The Hanged Man's MacGuffin

The Hanged Man's MacGuffin (吊るしビトのマグガフィン, Tsurushi Bito no MaguGafin) is the eighth work of Sen Takatsuki.

Summary
The novel is a collection of short stories, set in a prison apartment complex where Death Row inmates are imprisoned. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the prisoners, and is named using their Prisoner Number.

Role in the Series
The novel was published in the months following the 11th Ward Battle.

In the aftermath of the Raid of Kanou's Lab, Shuu Tsukiyama gave a copy of the book to Ken Kaneki in hopes of lifting his spirits. Kaneki found himself enjoying the stories, noting that Prison 182 sounded a bit like a Ghoul.

After learning that a book signing event was going on, Kaneki invited Hinami Fueguchi to go with him. The pair attended the crowded event together, and first encountered Eto Yoshimura in her human identity. Unaware of her true identity, the group discussed literature and formed a friendly bond before parting ways. Shortly afterwards, Hideyoshi Nagachika visited the event and requested a signed copy of the novel for Kaneki.

This meeting would lead Eto to seek out and befriend Hinami, leading to the younger girl's eventual recruitment into Aogiri Tree.

Trivia

 * A MacGuffin is a plot device, usually a person or object that is sought after as a primary goal.
 * The title references the The Hanged Man, the tarot card often associated with Ken Kaneki.
 * The cover of the novel features an apple, a motif typically associated with Knowledge or the Book of Genesis. In Re: Chapter 43, Eto discusses her fondness for this particular story.