Point Zero
(Author) Seicho MatsumotoA triumph by Seicho Matsumoto (1909-1992), the master of Japanese mystery writing. A beautifully written novel that takes on the taboo of Japanese prostitution catering to GIs during the American post-war occupation. Tokyo 1958, Teiko marries Kenichi Uehara, ten years her senior, an advertising man recommended by an intermediary. After a four-day honeymoon, Kenichi vanishes. Keito travels to the coastal and snow-bound city of Kanazawa, where Kenishi was last seen, to investigate his disappearance. She discovers that he had been a police officer in Tokyo after the war, keeping watch over pan pan girls, Japanese prostitutes catering to GIs. Some of these women have created a new life in Kanazawa and may have taken extreme measures to hide their past.
Seicho Matsumoto
Seicho Matsumoto (1909-1992) was a Japanese mystery writer known for his psychological depth and intricate plots. His most notable works include "Points and Lines" and "Inspector Imanishi Investigates". Matsumoto's writing style often delves into the complexities of human nature and societal issues, making his stories both engaging and thought-provoking. He is credited with revolutionizing the Japanese detective genre by introducing a more realistic and socially conscious approach. "Points and Lines" is considered his masterpiece, portraying the investigation of a murder on a train as a metaphor for the fractured post-war Japanese society. Matsumoto's contributions to literature have left a lasting impact on the mystery genre in Japan and beyond.
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