The Devil's Flute Murders

 The Devil's Flute Murders (1973 as book; 1951 serialized) by Seishi Yokomizo

Set in post-World War II Japan, Yokomizo's story focuses on one of many noble families who lost their titles in the democratic reworkings by the Allies after the war. Hidesuki Tsubaki, former viscount as well as a flautist and composer, finds himself suspected in a very disturbing jewel theft that resulted in the poisoning of most of the jewelry store's staff. And, although he was cleared of suspicion, he disappears shortly thereafter and later, his body is found--an apparent suicide by poison. His daughter, Mineko, comes to the police with an odd request: can they prove that her father really is dead? It's really odd since Mineko was one of the family members who positively identified the body after it was discovered.

The police direct her to the brilliant Kosuke Kindaichi who seems to have a flair for odd mysteries. Her story is that her mother Akiko swears that her husband isn't really dead. That he is alive somewhere and is looking to revenge himself on her and her family. It seems that the family never treated the musician very well. They considered him weak and his talent of little use. He wasn't assertive enough and they took advantage of it. But what would have made him suddenly change from the mild man he was scorned for being into some sort of vengeful monster? Mineko can't answer that; she only knows that there is a dreadful atmosphere at the house. 

That very evening there is to be a divination, a sort of seance and she wants the detective to come as her guest. She's very afraid that something will happen. So, Kindaichi agrees. And something does happen. During the divination, which involves a pendulum-type device making patterns in sand, the pattern drawn seems to alarm the group of relatives gathered round--Mineko, Akiko, Akiko's brother and his wife, Akiko's uncle (head of Akiko's family) and his young lover, and Tsubaki's ward. It seems to have the same effect on Dr. Mega, the man conducting the divination. But before Kindaichi can ask any questions about the symbol, the sound of a flute is heard. It is last composition written by the late musician--a piece called "The Devil Comes and Plays His Flute" and the family is even more agitated. After the sound is traced to a record player that anyone could have set up to play, things become calmer and they decide to call it a night. 

The next day sees the beginning of string of murders--starting with Akiko's uncle and working through the family. There are sightings of a man who strongly resembles Tsubaki (if it's not him) and it begins to look like the musician may well be taking revenge on those who were cruel to him. But Kindaichi thinks there is more going on and he follows a trail that leads to a nun on an island and back in time to a few years before the war.

This is a very atmospheric, period-piece mystery. Western readers are very aware of the cultural shift that we must adjust to in order to take everything in properly. It took me a couple of chapters to settle into the style of story-telling, but once comfortable I enjoyed myself thoroughly. There are hints of the supernatural with the focus on the devil and the possibility of Tsubaki reaching back from the grave to wreak revenge. It is also a delight for classic mystery fans because we start off with a very nice little locked room mystery--Akiko's uncle, the first victim, is found strangled behind the locked door of the room where the divination took place. The windows are all locked and there are no secret panels or passages. I got completely distracted by a detail that honestly never gets explained and so missed the possibility that allows for the solution. 

A very clever mystery with an interesting motive behind the murders. I will say that I had my eye on the culprit from the beginning. But I wasn't quite sure of the motive. ★★★★

First line: As I take up my pen to begin recording this miserable tale, I cannot help but feel some pangs of conscience.

Last line: And so the devil that had swooped down on the Tsubaki house played his flute one final time, then left this world for good.
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Deaths = 11 (four poisoned;four strangled; two natural; one bombed ia air raid)