A moody, atmospheric mystery that delivers everything I love about Yokomizo’s work—an eccentric detective, a web of secrets, and a puzzle that’s as strange as it is compelling. Set in post-war Tokyo, the story blends intrigue with a touch of melancholy, making the unraveling of the café’s dark past all the more gripping. A must-read for fans of classic Golden Age–style mysteries with a Japanese twist.

As always, extremely logical and atmospheric;
I've already read several books from this series, and this case also exudes that typical, unique charm and special atmosphere. The setting in the capital region of post-war Japan is interesting, and you learn a lot about the lives of those involved. The case has a manageable number of characters, but is still very mysterious. The author doesn't make a fuss; you're right in the middle of the action, with no unnecessary details; logic dominates everything. The solution, provided by private detective Kosuke Kindaichi, is logical and deduced meticulously from the described clues. I've always liked that in all cases, but in this very short case, I found the resolution to be a bit too dominant in relation to the description of the case, and the case to be extremely contrived. Nevertheless, it's a very interesting and entertaining crime novel that would have earned four stars from me on its own. As a bonus, there's a short story about the fate of the Honiden family to keep the book at a reasonable length. Kosuke Kindaichi only appears in passing, but the story is very exciting and interesting, a bit scary, yet still very relatable. Since I really enjoyed it, I give both stories together five stars.

First of all I would like to thank NetGalley, Steerforth & Pushkin for early access to this ARC!

This book contains not one but two murders mysteries. One is written from the perspective of police officers running the case and the other is told between letters from a sister and brother as well as newspaper clippings.

This book is apart of Koisuke Kindaichi mysteries (which I haven’t read). Although, not a necessary prerequisite for this book!

These mysteries are both interesting, short and with great twists - you could easily read in one sitting. As it is set in ~1940s post war Japan - you may have to look up terms you aren’t familiar with. A great book for lovers of Japanese literature. As well as being fast paced they also have a melancholic feel to it to, especially the second one.

I usually don’t read murder mysteries - and I had a blast - would love to continue with more of his work!

Murder at the Black Cat Cafe is a Kosuke Kendaichi case which is, as Kendaichi himself says, a faceless corpse murder with a twist.

A man is found in the grounds of the deserted Black Cat Cafe digging. When a body is exhumed it is clear that it is a young woman but who? The owners decamped months before having sold the cafe and land. They've been seen since. So who is the mystery woman.

The local police have their suspicions - in fact several theories crop up before another character calls in Kendaichi to solve the mystery.

This first story is a typical Kendaichi mystery where he seems to do very little before he unravels a case but he's always so goodnatured about showing up the cops that they all like him.

My copy had a second story which echoes the first, in that it is also a "faceless" corpse mystery. Kendaichi does not appear in it and I did get a bit lost, at times, trying to work out all the characters but it was enjoyable all the same.

You always know what you're getting with the master, Seishi Yokomizo. Plots are invariably complicated with lots of characters but he sticks to a winning mystery novel formula after twisting it to breaking point.

If youve read Yokomizo before you'll love this but any fan of classic mysteries (especially Japanese ones) will enjoy Black Cat.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Pushkin Vertigo for the advance review copy.

This was my first read from this author. The book does include 2 stories - the main murder mystery at the Black Cat Cafe and also a 2nd tale called The Well Wheel Creaks.

Murder at the Black Cat Cafe is full of unexpected twists and turns. Some parts got a little confusing - especially during the final, big reveal - but the suspense definitely kept me hooked. In other areas of the Black Cat Cafe, I found myself skipping/scanning the page. I found that some elements of the murder mystery itself were repeated too often.

The bonus tale was a bit slow for me, personally. However, I did like the format of the letters.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ** ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴜsʜᴋɪɴ ᴠᴇʀᴛɪɢᴏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʀᴄ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ ᴀɴ ʜᴏɴᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ** ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

I could not get into this book, unfortunately. Perhaps I've read too many mysteries or too many Japanese-authored mysteries but I just could not get into it. It fell flat for me and I think I made it about 25-30 pages in before I chose to DNF it.

A clever, twisted dive into post-war Tokyo mysteries.

Seishi Yokomizo’s Murder at the Black Cat Café is a compact but unforgettable journey into the dark corners of human nature, love, jealousy, and betrayal. As one of Japan’s greatest crime writers, Yokomizo demonstrates his mastery of suspense, pacing, and clever plotting—even within the novella format.

The book opens with the discovery of a gruesome scene in post-war Tokyo: a woman’s disfigured body buried in the garden of The Black Cat Café, alongside a dead black cat that, strangely enough, seems alive. The legendary, scruffy detective Kosuke Kindaichi is called to unravel this baffling case, revealing that nothing about the café—or its enigmatic madam, Oshima—is as it seems. From the outset, Yokomizo plays with expectations, turning the familiar tropes of Japanese detective fiction on their head. The “faceless corpse” mystery alone is a testament to his ingenuity, challenging readers to think beyond traditional locked-room puzzles.

