Keigo Higashino facts for kids

Keigo Higashino (born February 4, 1958, died July 23, 2026) was a famous Japanese writer. He was best known for his exciting mystery novels. Many of his books won important awards in Japan. About twenty of his stories were even made into movies and TV shows! He also led the Mystery Writers of Japan organization for a few years.

Discovering Keigo Higashino

Growing Up in Japan

Keigo Higashino was born in Osaka, Japan, on February 4, 1958. His family name was originally read differently, but his father changed it to Higashino. He grew up in a busy part of the city. Life was sometimes tough for his family.

He went to Shoji Elementary School, Higashi Ikuno Junior High, and Hannan High School. While in high school, he discovered his love for mystery books. Later, he studied Electrical Engineering at Osaka Prefecture University. He was even the captain of the archery club there! He earned a degree in engineering.

Becoming a Writer

Keigo Higashino started writing stories when he was in high school and college. He would share his early works with friends. After college, in 1981, he worked as an engineer. But he kept writing mysteries in his free time, late at night and on weekends.

First Big Win

In 1985, when he was 27, Higashino won the important Edogawa Rampo Prize. This award was for his mystery novel called After School. The story was inspired by his time in the archery club at university. After this big win, he decided to become a full-time writer in Tokyo in 1986.

Famous Books and Awards

One of his popular books, Secret, came out in 1998. It was so good that it was made into a movie and won an award in 1999. The idea for Secret came from a book he read about a child remembering someone else's life.

In 2006, Higashino won another major award, the Naoki Prize, for his book The Devotion of Suspect X. This book was very popular and won other awards too. It was even nominated for international awards like the Edgar Award.

He also won the Eiji Yoshikawa Literary Prize in 2014 for When the Curtain of Prayer Descends. This book was part of his popular Detective Kyoichiro Kaga series.

Global Popularity

Keigo Higashino became one of the most loved authors in Asia, especially in China. His books were translated into many languages, including Chinese, French, and Spanish. People all over the world enjoyed his unique stories.

Helping Others

From 2009 to 2013, Higashino was the president of the Mystery Writers of Japan. He also helped choose winners for several literary awards. After a big earthquake in Japan in 2011, he donated money from his book sales to help those affected.

Even though he was famous, Higashino liked to keep a low profile. He preferred not to be recognized when he was out and about.

His Passing

Keigo Higashino passed away on July 23, 2026, after an illness. His family held a private funeral for him.

His Unique Writing Style

Keigo Higashino's writing changed over the years. He once said he wanted his readers to always be surprised by his ideas! Besides mysteries, he also wrote essays and children's books. His children's stories were simpler, with fewer characters.

Science and Sports in Stories

His novels often included interesting scientific ideas. These could be about things like nuclear power or even brain science. He also often added sports into his stories, like archery, kendo, ski jumping, and snowboarding.

Different Kinds of Mysteries

Sometimes, Higashino wrote mysteries that were a bit different. In some of his books, like Suspect X, you learn who the criminal is early on. This is different from a typical "whodunit" where you find out at the very end. He liked to show the characters' feelings and reasons from the start. This helped readers understand their guilt and struggles better.

Japanese Influences

Higashino enjoyed books by writers from other countries. But he felt most inspired by Japanese authors. He believed his stories showed a special Japanese way of thinking about loyalty and human emotions. He hoped readers from around the world would read his books and learn about Japanese culture and feelings.

Works in English Translation

Novels

Detective Galileo series

• The Devotion of Suspect X (original title: Yōgisha X no Kenshin), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Minotaur Books, 2011)
• Salvation of a Saint (original title: Seijo no Kyūsai), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Minotaur Books, 2012)
• A Midsummer's Equation (original title: Manatsu no Hōteishiki), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Minotaur Books, 2016)
• Silent Parade (original title: Chinmoku no Parēdo), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2021)
• Invisible Helix (original title: Tōmei na Rasen), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2024)

Police Detective Kaga series

• Malice (original title: Akui), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Minotaur Books, 2014)
• Newcomer (original title: Shinzanmono), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2018)
• A Death in Tokyo (original title: Kirin no tsubasa), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2022)
• The Final Curtain (original title: Inori no Maku ga Oriru Toki), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2023)

