I consumed this one in 3 days. I've become obsessed with Detectives Kaga and Galileo, reading all of the translated mysteries featuring them this year. This mystery played out very well, given the very little information the police and the readers start with. I loved the lost family parallels and the unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated characters. I hoped for more entertaining police work rather than constant interviews, but given the case, I thought it was executed nicely. Given the title, I expected that DNA testing would play a more significant role in the case as well. Regardless, another great read from Keigo!

An unusual mystery. It took a bit to get used to the bouncing around in the perspectives, but the story came together. It had a lot of background material that made the book longer than I thought it should be. There were some twists I didn't see coming, but made the story better.

Though this was book 5 in a series, it was completely fine to read as a stand alone. I have not read the previous 4 and was able to follow the story lines.

This book was translated so it doesn’t flow as an English written book would, however the translation was very good and easy to read. There were unexpected twists and parts I had to re-read because I needed to wrap my head around the twist.

Thank you to Keigo Higashino, NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for this ARC!

"Detective Galileo, Keigo Higashino's best loved character from The Devotion of Suspect X, returns in a case where hidden history, and an impossible crime, are linked by nearly invisible threads in surprising ways.

The body of a young man is found floating in Tokyo Bay. But his death was no accident - Ryota Uetsuji was shot. He'd been reported missing the week before by his live-in girlfriend Sonoka Shimauchi, but when detectives from the Homicide Squad go to interview her, she is nowhere to be found. She's taken time off from work, clothes and effects are missing from the apartment she shared. And when the detectives learn that she was the victim of domestic abuse, they presume that she was the killer. But her alibi is airtight - she was hours away in Kyoto when Ryota disappeared, forcing Detectives Kusanagi and Utsumi to restart their investigation.

But if Sonoko didn't kill her abusive lover, then who did? A thin thread of association leads them to their old consultant, brilliant physicist Manabu Yukawa, known in the department as "Detective Galileo." With Sonoko still missing, the detectives investigate other threads of association - an eccentric artist, who was Sonoko's mother figure after her own single mother passed; and an older woman who is the owner of a hostess club. And how is Sonoko continuing to stay one step ahead of the police searching for her? It's up to Galileo to find the nearly hidden threads of history and coincidence that connect the people around the bloody murder- which, surprisingly, connect to his own traumatic past - to unravel not merely the facts of the crime but the helix that ties them all together."

And if the person you're buying a Christmas present for isn't into the cozier side of life, how about some murder? It's not the holidays without murder, in my mind...

INVISIBLE HELIX read like a perfectly serviceable mystery to me, but it didn't feel like a mind-blowing Higashino mystery (which I have, perhaps unrealistically, come to expect from the author). It did have the added bonus of addressing adoption in Japan, which interested me as a mother of an adopted Japanese child, so the social dynamics were quite interesting. While it was far from Higashino's best books, this was an entertaining read--particularly for those interested in less-discussed elements of Japanese culture.

This is the tenth volume in the Detective Galileo series, and my second. I am not familiar with the characters enough to find much significance in the surprising backstory revealed here. For longtime fans, it will probably be a shock. That said, even if I wasn’t too invested in that part, the investigation was enough to maintain my interest. It’s fascinating how the police procedures are similar to what I’m used to from American and British mysteries, but with differences that I can only assume are intrinsic to Japanese culture. This is also why I like to read international novels, to see how the characters live. In this regard, this novel delivered as well. Some concepts were maybe a little foreign to me, but it made the story different from other crime books. The plot was entertaining, if not very surprising, and the parts worked well to make everything make sense. The characters were maybe too unusual for me to relate to anyone, although the story itself was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. A different type of mystery.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books.

Invisible Helix is a captivating mystery that showcases the author's signature blend of intricate plotting and insightful character study. The novel delves into the complexities of human relationships, the weight of the past, and the destructive power of domestic abuse.
Higashino's ability to weave seemingly disparate threads into a coherent narrative is impressive. The backstory of familial bonds and the impact of trauma is particularly poignant and relatable, adding depth to the characters and elevating the story beyond a mere whodunit.
However, while the mystery is engrossing, the resolution feels somewhat contrived. While unexpected, A series of coincidences stretch credibility and weaken the story's overall impact. Additionally, the pacing, while strong in the beginning and end, tends to sag in the middle, slowing down the momentum.
The characters, though well-developed, need more emotional depth to resonate with the reader fully. While their motivations are clear, their actions often feel predictable rather than surprising. Despite these shortcomings, the writing is as beautiful as ever, with Higashino's prose drawing the reader into the story effortlessly.
Ultimately, Invisible Helix is a thought-provoking and well-crafted mystery that, while not perfect, is a testament to Higashino's skill as a storyteller. The unexpected twist at the end, though reliant on a certain degree of coincidence, is intriguing and leaves a lasting impression.

3.5/5

This latest Detective Galileo mystery by Keigo Higashino is a smart, layered story that keeps you guessing. The case twists and turns through hidden histories and intricate relationships, making for an engaging puzzle. While the pacing could be slow at times, Higashino’s complex characters and Detective Galileo's scientific approach to unraveling the truth made it a compelling read. The final connections were especially satisfying, leaving a strong impression.

Invisible Helix by Keigo Higashino is an engaging read from start to finish with a well developed plot and characters. A recommended read!

Book #10 in the series, but Book #5 to be translated into English. Strange.

