Lady Joker

Lady Joker by Kaoru Takamura is a gripping crime thriller that delves into the dark intersections of corporate greed, social inequality, and personal revenge in modern Japan. Inspired by the real-life Glico-Morinaga kidnapping case of the 1980s, the novel follows a group of five ordinary men driven by personal grievances who band together to commit the perfect crime: kidnapping the president of a powerful Japanese corporation, Hinode Beer, and extorting the company with chilling precision.

What begins as a calculated act of vengeance quickly spirals into a complex web of intrigue, betrayal, and moral ambiguity as the police, journalists, and corporate executives scramble to respond. The mysterious figure "Lady Joker" looms over the entire operation, symbolizing the faceless power of those society has overlooked.

Takamura’s masterfully crafted narrative explores themes of justice, loyalty, and systemic corruption, offering a multi-layered portrayal of Japan’s societal struggles. Translated into English by Marie Iida and Allison Markin Powell, Lady Joker is a powerful literary crime novel that transcends the boundaries of the genre, making it a must-read for fans of dark, thought-provoking thrillers.