The Devotion of Suspect X

A brilliant Tokyo mathematician secretly longs for his beautiful neighbor. When he overhears her killing her brutal ex-husband in self-defense, he helps her to conceal the crime. Assigned to the case is Detective Kusanagi, who enlists the aid of Yukawa, a physics professor whose help he has previously solicited. The Holmesian Yukawa, however, is torn, as the mathematician is his old college friend. Higashino's mysteries are immensely popular in Japan, with several, including this one, adapted into films or TV dramas there. What might be classified as a procedural develops considerable psychological depth, aided by Tony Award-winning actor David Pittu's subtle, sensitive reading, through which he artfully manages to accentuate the characters' conflicted emotions. Recommended for crime novel enthusiasts and those interested in Japanese culture. [The Minotaur: St. Martin's hc, winner of Japan's prestigious Naoki Prize, also received a starred review, LJ 11/15/10.—Ed.]—Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr. Lib.