The pacing of the first story is brisk, but every twist lands with precision. Despite the novella’s brevity, Yokomizo crafts a layered tale full of cruelty, cunning, and surprising revelations. The violent nature of the murder and the ominous presence of the black cat add an unsettling tension that lingers long after the final page.

The second story, When You Hear the Wheel Creak, is a masterclass in family drama intertwined with mystery. Told through letters from a younger sister to her brother in a sanatorium, it explores strained relationships, wartime trauma, and the heavy weight of secrets. This story is quieter in action but equally powerful, with a sense of foreboding and heartbreak that underscores Yokomizo’s versatility as a writer. Unlike the first story, Kindaichi is absent, allowing the focus to shift to human emotion, vulnerability, and the inevitable tragedies that befall the family. The letters build a suspenseful intimacy, making the eventual resolution both poignant and devastating.

Overall, Murder at the Black Cat Café serves as a brilliant interlude or prelude to Yokomizo’s larger body of work. It provides glimpses into his recurring motifs—clever puzzles, moral ambiguity, and layered characters—while offering standalone stories that are both satisfying and haunting. Fans of Japanese mystery, classic detective fiction, or tightly crafted suspense will find themselves absorbed from start to finish, captivated by the elegance, darkness, and ingenuity of Yokomizo’s storytelling.

Seishi Yokomizo delivers another atmospheric entry in his Kindaichi Kosuke series with Murder at the Black Cat Café, a collection of two twisty novellas set in post-war Japan. The titular story opens with a faceless corpse and a black cat buried in a café garden, prompting scruffy detective Kindaichi to untangle a web of love, jealousy, and secrets. The plot is clever, full of surprises, and framed as a recollection narrated by a writer who records Kindaichi’s investigation, giving it a unique perspective reminiscent of classic Golden Age mysteries.

The second story, Why Did the Well Wheel Creak?, is a shorter, family-centered mystery with half-brothers, complex village dynamics, and the classic Kindaichi twists. Though less intricate than the first, it retains the signature suspense and period atmosphere.

Readers praise Yokomizo’s elegant and immersive writing, which vividly captures post-war Tokyo and small-town settings. The mysteries are engaging, with solutions that are surprising yet satisfyingly explained. While some may find the second story slightly confusing due to the many characters and family ties, it still maintains the charm of classic detective fiction.

Overall, this is a compelling, atmospheric read—perfect for fans of traditional whodunits and Japanese crime fiction, and ideal for a cozy, single-sitting read.

japanesefictionlove

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Murder at the Black Cat Cafe by Seishi Yokomizo

Within are two short stories, the first set in 1940's Tokyo in a recently sold Cafe's backyard where a buried body is found. Its face is disfigured and the Detective recognises it as a 'faceless corpse' mystery. There are many suspects to follow and be diverted by, meetings and timings to keep track of as well as a black cat of course! With a heavy tense atmosphere, this is a mystery with intriguing characters and a fast-pace. A lot of the action was at night which added to the mysterious vibes and whenever we were in the backyard it felt like I was there right with the detectives helping them to solve it.

The second story is told through letters and newspaper clippings which I love. It enables you to be at the heart of the action, living it through as a character in the story.

These are a couple of fun, mysterious reads for autumn and the upcoming spooky season. This is my first read of Yokomizo and it wont be my last, as I intend to add his other works to my TBR.

Thanks to pushkin press and netgalley for the eARC

This was a really interesting book format. In this book we have two separate stories that involve solving crimes during the WW2.

In the first one a monk is found digging a body, then they discover that the owners of the Black Cat Café (that gives the name to this book) have rapidly sold the café and are gone. The police officers start an investigation and Kosuke Kindaichi comes to help them solve the mistery. TAlthough Kindaichi makes it sound super simple to resolve, I thought it to be mindblowing.

In the second one we have the rivalry between two families, which I really enjoyed. We follow Tsuruyo one of the daughters of a wealthy family. In the past, her father was said to have had an affair, has a result to young man Goichi and Daisuke were born. Goichi as the illegitimate child has lived in jelaousy watching how Daisuke lives with all the amenities he wishes for himself. They are both send to fight in the war but only Daisuke comes back. Tsuruyo sees that her brother's character has changed and so she starts suspecting that he might not be Daisuke afterall. Which made this story so special was that it was written in an epistolary format which makes it more interesting as you get to figure out what's going on from a character's own experiences.

