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infinimata's review
4.0
Time to use a cliche. "Cracking good thriller." Horribly unoriginal thing to say, innit? But the cliche is earned this time. No particular knowledge of Japanese culture required for this story; in fact, I could see a Western film version that loses very little. But grab the original anyway.
liberrydude's review
4.0
Another timeless page turning gem from Takagi. Takagi reminds me of Doyle but he's able to stimulate the reader without resort to a series built around a common character. This starts out a little slow with a down on his luck stockbroker being turned onto a job too good to be true. You know it's a set-up but you have no idea where you are headed. This was written in the 1960's but it could be out of today's pages. Deceit, adultery, greed, and manipulation all under the guise of industrial espionage quickly escalate. It reads like a Shakespearean tragedy with a desperate man who has lost his moral compass. But perhaps the informer is the one who has lost the moral compass. There's also an element of the British romantic pursuit of a love lost as well as the American pursuit of happiness (at any cost).
paul_cornelius's review
4.0
This is the second of the Prosecutor Kirishima novels I have read, the first being the third in the series, Honeymoon to Nowhere. Goodreads has this one, The Informer, listed as the first in the series. But Akimitsu Takagi's biography lists Prosecutor Kirishima, apparently a work as yet to be translated into English, as the first. No matter. The two works show a certain similarity in form and content. For example, both The Informer and Honeymoon develop an extensive background story over the first third of the novel. Then, a murder occurs that changes the nature of the characters' interaction as well as the pace of the story, the latter of which becomes relentless in its logical path to a conclusion. Both novels also involve the corporate world and the lawyers who infest it, industrial espionage and theft, and people exposed to temptations they cannot pass up, even though the tempted know they are drifting into a tainted moral universe. Another thing, both novels kept me in the dark as to the real eventual killer(s). Both held a surprise. They both also allowed people equally culpable of moral crimes to escape legal consequences. In the case of The Informer, one of them will even reap riches. The book puts on a stunning display of psychological torture and manipulation. The pace will probably not satisfy contemporary readers. But those who enjoy a full unfolding of personal and criminal events will find it more than satisfying.
mobyskine's review
3.0
Story development a bit slow at the beginning, explanation and back story of everything was a bit boring but nearly the middle plot changing dramatically, enthralling as the crime took place. I like the mysterious vibe of main character, Segawa. Though it seems the plot revolved around him a lot still I feel like I don't even know him that much. I like Kirishima ways of investigating both crimes. His thoughts and simulation on every assumptions and theories. The last 10 chapters giving me so much chills and nervousness, so much guessing game between the characters, unexpected incidents, suspense and surprising encounters-- still think the mystery could be more interesting though. I love the writing style anyway, a feeling of classic although not much different from current crime plot I used to read. All of the characters been describing well, the secrets and insight of each personalities, very much predicted for some but I love the expect-the-unexpected vibe as well. You'll never know what's one's true intention, be it your close family or a good friend. A bit dissatisfied with the ending (I at least want a closure for Segawa, his thought on all the false mess) but it was still worth a read.
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