Usotoki Rhetoric Volume 1 - Softcover

Miyako, Ritsu

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1642732036 ISBN 13: 9781642732030

Publisher: One Peace Books, 2022

Synopsis

It is 1926, the first year of the Showa era, in Japan. Urabe Kanoko has left her hometown after it turns against her for having the ability to hear lies when spoken. She collapses from hunger after arriving in a town called Tsukumoya, where she meets a poverty-stricken detective named Iwai Soma. Is this fate? Or something more? Set against this backdrop, this historical mystery delves into a world of deception and supernatural intrigue. Follow Kanoko and Soma as they navigate a web of lies, uncovering hidden truths and confronting their destinies. Perfect for fans of Japanese historical fiction, supernatural mysteries, and strong female leads.

About this title

About the Author

Ritsu Miyako debuted with The Hana to Yume in 2003. Her biggest works include Usotsuki Rhetoric, Gunjou Cinema, and the manga adaptation of Psychic Detective Yakumo ~Akai Hitomi wa Shitteru~, as well as others.

Reviews

Gr 6–9—In 1920s Japan, cautious Kanoko, 16, discovers that her ability to hear when people are lying is a valuable asset for a struggling private detective. She has been ostracized most of her life due to this ability; to her, voices have a metallic ring when people are deliberately dishonest. As a child she didn't realize this ability was unique, and her blunt reporting of lies unnerved her small town neighbors. Hoping to hide her gift and start afresh in a new town, she is instead taken in by a poor but sharply observant private detective, Iwai. As they solve cases together, partnering with Iwai's police detective best friend, Hanasaki, Kanoko realizes she can use her talent to help instead of hurt. While this manga involves manga and mystery tropes alike, notably the outwardly lazy and greedy detective who is in fact brilliant and kind, Kanoko's journey in finding her place is sincere. The mysteries are more Golden Age than the grim horrors typical of contemporary crime stories, driven by characters' desperation rather than depravity. Bickering between best friends Iwai and Hanasaki punctuates the chapters, rendered in vivid caricature, but the overall style is clear and detailed in evoking the historical period in dress and street scenes. VERDICT Miyako presents a charming historical mystery series that hits comforting genre tropes and will circulate well with readers looking for whodunits and windows into Japanese history. Give to fans of Gosho Aoyama's Case Closed and Agatha Christie's classics.—Robin Brenner

Edition details

• Publisher: One Peace Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1642732036
• ISBN 13: 9781642732030
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192