Japanese writer Jiro Akagawa was voted the most popular mystery author by a newspaper in 1999. His characters are full of youthful spirit and humour and are always keen to show off.
Akagawa was born in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. After high school, he started off as an office worker. He spiced up his routine life by working on novels and scenarios.
In 1976, Akagawa finally caught book lovers' attention by winning the All Yomimono New Mystery Writers' Award. Two years later, he gave up his job and committed himself to writing full time.
His devotion was recognised. In 1980 he snatched the Kadokawa Novel Award with the book Requiem for a Bad Wife.
Who says writing cannot be a career? In 1982, Akagawa was already dubbed the second-richest man in Japan with earnings from his books.
The prolific writer has so far penned 400 titles and sold more than 270 million copies. His novels are translated into many different languages, including Chinese. They are also made into movies, including The School Girl and Machine Gun.
His fans come from all over the world. Readers from outside the country also see his books as an opportunity to learn about contemporary Japanese culture and society.
His work is of a personal style and sparkles with clever ideas and humorous touches. It is reflected in his series of the tortoise-shell Detective Cat Holmes. The cat detective is named after Sherlock Holmes and is a well-known character in Japan.
The three investigating sisters in the series are some more popular characters created by Akagawa. The eldest sister is passive and a little clumsy. The second is the smartest - in solving crimes - but is distracted too much by her detective boyfriend. The youngest is what we call a penny-pincher. She charges her sisters even for doing the dishes!
Akagawa's style demonstrates a well-balanced blend of suspense, romance, humour and action.