With Umiko Wada, Robert Goddard has created one of his finest characters. Perfectly paced with plenty of twists and the odd double cross as you'd expect in his books.
Another fine novel from the master of labyrinthine crime novels.

A second outing for Umiko Wada, and it's as complicated (more so?) as the first book in the series. Perhaps overly complex, the twists and turns slightly distracted me this time and I didn't fully engage, which is why it's only 4 stars. But Goddard is a great writer, and Wada such an unassuming joy, that this is another success in what may become a longer series. Don't fret the details, just enjoy the ride!

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

4.5 stars

Don’t be fooled by the quirky title and snazzy cover, this is not the light, cosy mystery it appears to be. A bit like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it has fangs that bite. And you will need all your wits about you to deal with it.

The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction is the second instalment in Goddard’s Kodaka Detective Agency series. Set in Tokyo, and spanning 70 years, it is a cunningly intricate tale of conspiracy, blackmail and murder. With its labyrinthine plotting, scintillating twists and enigmatic heroine, it’s a literary delight for the more cerebral reader.

Said heroine is Umaka Wada, who has inherited the Kodaka agency from her late boss. It’s not the career she planned, but it’s a job she’s surprisingly good at. When she takes on the case of a businessmen seeking to find his missing son, little does she know what complications lie in store.

This was quite a difficult book to get into, as it introduces multiple characters and bounces between two timelines (1995 and 2022) and two separate investigations; and this, after a tantalizing prologue set in 1945.

It’s a lot to digest, but Goddard’s writing is heavy on the kind of detail that makes you want to keep on reading, and your perseverance is rewarded as soon as the two strands start to merge. I found the complexity quite challenging but greatly appreciated the plot recaps that Goddard cleverly wove into the narrative, which helped keep me on track.

Wada is a formidable, if enigmatic, protagonist. Middle-aged and nondescript — qualities perfect for her role as detective — she is whip smart and frighteningly self-sufficient. But she’s very much a closed book. We know she was widowed when her husband was killed in the Tokyo subway sarin attack, that she has a difficult relationship with her family, and that her work is her life. What she keeps carefully hidden are her emotions. I hope to see her gradually soften in future instalments.

For me, the only downside of this novel was the vast cast. Although Goddard provides a useful glossary of principal characters (some 30 in total), I really struggled to differentiate and cement all the Japanese names in my head. This may be a quirk on my part, but I’d be interested to know how other readers fare.

This notwithstanding, I absolutely love this series and can’t wait to see what future adventures are in store for Wada.

Umiko Wada is successfully running her private investigation business and is discrete and effective. However when engaged to find a missing man her assignment becomes much greater and encompasses national scandals. Meanwhile her rather difficult mother has opened her doors to disgraced former sumo wrestler and Wada has a whole other set of concerns.
Following Goddard's last book which introduced the world to Wada, he has unleashed this rather wonderful tale. The plot is labyrinthine, the parallel stories become a little confusing at times but are linked together brilliantly at the end and several strands of post-War Japanese history are addressed in a pertinent but low key manner. All in all a very satisfying read.

I really enjoy reading Robert Goddard's work and it seems like he is like good wine - with age he gets better.

The idea of a Japanese female sleuth is brilliant and Wada is an extraordinary character to say the least.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and hope he goes back for a further instalment sometime in the future.

Very much recommended.

I have read several Japanese murder mysteries over the years, and I have to say Robert Goddard has somehow captured that same feeling in his book. Umiko Wada is an amazing character, and I can't wait to read more of her adventures.

The story threads between the past and the present, between Umiko's perspective and her late mentor's. It is extremely satisfying to see all the pieces come together towards the end. A truly delightful read.

[I did not realise this was the second book in a series when I picked it up. I will be ordering the first one immediately.]

This is the first book i read by Robert Goddard and will surely read other in this fascinating series.
An intriguing novel featuring a strong character like Umiko Wada and it's a contemporary story with root in the past.
There's a lot of characters, thanks for the list at the beginning, and I was fascinated by the plot, the setting, and the style of writing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is an excellent sequel to The Fine Art of Invisible Detection.
Fascinating and intelligent storytelling with a richly developed and distinct cast of characters.
Wada is thoroughly engaging and enigmatic as she unravels the case with determination and resourcefulness.
A multilayered tale covering two interconnected timelines which are clearly defined and easy to follow.
The plot is perfect in its pacing, with atmospheric settings and immaculate writing style.
Compulsive reading told perfectly with great humour, twists and red herrings.
Entertaining and captivating. Hopefully there is more to come from Wada.
Highly recommended. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK.

