
Guilt
by the million-copy bestselling author of The Devotion of Suspect X
Keigo Higashino(Author)
Abacus (Publisher)
Published on 9. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-0-349-14861-8 (ISBN)
Description
A tour de force crime novel from one of the international masters of the form, where a simple murder case questions the simple notions of good and evil, guilt and redemption.
'Masterfully explores the fine line between innocence and guilt in a compelling tale that will surprise and astonish' Daily Mirror
A body has been found on a Central Tokyo riverbank, and Homicide Detective Godai of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is assigned to investigate. The victim is identified as a lawyer, Kensuke Shiraishi, and Godai's investigations lead him to one Tatsuro Kuraki, who ends up confessing to not only to the lawyer's murder, but also another one from thirty years ago - for which another man was arrested and died in custody before trial. Kuraki's confession neatly resolves two cases, but there is just one problem: Detective Godai doesn't believe him.
What's more, there are two other people who can't accept Kuraki's confession. One is the son of Kuraki, the professed murderer; the other is the daughter of Shiraishi, the victim.
As they get closer to the truth it becomes clear that the link between the two murders is murkier and more complicated than they could possibly have imagined - and so is the line between innocence and guilt.
'Masterfully explores the fine line between innocence and guilt in a compelling tale that will surprise and astonish' Daily Mirror
A body has been found on a Central Tokyo riverbank, and Homicide Detective Godai of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is assigned to investigate. The victim is identified as a lawyer, Kensuke Shiraishi, and Godai's investigations lead him to one Tatsuro Kuraki, who ends up confessing to not only to the lawyer's murder, but also another one from thirty years ago - for which another man was arrested and died in custody before trial. Kuraki's confession neatly resolves two cases, but there is just one problem: Detective Godai doesn't believe him.
What's more, there are two other people who can't accept Kuraki's confession. One is the son of Kuraki, the professed murderer; the other is the daughter of Shiraishi, the victim.
As they get closer to the truth it becomes clear that the link between the two murders is murkier and more complicated than they could possibly have imagined - and so is the line between innocence and guilt.
Reviews / Votes
The intricacies of the Japanese legal system play a big part in this constantly surprising philosophical romance ... it's rather like watching a workplace fly-on-the-wall documentary * The Times * Masterfully explores the fine line between innocence and guilt in a compelling tale that will surprise and astonish * Daily Mirror *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
532 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-349-14861-8 (9780349148618)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2026
Abacus
€10.99
Available for download
Person
Born in Osaka and currently living in Tokyo, Keigo Higashino is the bestselling, best-known novelist in Japan and around Asia, with numerous television and film adaptations of his work appearing in several languages. He's the author of The Devotion of Suspect X, which was the finalist for the Edgar Award for best novel, and Malice, among many others.