The Lady Killer

A classic mystery from one of Japan's best-loved crime writers.

Full of subtly menacing tensions and sharp psychological insights, told in lean, sparsely ornamented style. This one is a must for the discerning reader

The PD James of Japan

Long established in Japan, [Togawa's] books have benefitted from sensitive to translation to enjoy a well-deserved second life

There's a great and distinct timbre to this book... it certainly has the cleverness ultimately to keep a genre reader really satisfied

Even when you think you know just where the book is headed... you don't... thoroughly enjoyable

Elegantly depicts complex characters in entangled situations, describing just enough detail to bring Tokyo's seedy side to life without burying the reader in everyday trivia

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 thriller The Master Key (also available from Pushkin Vertigo) won Japan's prestigious Edgowa Rampo Prize, and Togawa went on to become a hugely successful author, while continuing to lead a colourful parallel life as a singer, actress, feminist, nightclub owner and gay icon.