I have tried all the books in this series and it just isn't for me. I found it a bit tedious and not thrilling or mysterious.

In the final book of Kyoichiro Kaga's saga, we learn a decade earlier his mother passed away after leaving him and his father when he was a youth. The complicated feelings Kaga has around why his mother left them, a lot of the blame being placed on his father for how much time he'd spend working, is relatable to those who have had difficult relationships with their parents. This also explains a thing or two that happened in the prior book surrounding his father's passing that left me sitting there, processing what I learned.

Onto the case; the body of a woman is a very well-liked person was found in an apartment that is not her own whose circumstances seem vaguely familiar to that of how Kaga's mother was found years earlier. Only this time it was obviously a homicide, that may or may not have the connection to a0 rising director. As usual Kaga is quick to observe, thinking over details that are meaningless to everyone else, to find the pieces. And perhaps find a sense of healing along the way.

So much of this book focuses on, parents are people too but that also doesn't stop them from deeply affecting their children with their actions. And there's not enough of that in books these days; the acknowledgement of how both can co-exist and be true. This last book gave me more insight into Kaga as a person, tugging on my heart here and there. My love for this series fills me with such joy, I wish that the other books that haven't been translated were as I think many of the readers of these four would want them just as badly. So, whoever is reading this from Minotaur Books, please consider seeing if you can strike a deal with Keigo Higashino about translating the other 6 books.

"The Final Curtain" delivers another gripping mystery from Keigo Higashino, weaving together a present-day murder investigation with the haunting mystery of Detective Kaga's own past. As Kaga delves into the enigmatic case of Michiko Oshitani's death, parallels emerge that lead him closer to uncovering the truth about his long-lost mother. With masterful storytelling and unexpected twists, Higashino keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation. A compelling and satisfying conclusion to the Detective Kaga series, "The Final Curtain" showcases Higashino's skill at crafting intricate and immersive mysteries.

I did not love this one as much as I did the others in the series. Not sure why. I do love a police procedural that varies from the typical white male lead character and the setting of these is very interesting. Something about this particular mystery just didn't work for me at the time,

A decade ago, Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga went to collect the ashes of his recently deceased mother. Years before, she ran away from her husband and son without explanation or any further contact, only to die alone in an apartment far away, leaving her estranged son with many unanswered questions. Now in Tokyo, Michiko Oshitani is found dead many miles from home. Strangled to death, left in the bare apartment rented under a false name by a man who has disappeared without a trace. Oshitani lived far away in Sendai, with no known connection to Tokyo - and neither her family nor friends have any idea why she would have gone there. Hers is the second strangulation death in that approximate area of Tokyo - the other was a homeless man, killed and his body burned in a tent by the river. As the police search through Oshitani's past for any clue that might shed some light, one of the detectives reaches out to Detective Kaga for advice. As the case unfolds, an unexpected connective emerges between the murder (or murders) now and the long-ago case of Detective Kaga's missing mother. This is gripping series and I found that I could not put this down once I started. I like this writers style and the mystery plays out differently than most mystery novels. I recommend you read the other two books in this series first as there is some important backstory needed.

I flew through this one at a tremendous pace. What I like about Higashino's stories is that they are mostly not traditional "who-dun-its" where the whole point is to figure out who committed the crime (usually murder), but are more focused on the clues gathered, leads followed, and motivations for committing the crimes. Everything does not fall into place magically at the end; the conclusion is the result of the police characters methodically tracking down the evidence and questioning people involved, putting the clues together, and coming to a conclusion. There is very little gore or violence, but the tension is palpable and the reader is kept guessing until the end.

In Keigo Higashino's "The Final Curtain," Detective Kyoichiro Kaga of the Nihonbashi Precinct is summoned to Tokyo after the discovery of Michiko Oshitani's strangled body in Mutsuo Koshikawa's apartment sets off a chain of events that unravels a web of deceit and murder.

As Detective Shuhei Matsumiya and his team race to uncover the truth, they are confronted with a perplexing mystery: the murder of a homeless man bearing striking similarities to Michiko's death. With no clear suspect in sight, Matsumiya enlists the help of his cousin, Kaga, in a relentless pursuit of justice. As Kaga and Matsumiya delve deeper into the case, they encounter a series of cryptic clues, including a list of 12 Tokyo bridges tied to specific months. With ties to their own past and connections to actress Hiromi Kadokura and homeroom teacher Seizo Naemura, the investigation takes a sinister turn, revealing layers of deception and hidden motives.

