I can see why Masateru Konishi’s My Grandfather, the Master Detective was a bestseller in Japan. It’s filled with mystery, short tales, suggestions of romance, and evil. The author, and the translator, Louise Heal Kawai, lovingly portray the relationship between a granddaughter and her beloved grandfather who is succumbing to Lewy body dementia.But, his lucidity and analysis of mysteries is still brilliant.
Kaede is a twenty-seven-year-old schoolteacher who makes the trip to visit her grandfather at least weekly, and sometimes more often. She knows he has physical and speech therapists, but she brings him challenges, mystery tales to keep him mentally acute. Since the two share a love of classic mysteries by John Dickson Carr, Agatha Christie, and G.K. Chesterton, her stories of murder in a restaurant, a teacher who disappears, and a young man falsely blamed for a murder, awake her grandfather’s interest. But, she doesn’t want to worry him with her own stories of a stalker or her loneliness.
Kaede does spend time with two male friends. Iwata is a fellow teacher, slightly shy, and a baker. Shiki is an actor and director, boisterous at times. He claims he can’t appreciate translated mysteries because they’re locked into patterns. They’re the same stories, so he says he only reads Japanese mysteries. However, he has an extensive knowledge of the classic translations. The three of them often discuss stories and current events when they’re together. But, for the answers, Kaede turns to her grandfather. Despite his spells and hallucinations, he forces her to look into the truth behind the stories.
Konish challenges the reader, right alongside Kaede’s challenges to her grandfather. What clues are we missing that he finds as he smokes his cigarette? This loving man, knowing he’s losing the battle with dementia, still is able to solve Kaede’s problems, even the ones that are her biggest worries. Kaede is in danger, and her grandfather tries to protect her.
Do you know what My Grandfather, the Master Detective reminds me of? Encyclopedia Brown for adults, with more serious issues. Those are issues involving life and death, murder, and love. These are not just stories of a missing dog. While the mysteries are fascinating, and important, it is the depth of love between Kaede and her grandfather that stand out.
My Grandfather, the Master Detective by Masateru Konishi. Translated by Louise Heal Kawai. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2026. 328p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Your review definitely makes me want to try this book, Lesa. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Kim. My overall goal in life is to increase TBR piles!
Consider your goal well and truly accomplished Lesa! My TBR piles were almost manageable until I discovered you and your blog! Maybe you should choose a new goal so I can take a breath and catch up a little bit ha ha.
My goal would be to catch up myself, Lindy. There are so many enticing books out there!
Sounds interesting. For something similar from over a century ago, you might check out Baroness Orczy (yes, the creator of The Scarlet Pimpernel)’s Old Man in the Corner stories. He sits in a Lyons tea house tying and untying knots, while reporter Polly Burton retells him “impossible” crimes that he, certainly one of the first “armchair detectives,” solves without leaving his chair. These were first published in 1901.
I read them, Jeff! I read The Scarlet Pimpernel, and then moved on to her mysteries. I enjoy locked room and impossible crimes.
I have this one on hold.
I’m always interested to see your reaction, Jeff.
That one’s in the pile of library books I picked up this week. Now to find time to read it.
Time is what always seems to be in short supply, Sandy.