Books
Crossfire

by Miyuki Miyabe
Kodansha American, February 2006, $

Junko Aoki can start a fire just by thinking about it. She is normally able to control this unusual talent, unless she gets really mad. In any case, Sergeant Chikako Ishizu, a member of the Tokyo arson squad, doesn't believe in this paranormal stuff. Still, even she admits there have been some unusual and mysterious arson deaths lately, and she's not been able to pin down the obvious suspects. The cases are very puzzling.

This genre-blending mystery is fast moving and well constructed, if slightly offbeat. Though the first few pages are somewhat reminiscent of Stephen King, the story quickly becomes a solid police procedural. There are plenty of clues, forensics, and possible motives for Sergeant Chikako to investigate. Of course, she also has to deal constantly with the ubiquitous police politics and the old boy network.

The Tokyo background is filled with lifestyle details of the rich and the not-so-rich. Miyabe especially does a good job of evoking the dark side of modern day Japan, including mob hits and vigilante groups. Both Junko and Sergeant Chikako are vividly fleshed out, and as we learn the back stories of the characters, the reader develops empathy for cops, suspects, and victims.

Though there is a hint of comic book heroism in the first few pages, this is a well written, unusual mystery. An engrossing read.

Beverly J. DeWeese

Junko Aoki can start a fire just by thinking about it. She is normally able to control this unusual talent, unless she gets really mad. In any case, Sergeant Chikako Ishizu, a member of the Tokyo arson squad, doesn't believe in this paranormal stuff. Still, even she admits there have been some unusual and mysterious arson deaths lately, and she's not been able to pin down the obvious suspects. The cases are very puzzling.

This genre-blending mystery is fast moving and well constructed, if slightly offbeat. Though the first few pages are somewhat reminiscent of Stephen King, the story quickly becomes a solid police procedural. There are plenty of clues, forensics, and possible motives for Sergeant Chikako to investigate. Of course, she also has to deal constantly with the ubiquitous police politics and the old boy network.

The Tokyo background is filled with lifestyle details of the rich and the not-so-rich. Miyabe especially does a good job of evoking the dark side of modern day Japan, including mob hits and vigilante groups. Both Junko and Sergeant Chikako are vividly fleshed out, and as we learn the back stories of the characters, the reader develops empathy for cops, suspects, and victims.

Though there is a hint of comic book heroism in the first few pages, this is a well written, unusual mystery. An engrossing read.

Super User
510

by Miyuki Miyabe
Kodansha American, February 2006, $

Miyabe
February 2006
crossfire
Kodansha American