A brilliant mathematician hides a murder. A devoted neighbour creates the perfect cover-up. Two children remain connected by a crime that changes their lives forever. For millions of readers, these unforgettable mysteries came from one extraordinary storyteller — Japanese novelist Keigo Higashino.
Higashino, who died at 68 on 23 July, left behind a legacy that transformed modern mystery fiction. The announcement of his death came through his official X account on Monday.
More than a bestselling thriller writer, he became a master of exploring love, sacrifice, guilt and redemption through crime stories.
His books sold more than 100 million copies in Japan, were translated into dozens of languages and inspired acclaimed films and television adaptations across Japan, China, South Korea and beyond. His influence made him one of Asia’s most celebrated contemporary writers.
Unlike traditional crime fiction, Higashino often revealed the culprit early. The real mystery was not who committed the crime, but why. His stories challenged readers intellectually while slowly uncovering the emotional truths behind seemingly impossible crimes.
In a rare 2011 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Higashino said, “I want readers to be continually surprised by my ideas.” After writing more than 100 books, he achieved exactly that. His final novel, Eternal Memory, is scheduled for publication next month.
To celebrate his remarkable career, TIMES Entertainment Desk highlights five essential works by the master of mystery.
The Devotion of Suspect X
Often considered Higashino’s masterpiece, the Naoki Prize-winning novel follows a brilliant mathematics teacher who creates an ingenious murder cover-up before facing an equally brilliant physicist. The book introduced Detective Galileo to international readers and inspired acclaimed adaptations in Japan, South Korea and China. It has also been compared by audiences and critics to the Malayalam blockbuster Drishyam because of similarities in its central premise.
Journey Under the Midnight Sun
This dark and emotional novel follows two children whose lives remain tied to a murder for nearly two decades. It inspired successful Japanese film and television adaptations, along with the South Korean remake White Night.
Malice
A psychological thriller that reveals the killer early, Malice focuses on the deeper question of motive. Known for its clever structure and unreliable narration, it remains one of Higashino’s most praised works and was adapted for Japanese television.
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
Blending mystery, fantasy and emotional drama, this international bestseller follows strangers connected through letters that mysteriously travel across time. It was later adapted into successful Japanese and Chinese films.
A Midsummer’s Equation
Part of the Detective Galileo series, this novel combines scientific deduction with family drama and was adapted into a Japanese film starring Masaharu Fukuyama.
