Malice: A Mystery

Written by Keigo Higashino

Narrated by Jeff Woodman

Acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka is found brutally murdered in his home on the night before he's planning to leave Japan and relocate to Vancouver. His body is found in his office, a locked room, within his locked house, by his wife and his best friend, both of whom have rock solid alibis. Or so it seems.

At the crime scene, Police Detective Kyochiro Kaga recognizes Hidaka's best friend, Osamu Nonoguchi. Years ago when they were both teachers, they were colleagues at the same public school. Kaga went on to join the police force while Nonoguchi eventually left to become a full-time writer, though with not nearly the success of his friend Hidaka.

As Kaga investigates, he eventually uncovers evidence that indicates that the two writers' relationship was very different that they claimed, that they were anything but best friends. But the question before Kaga isn't necessarily who, or how, but why. In a brilliantly realized tale of cat and mouse, the detective and the killer battle over the truth of the past and how events that led to the murder really unfolded. And if Kaga isn't able to uncover and prove why the murder was committed, then the truth may never come out.

Malice is one of the bestselling—the most acclaimed—novel in Keigo Higashino's series featuring police detective Kyochiro Kaga, one of the most popular creations of the bestselling novelist in Asia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Translator: Alexander O. Smith
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781427244321

Keigo Higashino

Born in Osaka and currently living in Tokyo, Keigo Higashino is one of the most widely known and bestselling novelists in Japan. He is the winner of the Edogawa Rampo Prize (for best mystery) and the Mystery Writers of Japan, Inc. Prize (for best mystery), among others. His novels are translated widely throughout Asia.

Reviews for Malice

[MaxSteiner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never read a murder mystery quite like this, highly recommended, up till now I've only seen the films (which are also highly recommended) but this really takes things to the next level!

[Cheryl Clough · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an excellent book. The writing is fantastic: characters well developed and entirely believable, plot very intriguing and realistic with lots of twists which keep this more than interesting. The theme has a nice comment on bullying the causes and the effects. Highly recommend. The reader was extremely talented.

[Eva Matijevic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s actually a pretty good novel once you finish it. Key thing is to finish it because some seemingly badly written parts actually make sense later.

[Bettina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best narrations I listened to so far, highly recommended. The story is fast paced and an interesting spin to the crime mystery genre.

[misspider-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ich war mächtig gespannt, was mich bei diesem japanischen Krimi erwartet. Leider konnte mich das Buch aber nicht überzeugen. Der Plot war absolut genial konstruiert, sehr verwickelt und - jedenfalls aus meiner Sicht - völlig unvorhersehbar: dafür volle Punktzahl. Der Erzählstil allerdings hat dem ganzen das Rückgrat gebrochen, denn es wollte bei mir absolut keine Spannung aufkommen, hierfür also Punktabzug. Zu nüchtern, zu leidenschaftslos, zu sachlich wurde da dokumentiert, aber leider nicht erzählt, und das war überhaupt nicht mein Fall.Dass - außer auf dem Cover - kaum Blut vergossen wurde, fand ich gar nicht schlimm, sondern erfrischend, und es hat der Geschichte auch keinen Abbruch getan. Aber leider agierten oder besser berichteten die Charaktere so blutleer, dass sie mir völlig gleichgültig waren. Das war leider überhaupt nicht meine Welt.

[Maria Bautista · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best mystery- investigation book to start with my reading goal.
Beautifully written and simple to read. I couldn't take my eyes out of it until the last page.

[rajivc_18 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a masterpiece. It is the first book starring Detective Kaga. I am waiting for the third one. The book is a "whydunit" and not a "whodunit." Detective Kaga identified the murderer early in the book and confessed. The next question was - as always - why did the murderer commit the crime? The quest for the motive takes up 80% of the book and is fascinating. Most murder mysteries focus on the chase. In the end, the detective summarizes the investigative process and a shorter one to describe the motive. Detective Kaga spent considerable energy unearthing the motive, which is complicated. This book is masterful.

