The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction: from the BBC 2 Between the Covers author Robert Goddard
£9.50
From the author of the BBC 2 Between the Covers hit, The Fine Art of Invisible Detection
‘The world’s greatest storyteller’ Guardian
‘One of the finest crime writers of any generation’ Daily Mail
‘Our finest practitioner of the double-cross plotting’ Mick Herron
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Umiko Wada never set out to be a private detective, let alone become the one-woman operation behind the Kodaka Detective Agency. But so it has turned out, thanks to the death of her former boss, Kazuto Kodaka, in mysterious circumstances.
Keen to avoid a similar fate, Wada chooses the cases she takes very carefully. A businessman who wants her to track down his estranged son offers what appears to be a straightforward assignment. Soon she finds herself pulled into a labyrinthine conspiracy with links to a twenty-seven-year-old investigation by her late employer and to the chaos and trauma of the dying days of the Second World War.
As Wada uncovers a dizzying web of connections between then and now, it becomes clear that someone has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the past buried. Soon those she loves most will be sucked into the orbit of one of the most powerful men in Tokyo. And he will do whatever it takes to hold on to his power…
The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction is another tour de force from the cunning mind of master storyteller Robert Goddard. Spanning seventy years, it takes the reader on a head-spinning journey of twist and counter-twist which keep you guessing until the final pages.
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Readers love the Umiko Wada series:
***** ‘Guaranteed and satisfying escapism’
***** ‘Twists and turns right up to the last page’
***** ‘Edge-of-the-seat stuff’
***** ‘Fresh and inventive’
***** ‘The master of twists and suspense … sublime’
***** ‘Scintillating and wickedly twisty’
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Transworld Digital (17 Aug. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1718 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 424 pages |
by Hemingway’s Proofreader
I prefer stories set in England, and Goddard is for me the quintessential English story teller, so I am disappointed that his last several books have been set elsewhere. That said, I did like this book, however, I found the plot somewhat difficult to follow, with its myriad characters, all Japanese, which added to the problem due to the unfamiliarity of their names.
by richard Brown
Robert Goddard brings back Umiko Wada in her second outing.An intriguing book that RG has obviously invested great time and effort in. A complex plot that shifts between 1995 and 2022, it gives us a view into Japanese culture and history and the labyrinth plot requires concentration. The novel does lack action and suspense but at the same time it is a superbly written story.
It is obvious that RG is fully invested in his creation of Wada and I am sure there will be more complex cases for her to investigate in the future.
by Mrs. J. H. Battle
As ever Robert Goddard does not let you down. Great storyline spanning from the war to the present day with 2 stories running in parallel. Great read.
by David Jacques
Complex not as good as first book on this series
by Alan in Durham
Unlike many Goddard novels the main protagonist is a likeable character with whom the reader can feel empathy.
But he puts her into many situations where she is vulnerable. This time one of the historic events is personal causing the death of her husband in the Sarin attacks although the opening scene of the devastated Japan is the opportunity for the main villain to prosper.
by PaulA McCarthy
Another great and thought provoking read. Wonderful story teller. Role on the next one.
I wonder if he will do a follow up?
by Jeremy l
Set in Japan in two different eras, this absorbing thriller is engaging on many levels. The story line is elaborately crafted, and keeps you guessing. The main characters are drawn with some depth and the setting in Japan provides an interesting cultural backdrop. However, that is somewhat of a double edged sword, as it proved a little confusing at first. My only reservation to an otherwise hugely enjoyable read.
by The Biscuit
Outstanding read which I thoroughly enjoyed; Robert Goddard at his absolute best. Couple of words of advice: it is quintessential Goddard so cannot be read just a few pages at a time. I had to make notes as I went along to make sure I was not getting confused with the Japanese names and locations and you need to make time to read it in sizeable chunks or, like me, you will keep getting lost and having to go back to reread the previous chapter. This does, of course, make the book twice as long so twice as enjoyable and delays the disappointment of finishing it!