{"product_id":"the-master-key-paperback-5","title":"The Master Key - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMasako Togawa\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eSimon Grove\u003c\/b\u003e (Translator)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe prize-winning debut mystery from one of Japan's best-loved crime writers\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe K Apartments for Ladies are occupied by over one hundred unmarried women, once young and lively, now grown and old--and in some cases, evil. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTheir residence conceals a secret connecting the unsolved 1951 kidnapping of four-year-old George Kraft to the clandestine burial of a child's body in the basement bath-house. So, when news comes that the building must be moved to make way for a road-building project, more than one tenant waits with apprehension for the grisly revelation that will follow. Then the master key is lost, stolen and re-stolen--and suddenly no-one feels safe. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFiendish intrigue, double identity and an ingenious plot make this a thriller worthy of comparison with the work of P.D. James.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMasako Togawa (1931-2016) was born in Tokyo. Her father died when she was young, and she spent the rest of her childhood living with her mother, in an apartment building for single women, which provided the inspiration for the setting of \u003ci\u003eThe Master Key\u003c\/i\u003e. After leaving school, she worked as a typist for some years, before stepping onto the stage as a cabaret performer in 1954. She soon began to write backstage during the breaks between her performances, and in 1962, her debut novel \u003ci\u003eThe Master Key\u003c\/i\u003e was published, and won the Edogawa Rampo Prize. She went on to become a hugely successful crime writer, but continued to lead a colourful parallel life as a singer, actress, feminist, nightclub owner and gay icon. She died in 2016 at the age of 83.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 192\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 7.7 x 5.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 23, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42160158638215,"sku":"9781782277729","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/07901df3e44397cfefde5a225f5a44f2.webp?v=1733272039","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/the-master-key-paperback-5","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}