The Lady Killer: 21 (Pushkin Vertigo)

A dizzying tale oflust and murder from one of Japans greatest mysterywriters.A hunter prowls the night spotsof ShinjukuBut hes the one walking into a trap...IchiroHonda leads a double life: by day a devoted husband and a diligent worker bynight he moves through the shadow world of Tokyos cabaret bars and nightclubsin search of vulnerable women to seduce and then abandon. But when a trail ofbodies seems to appear in his wake the hunter becomes the prey and Ichirorealises he has been caught in a snare. Has he left it too late to free himselfbefore time runs out? Review Full of subtly menacing tensions and sharp psychological insights told in lean sparsely ornamented style. This one is a must for the discerning reader.- Kirkus‘Long established in Japan [Togawa’s] books have benefited from sensitive translation to enjoy a well-deserved second life.’ - Daily MailThe PD James of Japan.- Times Literary Supplement‘Theres a great and distinct timbre to this book … it certainly has the cleverness ultimately to keep a genre reader really satisfied.’ - The BookbagEven when you think you know just where the book is headed… you don’t… Thoroughly enjoyable.- David’s Book World About the Author Masako Togawa (1931-2016) was one of Japans 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 Japans 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.