This year has been a year of Japanese mysteries for me. I had read 4 books by Keigo Higashino. Then I accidentally stumbled upon another author - Kanae Minato and her book, Confessions. Confessions is the English version of 'Kokuhaku'.She is one of the foremost writers in 'Iyamisu' sub genre of Japanese thrillers and is known as 'The Queen of Iyamisu'. Iyamisu means mysteries which deal with grisly episodes and dark human emotions in a way that make you cringe.
The story revolves around a school teacher and kids in her class. The story starts in the perspective of the teacher presenting a final day speech to the students as she was leaving the job. She recently experienced a trauma as her daughter was found dead in school pool. During the speech, she opens up that two of the students are responsible naming them as A and B and told that she has mixed HIV infected blood in the milk they drank as a revenge. The remaining happenings unfold from the perspective of these two students, another student, one of the victim's mother and sister and how that moment changes their lives.
Now, for a mystery reader this may be a disappointment that we are presented with the killers well ahead; losing the edge of mystery. But the way story takes its course and seeing how complicated human mind can be makes it an interesting read.The circumstances that lead to the crime and the nature of the students tends to make us wonder how much darker it can get.The book questions on the Japanese Juvenile law of criminal responsibility which provides immunity to underage criminals. I really liked the sister of one of the student reading mother's diary which in turns gives both of their perspectives as well and adds a nice layer.
True to the genre 'Iyamisu' , the story delves into the dark nature of human mind. This may be a book with no suspense on the killers but readers who like thrill can still seek out for more like any other thriller. A very definitive read that impressed me a lot.
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