“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
Chapter 1: The Poisoning
The novel opens with the horrific mass poisoning at the Aosawa family estate during a celebratory gathering. Seventeen people die, including the wealthy patriarch and his wife. The only survivor is Hisako Aosawa, a blind young woman who remains eerily calm amid the chaos. The police investigation begins but yields no clear suspect.
Chapter 2: The Investigation
Detective Teru is assigned to the case, but despite extensive interviews and forensic work, no conclusive evidence emerges. Suspicion briefly falls on a deliveryman and a disgruntled employee, but alibis clear them. Hisako’s unsettling demeanor and vague answers deepen the mystery.
Chapter 3: The Survivor’s Testimony
Hisako recounts the events in a detached manner, claiming she sensed nothing unusual. Her blindness makes her an unreliable witness, yet her presence at the scene raises questions. Rumors spread about the Aosawa family’s dark history, including possible curses and hidden grudges.
Chapter 4: The Disappearing Suspect
A young man, Makiko Saiga, who briefly worked at the estate, vanishes after the murders. Detectives track his movements but find no direct link to the poison. Hisako, however, seems to know more than she admits, hinting at secrets buried in the past.
Chapter 5: The Journalist’s Obsession
Years later, a journalist named Masara reopens the case, interviewing survivors and witnesses. She becomes fixated on Hisako, whose life has taken a reclusive turn. Masara’s research uncovers suppressed family conflicts and a possible motive tied to inheritance disputes.
Chapter 6: The Unreliable Narrator
The narrative shifts between perspectives, revealing contradictions in witness accounts. Hisako’s childhood friend, now a doctor, suggests she may have psychological scars from her upbringing. The line between truth and deception blurs as Masara digs deeper.
Chapter 7: The Hidden Letter
A cryptic letter surfaces, written by the Aosawa patriarch before his death, hinting at betrayal. The handwriting is disputed, and Hisako denies its authenticity. Meanwhile, Makiko Saiga’s possible suicide is discovered, but no confession is found.
Chapter 8: The Final Revelation
Masara confronts Hisako with her suspicions, but the blind woman remains enigmatic. The novel ends ambiguously—no definitive culprit is named, leaving the reader to piece together the truth from fragmented testimonies and psychological undercurrents.
Key Ideas
- The unreliability of memory and perception in reconstructing truth.
- The psychological impact of trauma on survivors and witnesses.
- The blurred line between guilt and innocence in unresolved crimes.
- The role of societal rumors in shaping narratives.
- The haunting persistence of the past in the present.
Who should read this book?
- Fans of psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators.
- Readers who enjoy intricate, multi-perspective mysteries.
- Those interested in Japanese literature exploring trauma and memory.
- Lovers of ambiguous, thought-provoking endings.