Japanese mystery author Keigo Higashino dies at 68

Keigo Higashino, the internationally celebrated Japanese author of intricate mystery novels including "The Devotion of Suspect X" and "Malice," died on July 23 at the age of 68. His death from colorectal cancer was announced on Monday, July 27, by his publisher, Kodansha, and through his official social media account. A private funeral has already been held with his family.

Higashino's career spanned more than four decades, producing 106 books that sold over 100 million copies in Japan alone. His work, translated into dozens of languages and adapted into numerous films and television series, earned him a global following, particularly across Asia. He was known for blending rigorous logical puzzles with deep psychological insight and emotional storytelling, a style that helped redefine modern detective fiction.

Born in Osaka in 1958, Higashino initially pursued a career in engineering, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering and working for automotive component manufacturer Denso. He began writing in his spare time and achieved his breakthrough in 1985 when his debut novel, "After School," won the prestigious Edogawa Rampo Prize. This launched his full-time writing...