I'm a big mystery fan and I recently got into reading Kosuke Kindaichi novels. Pushkin Vertigo is slowly publishing them in English but at this point I've read all they had available and I'm itching for something similar while I wait for more.
I'm looking for a murder mystery story that shares aspects that I enjoyed most about these books. These aspects are:
- An eccentric detective. I prefer private unassuming detectives who may know law enforcement but are not law enforcement themselves.
- Creepy cases but nothing paranormal involved. There can be superstitions and allusions to ghosts or phantoms but there is nothing paranormal about the culprits or characters.
-I prefer less modern settings, like 1980's or prior. But I'm open to something more modern. - I like smaller towns being the setting but this is just a preference not a requirement.
- A locked room mystery is a bonus.
I've already read other Japanese authors like Shoji Shimada's Kiyoshi Mitaria books. I've also read Yukito Ayatsuji's Kiyoshi Shimada House Series. I've already read a ton of Agatha Christie novels so I'm not interested in any recommendations for her books. Also, I'm not a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes. I know the books I've mentioned are set in Japan by Japanese authors but I have no preference for the geographic setting or nationality of the author. I hope none of this is too specific and I look forward to any suggestions you guys might have.
by psionoblast