“An outstanding puzzle mystery… The gradual, logical, but still surprising unfolding of the Russian nesting doll of a plot is a delight.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Fans of P.D. James, Robert Barnard and other literate writers in the genre will welcome this prize-winning author’s first work… Superbly crafted and riveting from start to finish.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A twisted locked-room fable, made creepily seductive by masterful portrayals of the residents’ eccentricities and hints of malevolent supernatural forces.” — Booklist Online
“Extraordinarily atmospheric Japanese thriller … Miss Togawa writes with economy, subtlety and an astonishing feel for time, mood, and the eccentricities of loneliness. An eerie gem.” — Marcel Berlins, The Times
“As fascinating a weird yarn of mystery as you’ll find… One word sums it up – superb!” — LA Times
“If you seek a wickedly original, clever crime novel, a brilliant exploration of the weaknesses of the human mind, I strongly recommend you lose yourself in Togawa’s acutely portrayed sketch.” — Thrillers Books Journal
“Starts out on a high note of tension and stays that way up until the very end.” — Crime Segments
“A clever story… If you like creepy this will definitely be right up your street.” — Crime Review
“A clever, creepy story.” — Mail on Sunday
“The PD James of Japan.” — Times Literary Supplement
“A bizarre yarn of guilty secrets among the sad, mad and surprisingly bad occupants of Tokyo’s K Apartments for ladies only.” — Sunday Times Crime Club
“Slickly-readable… jaw-dropping moments… Sharply crafted plotting … Is Masako Togawa Japan’s answer to P.D. James? James should be so lucky.” — South China Morning Post
