Blue Light Yokohama by Nicolás Obregón

The Synopsis

Inspired by a real-life murder Blue Light Yokohama is set among Tokyo's glitteringly busy streets, where a family of four were killed in their own home. The first detective died trying to solve it. Now it is up to Inspector Iwata to unravel the truth . . .
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Recently transferred to Tokyo's homicide department, Inspector Kosuke Iwata is assigned a new partner and a secondhand case - a family of four murdered in their own home by a killer who painted a hideous black sun on the bedroom ceiling before leaving in broad daylight. The original investigator was said to have killed himself by leaping from the city's famous rainbow bridge.
Iwata and his partner Sakai must track a murderer he's sure is only just getting started. Impeded by corrupt fellow officers and haunted by a past he can't escape, Iwata knows time is running out. Before he's taken off the case, or, far worse, the killer strikes again.
Because Iwata doesn't know exactly what the symbol means, but he knows what the killer is trying to say: I am here. I am not finished.

My Review

Blue Light Yokohama is the first in the Inspector Iwata series and already it's off to an outstanding start with this dark and masterfully written first instalment.
The book is set in Japan which is really brought to life through vivid, vibrant descriptions of Tokyo and the well-developed, complex characters. The descriptions of the murders are graphic, but I think that this is to be expected and adds to the intensity of the plot. The fact that it's inspired by real life murders makes it all the more harrowing and the details like the black sun and the song are haunting and macabre.
While the plot may not be fast-paced, it takes you on a journey which is completely worth it once everything comes together and all of the twists and turns and small details click into place at the end.
Overall, I'm giving Blue Light Yokohama 4 out of 5! It's engrossing, haunting and vividly described. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this series develops and I can't wait for the next book!

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This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

British born of a Spanish father and a French mother, Nicolás Obregón grew up between London and Madrid. As a travel writer, Nicolás has had an extensive experience of Japan, but the beginning of his fascination with the country came from watching Japanese cartoons as a young boy. The inspiration for Blue Light Yokohamais easy to mark. During his first trip to Japan, Nicolás came across an article about a real-life crime which was to haunt him. Sixteen years after this atrocity, the case remains unsolved. Nicolás Obregón is a graduate of the acclaimed Birkbeck Creative Writing Masters course and a former bookseller for Waterstones.