In this intricate and multi-layered puzzle, the true identity of the killer emerges as just one of many surprises. Rooted in a complex tapestry of masquerades and hidden agendas, the case challenges Kaga and Matsumiya to unravel the twisted threads of truth before it's too late. "The Final Curtain" is an engrossing thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end, "The Tokyo Puzzle" is a testament to the intricate craftsmanship of its author.

I unfortunately didn't read the previous books in this series before reading this one. While I did enjoy the book, I think not knowing the previous books did take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

I enjoyed Detective Kyoichio Kaga and how he seeks out the truth and the similarities between his mother's death and a woman named Michiko Oshitani found dead in an apartment rented under a fake name. I liked the details and the initial complexity of the plot. The many characters could get confusing.

I am a fan of police procedurals in general and I really liked reading about Japanese culture. The translation sometimes read a bit stilted to me at first, but it didn't stop me from understanding the story.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur for this eARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"The Final Curtain: A Mystery" by Keigo Higashino is a compelling addition to the Detective Kaga series, showcasing Higashino's prowess in weaving intricate mysteries that delve deep into the human psyche.

The novel opens with a haunting prologue, setting the stage for a story that is as much about solving a crime as it is about unraveling the complex threads of family and loss. Detective Kyoichiro Kaga, a character that has become synonymous with sharp intuition and meticulous investigation, is faced with a case that hits close to home—the mysterious death of Michiko Oshitani, found strangled in Tokyo, far from her home in Sendai.

As Kaga delves into the investigation, he is forced to confront his own past, the disappearance and death of his mother, which has remained a shadow over his life. The narrative masterfully intertwines the present murder with the decades-old mystery of his mother's fate, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue.

Higashino's narrative is a slow burn, where each chapter meticulously adds layers to the characters and the plot. The prose is crisp and evocative, transporting the reader to the bustling streets of Tokyo and the quiet desperation that lies beneath its surface. The author's attention to detail is impeccable, crafting scenes that are vivid and characters that are deeply flawed yet relatable.

The resolution of the mystery is a testament to Higashino's skill as a storyteller. The final revelations are both surprising and satisfying, providing closure to the tangled web of events that have spanned years. The emotional depth of the novel is its strongest suit, with the final chapters leaving a lingering impact on the reader.

"The Final Curtain" is a must-read for fans of the genre. It is a novel that not only provides a cleverly constructed mystery but also offers a profound exploration of the themes of family, identity, and the enduring impact of the past.

I love Keigo Higashino and will read anything he writes. These are just such interesting and smart mysteries, and I love a book in translation. Bravo, I cannot wait to read another!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Part of a series, I haven't read any others in the series, and it seems to read okay as a standalone. Translated, and a few of the sentences read a little awkwardly. I felt it was more of a drama than a mystery.

In book 4 of the Kyoichio Kaga mysteries, The Final Curtain. We learn more about Detective Kaga’s private life. It seems at the age of 12 his mom left feeling she had failed him as well as his father and went to live in a small prefix and work as a bar made where she was very popular and even started seeing a man named Mr. Watabe, but according to the bar owner who she worked for for 15 years Eurico seemed scared of something but wouldn’t say and when she started getting sick she was thought so fondly of the boss gave her time off and even went to check on her and bring food until the day she arrived to see her friend and found Euriko dead on the kitchen floor. Thanks to a friend of the club owner he found detective Kaga’s information and this is how her stuff was returned to him including her ashes. A few months later he gets involved in the case where yet another woman is found in Tokyo she was from a smaller prefix outside of the big city and only said she was going to do something special that weekend but she would never return and be found dead. This case will lead the detective to the theater where he will find an old friend an even a bigger mystery that involves an anonymous woman a dead homeless man and so many twist you will not know if the culprit is the culprit. Can I just say I love inspector Matsumoto he has such a great demeanor and although I do love detective Kaga I just think there was something special about Inspector Matsumiya. I enjoyed this mystery so much I’ve already downloaded the first one malice it cannot wait to read it this book goes in so many directions you don’t know what is part of the case what is another case but the way the author writes you always know what’s happening. I really really enjoyed this book it was a definite five star read and one I highly recommend. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

My first experience reading a book from Keigo Higashino has been excellent. The characters are varied and well drawn; the plot is complex and works its way out in the present and the past. Kaga himself is both police investigator and concerned individual with a very personal interest in the case. The immediate death is that of an unknown person found in the apartment of an apparently missing man in Tokyo. Once this body is identified, any clarity almost immediately disappears. For this person was not supposed to be in Tokyo, but to have returned home days before. Only the first of many questions. The first death in what will be a long chain.

