Book Review: The Inugami Curse - Seishi Yokomizo (Translated by Yumiko Yamazaki)
Honkaku Mystery Series Continues...
This is the 6th Yokomizo novel in the original series. It was first published in 1951 and the translated version was published by Pushkin Vertigo in 2020. It is one of the well-acclaimed books in the series and has two movie adaptations. The book's first translation by Yumiko Yamazaki was under the title "The Inugami Clan" published in 2007 by Stone Bridge Press.
Plot:
In the 1940s, when a wealthy tycoon of the Nasu region, Sahei Inugami died, his family, and the entire village await the reading of his will. The will can't be read without the presence of all of its household members as the first grandson is yet to return from the war. The family lawyer who is aware of the content of the will predicts that once the will is read, it will lead to 'events soaked in blood' and requests Kosuke Kindaichi to investigate. When Kindaichi arrives at Nasu, before he could get the details from his lawyer-client, the client is mysteriously murdered. The first grandson returns after repatriation from the war just in time for the reading of the will. Soon it escalates into a series of grotesque murders and Kindaichi has to unravel the Inugami clan's darkest secrets, forbidden liaisons, and hidden identities to find the murderer.
The rags-to-riches life of Sahei Inugami was colorful and complicated. He was never married, had three daughters from three known mistresses, and a son with his secret mistress whose whereabouts are unknown. Regardless of his aloof nature, he had utmost reverence for a priest family who was his benefactor during his hardship days. The granddaughter of the priest was adopted by Sahei after the death of her parents and started living with the rest of his family. Sahei was eccentric and hated all his mistresses and daughters. The dysfunctional family members all come under suspicious light as the series of tragic murders begins.
Another entertaining read from the author. This was more theatrical than the previous book Honjin Murders, there are more characters, a convoluted plot, gruesome murders, and quite a sinister display of dead bodies. Despite the cruel murders, the descriptions of the scenery(esp., that of Lake Nasu) are serene and poetic.
Even if you can guess the whodunit, you can't be sure of the howdunit, thanks to the series of coincidences that occur which lead both the clues and the readers astray. Greed, honor, and revenge are at the center of this devastating family saga.
My Ratings: 4.5/5
-Preethi