A review by geethr75
No Souls on The River by M. Kato

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 
The second book of the Tokyo MPD mysteries, this one is a different case which gives Shinji some much needed closure while keeping alive the mystery of Teruo's ability to see his reiryoku and to heal him. 
Souls are missing from the Sanzu river in the Tokyo section and Shinji is being interrogated as are all Shinigami. Shinji's ex, who's a gate technician has been called from Hiroshima to assist with the case. When a friend of Megumi's, Keiko, is killed in the exact manner as his former boss, Shinji suspects Ueda, his ex. Things are further complicated when it turns out Keiko's sister has powers and is also working for the Onmyoryo. 
The mystery of who is taking the souls and why was quite suspenseful. Also the mystery of Keiko's death and the connection between that and the death of Shiji's former boss. I hated Ueda from the get go. Abusive asshole. 
Teruo and Shinji also has to investigate the case, the missing souls, and the reason behind the weird ability Teruo has of seeing Shinji's reiryoku and of healing him, without tipping off the humans or the supernaturals they work with about their relationship. Something that's made even more complicated when Ueda and another supernatural is assigned as consultants to work with them. 
The relationship between Shinji and Teruo is a highlight of this book, and I loved that the author was able to keep the plot from devolving into too much romance and spice. The mysteries were the focus but the relationship is also important. 
Though the mystery of Keiko's murder and the disappearing souls were solved satisfactorily, the mystery of Teruo's weird ability to heal Shinji by using his own soul and putting his life at risk, remains unsolved. For now, a soul ward will protect him, but it is, at best, a temporary solution. 
I can't wait to dig into the next book!