Pathway to Japanese Literature

Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.

Red HandAuthor: Kunieda Shiro

Original Title	赤い手
Author	国枝史郎
Genre	Detective & Mystery
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In the shadowy heart of a meticulously planned heist, seasoned thief Spider McCoy infiltrates a wealthy estate under cover of night, guided by insider knowledge from Sadie—a woman whose loyalty he begins to question. The job seems flawless: a rare statue awaits, and every detail aligns with Sadie’s instructions. But when a rival criminal, Slug Dolgan, appears unexpectedly, violence erupts, leaving Spider entangled in murder. As he scrambles to cover his tracks, Detective Matthews arrives, armed with unnerving calm and cryptic remarks about a scientific trap involving a goldfish bowl. Spider’s confidence wavers as paranoia tightens its grip—did Sadie betray him? Is Matthews closing in? With each passing moment, the line between predator and prey blurs. A chilling game of cat-and-mouse unfolds, where a single misstep could stain Spider’s hands not just with guilt, but with damning evidence only water can reveal. Secrets unravel, alliances fracture, and Spider races against time to outwit a detective whose methods are as cunning as they are unpredictable.