Keigo Higashino, the Japanese mystery writer who produced numerous bestsellers, has died.

During a career that spanned roughly 40 years, he published more than 100 books and earned acclaim in Japan and overseas.

The literary legacy he leaves behind is immeasurable.

Higashino made his literary debut in 1985 with "Hokago" (After school), a novel centered on a locked-room murder at a school.

While working as an engineer, he continued writing and won the Edogawa Rampo Prize.

According to commentary written by author Hiroyuki Kurokawa for one of Higashino's paperback editions, his reason for entering the competition was that "the salary at the company where I worked was low."

He won on his third attempt and emerged on the literary scene.

After experiencing hardship for most of his life, it was not until age 47, after being nominated five times, that Higashino finally won the coveted Naoki Prize.

In an interview after winning the prize, he laughed and said, "Every time I failed, I'd drown my sorrows in drink and bad-mouth the judges."

Higashino produced a diverse range of mysteries, from socially themed novels to fantasy.