[ken5me5old5mate · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this guy's books. They are slow, methodical and very Japanese. This story just unfolds and has twists and turns and a surprise ending. All the classic ingredients all in the right order baked to perfection. I really liked the detective, I think he was the main character, plodding along in the background but the force the discovers the truth.

When you read it you really are transported to another world. Like a very long haiku!

[breic-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

An interesting twist on the murder mystery, where our goal is mostly to decipher the murderer's motive. There are layers to uncover along the way. Although there is not much action, Higashino keeps the story lively with his narrative experiments. The characters are not very well explored. I also didn't find the mystery or its resolution that compelling, perhaps just because this genre of tricky mysteries isn't my favorite.

[bookbrig-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting format, made the mystery itself more engaging. I liked this enough that I think I might seek out other works by this author.

This was my "A book that takes place in Asia" entry for the Read Harder Challenge.

[arubabookwoman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nonoguchi, a children's book author, is summoned by his friend Hidaka, an author who is about to move to Canada with his new wife Rie. When he arrives, he discovers that Hidaka has been murdered. The first chapter of this book is purportedly Nonoguchi's account of how he came to discover Hidaka's body, which he states he decided to write since it was an "interesting" thing that happened in his life. Inspector Kaga, reading Nonoguch's account, immediately suspects that Nonoguchi is the murderer. The second chapter of the book is entitled "Suspicion" and is Kaga's account of why he suspects Nonoguchi. And this is why I like Higashino's mysteries so much. (I think I've now read three or four, and I would definitely consider him a new favorite). The mysteries themselves are not exotic--perhaps they are even run-of-the-mill--but each, including this one is written using inventive and unique narrative techniques. Inspector Kaga has told us almost from the outset that he considers Nonoguchi guilty, despite Nonoguchi's account having established an alibi and proclaimed his innocence. Will Kaga be able to prove his case?4 stars

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I know I'm sheltering in place, but this was a real page turner! At first it wasn't, but when the story kicked in, it really kicked in! Detective Kaga is just tenacious and crazy meticulous and observant! He keeps investigating even after he gets a confession with a motive! And that's when this book gets really, really good - after the confession! That last 80 pages or so were 5 star writing all the way! I absolutely could not put the book down during that part! And the twists and turns had me spinning! Bravo!

[texasstorm_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I live in Japan and it's fun to see the names of places I know, like Mitaka, a town not far from where I live. There are few murders in Japan, so I guess that's why we're supposed to believe a police detective would actually have time to track down all of the suspect's middle school classmates for decades-old information. I suppose we're not supposed to look too carefully into details like that, as this book falls into the "mystery genre" (like Agatha Christie) not "police detective reality." About halfway through the book, I almost laughed out loud at the ridiculous direction the plot was taking, but then I realized there was still half a book to go, and the next plot twist greatly improved the story. I ended up liking it, sorta kinda, and I can appreciate how much effort Higashino went into coming up with this puzzle of a plot. I prefer realism, but this was fun and a quick read.

[she_climber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic! My second Higashino book and this guy can write a very twisted mystery! His mind goes places that others just don't go and it takes some patience and fortitude to follow it down the rabbit hole, but you won't be disappointed if you go.

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This tale is told from two different perspectives - the detective and the suspect. Sort of a cat and mouse style.

Kaga (the detective) solves who did it and how, but what really drives him is the why. This desire to understand causes him to research not just the current relationship between the victim and the murderer, but to go further back into their childhoods. Is the current relationship really what is? Is it what has always been? Getting mixed portraits from childhood acquaintances, Kaga must put it all together to get the real picture.

Nonoguch (the suspect) presents his side at the very beginning. Convincing but yet not. He sets about giving statements, then sits and waits to see where they lead Kaga during his investigations. Both men knew and worked together years before and have a rememberance of what each was like.

The cat will catch the mouse but will the cat figure out why the mouse did what he did?

This is along the line of psychological thriller, not always my cup of tea, but I enjoyed this to the point of sitting up late hours to read until I couldn't read any more. Excellent and compelling.

