The Lipless Man

This novel is the fifth full-length entry in the Akechi Kogoro series, but it functions as a standalone mystery that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the detective's earlier cases.

This book marks the first appearance of the youthful assistant Kobayashi, who becomes a central figure and frequent collaborator in the detective's future investigations.

The narrative incorporates a reference to the author's own 1925 short story titled The Human Chair, weaving elements of his broader macabre bibliography into the investigation.