Title: Satsui no Message (Message of
Murderous Intent)
Author/Artist: Matsumoto Yoko
Publisher: Kodansya Comics
Style: Shojo -- Murder Mystery
# of Books: 2
Rating: PG-13
Summary written by: Gloria Oliver
Main Characters:
Masago
Masago is your average Japanese girl except for a couple of things. Kind and quiet, she never speaks to anyone about her past. Her parents, though no ones has ever figured out why, died in a grissly murder perpetrated by Masago's father while she was in the room. Not only that, but at that time, Masago was hearing voices, voices that told her what others were thinking.
Shinomiya Kei
Kei, called Ki-chan by Masago, is the son of the man who adopted Masago after her parents murder/suicide. It was Kei that kept the messages from coming to Masago, and who treated her nice rather than as the demon most others had adopted in treating her once her parents' death was discovered and her own strange powers whispered about. Once she'd touched Kei, he was able to make the voices go away. With his protection, Masago was able to live a normal life again.
Unfortunately, after the murder, Kei becomes the prime suspect of the murder.
Hidaku Satoru
Hidaku is one of Masago's classmates. From the beginning it is obvious that he is interested in her. As matters progress, Masago confides in him and tells him of her past and her powers, which seem to be reawakening. With his help, Masago attempts to solve the mystery of Kamisono Kyoko.
Kamizono Kyoko
Kyoko is in the same class and Kei and has made it no secret that she is very interested in him. She sees Masago as a rival for his time, and will do whatever necessary to keep him from her. Though outwardly innocent looking and sweet, Kyoko is one nasty girl. When approached by a boy with a love letter, she happily destroys his love and belittles him at the same time. So it is no surprise that when she can't get rid of Masago when she comes to help Kei with the class project on a Horror House that she dredges up Masago's forgotten past.
Story Summary
Kamizono Kyoko is found dead in the school's Sci-Fi Club's Horror House. It is determined she was killed the night before. Masago and several other students had been on the school grounds at the time--each of them having been inside alone and having possible access to the deceased.
The prime suspect is Masago's older brother Kei. The day of the murder he had been seen threatening the victim after the latter had thrown out some dirty gossip from Masago's past. Masago knows he could have never done such a thing, and so with the help of Hidaku, tries to prove it, even if it means trying to use the hated powers she posseses.
Stiring up the problems are one of Kyoko's thwarted admirers, Kyoko's best friend/lackey, and a nosy wanna be student reporter. The deeper Masago goes, the more she thinks the murder may have something to do with her own cloudy past. Could it? Could the death of her parents over ten years ago have somehow resurfaced to take another life?
As you've probably already noticed from the character descriptions, this story has a little bit of everything-a murder, a mystery, blooming love, reawakening esper powers, and a few other things for good measure. Though only a two volume story, it is still long enough to be complex and entertaining. Not a bad read!