Review: My Grandfather The Master Detective by Masateru Konishi, Translated by Louise Heal Kawai

Twenty-seven year old schoolteacher Kaede has a knack for encountering mysteries. Her beloved Grandfather, whose mind is still sharp despite having Lewy body Dementia, has a knack for solving them, in this heartwarming and often philosophical novel from Japan. Beautifully translated into English, we read as Kaede relies on her grandfather's help to solve all kinds of things, such as how did an extra student appear in Kaede's classroom? How did a teacher disappear from the school during a swimming lesson? However, between these mysteries two things soon become clear. First of all, innocent Kaede is slowly getting caught up in a love triangle with her two male friends. Second, something, or someone, is a threat to Kaede and her grandfather's safety ...

This was an enjoyable read. I read this over the space of a few weeks, reading one section and then something else before starting the next. This proved to be quite an enjoyable way to experience the novel as the philosophical nature of the writing gave me something to think about before I moved on to the next section. I rather liked the ending and the question that it poses to the reader--though I am still coming up with my theories, of which of the men Kaede chooses. The novel also offers a considerable amount of insight into dementia, and the vulnerabilities of dementia patients particularly around those charged with caring for them. It also shows the difficulties faced by their family members and how they can often experience frustration. 

Overall, an entertaining and philosophical read.

Highly recommended.