Spiral is the second book in Koji Suzuki’s ‘Ring’ trilogy. Starting a day after the events of the first book, it is a seamless continuation of the story.
Mirroring the duo of Kazuyuki Asakawa and Ryuji Takayama who were the lead investigators in the first book, we now have Ando Mitsuo and his colleague Miyashita following up on the story of the deadly Ring virus. Mitsuo, who is assigned to do the autopsy of Ryuji Takayama, discovers a secret code on a bit of newspaper sticking out of the sutures of the corpse’s stomach. Mitsuo’s uncovering the message from beyond the grave launches a heady story full of mystery, terror and shocking revelations!
At this point, I realize that it is actually very difficult to go into the story much, without giving away essential plot points and twists in the tale! Suffice to say that things - as they were wrapped up in Ring - are not what they seem at all! Yes, it is a continuation of the same theme, involving the Ring virus; yes, we visit a lot of the same places, most notably the well where Sadako died; and yes, some familiar faces return, most notably Mai Takano… but it was mind blowing how everything is either shown in a whole new light, or completely overthrown in favour of a whole new explanation.
When we last saw Kazuyuki Asakawa, he was driving down with his wife and child, having decided to give the deadly tape to his in-laws - what really happened after that? How had the Ring virus really affected Ryuji? And how does that affect the one person closest to him, Mai Takano? How is the beautiful Masako involved in this sordid tale? Why is Junichiro Asakawa publishing his brother Kazuyuki’s report as his own horror novel? And what does ‘spiral’ refer to?…
A small flashback story about young Ando’s encounter with a baby snake that he had killed on his way back from school one day, which created a deep impression on his mind, serves as a significant omen of events and their shocking climax.
So many fantastic new things happen; so many new discoveries are made as the story moves quickly and effortlessly forward. In tone, there is a slight difference as the story - in addition to the supernatural aspect of its predecessor - adds some intense scientific explanation of the Ring virus. For me, that made the elements of the story a little more plausible, and thereby a little more frightening.
By the way, I thought the subliminal touch of the mention of Ring as a best-selling book and on its way to be made into a popular movie was interesting, albeit a little scary with its “what if –” moment!
I absolutely loved this book, and cannot wait to read the concluding Rupu (Loop)!
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