Detective Edogawa Ranpo

The community of detective fiction enthusiasts has just welcomed one of the most outstanding detective novels by the master of Japanese detective fiction, Edogawa Ranpo (1894-1965) - the series "The Shadow Beast".

The book "Sound of the Beasts" is published by the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House and Linh Lan Books.

Previously, readers were familiar with *The Blind Beast* and *The Man's Chair*. As a passionate detective fiction reader with over 20 years of experience, Nam Do – admin of the *Detective Fiction Lovers* group (with nearly 48,000 members) – stated that Ranpo's detective stories are very well-suited to the psychology of Vietnamese readers.

His stories combine detective work with bizarre psychology and eroticism, shaping a distinct style within the world of detective literature.

For example, serial killers who stalk beautiful girls, or lonely men who have nothing better to do, frequently appear in Ranpo's stories.

Vietnamese readers, especially young people today, prefer the bizarre psychological genre and don't place as much emphasis on logic in detective stories as Western ones. They readily accept the inclusion of strange and supernatural elements in detective fiction. All these elements are perfectly suited to Ranpo's stories.

With his unique storytelling style, Ranpo not only captivates readers with thrilling cases but also raises profound questions about human nature.

His detective work is no longer a game of pure reason, but becomes a journey of exploring the darkest corners of the human soul.

Like the story of the Blind Beast, which tells of a blind painter who can only perceive things through his hands, he longs to create a unique work of art from the body parts of beautiful women.

Seven girls, each with their own unique beauty, were led by the old man to his private room, where horrific murders ensued, all serving as the basis for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Each page is imbued with an eerie, melancholic, and chillingly terrifying beauty.

Born during Ranpo's most prolific period, the novel *The Sound Beast* reflects an unlimited creative spirit, transcending the conventional norms of detective literature, a liberation of Ranpo himself, and simultaneously showcasing the intersection of Japanese and Western cultures in the early 20th century.

According to translator Phuong Pham, Edogawa Ranpo is famous for writing about very disturbing instincts, but the novel *The Sound Beast* is "truly terrifying".

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/trinh-tham-edogawa-ranpo-20250512083303606.htm