MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD

There are bodies everywhere in Araki’s lively fiction debut: bodies in the trunks of cars, on the side of the road and, most significantly for university student Haru, hanging from the ceiling at home. As an asteroid hurtles steadily toward Earth—the planet’s destruction is inevitable—it triggers a gamut of reactions. Haru’s mother has left the family, and her distraught father has died by suicide. She dutifully arranges his body before heading off to her driving lesson with charismatic instructor Isagawa. Though they’re not unmindful of the coming disaster, these two women are determined to continue their normal lives while contemplating their options. During the driving lesson, they discover a young murder victim riddled with stab wounds. Isagawa’s righteous indignation is triggered, and since the overworked police will likely ignore the crime, she decides to investigate. It turns out she’s a former police detective. Haru is inspired to assist her. Part mystery and part road trip, Araki’s brisk novel rests on a cushion of banter between the two women. Despite its dark premise, it’s surprisingly entertaining. Araki stylishly depicts the duo’s blossoming friendship, their shared fervor to untangle a complex mystery, and the growing confidence reflected in Haru’s engaging first-person narration. Simmering beneath the surface is a slyer exploration of human behavior in the face of imminent disaster.