[maya47bob46 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about Malice. First, I had a hard time putting it down. Second, I thought the last two sections about the past and Detective Kaga's interviews went on a little long. This is the second book I've read by this author and I actually liked it more than Suspect X. Higashino loves puzzles and this is what these two books are all about: solving the puzzle both from a physical crime and a psychological point of view. If you like that kind of book, you will enjoy this one.

[heathrel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had some trouble getting into this mystery, because the tone is so detached, but once I started again, I raced right through it. The detachedness has a purpose in the plot, which goes through many, many convolutions. Perhaps one or two more than necessary in my opinion: you think you've gotten, at last to the final version, and then a new potential version crops up. I definitely want to read another mystery by this author.

[alaynafisher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Keigo Higashino’s Malice (c. 1996; translation c. 2014), bestselling author Kunihiko Hidaka is found murdered in his home office. Detective Kaga and his colleagues quickly discover the murderer, but that’s not the point in this story. Now, with the killer in custody, they must discover the true motive behind the murder, and that turns out to be much more difficult than Detective Kaga first imagines. This mystery was very original and enjoyable, almost unputdownable. It is not particularly suspense-driven, but is instead a compelling psychological puzzle. Higashino crafts a very intricate plot full of perfect details and side stories that all fit together in the end. Additionally, the way he structures the novel, with alternating perspectives and various styles, keeps the novel very interesting and fresh. Unfortunately, this is the only Detective Kaga novel that has been translated into English. I’ll definitely pick up the next installment as soon as it’s available.

[cainebooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding. Higashino truly understands what malice is, something which I think evades many people.

[amberlouichu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel so lucky that I won this book through Goodreads First Reads!!I just... what just happened?!I'm still in a state of shock and my mind is all over the walls and ceiling because of the ultimate mind-blowingness that resulted in reading this book!Extremely clever and thoroughly planned out to keep you guessing, and double-guessing, triple-guessing and so on. Really gripping read that I really enjoyed. Was a change of scene for me but so glad I chose to take the leap!Malice is a murder mystery novel but nothing like you would be expecting to step into. Instead of the usual who-dunnit, it's an extremely creative maze of twists and turns to find out the motive behind the murder. It has you going back to read pages because you must have missed a huge giveaway before that's how intelligent this book is.It's a fairly simplistic writing style having been translated from Japanese but I believe that if it was any more complicated, the book would have been unbearably overwhelming. It has the perfect balance.People have said to battle through the middle but I didn't really understand what there was to battle through because there was still so many unanswered questions that I just had to keep reading.Seriously amazing and soul sucking book that is indeed dripping with malice.Probably more of a 4.5 but because of the state of shock I'm in after just finishing it, I'm giving it a 5 star. Brilliant, genius and obsessive.

[ozzer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Malice is a well-paced mystery with an intricate plot. The format is unusual in that the actual murderer is revealed early and the remainder of the novel consists of follow-up investigations involving interrogations and reports by the detective, Kaga. The approach is refreshing but presents with some problems since Kaga seems to be unnecessarily obsessed with discovering the motive and method of the crime, while most cops would just be happy to have a confession. The complexity of the plot also strains credulity. This clearly is not a crime of passion, but instead is planned with almost unbelievable complexity and detail designed to throw of any investigation. Despite these technical problems, Higashino maintains a high level of suspense throughout, succeeds in engaging the reader and provides a solution that is totally satisfying.

[melaniehope · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had never read any of the other books by this author. I enjoy mysteries and was eager to read my first Japanese mystery. This author has a very clever style of writing. Very early on, the readers discover who the murderer is, but then begins a story of different versions of the reasoning behind the murder. Our detective must then carefully decide which version is the real motive and why. Each chapter is also told from the detective or the suspect. They also are told from different points in the characters lives. The events of their past are important parts in discovering the why of the crime.Very well-written. I would love to read more from this author and hope that all his stories can be translated into English.

