Kyotaro Nishimura ​

Kyotaro Nishimura is a Japanese author known for his mystery novels. Many of his works are set on trains, assisting in his development of the nickname, "The Master of the 'Train' Mystery". Nishimura received several honors for his contributions to the mystery genre, including the Mystery Writers of Japan Award and the Shugoro Yamamoto Award.

Quick Facts ​

• Known as the "Master of Mystery" in Japan.
• Most of his works are about trains, he is a graduate of the Faculty of Business Management and used to be a stationmaster.
• Became one of Japan's top-selling authors.
• The author of over 400 books.
• Honored as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government in 2000.
• His works have also been made into movies and TV drama series in Japan.

Background ​

Nishimura was born in 1930 in Osaka, Japan. As a child he always loved mystery novels and began writing mystery stories while he was a student at Ritsumeikan University. After graduating, he worked for an advertising agency while continuing to write on the side. In 1960, he published his mystery novel, "The Black Rumor" which received the Edogawa Rampo Prize, a prestigious award for mystery writers in Japan. He went on to write more than 400 novels, many of them set in the world of railways, a setting he loved since his childhood. His most famous series is the "Railroad Detective Series", which made him a well-known figure in the mystery genre in Japan. He passed away in 2018.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Nishimura was known for his intricate plot lines and meticulous attention to detail. His novels, mainly centered on railway mysteries, are marked by unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged till the end. The realistic portrayal of characters and environments in his books adds a unique depth to the narrative. His work had a significant influence in expanding the scope of the mystery genre, particularly in Japan.

Notable Works ​

• The Bullet Train Murder Mystery (1963)
• The Devil's Disciple (1968)
• The Black Fog (1971)
• The Wheelchair on the Express Train (1972)
• The Murder in Room 606 (1981)
• Murder on the Last Train (1985)
• Celestial Murder (1996)