Prefecture D Av Hideo Yokoyama

<p><i>A</i> collection of four novellas: each taking place in 1998, each set in the world of <i>Six Four</i>, and each centring around a mystery and the unfortunate officer tasked with solving it.<br><br><b>SEASON OF SHADOWS</b><br><i>"The force could lose face . . . I want you to fix this." </i>Personnel''s Futawatari receives a horrifying memo forcing him to investigate the behaviour of a legendary detective with unfinished business.<br><b>CRY OF THE EARTH</b><br><i>"It''s too easy to kill a man with a rumour." </i>Shinto of Internal Affairs receives an anonymous tipoff alleging a Station Chief is visiting the red-light district ­- a warning he soon learns is a red herring.<br><b>BLACK LINES</b><br><i>"It was supposed to be her special day." </i>Section Chief Nanao, responsible for the force''s 49 female officers, is alarmed to learn her star pupil has not reported for duty, and is believed to be missing.<br><b>BRIEFCASE</b><br><i>"We need to know what he''s going to ask." </i>On the eve of a routine debate, Political Liaison Tsuge learns a wronged politician is preparing his revenge. He must now quickly dig up dirt to silence him.<br><br><i>Prefecture D</i> continues Hideo Yokoyama''s exploration of the themes of obsession, saving face, office politics and inter-departmental conflicts. Placing everyday characters between a rock and a hard place and then dialling up the pressure, he blends and balances the very Japanese with the very accessible, to spectacular effect.</p>