A man's body was found near the railway tracks, initially classified as a simple case of suicide. However, the police discovered a bullet hole, leading them to conclude that the victim had been shot and then dumped at the scene. The deceased was identified as Gosuke Nishinohata, the director of Towa Textiles Company.
Before his death, a strike had begun among the union members of Towa Textiles, who were complaining about their working conditions and wages. The director's death could be seen as beneficial for the union members, but it also raised questions about possible motives. Nishinohata had previously coerced workers into joining a cult for spiritual edification, only to betray the organization afterward. Various opinions about him emerged: he was considered devious, egotistical, and a womanizer.
To unravel the mystery, Inspector Onitsura and his team faced an intriguing game of cat and mouse, as the suspects provided watertight alibis. There were two additional deaths linked to the case, complicating matters with a slew of exhausting theories. I admire Onitsura's methods, which rely on patience, perseverance, and keen insight. The murder mystery was subtly engaging, a masterclass in alibi deconstruction and psychological intrigue, and the conclusion was very satisfying. "The Black Swan Mystery" by Tetsuya Ayukawa is set in the 1960s and won the prestigious Mystery Writers of Japan Award.