Abstract

The disappearance of sunflowers and a series of disturbing incidents - a masterpiece coming-of-age mystery delicately depicting the emotions of an impressionable girl.

After her father dies, Takahashi Minori, a girl of twelve years old, moves to a village in Yamagata. During her first summer, an incident occurs in which all the sunflowers that were being grown for the "sunflower floating" event are cut off by someone. More disturbing incidents continue to occur around Minori... A moving full-length coming-of-age mystery that depicts her growth over the past four years and the course of the incidents with a fresh touch.

Nominated for the 74th Mystery Writers of Japan Award in the long novel and short story series categories.

Author’s Information

Born in Yamagata Prefecture. Graduated from Waseda University's School of Literature. Made her debut in 2009 with her novel "Minor Ceremony," which was a semi-finalist in the Fujimi Young Mystery Awards (the title was changed to "The Girl is Closed in Summer" when it was released in paperback). Her other works include "Higurashifuru," "Won't Wake Up in the Kingdom of Summer," "When Our World Ends," "Sakuraoto," and "Omoide Revival." Her work "Picking Himawari" was nominated for the 74th Mystery Writers of Japan Award in the Novel and Short Story Series categories.