Although a few group members couldn’t get into the book and thus did not read the whole thing, overall, the group found it to be well written and interesting.

Inspired by the real case of the ‘Konkatsu Killer’ this book tells the story of a female, Japanese reporter called Rika who attempts to get the inside story from Gourmet cook, Manako Kaji, who has been convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. Having refused to speak with the Press, Kaji is unable to resist writing back when Rika asks for one of her recipes.  As their conversation unfolds it takes Rika on a journey with far-reaching consequences.

There was some confusion over the similarity of the Japanese names and, for some people, possibly a little too much about the actual cooking.  However, it raised many issues, including social expectations, a woman’s place in society, family relationships, loneliness and the identity of women.  It gave a good insight into Japanese life which, from the book, appears insensitive and possibly lacking in community.