Overall, I found it to be a really enjoyable read, the chapters are short and very well written.

3.5 star

A fast-paced slice of classic cosy mystery that pulls you straight into its smoky, noir-inspired world and keeps you turning the pages

The Murder at the Black Cat Café appealed to me for its cosy mystery feel. I was drawn in immediately, the writing style engaged me and took me to a period which I love for a good detective novel, a time before technology, the speed of the present day and the lack of communication we have. Similarly, I have The Honjin Murders sitting on my physical TBR screaming at me to read it.

A Strong Start & Cosy Noir Atmosphere

The novella, as I came to find, starts out so strong and is wickedly fast paced. We are introduced to an abundance of characters with the revelation of a dead body on the property of the Black Cat café early on. There’s not beating around the bush. Seishi Yokomizo’s framing narrative is wonderfully done, interweaving the narrator into the story. The setting is deeply noir-inspired, and most of the storyline is a surprise to the reader, which for a mystery, is essential. There was one character I was a little suspicious about from early on, and I was right to be, but that didn’t play a significant part in the punchline at all.

The exposition for the last quarter of the novella, was not to my liking, though I know it is a common device of old detective stories and therefore, relevant and in keeping with the genre. I just think it perhaps was a bit too much for me. So saying, I couldn’t put it down. I was turning page after page, I wanted to know what happened next. I genuinely feel that Yokomizo could have fleshed this out, maintaining the cosy mystery feel, and made it into a book of its own. Yet, ‘The Murder at the Black Cat Café’ is not simply the one story but has been coupled with another short story ‘Memorandum concerning the Honiden Family’ to make up The Murder at the Black Cat Café novel.

A Note on the Bonus Story

My review and rating reflect ‘The Murder at the Black Cat Café’ only. I chose not to read this story as the tone is quite different, and as a mood reader, the change in tone jarred for me a little. This is no reflection of the story, and that I may return to it at a later date.

NB This review will appear on my sites and social media, as well as stores like Waterstones and Amazon around publication date

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of the book.

This was a short but enjoyable read and my introduction to Seishi Yokomizo known as japanese Agatha Christie.

The only thing I wish was that the story was a bit longer, I feel like it was a bit too fast paced, specialy if compared to Chriestie’s cadence.

One of the most interesting thriller I have read in recent times, the murder plot and narrative keeps reader engaged and hooked till the last moment.

The sleuth, Kosuke Kindaichi, is the perfect mix of gruffness and brilliance, with humor sprinkled throughout the narrative. With two short stories, it’s a quick read—one that will either pull you in immediately or might not be for everyone. As a lover of mysteries that follow a semi-classic formula, I really enjoyed them. If you’re a fan of Golden Age mysteries or want a quick, satisfying thriller, this one’s worth picking up.

Murder at the Black Cat Café consisted of two short stories: Murder at the Black Cat Cafe and The Well Wheel Creaks.

The first story is fast-paced and framed as a recollection: a writer narrates a crime that has already happened. At first, I thought the solution was going to be a bit too straightforward but I was surprised.
The second story is told through letters and newspaper clippings and gets dragged on a lot so i didn't like it as much as the first story.
Overall it is a great and accessible read for classic mystery lovers

Thank you Netgalley and Steerforth & Pushkin publishing for the ARC. I enjoyed this book, but it was on the slower side. I enjoyed the mystery of this book. I also enjoyed the vibe of the cover and description.

The cover and title got my attention, but I could not finish the book.

The story seemed interesting, but I just could not get into it and I ended up fliping through the chapters.
This has an interesting concept and fans of mystery books might enjoy it.

Thank you Steerforth & Pushkin for the e-ARC.

This was such a good book! I really liked a lot the plot and how everything was unfolding. Was amazing book recommendation for a cozy fall afternoon

Did not finish. I tried to get into it, but I just couldn’t. I’m sure others would like it. It had an interesting concept but I wasn’t able to immerse myself in the mystery.

I loved the description of this book, and for me anything with cats even just in the title will draw my interest. There are two stories contained within this publication: Murder at the Black Cat Cafe and Why Did the Wheel Creak? The first, Murder at the Black Cat Cafe, is the main story in this book, and involved the narrator looking back at a case in post-WWII torn japan where a disfigured, "faceless" woman is found killed. The second, shorter story, centers around feuding families and unfolds through a series of letters.

Each story was essentially a novella, short and simple with not too many developments or complications. Because of this, there wasn't much room for character growth or description and it felt more like reading a news article vs a narrative. This was my first of the Detective Kindaichi stories, as well as my first of Seishi Yokomizo's writings I have read. While I wouldn't say these stories caught my interest in particular, I think readers who enjoy Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot would be very intrigued by Yokomizo's writing style.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.