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THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SENSATION WINNER OF WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2025 A BBC BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICKDescribed as 'A full-fat, Michelin-starred treat' by THE SUNDAY TIMES and hailed as 'A cult phenomenon' by iNEWS, this novel took the literary world by storm, according to the BBC. THE TIMES called it 'A killer Japanese novel', and Nigel Slater confessed, 'I have been glued to Butter'.
This intriguing Japanese bestseller revolves around a female gourmet chef, Manako Kajii, who is also a notorious serial killer, and the journalist, Rika Machida, determined to unravel her story. The plot is inspired by true events and translated by Polly Barton. Known for her unique dishes, Kajii is detained in the Tokyo Detention Centre, accused of seducing lonely businessmen through her exquisite cooking before murdering them. Although her case captivated the public, Kajii avoided media interactions until Machida piqued her interest with a simple request for a beef stew recipe. An exchange of letters begins as Rika, the sole woman in her news office, tries to crack the case while grappling with her culinary limitations, often resorting to ramen for late-night meals.
As these exchanges progress, they become more about culinary lessons than journalism. Rika hopes that through these gastronomic interactions, she can reach Kajii, but she finds herself undergoing a transformation. With each dish consumed, Rika senses a change within herself, prompting her to question if she shares more with Kajii than she initially believed.
Based on the real-life case of 'The Konkatsu Killer', Asako Yuzuki’s "Butter" provides a vivid exploration of themes such as misogyny, obsession, and the forbidden delights within Japanese cuisine. The novel was longlisted for the CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger Award 2025, praised as a blend of gripping storytelling and unconventional appeal. The OBSERVER pondered whether it’s best to read or devour the book, while DAILY MAIL noted its global captivation. Admired by MEERA SYAL on BBC Between the Covers as 'really enjoyable', and deemed 'compelling, delightfully weird' by Pandora Sykes, the novel is 'Unputdownable, breathtakingly original', according to Erin Kelly. STYLIST hinted, 'You’ll be craving rice, butter and soy sauce in no time,’ and iNEWS labeled it 'Nothing short of ingenious'. The GUARDIAN found it 'Ambitious and unsettling', Imogen Crimp described it as 'Luscious … I devoured this', and Alice Slater concluded it as 'A salty morsel with one hell of a bite'.