Inspektor Takeda und der Leise Tod, is the second part in the Inspektor Takeda series by Henrik Siebold. The series offers a unique cross-cultural detective experience. Set in Hamburg, the story follows Inspector Kenjiro Takeda, a Japanese detective who is part of an exchange program with the Hamburg police. He is partnered with German detective Claudia Harms, and together they have to solve a murder case that quickly becomes more complex than it first appears.

Takeda is a well-drawn character, who embodies a mix of Japanese stoicism and methodical thinking, contrasting sharply with the more direct and pragmatic approach of his German counterpart. This cultural interplay is one of the novel's strengths, providing both tension and humor as the two detectives learn to navigate their differences while working towards the same goal.

The plot is centered around the mysterious death of a successful internet entrepreneur, and is engaging enough, with various twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. However, it occasionally feels like it tries to juggle too many subplots, which can make the pacing uneven. The cultural insights into Takeda's Japanese background and his observations of German society add depth, but at times these reflections can feel a little forced, as if they are more an educational aside than an organic part of the narrative.

Siebold's style is straightforward, and it works well for the procedural aspects of the story, but it lacks the real quality that could have elevated the book from a standard crime novel to something more memorable. The dialogue feels stiff sometimes, in particular with the interactions between Takeda and Harms.

Overall, Inspektor Takeda und der Leise Tod is a solid addition to the crime genre (and very good for helping me improve my German!). It offers readers an interesting premise, but it falls short of fully realising the potential of this concept. Readers looking for a crime novel with an international twist will find it enjoyable, though it may not leave a lasting impression.