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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
I was genuinely taken by surprise at the ending of this book. It was not what I had anticipated at all. The structure of the story is quite unique, as we already know from the beginning who the culprit is. At one point, I even found myself rooting for the culprit and hoping the investigator would not manage to piece everything together.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the detective aspect of the novel. The investigators were intelligent, composed and methodical in solving the case, which made the unraveling of the mystery all the more compelling.
The ending, however, was truly heartbreaking. I felt a deep sense of distress over the final decisions made. Yet, I could also understand why it had to unfold that way.
It was a gripping and emotional read, offering a refreshing and unconventional approach to the crime genre. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking mystery.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the detective aspect of the novel. The investigators were intelligent, composed and methodical in solving the case, which made the unraveling of the mystery all the more compelling.
The ending, however, was truly heartbreaking. I felt a deep sense of distress over the final decisions made. Yet, I could also understand why it had to unfold that way.
Spoiler
Ishigami, the quiet neighbour with unspoken feelings for Yasuko, was so deeply devoted to her that he went to great lengths to cover up the crime she committed. He not only devised a meticulous plan to protect her but even sacrificed an innocent life in the process. In the end, it seems guilt caught up with Yasuko, leading her to turn herself in. When Ishigami learned this, he broke down, having sacrificed so much in vain.It was a gripping and emotional read, offering a refreshing and unconventional approach to the crime genre. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking mystery.
I don't think this book will leave me quickly.
It's different from your normal "mystery/thriller" fare. It reminded me of two of my favorite pieces of media dealing with crime, the TV show Numb3rs, and the movie Juror #2. It starts out slow, and soft, and contemplative, and focuses more on letting the reader wonder about truth and justice, and the cost of lawful justice when it hits the lives of real people. And it sits in that uncomfortability without providing easy answers.
Oh, but and then. There is a plot twist, in the second to last chapter, that forces you to rethink everything. To sit with the consequences of what was implied by the way you assumed things happened for the preceding pages of the book. And it leaves off on a last scene that is so incredibly haunting, in the best possible way.
(It's also interesting how heavily the setting and culture played into the story without being apparent in playing into the story whatsoever. If that situation happened in America with the same type of characters, there would be no book. Ishigami would just be a witness to a self defense plea, and everyone would come together to support Yasuko and her daughter through their trauma. If the story had continued, an American ending would probably have looked much different as well. But I think that's where so much of the power of the story lies, forcing an American reader to sit and wrestle with their views of what should or shouldn't have happened, and wonder about the culture that's shaped that view. Gut-wrenching and powerful all around.)
It's different from your normal "mystery/thriller" fare. It reminded me of two of my favorite pieces of media dealing with crime, the TV show Numb3rs, and the movie Juror #2. It starts out slow, and soft, and contemplative, and focuses more on letting the reader wonder about truth and justice, and the cost of lawful justice when it hits the lives of real people. And it sits in that uncomfortability without providing easy answers.
Oh, but and then. There is a plot twist, in the second to last chapter, that forces you to rethink everything. To sit with the consequences of what was implied by the way you assumed things happened for the preceding pages of the book. And it leaves off on a last scene that is so incredibly haunting, in the best possible way.
(It's also interesting how heavily the setting and culture played into the story without being apparent in playing into the story whatsoever. If that situation happened in America with the same type of characters, there would be no book. Ishigami would just be a witness to a self defense plea, and everyone would come together to support Yasuko and her daughter through their trauma. If the story had continued, an American ending would probably have looked much different as well. But I think that's where so much of the power of the story lies, forcing an American reader to sit and wrestle with their views of what should or shouldn't have happened, and wonder about the culture that's shaped that view. Gut-wrenching and powerful all around.)
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First time reading a murder mystery, and it was near impossible to put down. Interesting way in how the story was told, starts with the crime, and let’s you see how everything unfolds. Lots of twists and turns, that keep you guessing and guessing. Loved this book.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated