Prefecture D: Four Novellas

A collection of tense thrilllers, each centered on a mystery and the unfortunate officer tasked with solving it, set in the world of Hideo Yokoyama’s bestselling Six Four.

Four novellas: Each taking place in 1998.

SEASON OF SHADOWS The force could lose face … I want you to fix this. Personnel’s Futawatari receives a horrifying memo forcing him to investigate the behavior of a legendary detective with unfinished business. CRY OF THE EARTH It’s too easy to kill a man with a rumor. Shinto of Internal Affairs receives an anonymous tip-off alleging a station chief is visiting the red-light district–a warning he soon learns is a red herring.

BLACK LINES It was supposed to be her special day. Section Chief Nanao, responsible for the force’s forty-nine female officers, is alarmed to learn her star pupil has not reported for duty and is believed to be missing.

BRIEFCASE We need to know what he’s going to ask. On the eve of a routine debate, Political Liaison Tsuge learns a wronged politician is preparing his revenge. He must now quickly dig up dirt to silence him.

Prefecture D continues Hideo Yokoyama’s exploration of the themes of obsession, saving face, office politics, and interdepartmental conflicts. Placing everyday characters between a rock and a hard place and then dialing up the pressure, he blends and balances the very Japanese with the very accessible, to spectacular effect.