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The Kamogawa Food Detectives  By  cover art

The Kamogawa Food Detectives

By: Hisashi Kashiwai, Jesse Kirkwood - translator
Narrated by: Hanako Footman
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Publisher's summary

The Kamogawa Food Detectives is the first book in the bestselling, mouth-watering Japanese series, for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

What’s the one dish you’d do anything to taste just one more time?

Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner serves up deliciously extravagant meals. But that's not the main reason customers stop by . . .

The father-daughter duo are 'food detectives'. Through ingenious investigations, they are able to recreate dishes from a person’s treasured memories—dishes that may well hold the keys to their forgotten past and future happiness. The restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to vanished moments, creating a present full of possibility.

A bestseller in Japan, The Kamogawa Food Detectives is a celebration of good company and the power of a delicious meal.

©2024 Hisashi Kashiwai and Jesse Kirkwood (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Kashiwai’s unique blend of seasonings is more than enough to transform each into a five-star-worthy dish. . . [A] warm memory blanket of nostalgia. Readers [will] eagerly devour each morsel of this miso soup for the soul. . . A nourishing collection of bite-sized stories with a hearty dash of savory flavor.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Affecting. . . With overwhelming emotional resonance [. . .], Nagare satisfies toothsome dreams.”—Booklist

The Kamogawa Food Detectives is an absolute joy; hilarious, emotional, and entirely delicious. Hisashi Kashiwai's tales of love lost, found, grown older and reborn are both striking and comforting—truly one of a kind. Delectable and delightful.”—Bryan Washington, author of Family Meal

What listeners say about The Kamogawa Food Detectives

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Beautiful story

Great story and wonderful narration! Can't wait for the next book from this author ☺️

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A different type of mystery book

if you are looking for a dish from your childhood, or past event, and are hoping to taste it "just once more" you need to contact the Kamogawa food detectives. but more than just recreating some version of the dish, Nagare (a retired detective) and his daughter track down everything from the ingredients used at that time in that region to walking the clients through memories of why this dish is so memorable. This book - with it's stories within a story - will bring you to tears at some of their memories or smiles from other patrons (and that cat). I cannot wait for the next one to come out.

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No drama but interesting about what customers crave from their pasts

hmm. Narrator has an english accent and british pronunciations of many words , and this is supposedly a Japanese story. But accurate as to accents and specific locations. Chapter stories kept me wondering "so what" as there was very little detective information revealed. No mysteries for me to ponder at any time. so my assessment is "boring."

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Combines two of my favorite things

Blends some of my favorite things into one: Sherlock Holmes-style detective fiction, and Japanese culture. The imagery of the food will leave your mouth watering, so be aware of that beforehand!

Something unexpected about the narration, was that she speaks in a British accent. Not a criticism but I got used to it after a chapter or two.

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A Beautiful Love Letter

This is a wonderful set of vignettes that transport you. You see, hear, smell, feel, taste, and experience everything through the beautifully written images. It paints a magical journey.

I wish they would create a cookbook from all these wonderful recipes!

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cute & cozy

This is a sweet collection of short stories revolving around personal history and culinary experience. I smiled.

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Lovely stories!

I love all the stories which are well written and narrated. Looking forward to the next part.

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Beyond Cozy and Fun!

Absolutely loved this book! It’s a very lighthearted and cozy collection of stories that meshes sensory nostalgia, Japanese cuisine and culture, and Poirot style detective work beautifully. Definitely give it a read if you’re foodie or if you enjoy seeing food in Ghibli films or in anime series like Delicious in Dungeon or Restaurant to Another World!

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