Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the image.

Case Closed, Vol. 22 opens with Conan and Harley Hartwell, the other “greatest detective” in Japan, as they continue their investigation of murder before a wedding – a story that began in Vol. 21.  Who killed the father of the bride?  Next, it’s “Murder on the Hokutosei Express.”  Conan and Richard Moore aka “Sleeping” Moore, the cursed detective who brings misfortune wherever he goes, take on a double murder on the Northern Star 3.  Conan also discovers that there is another mystery detective on board, and who she is will leave the young detective shocked.  In this volume’s final case, Conan and friends are on vacation and discover that a serial killer, who fixates on bleached blondes, is stalking one of their group.

THE LOWDOWN:  Case Closed is a private detective series and classical mystery story along the lines of Agatha Christie.  In fact, two of the mysteries that make up this edition – a locked room murder and murder on a passenger train – are scenarios used by the grand dame of classical mystery.  With a generous supply of policemen and detectives around, Case Closed also feels like modern crime fiction – even bearing similarities to such television series as “C.S.I.” and “Law and Order.”

Some of the science and contraptions behind these murder mysteries test credulity, and sometimes Case Closed seems as if it’s from the “Scooby-Doo” school of mystery fiction.  Still, this series is fun and quite entertaining.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of whodunits will find Case Closed to be a highly enjoyable read.

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