This prize-winning essay examines the form of honkaku mystery and the so-called late Queen problem. Using the mathematical metaphor suggested by its title, it considers inference as fiction, the detective's position, and the logic of the fictional world.

An essay that reexamines the logic of honkaku mystery through fiction and the detective's position.

This prize-winning essay appears to center on Rintaro Norizuki. Beginning with the wordplay in its title, it reconsiders the language of mystery criticism through author names, readings, ruby glosses, and critical quotation.

An essay that unsettles the act of reading mystery criticism through the gap between names and ruby glosses.

This prize-winning essay asks what is hidden in Kenichi Sobe's body of work and how it has been read. Focusing on the distinctive humor, devices, and view of mystery held by a Mephisto Prize writer, it reconsiders the criteria by which his works are judged.

An essay that rereads Kenichi Sobe's devices and humor as a subject of mystery criticism.