“In the courtroom, truth is not always justice.”
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Client
A struggling young lawyer, Kenzo Murakami, is approached by an elderly woman who insists he defend her son, accused of murdering a prominent businessman. Despite his inexperience, Murakami takes the case, sensing deeper layers to the crime.
Chapter 2: The Crime Scene
Murakami visits the crime scene—a lavish Tokyo office—and discovers inconsistencies in the police report. The victim, a ruthless corporate tycoon, had numerous enemies, but the evidence overwhelmingly points to the accused, a low-level employee with no apparent motive.
Chapter 3: The Alibi
The defendant claims he was elsewhere during the murder but lacks witnesses. Murakami digs into his background, uncovering a history of exploitation by the victim’s company. Meanwhile, pressure mounts from the prosecution to settle quickly.
Chapter 4: Hidden Connections
Murakami learns the victim was involved in a corrupt land deal. His investigation leads him to a shadowy network of politicians and businessmen, suggesting the murder was orchestrated to silence dissent. The defendant may be a pawn in a larger game.
Chapter 5: The Trial Begins
In court, Murakami challenges forensic evidence and exposes police negligence. The prosecution’s case unravels as witnesses contradict each other. Yet, the judge remains skeptical, hinting at external influences shaping the trial’s outcome.
Chapter 6: A Twist of Fate
A surprise witness emerges—a former colleague of the victim who confesses to the murder but is swiftly discredited. Murakami suspects a setup to protect the real culprits. Time runs out as the verdict looms.
Chapter 7: The Verdict
The defendant is acquitted, but the victory feels hollow. Murakami realizes true justice remains elusive in a system rigged by power. The elderly mother thanks him, but he’s left questioning the cost of “pro bono” ideals.
Key Ideas
- The corrupting influence of corporate and political power on justice.
- The moral ambiguity of legal defense in an unjust system.
- Class struggle and exploitation in postwar Japan.
- The illusion of truth in courtroom proceedings.
- The personal toll of pursuing ethical lawyering.
Who should read this book?
- Fans of Japanese crime fiction exploring societal critique.
- Readers interested in legal thrillers with moral complexity.
- Those who appreciate slow-burn narratives with psychological depth.