Frank
Hello, this is Frank.
This is my personal review of “Wristwatch” by Masaki Kojima, included in the anthology “Mystery All-Stars” (Edited by the Honkaku Mystery Writers Club, published by Kadokawa Bunko).
To get straight to the point—I felt it needed one more twist. Here’s why: the line, “I was utterly fascinated by the <XXX> peeking out from under Kieko’s right hand,” appears early on. Given that it directly matches the book’s title, I couldn’t help but think, “You’re revealing that now?”
If it were up to me, I would have titled the book “Serendip”. In the scene where the culprit speaks after the robbery, I wouldn’t reveal the <XXX> outright—instead, I’d have him mutter, “It’s a Serendip, isn’t it?” Even if the reader doesn’t know the meaning yet, they’d realize the culprit took something from the leftover items, sparking curiosity.
Later, when a freelance female reporter interviews the culprit, she could ask, “Oh dear, what time is it now?”—subtly planting a clue. This would add intrigue for the reader.
Additionally, I’d have that same reporter visit a shop to repair her <XXX>. There, she’d overhear the staff saying they had tried to call Kieko’s home about the warranty period for her <XXX>, only to get no answer. This would help the reader link the crime scene with the stolen item.
And finally, I would have wrapped it up with the theme of how an ill-fitting Serendip ultimately leads to the culprit’s downfall. Revealing the <XXX> in the very first chapter felt like a missed opportunity.
If you’re curious, give it a read. And while you’re at it, I’d be thrilled if you also checked out my own full-length social mystery novel, “The Mysterious Rouge.”
＊Mystery All-Stars | Honkaku Mystery Writers Club (Kadokawa Bunko)
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新品価格 |
＊The Mysterious Rouge by Frank Yoshida
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新品価格 |
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