A timeless masterpiece. This long mystery novel is based on a real-life major fire that occurred in Iwanai, located at the base of the Oshima Peninsula on the Sea of Japan side. The story begins with the Iwanai fire, which was said to have even burned the sea. Men on parole from Abashiri Prison take advantage of the chaos to rob a pawn shop, stealing a large sum of money and fleeing from Hakodate across the Tsugaru Strait. At the same time, the Toya Maru ferry sinks in Hakodate. The story unfolds in the post-war confusion, with the men secretly crossing from Hakodate to the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori, then to Mutsu and Kyoto. The man, who becomes the president of a food company and even serves on the local education board, had to commit brutal murders to climb so high. Two detectives, one from the Hakodate Police Department and the other from the Maizuru Police Department in Kyoto, relentlessly pursue him. The novel was also made into a film, starring Rentaro Mikuni, Ken Takakura, Junzaburo Ban, and Sachiko Hidari. "Kiga Kaikyo" (Starvation Strait) refers to the Tsugaru Strait. The final plot twist is spectacular and makes for a very satisfying read. Offered for sale to organize my storage.