There is a large cast of characters: multiple police officers actively involved in the case; a wide-ranging investigation questioning people in various locations around Japan. Some names will begin to stand out due to frequency and character traits.

I have been enjoying Japanese mysteries/procedurals for a while and this series reads very well and I will look for more. Higashino can construct quite a plot. I recommend him to other mystery readers.

While this is part of the Kyoichiro Kaga series, it is very readable as a standalone novel.

Thank you to the Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This review is my own.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Keigo Higashino

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

3.75 - the fourth and likely final installment in the translated Kaga series (I wish we’d get more of the earlier books). I had really high hopes going in as I really enjoyed the first three books, however this was probably my least favorite in the series. Still good, still worth the read in my opinion, but despite the number of characters, victims, suspects, and factors involved it was easier to see where this mystery was heading than the previous books.

It was also darker/more violent in some ways and I’d like to add a warning for a single instance of attempted CSA.

Although the mystery is complex and investigation free ranging captivating other readers, I found the translation stilted and simplistic in a clumsy way. The organization of the plot contributed to the malaise jumping time periods and points of view which I personally find maddening enough even when clearly divulged in chapter headings. Still there’s enough insights and complexity to please an admirer of Hercule Poirot and other readers will adore this final volume in a series.

In this fourth iinstallment in the series, Detective Kaga and the Tokyo investigative team find themselves pursuing the connections between the death of Kaga"s mother and another similar death. The cast of characters and their back stories are beautifully developed in this intelligent police procedural. This is the second book I have read by this author and I find his writing and the Japan setting to be captivating. The ending is steller.

Does Keigo Higashino finally have a creative burnout?

His latest in the Detective Kaga series is a nuts and bolts police procedural limiting the exploration of the human psyche, the crime, and expectant melodrama to a bare minimum. Though Higashino keeps the suspense interesting enough to turn the page, peeling off the layers one by one, making the reader go through each and every step that the police force takes towards the criminal/s, the big reveal can be guessed by the middle of it all, and the story loses its punch by the third act. Indeed, the comeuppance (ending) of the main criminal/s is underwhelming and does not make sense. Holding great promise, ’The Final Curtain’ is ultimately a bit of a letdown. Hence the question: has Higashino finally run out of ideas?

The book opens intriguingly enough: a bar owner hires a 36 year old woman who dies of natural causes 16 years later. That woman is revealed as Kaga’s long-lost mother. Ten years after her death, a murdered woman is discovered in a slum-like building. How is it all connected to Kaga?

As always, Higashino gives a snapshot of ordinary Japan, people dealing with extraordinary circumstances, reacting to unusual customs, jobs, natural calamities, debts and wayward relationships. A Higashino mystery is as much an act of peeling off the layers of the Japanese soul as it is of figuring out who did what and why. This time around however, I wish there was more of the soul and less of the police procedural.

Kaga’s father is a famous detective who married a hostess Yuriko Tajima but never had time for his wife and son. Tajima is left to deal with his rude family, her ill mother, a mischievous son and an absent husband all alone. The pressure gets to her, depression takes over, with feelings of failure and uselessness, she leaves both to live a secluded life in a ramshackle apartment as a hostess in Yasuyo Miyamoto’s small bar in a small town (Sendai).

Here she meets and starts a discreet relationship with Shunichi Watabe, a mysterious out-of-towner. (I wish something had been written from her and Watabe’s perspective as well but readers only have to contend themselves with a letter that Watabe leaves for Kaga detailing his mother’s feelings towards abandoning him).

After her death, Watabe disappears. So do a few other men: a nuclear plant worker called Kazutoshi Yokoyama, renter Matsuyo Koshikawa, teacher Seizo Neimura, and last but not least, a store owner named Tadao Asai who is the father of a local theatre actress / producer Hiromi Asai/Kadukora.

Hiromi takes centre stage and it is the actions, misfortunes and sheer bad luck of her father Tadao as well as her own, that snowball into a series of coincidences that are nothing more than inevitabilties, as noted by Kaga.