Ryota Uetsuji is found floating in Tokyo Bay, shot to death. His girlfriend Sonoka Shimauchi had reported him missing, but the homicide investigators cannot find her. They discover she was the victim of domestic abuse, but Sonoka was hours away, vacationing with a girlfriend, when Ryota was shot, forcing detectives Kusanagi and Utsumi to look for other suspects. Eventually, the detectives find their way to physicist Manabu Yukawa, (a/k/a Detective Galileo, who helped them before, via his ties to a children's book author and close friend of Sonoka's deceased mother. Galileo backtracks though hidden threads of history at an orphanage and his own tragic history to identify the killer and motive.

It's an interesting story but seems farfetched to think that the helical links between the characters could occur in real life. This is the first of the Detective Galileo books I've read although I have intended to read the earlier ones. This is ok as a standalone although you need to make a few leaps to understand the history between the various characters. One of the things I am curious about is the author's depiction of the Hostess Bar atmosphere as being cutthroat. I don't disbelieve but I'd like to learn more about it.

A young man is found floating in water with a bullet wound. After he is identified, the detectives start searching for Sonoka, his girlfriend, who had reported him as missing. She has a solid alibi, but there are still suspicions since the neighbors reported stories of domestic abuse. Sonoka was last seen leaving her apartment with a suitcase. The detectives are puzzled about why she is hiding if she didn't murder him and her alibi checks out. Detective Kusanagi calls in physicist Manabu Yukawa to assist in the investigation because he is familiar with some of the people involved in the investigation, but he is reluctant to help. Just as they think they know where Sonoka is, and who she is with, she disappears again. She was obviously tipped off by someone.
This is a story filled with a web of secrets, complex and intertwined family relationships, and secret backgrounds.
I always enjoy Keigo Higashino's books. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins for the advanced copy.

Invisible Helix is the second “Detective Galileo” series that I’ve read. While it was a decent plot, I found the writing extremely dry. Given that this has been translated from the original Japanese, I’m not sure whether this is the author’s style or down to the translation. The book is all about what we will do for those we love.
A young man’s body washes up on the shore and given the gunshot in his back, it’s obvious this was a homicide. His girlfriend, who had been the one to report him missing, has gone missing. She has a solid alibi, so it’s obvious she didn’t kill him.
The name of the series is somewhat of a misnomer as Manuba Yukawa (Galileo) is not the main investigator. In fact, he’s not an investigator at all, but a physicist. It does give us a look at his family background.
This is a slow paced book and doesn’t flow well. The strength of the book is in the characters.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Invisible Helix is a Japanese mystery about a young couple. One is dead and the other disappears after reporting him missing. Kusanagi and his team have their hands full finding the truth.
It is a well written mystery with interesting characters including the lead detective. I liked the writing style

Caveat: I am biased when it comes to reviewing Keigo Higashino as I have read many of his other books. His writing style in crime solving is methodical and as odd as it may sound, his crime novels are soothing reads. Whenever I am not there myself I find reading his books help put me comfortably right back in Japan. While there are elements of surprise, they are never the "hit you over the head" or overly gruesome turn of events. Instead they are rather elegant, thoughtful and intelligent twists and turns. Invisible Helix is no different. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Invisible Helix feels like it laid everything out in the prologue, but it still got me with curveballs at the end. Higashino once again writes good detective work (official or unofficial), giving us great drama beyond the initial crime that kicked off the investigation. While this appears to be the tenth Detective Galileo book, I don't think I am missing out on anything; this was a great story contained in one volume. I should note some content warnings that are probably not spoilers because they're mentioned right in the beginning/general enough: this book has depictions of child abandonment and domestic violence.

This is a good book. Lots of mystery and suspense with tons of twists and turns the whole way through. I read this as a stand-alone book but it was book five of a series. It was still enjoyable without the extra books prior to this one but I would advise reading them!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Invisible Helix is the fifth mystery I've read by Keigo Higashino ; I particularly enjoy how he intricately weaves the many threads of this case into a clear picture. Japanese culture/custom is not something that I know very much about, so I particularly enjoy learning new things with every book. The reader has to stretch their mind a bit with these intellectual mysteries.

A floating body is the catalyst that unravels the tangled lives of several characters with twisty turns and red herrings. I enjoyhe journey and the personalities of Det. Galileo and Detective Kusanagi ,
Coming December 17th
Thank you to #NetGalley #StMarten'sPress #Minotaur.#KeigoHigashino
for sending the requested e-book to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #InvisibleHelix #NetGalley

4 stars for a cerebral murder mystery, set in present day Japan. The author's books have been bestsellers in Japan. This is book 5 in the series, and it is the only book that I have read in the series.
It worked for me as a stand alone. The translation was excellent.
There is only one murder. The investigation starts when a body is washed ashore from the sea, with one bullet wound in the head.
The police investigators:
Chief Inspector Kusanagi
Detective Inspector Kishitani
Detection Sergeant Kaoru Utsumi
The dead man is identified as Ryota Uetsuji, who has been reported as missing by Sonoka Shimauchi, his girlfriend.
The police are assisted by Professor Manabu Yukawa, a.k.a. "Detective Galileo" occasional consultant to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
There is a complicated set of circumstances that lead up to the murder, beginning with a single mother abandoning her baby anonymously to an orphanage. It is actually the Professor who solves the murder, although the police are about to arrest the murderer, before he intervenes.
I recommend it to fans of cerebral mysteries, cozy mystery fans, and translated mystery fans.
There are brief descriptions of domestic violence.
Thank You St. Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Pub Date Dec 17 2024 |

I really enjoyed this story and the translation must have been wonderful because I didn’t even notice that it was one! It was an engaging story that I really enjoyed reading. Would love to see more and translator. It was seamlessly written and the characters were engaging.