Invisible Helix is the 10th modern procedural mystery featuring physicist consultant Manabu Yukawa (aka "Detective Galileo") by Keigo Higashino. Released 15th Aug 2023 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in 4th quarter 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a very well written and translated modern procedural with a contemplative and intelligent protagonist, an ensemble cast, and a cleverly plotted puzzle. The story is mostly character driven and the characters are three dimensional and interestingly well rounded. It's a touch more cerebral than many modern procedurals and lands more on the Christie, Horowitz, or PD James end of the spectrum than more modern action driven thrillers. Readers are expected to bring a modicum of concentration to the read, there is no spoon feeding. The author doesn't overexplain or simplify.
It's a wistful and melancholy story, and sensitive readers should be aware there are descriptions of domestic violence, fraud, abandonment, and child/infant adoption.
The translation work by Giles Murray is seamless, and not intrusive, and there's no wonky scansion, however, it does definitely read like literature in translation and readers who aren't used to the rhythm of Japanese names and places (lots of both in this book) will need to bring extra patience and possibly a notepad.
With several volumes in the series translated into English at this point, it would make an excellent choice for a binge or buddy read. The author is talented enough to provide the necessary backstory, so it works well enough as a standalone. The books are wonderfully written with compelling and complex storylines, so reading them in order is recommended, but not absolutely necessary. The author/publisher have included a dramatis personae list at the beginning of the book which is quite useful.
Four stars. Very very well written.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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