Can you recommend best Japanese crime novels for beginners?

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' is a great start. The stories are short and easy to follow, and the mysteries are engaging. Another good one is 'The Cat Who...' series by Lilian Jackson Braun. It's more light - hearted compared to some darker crime novels.

Sure. 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry (it has a Japanese translation and is very popular there). It has simple language and a profound story that's easy to understand. Another good one is 'My Neighbor Totoro' which is based on the beloved Studio Ghibli film. The storybook version has a charming narrative and is a great introduction to Japanese storytelling.

For beginners, 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto is a great choice. It has a simple yet engaging writing style. The story revolves around a young woman dealing with loss and finding comfort in the kitchen, which is a very relatable theme.

For beginners, 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is a great start. It's a classic with a straightforward plot that still has all the elements of noir - a tough detective, shadowy characters, and a valuable object everyone is after. Another good one is 'The Thin Man' also by Hammett. It has a bit of humor mixed in with the mystery. And 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson. It's a disturbing but well - written noir that gives a good introduction to the genre's darker side.

You could also try 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features the detective Philip Marlowe and has a noir - ish feel. The story is full of twists and turns as Marlowe tries to solve a case involving blackmail and murder.

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great start. It's easy to read and has many short stories that introduce the amazing detective skills of Sherlock Holmes. Another good one is 'The 39 Steps' by John Buchan. It has an exciting plot full of adventure and mystery.

I would also suggest 'The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires' by Grady Hendrix. It's a fun and accessible read. It's about a group of southern women who discover that there's a vampire in their midst. The book combines the charm of southern life with the horror and crime elements of dealing with a vampire. It shows how ordinary people can get involved in supernatural crime - fighting.

Sure. 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman is a great start. It has an interesting cast of elderly characters who solve murders in their retirement village. It's funny and the mysteries are well - crafted.

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great start. The short stories are easy to follow and introduce you to the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his methods of deduction.

Sure. 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie is a great start. It's a classic with a simple yet very engaging mystery. Ten strangers are lured to an island and then start to die one by one, and you're left guessing who the killer is.