The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction is the second book in the Umiko Wada series by award-winning, best-selling British author, Robert Goddard. Three years after her boss at the Kodaka Detective Agency was murdered, Umiko Wada has earned herself a reputation as a confidential, low key, effective investigator. Fumito Nagata would prefer to deal with Kodaka, but will settle for Wada because of that. He wants her to find his estranged son, Manjiro Nagata, or at least, check that the man is alive and well.

While she initially fails to locate him, she quickly establishes that he is absent from his home rather than reclusive. But following up every tiny scrap of a lead, she learns that a civil servant who was making enquiries about Manjiro is also missing. And Daiju Endo’s story, once she learns the details, is even more enigmatic, involving an earthquake “sensitive” and a wealthy filmmaker with a dubious history that extends back to the final days of WW2. Wada is unaware that Kazuto Kodaka had cases involving the same people almost three decades earlier.

Back in 1995, Kodaka had been asked by construction industry heir, Teruki Jinno to discover the recipient of the twenty-five million yen paid out of his late father’s bank account annually for almost fifty years. Kodaka’s first instinct leans towards blackmail, but information from his carefully cultivated sources leads in a different direction. A Californian wine grower, the angry American owner of a bar for US servicemen and an earthquake research centre are all important parts of the plot.

In 2022, Wada is unwittingly stepping in Kodaka’s 1995 footsteps; each of them has to consider taking a case for a client they are reluctant to serve; each finds they have a tail they need to lose; they variously rely on the expertise or inside knowledge of a bank employee, a journalist, a sound technician, a lawyer, and a road transport bureau employee.

Two clients terminate Wada’s contract before she reaches her objective; twice she is rescued from mortal danger by an unexpected saviour; Wada travels to California, witnesses two murders, and the final body count is not inconsiderable.

Goddard provides a useful (and quite necessary) character list at the start to help keep track of the many characters. He manages to convey his setting, both in Tokyo and California, with consummate ease. There’s plenty of excellent detective work, some dark humour, and not a few twists and red herrings. Fans can only hope that Goddard has more of this brave, smart and persistent protagonist and her support cast up his literary sleeve. An addictive series.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK Transworld

Normally a mystery plot with plenty of characters and a complicated story is kind of hard to follow and can make me feel impatient and disinterested in the book. But The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction, though containing both a multitude of characters and an intricate plot, has a precise and intriguing narration that makes it hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind of action as Umiko Wada, the tenacious detective from Tokyo, tries to solve the latest case that has arrived at the Kodaka Detective Agency.

Although the book is the second installment in the Umiko Wada series, it can be read as a stand alone book. Umiko Wada is managing the Kodaka Detective Agency after the untimely death of her employer, Kazuto Kodaka. She is organized, immaculate, persistent and nothing but efficient in uncovering the truth when dealing with all her cases, which has made her more successful than perhaps Kodaka too. When a wealthy businessman comes to her seeking her help in locating his missing son, it leads her on a labyrinthine trail that takes her to California. Wada is after an ancient secret asset that many other parties are also seeking and they will stop at nothing until they lay their hands on it. The narration also follows a case that Kodaka was looking into in 1995, about a mystery woman who had predicted the disastrous earthquake in Kobe in January of 1995 and dubbed as 'Kobe Sensitive' by the media and public. The narration alternates between Wada's investigation in 2022 and Kodaka's endeavors to locate the 'Kobe Sensitive' and leads the reader on how both are linked by a common thread.

