Tokyo Express is a puzzling crime novel revolving around the story of a man and woman on Kashi Beach. However, what seemed like a love suicide turns into a mystery and a well-plotted murder case. The detectives and crime branches on the scene were surprised to solve the never-ending planning of the culprits. Finally, when the people were caught, the case took a turn that no one saw coming.
Seicho Matsumoto is often called the Agatha Christie of Japanese literature, comprising crime fiction and detective mysteries. Again, in Tokyo Express, Matsumoto’s imagination and deep thinking take the story to a new level of suspense. Even in the end, the reader speculates the story as the technical details of the book demand excellent concentration and thinking.
What Makes Tokyo Express By Seicho Matsumoto A Great Read?
Only a few books/novels can present many details to the reader and deliver upon every facet. And even though Tokyo Express lacks on some fronts, it is an excellent read for crime fiction fans. On top of that, it’s not lengthy like some of the other books, which makes it a quick read for enthusiastic readers. Again, its short length makes it easy to grasp and makes the story more appealing and enthralling.
Plot And Details In Tokyo Express By Seicho Matsumoto
The author briefly details every account of action that he does and thinks with several characters. And as the story progresses, the plot has ups and downs, making it more thrilling. It’s like the battle of two consciences; one is the detective, while the other is the culprit. The voice of reason and investigation is a detective named Mihara, who’s working on the case wholeheartedly. Along with his peers, he was always so close to solving the issue but lacked at the end time.
Technical Details Of The Book
Now, this might not be very reassuring for most readers, but the whole plot of the novel depends on the technical details like train timings. It’s essential for the story because these train timings explain how the murder took place. Not only that, things like this give a sense of idea about the working of an investigation by the professionals. So, it can be bothering but a necessary evil for the plot.
Perception Is Not True Every Time
The novel’s central theme resides in the fact that perception can be deceiving, and whatever we see can be misinterpreted by anyone. That’s why when two people lay side by side on a beach with cyanide in their bodies, one can easily believe it was a love suicide. However, the book proved that it’s not the ultimate reality. On several occasions in the book, such things occurred where people misinterpreted the typical scenes for their base assertion of the events.
Ending Is Not Satisfying!
Well, the end of the book is excellent, but it’s not satisfying—not for us but also the protagonist. It’s like solving a case, but no one was there to know that the issue was solved. In the end, justice is something in the heart of every nobleman, and if it’s not served, our whole life seems pointless. When two innocent people were killed, and their murderers were free even in death, the investigative efforts seemed a waste of time.
That happened in the book, and although the story delivers every fundamental aspect of the crime novel, the end seems without justice. However, plot-wise, it’s not bad, as it makes you feel more for the characters and signifies life’s reality.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo Express is a captivating crime novel by Seicho Matsumoto, focusing on a man and woman on Kashi Beach who are caught in a murder case. The story follows the detectives and crime branches who are surprised to solve the issue, leading to a twist that no one expected.
The novel’s technical details, such as train timings, add depth to the story. However, the central theme of perception is that perception can be deceiving, and the end may not be satisfying for the protagonist. Despite this, the story remains engaging and enthralling for readers.
Frequently Ask Questions
When was Tokyo Express written?
Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto was written in 1958.
How many murders were there in Tokyo Express?
There were two murderers in Tokyo Express.
Is Tokyo Express based on real life?
No, Tokyo Express is crime fiction.
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