A psychological thriller by the Japanese author of the highly acclaimed The Aosawa Murders, selected by NYT as one of the most notable books of 2020. A desolate apartment, a man and a woman about to spend their last night together. Each believes the other to be a killer, and is determined to extract a confession. Two people desperate to unlock the truth. The pair’s relationship and chain of events leading up to this night are revealed in chapters that alternate between the two voices, giving different versions of the same events.

On a stormy summer day the Aosawas, owners of a prominent local hospital, host a large birthday party. The occasion turns into tragedy when 17 people die from cyanide in their drinks. The only surviving links to what might have happened are a cryptic verse that could be the killer's, and the physician's bewitching blind daughter, Hisako, the only person spared injury. But the youth who emerges as the prime suspect commits suicide that October, effectively sealing his guilt while consigning his motives to mystery. The police are convinced that Hisako had a role in the crime, as are many in the town, including the author of a bestselling book about the murders written a decade after the incident, who was herself a childhood friend of Hisako' and witness to the discovery of the murders. The truth is revealed through a skilful juggling of testimony by different voices: family members, witnesses and neighbours, police investigators and of course the mesmerizing Hisako herself.

Welcome to the enchanting world of 'The Island of Never-Ending Play,' a magical children's story that will transport readers to an extraordinary realm of wonder and imagination. This timeless fantasy book invites you to embark on a whimsical adventure set on an enchanted island filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. Join us on a journey of endless play, where children and adults alike will find themselves captivated by the mysteries of this captivating island. In 'The Island of Never-Ending Play,' you'll explore the captivating landscapes of this magical island, where every corner is a children's adventure tale waiting to be told. It's a place where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and where the concept of time takes on a whole new meaning. The story unfolds in a way that makes it a fantasy book for all ages, promising to be a delightful read for readers young and old. Within these pages, you'll uncover the secrets of this whimsical island, where every day is a journey of wonder and every moment is filled with whimsy and magic. So, prepare to dive into the world of 'The Island of Never-Ending Play,' where the adventures are endless, the creativity knows no bounds, and the secrets of this magical island await your exploration.

Sixteen-Year-Old Celstia spends every summer with her family at the elite resort at Lake Conemaugh, a shimmering Allegheny Mountain reservoir held in place by an earthen dam. Tired of the society crowd, Celestia prefers to swim and fish with Peter, the hotel’s hired boy. It’s a friendship she must keep secret, and when companionship turns to romance, it’s a love that could get Celestia disowned. These affairs of the heart become all the more wrenching on a single, tragic day in May, 1889. After days of heavy rain, the dam fails, unleashing 20 million tons of water onto Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the valley below. The town where Peter lives with his father. The town where Celestia has just arrived to join him. This searing novel in poems explores a cross-class romance—and a tragic event in U. S. history.

When he loses his job as a trader after the stock market crashes, Shigeo Segawa is offered lucrative work as an industrial spy. How could he say no? He is soon assigned to seduce an ex-girlfriend and steal an important formula from her husband, who runs a large chemical company. But when the husband is found murdered, Segawa becomes the prime suspect.

He killed them. No regrets, no excuses. Now, all he needs to do is run. if that means having to kidnap a boy, then together they ll find a city of refuge. The fourth and latest novel by the Japanese don of hardboiled to be translated into english, City of Refuge was also Kitakata's first foray into the crime genre after a decade of penning literary fiction. Pick up this gem to find out why North American reviewers have been comparing him to Mickey Spillane, James M. Cain, Takeshi Kitano, and Fyodor Dostoevsky.