The Takamoku Joseki

1982 story by Sara Paretsky, published now in the collected volume Windy City Blues, as well as elsewhere, for example the collection Win, Lose or Die (edited by Cynthia Manson and Constance Scarborough) of stories with a games connection.

The heroine is a private detective who assists a Japanese couple, the Takamoku's. They live in Los Angeles and once a week host a group of Go enthusiasts. There is description of oriental and university Go players concentrating over Gobans.

First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (v29 #1, January 1984).

Quite a good little story; haven't re-read it since I actually took up Go, but from what I remember, her descriptions rang true. - Jenny Radcliffe

Actually, the story is set in Chicago, not Los Angeles. This story is what got me interested in learning Go.

The story involves the murder of a player at a Go club. The hosts of the club, the heroine's neighbors, are concerned they'll be blamed for the murders, and so enlist the heroine's help. She is able to untangle the motive for the crime and identify the killer.

~ TammyCravit