The Master Key
Published on 2. December 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-78227-772-9 (ISBN)
Description
A building full of secrets. A key that will unleash them all
The K Apartments for Ladies in Tokyo conceals a sinister past behind each door; a woman who has buried a child; a scavenger driven mad by ill-health; a wife mysteriously guarding her late husband's manuscripts; a talented violinist tortured by her own guilt. The master key, which opens the door to all 150 rooms, links their tangled stories. But now it has been stolen, and dirty tricks are afoot.
For a deadly secret lies buried beneath the building. And when it is revealed, there will be murder.
The K Apartments for Ladies in Tokyo conceals a sinister past behind each door; a woman who has buried a child; a scavenger driven mad by ill-health; a wife mysteriously guarding her late husband's manuscripts; a talented violinist tortured by her own guilt. The master key, which opens the door to all 150 rooms, links their tangled stories. But now it has been stolen, and dirty tricks are afoot.
For a deadly secret lies buried beneath the building. And when it is revealed, there will be murder.
Reviews / Votes
Extraordinarily atmospheric Japanese thriller ... Miss Togawa writes with economy, subtlety and an astonishing feel for time, mood, and the eccentricities of loneliness. An eerie gem -- Marcel Berlins * The Times * An outstanding puzzle mystery... The gradual, logical, but still surprising unfolding of the Russian nesting doll of a plot is a delight * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * As fascinating a weird yarn of mystery as you'll find... One word sums it up - superb! * LA Times * Fans of P.D. James, Robert Barnard and other literate writers in the genre will welcome this prize-winning author's first work... Superbly crafted and riveting from start to finish * Kirkus Reviews * A twisted locked-room fable, made creepily seductive by masterful portrayals of the residents' eccentricities and hints of malevolent supernatural forces * Booklist * A bizarre yarn of guilty secrets among the sad, mad and surprisingly bad occupants of Tokyo's K Apartments for ladies only * Sunday Times Crime Club * A clever story... If you like creepy this will definitely be right up your street * Crime Review * Starts out on a high note of tension and stays that way up until the very end * Crime Segments * A clever, creepy story * Mail on Sunday * The PD James of Japan * Times Literary Supplement * If you seek a wickedly original, clever crime novel, a brilliant exploration of the weaknesses of the human mind, I strongly recommend you lose yourself in Togawa's acutely portrayed sketch * Thriller Books Journal * Slickly-readable... jaw-dropping moments... Sharply crafted plotting... Is Masako Togawa Japan's answer to P.D. James? James should be so lucky * South China Morning Post *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pushkin Press
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
176 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78227-772-9 (9781782277729)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Persons
MASAKO TOGAWA(1931-2016) was one of Japan's foremost writers of crime fiction. Born in Tokyo, she worked as a cabaret performer before beginning to write crime fiction backstage, during her breaks. Her debut The Master Key won Japan's prestigious Edgowa Rampo Prize, and Togawa went on to become a hugely succesful author, while continuing to lead a colourful parallel life as a singer, actress, feminist, nightclub owner and gay icon. The Lady Killer is also available from Pushkin Vertigo.