The Tattoo Murder Case

If you love the locked room mysteries of Carr and others of that era you would love this. It is actually more than just a locked room mystery. It is well constructed and written. The tattoo background is fascinating. I will admit that I eventually picked who I thought was the murderer although I had no clue as to how or why that person had done it and turned out to be correct. I am so appreciative of the Japanese authors who some years ago resurrected locked room mysteries of the golden age ala Carr and strived to match or outdo them. I strongly recommend this book.

This fascinating book was surprisingly enjoyable. Unlike many shoot-'em-up police procedurals of today this mystery, written in the postwar '40s, gets solved by sheer brainpower on the part of a detective and two outsiders, with a minimum of gunplay. In addition, the book gives us a look at life in occupied Japan only two years after the atom bombs fell. But, perhaps most interesting, it takes us into the exotic world of body tattooing, giving that art form a dimension probably unfamiliar to most western readers. Thus, on a number of fronts, this book excels. In addition, it holds the reader's attention throughout and provides a good change-of-pace for mystery readers.

The story having taken place and written over 65 years ago is a bit dated. Interesting details about Tokyo's culture just after ww11. Good mystery but somewhat predictable by today's standards

This book was very interesting to read. The storyline was well crafted and held many details that had to be considered to follow it.

engaging read, an effective thriller -- was quite impressed with exposition of postwar Japanese society and culture -- the murder mystery was developed professionally, maintaining suspense and an atmosphere of ambiguity...

This is a first rate murder mystery. It unfolds from the point of view of a (somewhat) unrelated third party thus letting the reader analyze information and form theories along with the characters in the novel. Also this is a great way to absorb customs and nuances of Japanese culture while following a compelling murder plot. This novel is a perfect addition to the Soho Crime collection, which gathers mysteries set in many different countries under one imprint.

This combines a glimpse into the fascinating culture of tattoos and yakusas in post-war Japan with a masterfully executed locked room mystery. A very enjoyable read.

"The Tattoo Murder Case" by Akimitsu Takagi is a classic among the increasing number of Japanese mysteries now available in English translation. As is the case with most such mysteries, this book features unusual characters and psychological issues, introducing as well a walk on the wild side of Japan's youth culture. The tattoos involved in this case reflect longstanding cultural symbolism, making "The Tattoo Murder Case" a favorite among those generations of Americans fascinated by Japanese anime, comic books, and other graphic media.