When Sato wants to divorce his wife, he first seeks the help of a wakaresaseya agent, Kaitaro who is valued for his ability at enticing unwanted wives, and gains evidence to support a husband’s favourable break-up. But when he meets Sato’s wife, Rina, there is something about her that makes him want to turn his back on this job. Forced to take on the assignment, he begins to admire, then fall in love with Rina and plans to do everything he can so she gains a favourable divorce, retains her daughter, and marries him. But something goes wrong, and Rina is found strangled and Kaitaro convicted of murder.

Is it possible that he would murder someone he was in awe of? And what about the footprint at the murder scene that was not his nor Rina’s father’s who arrived at the crime scene and called the police.

This is an interesting insight into a sly practice and the intricacies of Japanese culture and laws that was inspired by a real crime. Well written and engaging from the first page.

• Other Asian 5 out of 5s