Under the Midnight Sun Audiobook By Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith - translator, Joseph Reeder cover art

Under the Midnight Sun

A Novel

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From the acclaimed internationally best-selling author Keigo Higashino (The Devotion of Suspect X) comes a sweeping novel in the tradition of Les Miserables and Crime and Punishment. This is the compelling story of a brutal crime and the two teenagers - Ryo, the son of the murdered man, and Yukiho, the daughter of the main suspect - whose lives remain inextricably linked over the 20-year search for the truth behind the crime.

In Osaka in 1973, the body of a murdered man is found in an abandoned building. Investigating the crime, Detective Sasagaki is unable to find the killer. Over the next 20 years, through the lens of a succession of characters, Higashino tells the story of two teens, Ryo and Yukiho, whose lives are most affected by the crime, and the obsessed detective, Sasagaki, who continues to investigate the murder, looking for the elusive truth.

Under the Midnight Sun is a complex psychological novel about crime and its aftereffects by one of the most read and most accomplished contemporary mystery authors. A twisting, compelling work that will astonish and delight fans both old and new alike.

©1999 Keigo Higashino; tranlation copyright 2016 by Alexander O. Smith (P)2019 Tantor Crime Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedural

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Compelling Storyline • Complex Characters • Excellent Performance • Multilayered Tapestry • Brilliant Storytelling

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Excellent novel, loved it. Great story, characters, atmosphere. I even gave it a second listen, and I catch things I didn’t the first time. Keigo Higashino is really an outstanding author. And the narration was excellent. Highly recommend

A masterpiece, one of my all time favorites

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This was definitely some noir fiction… the whole thing seemed dark, like the colors Ryo wore. (Also, the voices were done well, especially that of the detective, a quite likeable Javert, the obsessive man of the Law, whose gravelly voice made him sound like Sam Spade…) It was hard to listen to because of the unfamiliarity of the names, but as the story moved forward, it became so compelling, I couldn’t do anything but listen. It felt so dark, so deep, and so sad. But also somehow hopeful, in spite of the sudden ending. I am not really ready to pass judgment on it because there is so much to take in.

Extraordinary story

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The book is amazing in the way it introduces so many sub plots which seem random but then end up leading to the same end. The portrayal of the lead characters from their childhood through adulthood is amazing, you can literally imagine their expressions as you read. While there is so much darkness there’s also a part of you they feels sorry for the kids. A book that keeps a good pace for the most part, some incidents get boring when being narrated a couple different times. The narrator for the audible version does a great job differentiating the voices for each of the characters.

So many subplots and twists

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Higashino’s tale of trauma and deceit is full of very troubling plot devices that make you despise many of its characters and worry for the rest of them. Characters are revealed by second hand accounts of their actions, which slowly builds suspense as you pray that someone will stop the next event.
TW for a graphic description of rape.

Shih’s narration is good, but unfortunately lacks nuance when voicing female characters.

A troubling story with excellent suspense

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The story is fantastic. Super engaging and make my blood boil!!! Love the characters and the mystery behind story

Fascinating

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