What happens when Math helps conceal a crime and physics try to unravel it? Well, who would have thought that theorems and formulas would be the new Sherlock Holms and Poirot of 22^nd century.

The devotion of suspect X is a story of Ishigami and Yasuko, Yasuko and Togashi, Ishigami and Togashi, and there’s an Inspector Galileo.  Sounds complex? Well if it ain’t, it wouldn’t make a good mystery or say thriller that it is.

Without giving away much thrill of this story (which I believe even a non thriller loving reader would like to read), I would define the central plot as a string of event that happened when 3unlikely people cross their ways- Ishigami or Buddha, Yasuko Hanoaka and Yukawa.

A genius math student at the Imperial University Tokyo, leaves his bright academic future to support his ageing parents. A young age Judo aficionado, he now middle aged, and lonely teaches a bunch of mathematically challenged high school junior students who are more interested in motorbiking and questioning the existence of subject. Apart from teaching and part time Judo classes, his other hobbies include solving complex mathematics problems at his free time and keeping a wishful, unarming eye on his pretty single mother neighbor. His entire effort to pursue her starts and ends at buying his lunchbox from the café where she works in until one day when he rangs her door bell and choose to talk.

A not so young but pretty divorcee who leaves her job at a club to raise her school going daughter with dignity and takes up a steward job at Benten Tei, a lunch pick up joint opened by a husband wife duo and her ex colleague from nightclub. Her life was a mundane work to home and forth until one day when her estranged ex husband tracks her back and reappears in her life.

An assistant professor of Physics, also known to Tokyo Police as Inspector Galileo was often called upon to assist with difficult investigation, more often by his friend- Detective Kusanagi. And then there was a secret lover of the lady at club Marian- Kudo who suddenly shows up one day trying to woo the already smitten lady soon after the murder of her husband. Not to forget, one of the central character of the story - Shin Ohasi road.

The story is gripping and a guaranteed page turner where the mystery is already disclosed in the beginning but what makes the book most interesting is the fact that what’s next. The language is simple and mellifluous, concentrating more on the plot than ornating it with diversionary literary flowers. The translator has also done a good job while keeping the essence of Japanese culture and interest of non Japanese reader in mind.

The book is intelligent and is already a best seller in Japan (Yogisha X No Kenshin). For some reason it missed the coveted Edgar award in 2012 but nevertheless has won another prestigious Naoiki Prize for Best Seller.The book has also made in to a FILM.

The author had given quite importance to required detailing, eliminating non value added descriptions. The characters are so well etched yet unknown that you wish to see them than just read. The opening of the book where writer has conveniently set in the site which later on became important part of the story. The characters are believable and a lot of logic has thrown in to substantiate a situation. For eg-

“He had always thought of mathematics as a treasure hunt. First, one has to decide where to dig; then one has to determine the proper excavation route that led to the answer. Once you had a plan, you could make formulas to fit in, and they would give you clues. If you wound up empty handed, you have to go back to the beginning and choose another route. Only by doing this over and over, patiently, yet boldly, could you hope to find the treasure- a solution no one else had ever found”.

It definitely met my above expectations and ensured that a lazy reader like me stick to it despite my  schedule (burning the midnight lamp) and finish the review within the meager 7 days. The only thing that I disliked about the book is the length and often the monochromatic tone it goes into.  374 pages at times just settle the steam and better, if could be shorter. A great psychological thriller instead of giving away more than what you can remember makes you wanting for more…so much that you can’t wait for other book by the author. Also, the lack of depth the characters of Yasuko & Misato were given which however, was heavily compensated by Ishigami.  However, it still made for a good read and criticism comes easier than craftsmanship.

The best part of the book is its chess like setting where two masterminds, one time old batchmatess- one novice criminal and other the unofficial detective, engage in cold fight to the finish line.  Another noteworthy fact of the book is the way how in battle of wits, the unassuming Ishigami try to protect the lady by outmaneuvering and outthinking the brilliant detective who has helped solved the most difficult cases of times, unofficially. 

If you ignore the slow pace of starting few pages (deliberated to set the context), the book is like a puzzle by each page. Well, telling you more is like giving you away the content which is a strict no no. So hurry up and grab your copy today!

My Verdict:- This is a good psychological thriller and a must read. I highly recommend it and would give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 (It has made a lazy reader like me to stick n stumble through after all)

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