเรื่องดำเนินมาด้วยความเร็วคงที่จนถึงประมาณครึ่งเล่ม
แทบจะคาดเดาไม่ได้เลยว่าใครเป็นคนฆ่า เพราะ Keigo พรางตัวฆาตกรไว้เนียนดีแท้
และพอรู้ว่าใครฆ่า ยิ่งงงในแรงจูงใจเข้าไปอีก
จนกระทั่ง Keigo มาเหยียบคันเร่งท้ายเล่ม ส่งผู้อ่านไปถึงตอนจบของเรื่อง พร้อมเฉลยทุกอย่างครบถ้วนแบบไม่ค้างคาใจ -
রাতে অন্ধকারে হিড���টোশ সেনবা একটি ব্যাগ নদীতে ফেলতে এসেছিলেন কিন্তু পিছু নেয়া পুলিশ কর্মকর্তা মাসাৎসুজু সুকাহারা তাকে ধাওয়া করে ধরে ফেলেন।একজন গেইসা'কে হত্যার দায়ে হিডেটোশি সেনবা গ্রেফতার হন হত্যাকান্ডে ব্যবহিত ছুরিসহ। পুলিশের জিজ্ঞাসাবাদে তিনি হত্যার দায় স্বীকার করেন এবং তাকে ৮ বছরের সাজা দেওয়া হয়। কিন্তু মাসাৎসুজু সুকাহারা একটি সন্দেহ থেকে যায়, হিডেটোশ সেনবা পালাবার চেষ্টার সময় ব্যাগ��ি কেন নদীতে ফেলে দেয়নি!
হারি কোবের সৈকতে টোকিও'র অবসরপ্রাপ্ত পুলিশ কর্মকর্তা মাসাৎসুজু সুকাহারার মৃতদেহ পাওয়া গিয়েছে অনেক ভোরে। প্রাথমিক ভাবে পুলিশের ধারনা এটি দূর্ঘটনা, রাতে ঘুরতে বের হয়েছিলেন এবং অন্ধকারে দূর্ঘটনক্রমে খাদ থেকে পড়ে মারা গেছেন। কিন্তু ময়নাতদন্তে রক্তে পাওয়া যায় কার্বন মনোঅক্সাইডের উপস্থিতি অথাৎ কেউ হত্যা করেছে এবং দূর্ঘটনার নাটক সাজিয়েছে।
চাকরি জীবনে মাসাৎসুজু সুকাহারা অনেক হত্যা রহস্য উন্মোচন করেছেন আর অনেককেই শাস্তি পেতে হয়েছে সেজন্য। তাদের অনেকেই প্রতিহিংসা চরিতার্থ করতে পারে। প্রথমেই সন্দেহের তীর হিডেটোশ সেনবা'র দিক কেননা তার জন্মস্থান হারি কোব'এ কিন্তু সমস্যা হল তাকে গেইসা হত্যার পর অত্র এলাকার কেউ দেখেনি আবার কেউ জানে না সাজা শেষে এখন সে কোথায়।
ঘটনাক্রমে ডিটেকটিভ গ্যলিলিও খ্যাত মানাবু ইউকাওয়া এই সময় ছিলেন হারি কোব'এ আবার একই হোটেলে যেখানে ছিলেন মাসাৎসুজু সুকাহারার। ডিটেকটিভ গ্যলিলিও হারি কোব থেকে আর গোয়েন্দা শোনপেই কুসানাগি ও কাওরু উতসুমি টোকিও থেকে রহস্য সমাধান করতে পারবে কি? পারবে কি অপরাধী/দের বিচারের সম্মুখীন করতে।
কেইগো হিগাশিনো লেখার স্টাইল হল হত্যা রহস্যের সমাধানের সাথে অপরাধী/দের আবেগ ফুটিয়ে তোলা এবং তিনি A Midsummer's Equation এও সফল। -
I do not get the hype behind Higashino's books. They are by all account good books, well written, and provide an interesting look into the contemporary Japanese culture as it is very well-weaved with the tradition whodunnit. However, I do not find anything path-breaking or spell-binding in them. I would rather read a Murakami book which does a better job at it.
The book is a pretty fast read, it does hold your attention a fair bit but could have been edited better to chop off a good 50-70 pages of it. It would have made it even more tight. For me, the resolution and conclusion of the book does not seem redeeming enough for reading a 500-odd page book. I had similar complains with "The devotion of suspect X" too. I might just read the third book of the trilogy, but only so that I get closure. I have kind of a weird OCD thing about that.
