"Eternal Memory," the posthumous work of prominent Japanese mystery novelist Keigo Higashino, who passed away from colon cancer last month, was published locally in Japan on the 5th.

According to the Asahi Shimbun, "Eternal Memory," the final full-length novel in Higashino's "Galileo" series, went on sale at midnight today, and a release countdown event was held at Kinokuniya Bookstore's Shinjuku Main Store in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

Despite the event being held late at night, around 50 fans eagerly awaiting his final work gathered to share in the countdown to its release.

"Eternal Memory" is the 11th full-length novel in the "Galileo" series, in which the genius physicist Manabu Yukawa uses scientific knowledge to solve mysteries, marking the first installment in the series to be published in five years.

First serialized in Japan in 1996, the "Galileo" series marks its 30th anniversary this year and has surpassed 16.6 million cumulative copies sold.

Author Higashino did not stop writing even while battling his illness, leaving behind "Eternal Memory" as his final work.

It is his 106th work, as he was well known for being prolific.

The new book tells the story of the main character, Detective Kaoru Utsumi, pursuing the truth behind a stabbing incident, and carries the subtitle "Galileo, The Final Mystery."

At the new book release event held at Kinokuniya's Shinjuku Main Store, four former editors of the "Galileo" series took to the stage to discuss Higashino's literary world and the background of his creative process.

(Photo: Yonhap News)