"The Final Curtain" By Keigo Higashino, translated by Giles Murray: Review/Giveaway

Review by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

The Final Curtain is the fourth and final book in Keigo Higashino’s series featuring Japanese Police Detective Kyoichiro “Kyo” Kaga. I discovered this series with book three, A Death in Tokyo, and plan to go back and read the first two when I get the chance. Even though I had not read the other books, I had no trouble jumping in—the author gives just enough info about the main characters that you don’t feel lost. Both books also contain a cast of characters list at the beginning that helps readers keep track of who is who in the story. Having a love for Japanese anime and manga, I was excited to try this series, and it has not disappointed. My only disappointment here is that this was the final book.

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Image Source Minotaur Books

This is a very personal book for Kaga as he finally may be getting answers about his mother, Yuriko Tajima, who disappeared when he was young. The book starts with a bit of backstory about Yuriko and her death. We also see how Kaga is told of her death, and when goes to pick up her ashes and go through her things. While I wish this wasn’t the final book, it brought about some really nice closure for the main character.

We then jump to the present and the murder of another young woman, Michiko Oshitani. There doesn’t seem to be any motive for her murder, but they think that it may be tied to another strange death in the area. Detective Matsumiya (Kaga’s cousin) is investigating this case and ends up drawing Kaga into it. One of the people he interviews is actress and director Hiromi Asai, an old classmate with whom Michiko had recently reconnected, and someone that Kaga has a connection with as well. As they investigate, Kaga begins to see connections between this young woman’s death and that of his mother.

The story jumps between several different perspectives—including all the detectives on the case and some of the suspects. There is a list of bridges with dates that Kaga and his cousin both feel is connected, but they can’t figure out why until nearly the end. It was a complicated and fascinating mystery filled with a lot of twists and turns.

I enjoyed walking the streets of Japan with them. I particularly liked Kaga, which isn’t a surprise since he has been compared to Hercule Poirot because of his brilliance in seeing the details that others don’t see and in putting the puzzle pieces together. If you enjoy a good police procedural, especially one set in another country, don’t miss The Final Curtain. And I highly recommend checking out the entire series.

To enter to win a copy of The Final Curtain, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "curtain,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 24, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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You can click here to purchase this book.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie's mystery writing including her latest mystery novel One of Us, a Tower District Mystery, at Mysteryrat's Closet.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.