Pathway to Japanese Literature

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The Shadowless CulpritAuthor: Sakaguchi Ango

Original Title	影のない犯人
Author	坂口安吾
Genre	Detective & Mystery
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In a secluded hot spring town, three men—a disgraced doctor, an aging kendo master, and an eccentric artist—find their fates entangled when the patriarch of the influential Maeyama family falls mysteriously ill. Dr. Namiki, accused of poisoning by the family, faces ruin as his clinic and home teeter on eviction. Master Gensai, clinging to fading traditions, and Kyoroku, a brash woodcarver with loose lips, risk losing their sanctuary within the Maeyama estate. Tensions escalate as whispers of ambition, hidden desires, and long-buried secrets surface. The arrival of Hanako, the patriarch’s enigmatic young wife, ignites rivalries and suspicions, while her sudden disappearance after selling family heirlooms deepens the intrigue. As alliances fracture and accusations fly, each man’s motives—whether financial desperation, unspoken lust, or sheer recklessness—paint a web of deception. With the truth obscured by lies and the shadow of war looming, the line between innocence and guilt blurs, leaving readers to question who holds the key to this labyrinth of betrayal.