THE DEVIL'S FLUTE MURDERS

Akira Matsumoto impressively presents an array of characters in this mystery set in post-WWII Japan. Listeners meet Detective Kindaichi, who is attending a divination held by the Tsubaki family to determine if several deaths accompanied by eerie devil's flute music were really murders. The complex Agatha Christie-esque story written in the 1950s is rich with well-rendered depictions of traditional food, clothing, and picturesque locales. Matsumoto skillfully creates eccentric, clever Kindaichi and countless other personalities, as well as assorted Japanese dialects. Sadly, the story moves at a glacial pace and is repetitious. Most engaging--aside from the many loathsome characters--is young, empathic Mineko, who consults Kindaichi when her late father "reappears." Audio is particularly effective during the final revelation. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2024]