The writing is immaculate and fascinating and you cannot help but root for Wada, the steadfast detective with the quest for truth. A special mention for the character of Seiji Tago and hope that he gets a comeback in the next book because there were so many unresolved questions about him, primary being why did he get expelled from sumo? I have found another favorite series that I will be definitely following and another favorite detective to add in my list. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction is a second instalment in Robert Godard’s captivating series, featuring Umiko Wada, who is now a private detective. As we have come to expect from the author’s work, this book is well written, meticulously researched and full of twists and thrilling adventures. There’s an array of diverse characters, and the glossary at the beginning is very helpful in order to keep up. The storyline is multifaceted and quite complicated, occasionally posing challenges in tracking the myriad of events spanning both past and present. Nonetheless, the resolution clarifies any lingering confusion. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and eagerly anticipate the continuation of the series.

I absolutely loved the first book about Wada, the Japanese detective, running her late boss’s agency herself after his untimely death. This follow up novel contains more of the same although this time the majority of the story is set in Japan with a short trip to the US at the end.
There are many characters to contend with and an extremely complicated plot with two timelines but once I’d got my head around this and started reading the two different storylines , one about Kodaka , Wada’s old boss, set in 1995 and Wada’s investigation set in the present day, I was well and truly hooked.
There was also a lot of detailed research about Japanese customs such as Sumo and much written about the science of earthquakes which are a major hazard in the region. Both subjects were extremely interesting and fitted brilliantly into the plot.
I liked the relationship between Wada and her indomitable mother, Haha! This led to some lighter moments in the book, particularly as the older woman has decided to take a homeless sumo wrestler as a lodger!
There was a lot happening as the story progressed and much was revealed about both Wada’s and Kodaka’s past, all of which slotted in beautifully to the narrative. I thought the ending was really clever adding to the carefully constructed plot.
I’ll certainly be looking out for more stories about this wonderful and unusual detective and highly recommend both books as excellent reads.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

Another excellent thriller featuring Wada. This s a complex storyline with a lot of characters to keep track of. There is a dual storyline which does eventually come together. To get full value you need to set aside quality time to fully appreciate the story . This is developing into an excellent series

The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction is the second brilliant book featuring no-nonsense middle-aged woman private detective Umiko Wada.

Wada gets involved in another international adventure when she refuses to stop seeking the truth. There's a historical aspect to the mystery, going back to the second world war and overlapping with the 1990's investigation of Wada's former boss, Kodaka. There's also worry closer to home as Wada's elderly mother Haha gets involved with a disgraced former sumo wrestler

Highly recommended for lovers of detective fiction, but read The Fine Art of Invisible Detection first to get the full character arc for this remarkable woman.

This is one of my favourite authors who I have been with for absolutely ages and who has never disappointed me. As I mentioned in my review for The Fine Art of Invisible Detection - the first in series - it is a return to the classic way of writing I fell for all those years ago. Oh and having mentioned that book, I do recommend you read that one first for better enjoyment of this.
So... Umiko Wada has really hit the ground running in her new guise as Private Detective. Having fully taken over her late boss Kazuut Kodaka's Detective Agency. He having died in mysterious circumstances, and her still being a bit green, she is very selective of the cases she takes on. But the one presented to her at the start of the book appears to fit that bill. A father wants her to find his missing son.
But, you know what, if it really was that simple it'd be a bit of a boring book! But I am not about to expand on that here, for obvious reasons. But what I will say is that there are links to an old case of her former boss and we then split to a dual timeline where we follow Kodaka in the past and Wada in the present as the two cases start to form links...
As with all his other books this one is very intelligently written and is interconnected and, on occasion, a tad convoluted. I would really recommend that you dedicate a fair chunk of your time to it rather than a page or so every so often. It does take a bit of concentration. Well, that's what I found. There is a cast list at the beginning but don't let that put you off. My jaw did drop when I saw it and I did screen shot and print it out for reference as flipping back and forwards is not easy with an eBook. That said, I never actually referred to it again! so don't let that overwhelm you! All the characters are well drawn and distinct and play their parts very well indeed.
Pacing is also good and matches the narrative all the way through. It does start off a tad slowly but there is quite a bit to build up before it really gets going. But all that really is necessary and, once it gets going, it will all have been worth it.
All in all, a brilliant follow up to what was already a cracking first in series. I am really excited for what he has next in store for Wada in book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The good news is you don't need to have read the first one of this series to pick up who's who and what's going on because it's a completely different story.

This time Wada becomes embroiled in a mystery that, at first, seems quite simple - find a missing son. However when that starts getting more difficult and is followed with a other disappearance Wada is pointed in the direction of a case that her late boss, Kodaka, investigated in 1995.