Other novels

• Naoko (original title: Himitsu), trans. Kerim Yasar (Vertical, 2004)
• Journey Under the Midnight Sun (original title: Byakuyakō), trans. Alexander O. Smith (Hachette, 2015)
• The Name of the Game is a Kidnapping (original title: Gēmu no Na wa Yūkai), trans. Jan Mitsuko Cash (Vertical, 2017)
• The Miracles of the Namiya General Store (original title: Namiya Zakkaten no Kiseki), trans. Sam Bett (Yen On, 2019)
• Guilt (original title: Hakucho to Komori), trans. Giles Murray (Minotaur Books, 2026)
• The Keeper of the Camphor Tree (original title: Kusunoki no Bannin), trans. Jordan Taylor (Minotaur Books, 2026)

Essay

• My Favourite Mystery: Kuroi gashū (黒い画集, The Black Art Book) by Seichō Matsumoto (Mystery Writers of Japan, Inc.)

Awards and Recognitions

Keigo Higashino received many honors and awards throughout his career for his amazing writing.

Honours

Awards

Japanese Mystery Fiction Guide Rankings

• 2006 – The Best Japanese Crime Fiction of the Year (Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! 2006): The Devotion of Suspect X
• 2010 – The Best Japanese Crime Fiction of the Year (Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! 2010): Shinzanmono (The Newcomer)
• 2012 – Ranked as the No. 13 novel on the Top 100 Japanese Mystery Novels of All Time: The Devotion of Suspect X
• 2012 – Ranked as the No. 18 novel on the Top 100 Japanese Mystery Novels of All Time: Journey under the Midnight Sun
• 2018 – Ranked as No. 1 novel on the Weekly Bungeishunjū Mystery Best 10: Chinmoku no Parēdo (沈黙のパレード, Silent Parade)

TV and Film Adaptations

Many of Keigo Higashino's novels have been turned into exciting TV shows and movies!

Japanese films

• Naoko (1999, Original Title: Himitsu, 1998)
• g@me. (2003, Original Title: Gēmu no Na wa Yūkai, 2002)
• Lakeside Murder Case (2004, Original Title: Lakeside, 2002)
• Henshin (2005)
• Tegami (2006)
• Suspect X (2008)
• The Hovering Blade (2009, Original Title: Samayou Yaiba, 2004)
• Into the White Night (2011)
• Yoake no Machi de (2011)
• The Wings of the Kirin (2012)
• Platinum Data (2013)
• Midsummer's Equation (2013)
• Broken | Banghwanghaneun Kalnal (2014)
• The Big Bee | Tenku no Hachi (2015)
• Shippu Rondo (2016)
• Miracles of the Namiya General Store | Namiya Zakkaten no Kiseki (2017)
• The House Where The Mermaid Sleeps | Ningyo no Nemuru Ie (2018)
• The Crimes That Bind | Inori no Maku ga Oriru Toki (2018)
• Laplace's Witch | Rapurasu no Majo (2018)
• Masquerade Hotel (2019)
• Parallel World Love Story (2019)
• Masquerade Night (2021)
• Silent Parade (2022)

Japanese TV dramas

• Tokio chichi e no dengon (2004 Aug–Sep, Original Title: Tokio, 2002)
• Byakuyakō (2006)
• Galileo (2007 and 2008, Original Title: Tantei Galileo, 1998, Yochimu, 2000, and Galileo no Kunō, 2008)
• Ryūsei no Kizuna (2008)
• Meitantei no Okite (2009)
• Himitsu (2010)
• Shinzanmono (2010)
• Higashino Keigo Mysteries (2012, Original Title: Hannin no Inai Satsujin no Yoru, 1990, Ayashii Hitobito, 1994, and Ano Koro no Dareka, 2011)
• Galileo II (2013 and SP, 2013, Original Title: Seijo no Kyūsai, 2008, Galileo no Kunō, 2008, Kyozō no Dōkeshi, 2012, and Kindan no Majutsu, 2012)
• Dangerous Venus (2020)
• The Forbidden Magic (2022)

South Korean films

• White Night (2009)
• Perfect Number (2012)
• Broken (2014)

French film

• The Secret (2007, based on Himitsu; French title: Si J'etais Toi, meaning "If I Were You")

Chinese film

• Namiya (2017, based on Namiya Zakkaten no Kiseki)

Indian film

• Monica, O My Darling (Hindi language 2022 film based on Burutasu No Shinzou)
• Jaane Jaan (2023 Hindi Language film based on The Devotion of Suspect X )

See also

In Spanish: Keigo Higashino para niños