Devil in the Water

de Akiko Hatsu

This collection of horror short stories includes tales of murder, romance and the supernatural. The title story follows Natsuko, a maid at the Hagiwara mansion who bears an exact resemblance to a recently deceased woman of the household. Other stories include a cat who watches for his master and a ghost, a work of art which leads to revenge through possessed bodies, and a woman who haunts the husband who murdered her but whom she still loves. The mood and pacing of these stories are a kind of Japanese gothic, steeped in the culture but as clear to readers as the passions we all share. The publisher recommends this book for readers over 15 years old. Please note: This book views best in single-page format.