Read: The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction, Robert Goddard

I’ve been reading Goddard’s novels since the 1990s, and I remember him winning a “thumping good read” award some time back then, which struck me as a bit of a back-handed insult as surely authors hope for more… His novels are contemporary thrillers, typically with a surprise twist in the final chapter, if that’s not a tautology. In recent years, Goddard has written a pretty good historical trilogy, a good thriller about France’s depredations in Algeria, and two novels about a middle-aged female Japanese private investigator, of which this is the second. The plot is based around the Kobe Sensitive, who predicted the earthquake in that city in 1995 but was not believed, and a teenage survivor of post-WWII Japan who blackmailed his way to power and influence. It’s a solid thriller and, to my eyes, strong on detail, with a sympathetic, if not personable, protagonist. The plot is appropriately chewy, so much so it's hard to distinguish what is invention and what is actual historical fact. I can’t honestly recommend Goddard’s earlier novels - the twists often seemed either forced or completely left-field - but his last few have definitely been worth a go. ( )

Not sure what to make of an English author writing about Japan, although I did enjoy his 'invisible' detective, Umiko Wada, and the Maltese Falcon vibes of the plot. There are, however, far too many characters - the dramatis personae didn't help - and two investigations thirty years apart to follow, which made reading hard going but always entertaining. The villain of the piece is a creepy puppet master who, to mix analogies, prefers to sweep his opponent's chess pieces off the board when he's losing, and both he and Wada, following in the steps of her late boss Kodaka, are hunting a mystery item that has hurt many people over the years. I also liked the idea of the 'Kobe Sensitive', who can sense earthquakes and tsunamis but whose warnings go ignored. Confusing but captivating. ( )

Private Eye Umiko Wada, known as Wada, has her second outing in this book. Originally taken on as Kodaka's secretary, his death meant that she slotted into his position to carry on his work. She has established herself as successful, not just at investigting but also at running a business and is now starting to win work on her own. However, her first client of the book is someone who had previously asked Kodaka to do some work for him and so is surprised to find that he is no longer around and grudgingly gives the work to Wada. She is asked to find a missing son.

Of course, this is not a simple request even though it might appear so and very quickly other people are drawn into the case, those that are missing and those that would like to find them. The root of the case started in the messy period after the war when Americans were running parts of Japan and for those in the right place at the right time, there is money to be made.

Goddard has written a dual narrative telling Wada's present day story and Kodaka's from the 1990s. The links become clear quite early on but the truths which bind them are not revealed until much later in the book. The two PIs are opposites in terms of character: Wada is a quiet, self-contained woman who considers everything before acting. Kodaka is the old-school PI, drinking with journalists most evenings.

There are many twists and turns in the book, including a side narrative based on Wada's mother and the lodger she takes in. He turns out to be a disgraced Sumo wrestler who has been homeless for a couple of years and although he is not directed to intervene in the case, he does have an important role.

And the predictions? These are predictions about the earthquake and tsunami that are given to the government by a woman who rings up and reports that they are going to happen - a skill that the scientists can not replicate and struggle to predict. It becomes clear that others want to 'own' or manipulate this woman for their own benefits and she would like to live a quiet life where she is unknown.

An enjoyable read where I didn't predict the ending. ( )