The Ishimura Cases: Nights of the Yōkai

His first case took him into supernatural territory...

In a 1989 Japan plagued by crime, Junji Ishimura faces his first case as a detective after some gang members were forced to report aggressive encounters with a strange being, described as a Yōkai. In his quest to catch the suspect, the testimonies of three women will give him insight into the powers and nature of what he really faces, reaching an impact even in his private life-tainted by a tragedy that haunts him.

Loyal to the style of a noir story, The Ishimura Cases: Nights of the Yōkai succeeds in blending investigative, supernatural and cultural elements, without leaving aside the emotional essence that characterizes the genre. Likewise, the rich understanding of the folklore of two cultures, along with the multiple voices used throughout the narrative, lends a unique distinction to this short novel, in which all the characters feel alive and relatable.

(This title is also included in Anthology of Tragedies, Fame and Tears)