The Devil’s Flute Murders

By: Seishi Yokomizo

Narrated by: Akira Matsumoto

Amid the rubble of post-war Tokyo, inside the grand Tsubaki house, a once-noble family is in mourning.

The old viscount Tsubaki – a brooding, troubled composer – has been found dead.

When the family gather for a divination to conjure the spirit of their departed patriarch, death visits the house once more, and the brilliant Kosuke Kindaichi is called in to investigate.

But before he can get to the truth, Kindaichi must uncover the Tsubakis' most disturbing secrets, while the gruesome murders continue ...

©1973 Seishi Yokomizo (P)2024 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'Yokomizo at his absolute best … From the ominous opening through the brilliant final reveal, [he] ably blends suspense and fair-play detection … A classic of the genre.' (Publishers Weekly)

Another Japanese Detective Classic

I really like this series. I can see why it's so famous in Japan. I look forward to listening to all of them as they are translated for a new audience to appreciate.

Fine Reading of a Fine Mystery

Scruffy Kindaichi is a great character. Japan's dark post-war period is a fascinating setting. Japan lost what it was and had a completely uncertain future. The narrator does a great job bringing the voices of the many characters to life. I already have the next book of this series in my listening queue.

Writing, enjoyable overall

So refreshing to have a detailed, fictional,interesting story. No agenda pushing that seems requisite for American publishers these days on their books as products on what they think is edgy, a hot topic, etc. I liked the cultural references and will read more.

how boring and nasty some cultures are

if you are not a fan of incest and can't be bias on the culture of this please don't even begin it. I couldn't understand the names in the book so I figured I'd do the audio book and follow along, I'm glad I did. if not I never would have finished this long winded boring nasty book. No true explicit scenes but just cannot get down with brothers and sister and aunts just hooking up and having babies and people saying it's not uncommon. the devil plays his flute indeed.

Suspenseful and Fast-Paced

This is my first Kindaichi story. He is no Holmes, but he makes up for it in personality. Interesting from beginning to end and the narrator gives excellent Japanese pronunciation to the accents and names.

Classic Locked Room Whodunnit

Very entertaining and quick read. This is a classic locked room whodunnit and for me stood out because I learned so much about this period in Japan, the behaviors and social mores of the time. Quite fascinating.

Renewed Love of Mysteries

The author does an amazing job twisting and unwinding the mystery of this novel. The narration helps to guide and frame the setting. Excited for more English translations to be published.

Boring and confusing

Author introduced so many characters I was lost most of the time. I needed to write down characters to have any chance of remembering who’s who.