Merciless

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A brutally mutilated corpse is discovered by a moat, the only clue a few curled strands of hair clutched in the victim's hand. Two detectives take the case: Tanimata, a seasoned veteran who trusts instinct and experience, and Otomo, a young newcomer who swears by science and logic. As their rival methods collide, the hunt for the killer becomes a contest of pride as much as skill. Published in 1889—two years before the first Sherlock Holmes collection—this landmark work is widely regarded as Japan's first original detective novel, a foundational pillar of the country's mystery tradition.

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