Crossfire

Crossfire
By Miyuki Miyabe
Tokyo/New York: Kodansha International, 2007
(English Translation by Deborah Stuhr Iwabuchi and Anna Husson Isozaki)

This was the first Japanese mystery, supernatural thriller I read. I came across it by chance on a library display table for recommended books. On the dust jacket was written: “...When the police and law courts fail, Junko mobilizes her talent to bring violent criminals to justice.” Intrigued by its superficial similarity to Death Note and the mention of a secret order, I decided to plunge into the story.

Young and attractive Junko Aoki had the ability of pyrokinesis. Makihara, one of the two detectives hunting her had a haunted past. Set in contemporary Tokyo, the Junko/Makihara story arc began and ended with fiery deaths that propelled both on opposing, parabolic paths to seek justice and truth.

Sgt Chikako Ishizu could not be more different than Junko. As a middle-aged detective investigating arson crimes in a male-dominated police force, she had to rely on her wits and experience to crack cases.

As the story unfolds, Miyabe explored the dark side of Japanese society: how the ennui of teenage youth, unconditional parental love, and media attention can go awry. Layer by layer, she peeled away conventional notions of evil and revenge.

Overall, it was an entertaining read. The ending was not a typical good-defeat-evil triumph. My only grouse is that the omnipotent group, known as The Guardians, remained an enigma - its machinations appeared to serve as plot devices that held the story together.

Found two positive reviews on Crossfire by Hanna Kite and Zack Davisson.