[vnesting-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Detective Kaga is investigating the murder of best-selling author Kunihiko Hidaka. Both Hidaka's wife and best friend have rock-solid alibis, but as Kaga investigates he discovers that the friendship might not have been what it seemed. A classic cat and mouse game, with twists that keep the pages turning.

[phoenixterran · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ever since reading The Devotion of Suspect X I have steadily been devouring Keigo Higashino's other novels available in English. I really enjoy his style of clever and unusual mysteries. I was thrilled to learn that Malice would be the next of his works to be translated. Technically, Malice is the fourth novel in Higashino's series of books featuring Detective Kyoichiro Kaga. However, in English, it is the first volume of that particular series to be released. (Before Malice only select Detective Galileo novels and Himitsu, published in English as Naoko, had been translated.) But, as with many mystery series, it is not necessary to have read every volume in order to make sense of each installment; Malice holds up very well as its own work. Malice was originally published in Japan in 1996 while the English translation by Alexander O. Smith and Elye Alexander was released by the Minotaur Books imprint of St. Martin's Press In 2014. When offered an early copy of the novel for review, I leapt at the chance to read it.Kunihiko Hidaka is a best-selling, award-winning novelist who, soon before he moves from Japan to Canada, is murdered in his home. His body is found in his office behind a door locked from the inside. The house, too, is locked. Only three people are known to have seen Hidaka before his death: Rie Hidaka, his second wife; Osamu Nonoguchi, his friend and fellow author; and Miyako Fujio, the sister of a man who was vilified in one of Hidaka's novels. All three have alibis and their motives, if they even exist, are unclear at best. Kyoichiro Kaga is one of the police detectives assigned to the investigation of Hidaka's murder. It just so happens that he knows Nonoguchi. The two men used to be teachers at the same middle school before Kaga left to join the police force and Nonoguchi left to write full-time. Kaga's intuition and his previous acquaintance with Nonoguchi correctly leads him to believe that something isn't quite right with the other man's story. Digging deeper he discovers that Nonoguchi and Hidaka's relationship was much more complicated than it first appeared.Higashino takes a different approach in each work, but much like the two Detective Galileo novels in English--The Devotion of Suspect X and Salvation of a Saint--who the murderer is in Malice becomes quite clear early on in the work. It doesn't take very long at all for Nonoguchi to confess. The real mystery is the reason behind Hidaka's murder and Nonoguchi's motives. The confession is really all that the police department needs to close the case, but human curiosity demands to know the reasons why. To some extent, Nonoguchi is counting on this; he needs Kaga to investigate. Nonoguchi leads and misleads the detectives in order to create the narrative that he wants the world to believe about Hidaka and his murder. Malice is extraordinarily clever. Nonoguchi's novelist mindset enables him to manipulate others in ways that are unexpected and yet completely reasonable. As an author he is quite skilled in creating fictions that people are willing to believe and knows how to play into their expectations.As a whole, Malice is an extremely engaging mystery, but one of the most interesting and intriguing things about the novel is its structure. I've never come across something quite like it before. Some of the chapters are told by Nonoguchi, essentially forming a novel within a novel, while other chapters are devoted to Kaga's notes on his investigation as well as the interviews he conducts as a part of it. Nonoguchi is an inherently unreliable narrator, freely mixing select facts into the fiction of his written account. Kaga's task is to tease the truth out of Nonoguchi's writing. Kaga is working with the same material that is presented to the readers of Malice; it is fascinating to see his thought processes and theories develop in response to the information that Nonoguchi is deliberately providing him. I've come to expect smart and clever writing from Higashino and I was not at all disappointed with Malice. I hope to see even more of his work translated, and perhaps even more stories featuring Kyoichiro Kaga, in the future.Experiments in Manga

[charl08-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book but it's difficult to review without plot spoilers! The author makes clever use of narrative from the perspective of a friend of the deceased, the police officer investigating, and ultimately the murderer. Discussion of pervasive bullying at school and how it can continue into adulthood, affecting teachers as well as pupils, is woven into the crime narrative. Recommended, especially if you are a fan of crime in translation.