Piercing: A Novel by Ryu Murakami is a gripping psycho-thriller that delves into the dark psyche of Kawashima Masayuki, a seemingly content graphic designer in Tokyo with his wife Yoko and their baby girl. Despite the appearance of an idyllic life, every night Kawashima creeds from his bed to stand watch over the baby’s crib with an ice pick, driven by an almost primal urge that threatens to overwhelm him. In a pivotal moment, he decides to confront these demons, setting off an escalating chain of events that seem to inexorably lead to murder. This cult favorite novel, which served as the basis for a major motion picture starring Christopher Abbott and Mia Wasikowska, is praised by The New York Times for its enthralling portrayal of psychopathy.