The Devil’s Flute Murders (Detective Kindaichi Mysteries)

There are twenty-two characters in this book, not counting some minor characters. I had to refer often to the character list in the front of the book to keep track of them — especially at first. Sometimes the author calls a character by a first name, sometimes by a surname — which added to my difficulties. I love to read Japanese novels and speak a bit of Japanese, so I’m used to Japanese names. Even so, this book was a challenge.But I kept at it, mainly because I like the sleuth, private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. He dresses in traditional Japanese garb, always rather shabby. His hat is particularly disreputable and plays a role in this plot. He has an unruly mop of hair like a sparrow’s nest, and when agitated, he scratches his head fiercely, letting loose clouds of dandruff. He often stutters when interrogating people. Not very impressive — but his friends in the police force recognize his genius for solving cases.This case offers a lot of dark atmosphere, a whiff of the supernatural, a feast of twisted human relationships, and lots of unsavory behavior among aristocrats. The aristocrats, however, have just lost their titles. In 1947 Japan’s new constitution abolished the peerage. This book gives a very interesting picture of post-war Japan — property in ruins from fire bombing, food shortages, flourishing black marketeers, unreliable train transportation — quite a contrast to modern Japan!The story contains a locked room mystery, which Kindaichi solves quite cleverly, as well as other murders that seem inexplicable at first. Throughout the narrative, a devilish flute composition wafts through the air whenever there’s a murder or a threat of one. A clue to the murderer is embedded amidst the eerie notes.Seishi Yokomizu has an original voice and a rather endearing fondness for Golden-Age- style story telling. I never miss anything he writes.

I have read as many of Seishi Yokomizo’ mysteries that I have been able to find. They all are great. This one is no exception. I had no idea who the murderer was until almost the end. The story is somewhat complex but nonetheless fairly easy to understand. I particularly enjoyed reading about what Japan was like after the war.

Author captures the crafty character vibe and wonderful feeling of Japan

Poor Kosuke Kindaichi! The scruffy but brilliant private investigator always seems to stumble into cases with the most dysfunctional families and the three families at the heart of The Devil’s Flute Murders are no exception. At the end of World War II, Occupied Japan eliminated all the noble titles, so former Viscount Hidesuke Tsubaki is no longer a noble. He’s married into money, so he has no worries. But his wife’s relatives, the Shingus and Tamamushis, come to live with them as they’re down on the luck in post-war Japan. The newcomers insult and heckle the quiet Tsubaki, an extremely talented flautist and a composer.Tsubaki’s daughter Mineko hires Kindaichi to discover if her father is still alive, as her mother believes. Some pretty weird stuff has been happening, but it only gets worse once Kindaichi sets foot in Mineko’s home.Except for one bit of ridiculousness, (view spoiler) Seishi Yokomizo’s novel reads like a 1940s noir. While not as great as The Honjin Murders and The Inugami Curse, The Devil’s Flute Murders is still highly recommended.

This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.Detective Kosuke Kindaichi is back in a mystery that starts with the suicide of flautist who married into an aristocratic family and a divination session that results in a locked room murder. After a young woman hires the detective to look into her father's suicide, Kindaichi finds himself at the family compound and a sort of seance that goes wrong, followed by a murder in locked room. Before the end of the investigation, more people are dead as he tries to suss out an intricate plan and sordid history.Writing-wise, this was as good and compelling as the other books I've read in Yokomizo's series. I did find myself lost for awhile in the middle, as the investigation leaves the premises as Kindaichi goes searching for various people to fill in missing bits of information. The hunt took longer than it needed to, only divulging tidbits of answers one by one, and dragged down what wasn't that long of a book. However, once Kindaichi started putting the puzzle pieces together, the narrative picked up again and resulted in a complex but intriguing solution. Not my favorite of the three books I've read in the series, but still enjoyable. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Pushkin Press is doing mystery fans such a huge favor by republishing Seishi Yokomizu's classic mysteries! The Devil's Flute Murders brings back detective Kindaichi for another one of the fair-play murder mysteries popular in Japan.In this, we have missing persons, poison, stabbing, clobbering, hidden identities, and a jewel heist. And of course, lots of misdirection!

I very much enjoy the setting of this book. I thought it was translated well. I'm not sure how translations like this work but I think a bit could have been edited to be more appealing to modern readers. There are a lot of characters & a lot going on - it kind of made my head spin. Overall a fun, old mystery. If you like Agatha Christie you will probably like it

This was such a fast paced, engaging read! So many mysteries wrapped up in one! I had no clue who did what or why, and it was so fun to finally hear all the reveals! I already have the rest of this author's translated works waiting to be read, I enjoyed this one so much!

Definitely the best from this series.

Interesting and atmospheric story that is a proper page-turner! A (multiple) murder-mystery set in post-war Japan will be a delight for fans of Kosuke Kindaichi and the new readers alike! Highly recommended.

Private Detective Kindaichi is back in action for another masterful example of classic crime!Set in Japan 1947, we follow the tracks of the Devil's flute murderer and his disturbing secrets... Unputdownable! Enjoy!