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| Original Title | 爬虫館事件 |
|---|---|
| Author | 海野 十三 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a fog of intrigue, private detective Homura Soroku is roused from exhaustion by a distraught young woman—Toshiko, daughter of a vanished zoo director. Her father, a decorated war veteran, disappeared without a trace, leaving only his hat and jacket behind. As Homura delves into the case, he navigates the shadowy corridors of the municipal zoo, where whispers of eccentric behavior and cryptic clues intertwine. The Reptile House emerges as a focal point: its stifling air, coiled pythons, and a reclusive researcher, Dr. Kamoda, whose cold precision masks unsettling secrets. A dropped fountain pen, a stray button, and wartime grudges surface, hinting at a vendetta buried decades deep. Homura’s pursuit unravels a labyrinth of scientific obsession and hidden trauma, where even loyal comrades harbor motives. With time slipping and danger coiled in every corner, the detective races to untangle truth from scales and shadows—before the zoo’s silent predators claim another victim. |