The beauty of translation is that it opens up so many stories that we otherwise didn’t have access to read. I’ve read so many that have ended up in my favourites list and so I’ve pulled together a list of translated works that I am excited to read this year! Let me know if you have some that aren’t on this list, I’d love to hear!
The Black Swan Mystery
Early one morning, a body is found lying next to the railway tracks just outside of Kuki Station in Saitama Prefecture, shot dead. It is identified as belonging to the owner of a local mill which is embroiled in a labour dispute. Suspicion initially falls on the workers’ union, then on a new religious sect that has been gaining followers recently.
Chief Inspector Onitsura and his assistant Tanna are called in to investigate, and soon set off in a journey across Japan, from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, and finally to the island of Kyushu, in a hunt for the killer.
But as they investigate, the killer strikes again, and again. Will they be able to catch the murderer before even more people are slain?
This is one of the few on this list that is already out. I’ve been wanting to pick up this classic murder mystery for a while. Depicting a compelling 1950s Japan there is a serial killer to hunt down!
Releasing September this year is a book renowned in Japan to rival the likes of Agatha Christies – if that doesn’t entice you to give it a try I don’t know what will.. oh right, there’s cats!
Murder at the Black Cat Cafe
Tokyo, 1947. The Pink Labyrinth is one of the bomb-scarred city’s most shady neighbourhoods. There, in the dead of night a patrolling policeman catches a young Buddhist monk digging in the back yard of The Black Cat Cafe, a notorious brothel.
In the shallow grave at his feet lie the dead body of a woman, her face disfigured beyond recognition, and the corpse of a black cat. Who is the murdered woman, and how was she connected to the infamous establishment? And where did the dead cat come from, given that the cafe’s feline mascot seems to be alive and well?
The brilliant sleuth Kosuke Kindaichi investigates, but as he draws closer to the truth, he finds himself in grave danger…
Murder in the House of Omari
Osaka, 1943. The Second World War rages, and American bombers rain down death upon Japan. The once prosperous Omari household, now ruined by the terrible conflict, is struck by a succession of ghastly murders.
Young trainee doctor and budding sleuth Natsuko is desperate to help her old friend, Mineko Omari, to solve the mystery and bring an end to the gruesome deaths tearing the family apart. To do so, the pair will have to delve into the Omari clan’s past, where a dark and deadly secret has been festering for decades…
Just released a few days ago is this mystery from the winner of the Mystery Writers of Japan Award and the Honkaku Mystery Prize. You can’t go wrong with a classic murder mystery.
Releasing in August this year, I’m excited to get lost in another fictional bookstore. I find with these stories the themes are quite heavy and I spend a lot of time reflecting on my own emotions. I love that about a book and I definitely need to pick this up!
The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop
Nestled amidst the bloom of delicate petals, you’ll find a sanctuary for those burdened by regrets and past sorrows. Here, Sakura, the mysterious young owner, and her wise calico cat, Kobako, patiently await the arrival of souls in need of solace and healing.
Told over four seasons, each visitor to the bookshop holds a book that bridges their past and present, guiding them towards understanding and acceptance. Within the antique charm of the shop and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, Sakura and Kobako help their guests confront their lingering sadness through the power of stories, enabling them to move forward with renewed hope.
Second Chance Convenience Store
Seoul Station is home to Dokgo, a man with no memories of his past. Until one day his subdued existence is disrupted when he stumbles upon a lost wallet, triggering a chain of events that will change the course of his life.
Enter Mrs. Yeom, a retired teacher turned convenience-store owner, who, upon discovering Dokgo’s act of kindness in returning her purse, offers him a meal as a token of her gratitude. Their chance encounter blossoms into an unexpected alliance..
Releasing next month is this is a moving and joyful story of a woman fighting for her community and a man who has lost everything except the will to try again. An uplifting book for the summer!
These are a few on my list! I think I’ll have to do a separate list for my anticipated fantasy releases because that is a much longer list..
I haven’t heard any of these books, but there are a couple I’m interested to read! Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata is one that’s particularly high on my TBR list 🙂
I’ve got that on my TBR too! I have her book Earthlings on my shelf, I may have to get to it soon 🙂
Gorgeous covers, and most are new to me!
The covers are so stunning, I don’t know how they get it right every time!