The Master Key by Masako Togawa, Simon Grove (Translated by)

This is the story of an apartment house in Japan for women only.  Most of the inhabitants moved in during war days and didn't think they'd be there long.  Years later most of them are still there and stay in their little apartments from habit and for safety.  The story begins and ends with death...

Pushkin Vertigo and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published March 27th.

They are burying a little boy in the basement of the building.  This incident is tied to a kidnapping.  Practically everyone in this apartment house has a story and something they are hiding.  The chapters are little vignettes of their lives.  None of it seems to be related until you get to the end of the story where it all comes together.  The common thread is the theft of the master key.  It disappears twice during this story.

This tale is a bit dry and sad but it is a good look at a piece of life in Japan.  It was interesting and informative with a bit of mystery throughout the book.  Have you been to Japan?  This book will take you there.