Menu of happiness

Kashiwai's third installment in the "Kamogawa Food Detectives" series (after The Restaurant of Lost Recipes) once again entices listeners with evocative descriptions of Japanese cuisine and reminders of the healing power of food. Each chapter centers on a client seeking to recover something lost, such as a relationship or a sense of self, by reconnecting with a dish tied to a meaningful moment from their past. The Kamogawa Detective Agency is run by the wise and observant chef Nagare and his daughter Koishi with their cat Drowsy making welcome appearances. Each chapter features one client, an intake visit devoted to uncovering clues through conversation and sensory detail, followed by a second visit that offers resolution and a taste of the food they were seeking. Narrator Footman returns, continuing a near-perfect pairing of voice and story. Her measured pacing and subtle shifts in tone highlight the warmth and nuance of the father-daughter relationship, rewarding attentive listeners with layers of emotional insight. VERDICT Listeners will delight in this latest entry in the beloved series and eagerly anticipate the next English translation. Essential for any healing-fiction collection.--Christa Van Herreweghe