We discuss chapters 1-7 of Seishi Yokomizo’s The Honjin Murders, also known as The Honjin Murder Case. Our narrator recalls the definitely totally true and not made up for this book story of the fall of the Ichiyanagi family after the murder of their son Kenzo and his new wife Katsuko. A mysterious man arrives in town on the day of the wedding asking after the couple, and then in the dark morning the following day, the two are found dead when the family comes running to the chaotic sound of a Koto piercing the night. Katsuko’s guardian Ginzo suspects things are not quite right and starts trying to piece together what happened. Our final book for the year begins, with the last points on the line, who walks away with the crown?

Check out Part Two and Part Three here!