Soji Shimada

Soji Shimada (島田荘司) is a Japanese logic mystery novelist. Born in in the city of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, Mr. Shimada currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Biography
Soji Shimada graduated from Seishikan High School in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and later Musashino Art University as a Commercial Arts design major.

After spending years as a dump truck driver, free writer, and musician, Shimada made his debut as a novelist in 1981 when The Tokyo Zodiac Murders (formerly known as Astrology’s Magic) remained as a finalist in the Rampo Edogawa Award.

His most well-known works include the Detective Mitarai Series and the Detective Yoshiki Series. His works often involve themes such as the death penalty, Nihonjinron (his theory on the Japanese people), and Japanese and international culture. He is a strong supporter of amateur Honkaku (logic) mystery writers. Following the trend of “Shakaiha Mystery” (Societal Logic mystery) led by Seicho Matsumoto, Shimada was the pioneer of “Shinhonkaku” logic mystery genre. He bred authors such as Yukito Ayatsuji and Shogo Utano, and he led the mystery boom from the late 1980's to present day. As the father of “Shinhonkaku,” Shimada is sometimes referred to as “The Godfather of Shinhonkaku” or “God of Mystery.”

Though a grave critic and writer, Shimada is not the harsh, grim character that many imagine him to be; in fact, he is quite friendly in person. One could get a sense of his character in his humor mysteries such as Soseki and the London Mummy Murders and Let There Be Murder, Any Kind of Murder. These books, especially the latter, involves an extravagant mystery trick as well as elements of satire, confusion, youth, and survival. These colorful themes made the book into a great hit, and were made into a short series. In recent years, Shimada has begun a new challenge—an animated series called the “Taiga Novels,” collaborated with the renowned illustrator Masamune Shirow. Upon its kick-off in January 2008, he and Shirow plan to create a twelve-book series through the Kodansha BOX publishers. On top of the BOX, Shimada holds a column in the celebrated magazine, the Weekly Shincho. He is also heading two newly-founded Amateur Mystery Novel contests—first, "The City of Roses Fukuyama Mystery Award” for amateur writers in Japan, and the “Soji Shimada Logic Mystery Award” in Taiwan, sponsored by Crown Publishing company. Even past the age of sixty, Shimada’s passion for writing has become stronger than ever: he is truly the maestro of Shinhonkaku mystery.

Detective Kiyoshi Mitarai Series

 * "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" (占星術殺人事件)
 * "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders Revised" (改訂完全版 占星術殺人事件)
 * "Murder in the Crooked Mansion" (斜め屋敷の犯罪)
 * "Murder in the Crooked Mansion Revised" (改訂完全版 斜め屋敷の犯罪)
 * "Kiyoshi Mitarai's Greeting" (御手洗潔の挨拶)
 * "The Knight Stranger" (異邦の騎士)
 * "The Knight Stranger Revised" (改訂完全版 異邦の騎士)
 * "Jack the Ripper--One Hundred Years of Solitude" (切り裂きジャック・百年の孤独)
 * "The Dance of Kiyoshi Mitarai" (御手洗潔のダンス)
 * "The Cannibal Tree of Dark Hill" (暗闇坂の人喰いの木)
 * "The Crystal Pyramid" (水晶のピラミッド)
 * "Vertigo" (眩暈)
 * "Atopos" (アトポス)
 * "The Ryugatei Murders 1 + 2" (龍臥亭事件（上・下）)
 * "The Melodies of Kiyoshi Mitarai" (御手洗潔のメロディ)
 * "Locked Room: P" (Pの密室)
 * "The Last Dinner" (最後のディナー)
 * "Phantom Russian Warship" (ロシア幽霊軍艦事件)
 * "Hollywood Certificate" (ハリウッド・サーティフィケート)
 * "The Devil's Revelry" (魔神の遊戯)
 * "St. Nicolas' Diamond Shoes" (セント・ニコラスの、ダイヤモンドの靴)
 * "Jack the Ripper of Kamikochi" (上高地の切り裂きジャック)
 * "Nezishiki Zazetsuki" (ネジ式ザゼツキー)
 * "Illusions from Ryugatei (1 + 2)" (龍臥亭幻想（上・下）)
 * "The Phantom of the Skyscraper" (摩天楼の怪人)
 * "The Drowning Mermaid" (溺れる人魚)
 * "UFO Boulevard" (UFO大通り)
 * "The Adventures of Satomi Inubo" (犬坊里美の冒険)
 * "The Final Pitch" (最後の一球)
 * "The Allegory of Ribeltas" (リベルタスの寓話)
 * "Shinshindo, Sekai Isshyu" (進々堂、世界一周)

Detective Takeshi Yoshiki Series
All works, with the exception of "The Fading "Crystal Express,"" have been published by Kobunsha Press. A portion of the works have been adapted into a TV series by TBS: Takeshi Yoshiki Series.
 * "Overnight Express "Hayabusa": the Wall of 1/60 seconds" (寝台特急「はやぶさ」1/60秒の壁)
 * "The Izumo Legend: 7/8 of a Murder" (出雲伝説7/8の殺人)
 * "Crane of the North: 2/3 of a Murder" (北の夕鶴2/3の殺人)*
 * "The Fading "Crystal Express"" (消える「水晶特急」)
 * "A 2/2 Chance of Death" (確率2/2の死)
 * "The Blueprint of "Y"" (Yの構図)
 * "Ashen Labyrinth" (灰の迷宮)
 * "The Night Rings a Thousand Bells" (夜は千の鈴を鳴らす)
 * "Yutai Ridatsu Satsujin Jiken" (幽体離脱殺人事件)
 * "Kisou, Ten wo Ugokasu" (奇想、天を動かす)
 * "Hagoromo Densetsu no Kioku" (羽衣伝説の記憶)
 * "Words Without "Ra"" (ら抜き言葉殺人事件)
 * "Asuka's Glass Shoes" (飛鳥のガラスの靴)
 * "As Tears Go By (1, 2)" (涙流れるままに（上・下）)
 * "The Portrait of Yoshiki Takeshi" (later changed to The Shining Crane) (吉敷竹史の肖像（2002年 「光る鶴」に改題）)

Notes and references
島田荘司 島田莊司