It does get a bit complicated but, as usual, my advice is not to stress about all the characters just enjoy the story and it'll all work out in the end.

I find Wada a thoroughly engaging character probably because she's very organised and doesn't put up with any flannel from anyone (except perhaps her mother -- although how she hasn't sounded off at the brother who dispenses wisdom from thousands of miles away is anyone's guess).

Anyway, the two cases do dovetail and there's a satisfactory end. We get to learn more about Kodaka and Wada and there's quite a lot of racing about so the story clips along quite nicely.

I also enjoyed it a bit more because Goddard uses Japanese phrases (albeit in the romanised version) and since I'm trying to learn Japanese I was delighted to find I knew what everything meant without one single Google.

Thoroughly enjoyed this second outing for Wada and I look forward to a third perhaps? I'll keep my fingers crossed. No really gory buts, good plot, interesting characters, a bit of history thrown in. Almost perfect. I'd recommend this to anyone.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the advance review copy.

I’m extremely pleased that Robert Goddard has written another story about Wada and the Kodakka Private Investigation Agency.

This 2nd story set in Japan tells a tale of two timelines. One one set in the past and one more recent.

Complex, layered, complicated yet absolutely superb, Goddard writes mystery with the very best. It begins very gently paced as the story and world is built, but briskly picks up as the pages turn.

Wada is a glorious creation, and her investigations that really delve into the intricacies of Japanese Culture are a joy.

One of the best reads so far this year.

Wada has taken over the detective agency after Kodaka's death and is flourishing.
She is asked to look into a missing man by his estranged father.
The enquiry is not straightforward and puts her in a lot of danger. Lesser people would walk away but Wada is made of sterner stuff.
The story flits between the current time and 1995 prior to when Wada worked for Kodaka. There are many strings to the story which intermingle with grace.
An entertaining and interesting read.

Umiko Wada (Wada to her friends and clients) was PI Kazuto Kodaka’s office assistant at his one-man Kodaka Detective Agency in Tokyo. When he died suddenly, she took over the reins of the agency and has made something of a success of it. She’s careful in the cases she chooses so when a wealthy businessman asks her to find his estranged son, she expects the case to be fairly straight forward. It turns out to be anything but and she soon finds herself immersed in a dangerous conspiracy that dates back to the chaotic last days of WW2 and secrets that someone wants to stay hidden.

Robert Goddard certainly spins a good yarn and is a master of red herrings and plot twists. For that reason, the plot requires a good degree of concentration but it will be well worth the effort. I also found the numerous Japanese characters difficult to keep track of, but the handy cast of characters at the front of the book helped to remind me who they all were. There are also two timelines to keep track of – Wada’s current investigation in 2020 and one in 1995 concerning an investigation Kazuto Kodaka undertook to investigate secret payments made by a business man’s father to an unknown account for decades. How the two converge in this multi faceted plot will eventually become clear as Wada puts the pieces together, despite threats to herself and her mother.

Set mostly in Tokyo, the location and culture has an authentic Japenese feel. Umiko Wada is a fine character; a middle aged, childless widow who lost her husband in the saran attack in the Tokyo underground and is comfortable with spending her life following a career as an investigator. Intelligent, brave and stubborn, she is relentless in her search for the truth and will go wherever she must to get it. Her relationship with her mother Haha and the disgraced sumo wrestler, Seijo Tago, her mother has taken in as a lodger make a diverting side story. Although this is the second book in the series, it works well as a stand alone novel and is recommended to those looking for a unique private investigator and a well written, multi faceted plot.

Robert Goddard has never written a bad book. I am proud to have read them all more than once. This, in my opinion, is his best.
As is often the case in his thrillers the plot unfolds in two separate timelines (1995 and 2022) with roots going back to WW2. From the very first page I was totally hooked by the complexities of a truly fascinating and innovative story.
Wada is one of those outstanding characters who has a nuanced personality evoking empathy and compassion. She is formidable either as the hunter or the hunted. Her moral integrity and daring-do is guaranteed to outwit the bad guys. And what a wonderful character the Kobe Sensitive is too.
This is Robert Goddard at his finest: the mystery thriller of the year.