Yet he is a humble man who isn’t afraid to seek the counsel of those who may be more familiar with certain matters. As he considers information related to the case, he relies on his intuition and keen powers of observation. Torigai suspects that there might be another explanation for the couple’s death. Along with regular customer Tatsuo Yasuda, they had seen the two depart for Kyushu on the Asakaze Express train just one week prior.

But when Toki’s colleagues at the restaurant hear of her death, they are stunned. Tokyo Express, Seicho Matsumoto, Jesse Kirkwood (trans) (Penguin Classics, June 2022)Īfter the worker reports his finding, local law enforcement is quick to rule the incident a double suicide the man’s overcoat and woman’s kimono are unruffled, and there is no sign of struggle. Two bodies were lying on the dark rocks, an unwelcome blight on this familiar landscape. With his gaze cast downwards, he couldn’t miss them. This rugged beach was the fastest route to the factory, and he walked along it every day. The labourer had turned up the collar of his coat and walked briskly, his body hunched. A man headed to work in the early morning happened upon the chilling scene. They become involved after the bodies of Kenichi Sayama, a government employee, and Toki, a waitress at Koyuki restaurant, are found near the Genkai Sea.

His investigation is supported by veteran Jutaro Torigai of the Fukuoka Police. As Kiichi Mihara of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police connects the dots of the case, he relies on the country’s reliable and punctual train system. Previously published in English a generation ago under the title Points and Lines, the novel has been freshly translated by Jesse Kirkwood. His 1958 novel, Tokyo Express, provides a glimpse into daily life during the postwar period in Japan. The prolific career of acclaimed mystery and detective fiction author Seicho Matsumoto spanned the latter half of the 20th century.

Matsumoto seicho tokyo express