Seicho Matsumoto (1909-1992) was one of Japan’s leading and most popular mystery writers. I first read one of his novels (Tokyo Express) about three years ago and remember enjoying it very much, so when I found myself recently at an airport with nothing to read and spotted Suspicion on the shelves I was eager to see what it would be like. It’s an easy read with a straightforward, simple plot focused on a woman facing trial for the murder of her wealthy husband. The reasons for suspecting her are circumstantial and, it should be said, rooted in prejudices about her background and gender. It takes one independent minded and tenacious lawyer to pick apart the case against her and try to save her from conviction and execution. First published more than forty years ago, Suspicion still resonates for modern readers.