I read (and watch) a lot of murder mysteries. And I’m always fascinated by the novelty authors bring into a genre that is so old and so overdone.

The recent find is Keigo Higashino’s Newcomer. The author, known for his fiendish twists and the darkest darkness of humanity, takes a different route. He writes a murder mystery that unearths goodness in people — not one but almost everyone in the neighbourhood.

You have to read it to believe it. Inspector Kaga sparks his unique weirdness into the lives of people, who need a little intervention, if you will.

Saying anything more will ruin it for you. But, as a writer starved for inspiration, I want to say that Higashino finds a new perspective to a horrid crime. And it’s delightful.