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Inspector Imanishi Investigates

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Inspector Imanishi Investigates

By: Seicho Matsumoto, Beth Cary - translator
Narrated by: Kenichiro Thomson
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A thrilling crime classic, from the bestselling author of Tokyo Express
Tokyo, 1960. As the first rays of morning light hit the rails at Kamata Station, a man’s body is found on the tracks. With only two leads – a distinctive accent and a single word, ‘kameda’ – senior inspector Imanishi Eitaro is called in to solve the puzzle.

Setting aside his beloved bonsai and haikus, he must cross Japan in search of answers, from Osaka to Akita, accompanied by junior detective Yoshimura. At each new town, they encounter traces of the avant-garde Nouveau Group – young Tokyo artists who are bringing new ideas from the West. What to make of this modern collective? And how to stop another mysterious death occurring? Inspector Imanishi investigates…

A fascinating glimpse into Japanese society at a time of great change, this is one of Seicho Matsumoto’s best-loved novels – a riveting mystery from the master of Japanese crime.

'An absolute classic, and a whole new world to explore ... irresistible' Lee Child
'Beautiful and melancholic, Inspector Imanishi Investigates is not just an ingenious and elegant mystery, but a fascinating window into 1960s Japan' Paula Hawkins


© 1989 Seicho Matsumoto (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Classics Crime Thrillers International Mystery & Crime Mystery Thriller & Suspense World Literature Crime Exciting Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant
Somewhat monotonous narration otherwise an interesting story with a clever plot. Probably a better read than an audiobook.

Intriguing

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This is a wonderful slow burn story that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way. I managed to enjoy it despite the dreadful narration. The narrator spoke with Estuary English and glottal stops. This was awful but even worse was the way he stressed the wrong words in virtually every sentence. How could he have been chosen as a narrator? Why was he not directed to speak properly? What a disaster

Wonderful story ruined by dreadful narration

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I find it hard to believe that this person actually auditioned, and was picked.

Truly terrible narration.

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not a dull moment in this book. huge difference between this and Tokyo Express. Almost hard to believe the same person wrote them both.

writing style, compelling story

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I enjoyed the writing and the story. I had a problem with (wiv) the narrator, however. His voice is sonorous but he was unable to say ‘th’ and there were lots of deaths and dates. It became really jarring. He also couldn’t quite manage the changes of character or accent particularly well either. I guess we have vis to look forward to in the future!

Slow but satisfying

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