People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry – Book Review

People Who Eat Darkness – True Crime

If you're into true crime, People Who Eat Darkness is a must-read. I was gifted this book before our trip to Japan. It had been on my reading list for a while, and I wanted to finish it before we went. When it comes to true crime books, especially, it's important for me to remember that this actually happened. Being able to visualize the area where the crime took place helps me understand and absorb the story on a deeper level.

“What we call ‘evil’ is often simply the absence of empathy.”

The Contradiction of the Peaceful Land of Japan

Before our big trip to Japan, we did some research and spoke with people who had visited the "Land of the Rising Sun." Everything we heard was true, Japan seems like another world. Coming from New York City, it felt like a complete 180. Super clean streets, incredibly kind people, and absolutely delicious food. Not once did I feel unsafe while we were there.

While we know crime exists everywhere, Japan certainly has far less than what we're used to. For example, Japan’s crime rate per 100K population for 2021 was just 0.23, a 9.92% decline from 2020(source).In contrast, New York State reported 342,453 index crimes in 2020, a +1.7% increase from the previous year(source).

“Justice in Japan is like a long train journey: slow, impenetrable, and utterly rigid in its path.”

With this background and perspective, it was a complete shock to read a true crime book like this, set in a country that feels so peaceful and orderly.

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

People Who Eat Darkness tells the harrowing true story of Lucie Blackman, a 21-year-old British woman who disappeared in Tokyo in July 2000 after going on a paid date while working as a hostess in the city’s nightlife district. Her sudden disappearance triggered a massive international search, spearheaded by her father, Tim Blackman, and fueled by intense media coverage.

As journalist Richard Lloyd Parry investigates the case, he uncovers a disturbing world behind Tokyo's clean and safe facade, one where foreign women working in hostess bars are vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. The story slowly reveals the predator at the center: Joji Obara, a wealthy and enigmatic loner with a hidden history of drugging and raping women.

What follows is a years-long legal battle through Japan’s opaque justice system, culminating in a trial that reveals shocking truths but still leaves many questions unanswered. At its core, this book is not just about Lucie’s tragic death, it’s about grief, cultural misunderstanding, and the quiet persistence of evil.

What the Book Did Great

The book is exceptionally well-written, especially in how it unpacks the cultural differences between native Japanese values and the Western world Lucie came from. It dives into the darker side of Japan, a country often seen as perfect, structured in respect, kindness, and service.

As an investigative journalist on the ground, Parry gives us a firsthand look at the details, emotions, and the deep frustration that comes with navigating Japan's slow-moving justice system. His reporting style places readers directly into the heart of the investigation.

Themes & Deeper Meaning

The Nature of Evil

Many of us think of evil as something obvious, something with claws, horns, and menace. But the truth is, real-life killers are often charismatic, quiet, or appear completely harmless. Joji Obara isn’t the classic predator; he’s shy, awkward, soft-spoken—and that’s exactly what makes him so dangerous. He lacks empathy, and that hollowness is where the true threat lies.

Post-Death Dichotomy: Grief and Family Tension

Grief hits differently for everyone. People Who Eat Darkness shows how the Blackman family copes with Lucie’s death, each in very different, sometimes conflicting ways. While it’s difficult to judge anyone’s reaction to such an immense loss, it was frustrating to witness some of the father’s decisions post-tragedy. Still, the emotional toll is evident, and Parry never loses sight of the human suffering at the center of the story.

Women’s Bodies and Commodification

No matter where you go in the world, women face the highest risk when it comes to violence, abuse, and exploitation. Japan is often viewed as a safe society, but this book illustrates how that perception does not shield women from harm. People Who Eat Darkness tackles the objectification and commodification of women, especially in roles that are misunderstood or stigmatized, like hostesses. It also explores how cultural views shape what is considered acceptable, and how something seen as harmless in one country can be dangerous in another.

“She became a symbol, an abstraction—blond, young, foreign, lost—while the real girl was lost under the noise.”

Who Should Read This Book?

If you're a fan of true crime and binge documentaries or podcasts like us, People Who Eat Darkness is a must-read. It goes beyond just the crime, it explores culture, gender, justice, and resilience. This book will open your eyes to why it's important to be aware, respectful, and cautious when navigating foreign cultures.

It also serves as a reminder that darkness doesn’t always look dark, sometimes it hides behind politeness, wealth, or fragility.

If you’re looking for more gripping true crime stories, check out our other Readable Book Reviews (link).

Final Rating

(4.5/5)

We give The People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry a solid 4.5 out of 5. It’s a masterfully written, chilling, and important read. Its exploration of cultural complexity, the nature of evil, and the relentless pursuit of truth and justice moved us deeply. Tell us what you think if you have read the book in the comment section below.

Kindle Edition

Paperback Version

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