The Lady Killer (Pushkin Vertigo, #20)

by Masako Togawa

A dizzying tale oflust and murder, from one of Japan's greatest mysterywriters.

A hunter prowls the night spotsof Shinjuku

But he's the one walking into a trap...

IchiroHonda leads a double life: by day a devoted husband and a diligent worker, bynight he moves through the shadow world of Tokyo's cabaret bars and nightclubsin search of vulnerable women to seduce and then abandon. But when a trail ofbodies seems to appear in his wake, the hunter becomes the prey and Ichirorealises he has been caught in a snare. Has he left it too late to free himselfbefore time runs out?

• ISBN10: 0712607978
• ISBN13: 9780712607971
• Publish Date: 1 January 1986
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 20 October 2011
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Cornerstone
• Imprint: Century
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 192
• Language: English

Reviews

[Aidan Brack (Mysteries Ahoy)]

I liked the novel a lot and found its characterization and discussion of themes of social isolation and of male and female sexuality to be thoughtful and considered but I do think it is a slightly less polished work than The Master Key. For instance, there are several attempts to get inside the head of a critical character towards the end of the novel that feel somewhat clumsy and juvenile in tone.

Read my full review at Mysteries Ahoy!