The Informer (Takagi novel)

The Informer (密告者, Mikkoku-sha) is a 1965 novel by Akimitsu Takagi. It was translated into English by Sadako Mizuguchi. Soho Crime published the English version,[1] which was released in 1999.[2] It was the third book by Takagi to be published in English.[3]

Author Katy Munger wrote that the book "became a runaway bestseller and established Takagi as one of Japan's most popular writers."[3]

Plot

Saburo Kirishima investigates murder cases in a series of books. In this book, Shigeo Segawa, who had accepted a job involving spying on companies, is the primary suspect in the murder of Shoichi Ogino, a former classmate of his.

The story is derived from a real life event.[3]

Chris Gay of The Wall Street Journal describes Segawa as "hapless".[4]

Writing style

Munger described the writing style as "simple, linear and bare", and this is "particularly in translation".[3]

Reception

Gay stated that it "was a bestseller when originally published in Japan."[4]

Stephen Mansfield wrote that the novel reflected the cultural shift of the 1960s by "allowing his characters to fully engage in the newfound sexual freedoms."[1]

Kirkus Reviews stated that the pre-murder portions have a "brilliantly brutal effect of a more polite David Mamet" while, in regards to the portion after the murder, the details of the crime said to occur hold more interest than the investigation process.[2]

Publishers Weekly stated that the resolution to the story is "elegant".[5]

See also

Other novels by Takagi:

References

  1. ^ a b Mansfield, Stephen (2017-06-24). "'The Informer': Portrait of a pivotal period in Japan". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  2. ^ a b "The Informer". Kirkus Reviews. 1999-05-01. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  3. ^ a b c d Munger, Katy (1999-07-25). "The Informer Honeymoon to Nowhere". Washington Post. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  4. ^ a b Gay, Chris (1999-07-30). "Bookmarks The Informer". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  5. ^ "Informer-C". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
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