Higoshino has been called as "The Steig Larsson of Japan". I, for one, disagree with this moniker. Larsson's book are much more dark, gritty and hard hitting, and the books by Higoshino seem to be pretty much tame and does not have the oomph. The only resemblance is that they are both murder mysteries and are both translated from a foreign language into English to be available for a wider audience. -
Yknow i reviewed this last monday and the network error wiped my almost 500 words of review. Damn you goodreads now i have to form another review ☠️☠️. Edit 25/7/22: Im still salty the review got deleted when i already wrote so many 😩😩
Keigo Higashino never disappoint. And this book is the proof for that. I love this book, I love the scientific experiments and the physics, the vivid imagery of Hari Cove, the theories, the mystery (the past and present entwined), the love that wasnt meant to be, the way the book was carried strongly by Manabu Yukawa. I was fully immersed in the story from start to finish.
The average pacing sets the book in this sort of laidback tone, quite chill in my opinion as it was set in a seaside town. I always like book that sets in island, countryside, places far from civilization. Thats what makes me like this book even more. Its a sweltering summer break with the high tension between the villagers and the company who wants to scavenge the seabed in Hari Cove.
Unexpectedly, an old retired policeman was found dead on the beach in what initially thought was an accident turned out to be a murder have completely changed the whole situation. The twisted mysteries, the plot reveals, the backstories of the people involved, the tragic past, they were mindblowing and sad.
our beloved Detective Galileo was present, actively investigating the case that happened at the island related to the inn he was staying in. I love this a lot since I got to see him in action, his friendship/mentor to Kyohei the young boy whom is the nephew of the couple who run the guest inn. Their bond, the conversations and the respect they have for each other.
The ending left me sad, its a difficult ending to digest but I understand why they were left that way. I think its enough to not delve more into the trauma and the heartbreaks left by the past and let the present be. It makes sense for it that way so everyone can move forward with their life. -
Reading Higashino thrillers have always been a ride and this book was a ride though less spine chilling.
The mastery of intricacies of the plot and the execution of murders are always the highlights of Higashino thrillers. To add spice to these factors, there are always ulterior motives.
This book have all these, however I found it bit lacking compared to his previous works. Salvation of saint was his best work and compared to that this book is lacking at many places. So if you guys are expecting another Salvation of a saint simile, just rein your hopes.
Saying that, this book is a decent thriller. The plot is executed well. The characters somehow manages to become endearing to us, which is a new thing from Higashino books !
This book has got a philosophical edge as it explores the contrite emotions of the human mind. At places it is also fun, on account of a child character in the book. This book also focuses on the topic of environmental degradation in the name of scientific advancement and I was betting my money on this line of thought to be the moot point of the story. However, this was not so. It is always personal. The plot is pretty straight forward and you will mostly figure it out towards the half of the story. The feeling of notoriety is dampened by the emotions of characters.
My rating for this book will be 3/5. It is a light read. So, if you are looking for a light mystery, I recommend this book. -
Hay, so với vài cuốn xuất bản gần đây của Keigo.
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Haizzzz đọc xong thấy buồn quá...
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Đây rồi cái cảm giác vừa buồn vừa khó chịu trong lòng lúc gấp sách lại, muốn thở dài một cái khi nghĩ về các nhân vật mà tôi vẫn mê đây
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There are some mystery novels where the 'how of it' is more interesting than 'who did it'. This book fits that niche perfectly since it has a small cast of potential suspects and one isn't really sure how the murder took place.
Yukawa, a brilliant physicist pieces together what is ultimately a tragic tale of love and strength of familial bonds. I especially enjoyed the sections with the Professor and kyohei, the science experiments and explanations were a delight for the geek in me.
I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the other books in this series. -
This author just cannot write a bad story. Everything I have read by him is a five star, and this is the newest entry that I read in 2 sittings. Wonderful, taut plot and as with the other books I didn't figure out the twist. Japanese crime is really worlds apart from other countries in terms of exceedingly intelligent written plots.
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Nội dung rất khá, mạch truyện liên kết và ổn định. Twist thì dễ đoán lắm, chưa tới nửa truyện đã đoán đc là ai làm rồi, nhưng thủ pháp gây án thế nào thì phải đọc thêm nữa mới hiểu được. Rốt cuộc là t vẫn bị dắt cho tới trang cuối cùng luôn ko có cảm giác buồn ngủ gì cả 😂.
Mọi người đừng qua bỏ mấy đoạn lí giải về vật lí nha, toàn những đoạn quan trọng thôi đó, mà tác giả cũng viết dễ hiểu nữa.
Truyện khá khẩm hơn những tác phẩm xuất bản gần đây của Keigo, đọc có cảm giác trinh thám khá nét và dẫn truyện nhịp nhàng, kết ổn thoả chứ ko đầu voi đuôi chuột. Đánh giá chung 3.5/5 sao.