Spoiler 1: Hiromi’s fickle and shallow mother Atsuko is miserable being the wife of a small-town quiet shopkeeper living in a rented house in Shiga prefecture. She starts having affairs, graduating to running off with jewelry, Tadao’s life savings and investments. She also leaves him with debts to pay. When vicious collectors come calling (with a mind to take away 14 year old Hiromi if dad can’t pay), father and daughter make a run of it in the dead of night to escape them. These two are essentially good people who end up making bad choices in a decades-long lonesome journey.

Spoiler 2: Tadao Asai lived under false identities, he was Watabe, Yokoyama, and Koshikawa, keeping his head low and not making waves anywhere. He killed Neimura, Oshitani

Spoiler 3: Personally I thought it was illogical and ridiculous for Higashino to suggest that Tadao would ‘burn’ himself near a canal under a blue tarpaulin because he was tried to running and hiding and knew the jig was up. It’s weird how burning-flame-suicides are glamorised in fiction. Getting burnt alive is no cake walk. He would’ve made a lot of noise being roasted alive and for a quiet man to think of going in such a brutal way did not make sense to me - to top it all of, Higashino then contrived to have his daughter Hiromi strangle him under the tarpaulin to make his death pain-free!!! It’s all supposed to be a reenactment of ‘Love Suicides at Sonezaki: A Reimagining’, Hiromi’s successful production. This entire sequence was so contrived and unnecessary and made zero sense!

Spoiler 4: Even the attempt to connect ‘Love Suicides’ with Hiromi and Tadao was contrived.

Spoiler 5: No ‘Gotcha!’ Moment: It would’ve been better if Tadao had been caught alive sitting on one side of the bridge while looking at Hiromi from the other side. Since he was one of the central characters of the mystery, his being dead before the start of the first act didn’t leave much for the climax.

Spoiler 6: Re-reading the book, the paragraph where reader is first introduced to Hiromi, (para 1, page 45 of 289), has so many easter eggs (she is crying at the end of the play, Love Suicides that she directed, where two love birds commit joint suicide to show their innocence in financial fraud, and the big reveal is that they were not so innocent after all).

Spoiler 7: And the attempt to create a love connection for Kaga - in the form of a hospice-care nurse Tokiko Kanamori - is also contrived.

Memorable Quotes:

“There’s no such thing as a chance meeting.” (page 229 of 289)

Memorable Idea:

Twelve Bridges of Nihonbashi district.

[Tadao had come up with idea.
“These days, cell phones don’t cost much at all. With cell phones, the two of us can talk at a distance. Provided I can see your face, that’s close enough for me. We could stand on the opposite banks of a river or canal. No one looking at us would ever know that we were talking to one another.”
It was difficult to specify a random point along a riverbank, so they decided that bridges would be best. There was, however, a risk of being noticed if they met at the same one every month.
That was when they came up with the idea of the twelve bridges in the Nihonbashi district. Nihonbashi was home to the Meijiza, the theater where Hiromi had first performed. The district meant a lot to her.Hiromi went and bought a couple of cell phones, one of which she mailed to Tadao. The next time they saw one another it was from opposite ends of Edobashi Bridge. It was in August and Edobashi Bridge was the designated bridge for that month.
“How’re you doing, Dad?” Hiromi said, speaking into her cell phone and gazing at the far side of the river.
“I’m doing okay, love.” Tadao raised his hand and gave her a little wave.]

Many thanks to both the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Final Curtain, by Keigo Higashino.

The book starts off with a woman named Michiko Oshitani found dead many miles from home. She's been strangled and left in an empty apartment that's not hers and has been rented under a false name. This kicks things off.
Overall, I found the writing good, but I did spend a lot of time feeling lost/confused. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, with names I couldn't remember every time. Also, on top of that, I found that the book bounced around to different timelines and different points of view. It also wasn't fully clear of when the timeline had changed, so I was often wondering if it was a new murder or revisiting of an old one.
The main character, Kaga who is the detective is likeable. I'm thinking some dialogue/explanations may have gotten a bit lost in translation from Japanese to English, but it was still a decent read.

For me this story started off well, then it felt slow in the middle of it and towards the end picked back up with trying to solve the murders. It was interesting to read and see different aspects of the culture and their beliefs on mental health. I would give it 3.5 stars overall just because there were parts that felt slower.