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ajediprincess's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Holy smokes, what a book! I love murder mysteries. This is my first time reading a Japanese murder mystery and I must say, I think I'm hooked. Malice by Keigo Higashino was unlike anything I've ever read. The entire story had me guessing and questioning the truth from start to finish. I was amazed at the journey on which this story took me. I don't want to spoil anything, but the book was masterfully crafted, so brilliant in every single detail. I will definitely be adding this one to my personal library.
This is the story of how an author is murdered. The killer is caught and arrested fairly early on into the story, which immediately threw me for a loop. But while the "who dunnit" is quickly solved, it's the motive that remains unclear. The truth of everything is something I'm still reeling from. On a more personal note, I loved the way the author wove in details pertaining to writing as a craft. I was amazed, while reading this book, how precisely accurate the descriptions and depictions of writers who love their craft were, and how much I agreed and could relate to the passion described with regard to telling stories and crafting a narrative. There was something almost transcendent about the way Higashino shared some of the most intimate aspects of writing and storytelling within the context of this story which was obviously so lovingly crafted.
I will remember this book for many years to come, and heartily recommend it with the likes of Sayers and Christie. This book was an intricately crafted, complex and oddly satisfying puzzle, filled with twists and surprises along the way. I can't wait to check out Higashino's other work. This book set my hopes high.
This is the story of how an author is murdered. The killer is caught and arrested fairly early on into the story, which immediately threw me for a loop. But while the "who dunnit" is quickly solved, it's the motive that remains unclear. The truth of everything is something I'm still reeling from. On a more personal note, I loved the way the author wove in details pertaining to writing as a craft. I was amazed, while reading this book, how precisely accurate the descriptions and depictions of writers who love their craft were, and how much I agreed and could relate to the passion described with regard to telling stories and crafting a narrative. There was something almost transcendent about the way Higashino shared some of the most intimate aspects of writing and storytelling within the context of this story which was obviously so lovingly crafted.
I will remember this book for many years to come, and heartily recommend it with the likes of Sayers and Christie. This book was an intricately crafted, complex and oddly satisfying puzzle, filled with twists and surprises along the way. I can't wait to check out Higashino's other work. This book set my hopes high.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
serendipity421's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence and Toxic friendship
Minor: Car accident
bookishdiya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual assault
samsearle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Murder, and Bullying
iread2dream's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed the twists and turns and was eager to find out the truth. I liked that it was multiple points of view and that all the facts that were thrown at us weren't easy to keep track of, which makes things more fun to read (eg, who said what and who's lying). The beginning felt a bit slow for my taste but it definitely picked up once the investigation picked up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
Minor: Rape
stories_of_the_soul27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I like a story where the line between right and wrong is not blurred. And seeing the title of this book, I was convinced that I was in for a mystery that focused on the malicious and evil nature of the humans. The book did deliver brilliantly on that.
The translation was indeed very good because the writing did keep me hooked. It was easy and there were good choice of words that helped the narrative. It was enjoyable and couldn't put the book down!
I have read my fair share of mysteries and still I was left surprised by this book. I annotate my books so I can pinpoint the precise moments where I was completely fooled by the author and the murderer. The story also explains in detail how Detective Kaga unfurls the mystery and I like method breakdown of arriving at the conclusion. It's a classic mystery story something we don't see much written nowadays. To say more about the plot will be giving too much up. Suffice it to say that this story will definitely allow you to think more about human nature and what it results into and where it begins for everything to fall apart.
The translation was indeed very good because the writing did keep me hooked. It was easy and there were good choice of words that helped the narrative. It was enjoyable and couldn't put the book down!
I have read my fair share of mysteries and still I was left surprised by this book. I annotate my books so I can pinpoint the precise moments where I was completely fooled by the author and the murderer. The story also explains in detail how Detective Kaga unfurls the mystery and I like method breakdown of arriving at the conclusion. It's a classic mystery story something we don't see much written nowadays. To say more about the plot will be giving too much up. Suffice it to say that this story will definitely allow you to think more about human nature and what it results into and where it begins for everything to fall apart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape
corar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Cancer, Terminal illness, Murder, Rape, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol and Animal death
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is pure genius. You’ve heard of a whodunnit, and a howdunnit (Higashino’s ‘Devotion of Suspect X’) this is a whydunnit. The murderer is glaringly obvious and actually revealed within the first 100 pages, but the story is so much more. It’s a fabulously written book of misdirection, with major themes of bullying. Not everything is as clean cut as it may seem.
There are lots of twists, but there is one bit- more misdirection than a twist- that totally got me. I gasped out loud and immediately ran to tell someone the genius of this book. It’s such an incredible thing, but I absolutely was fooled, and that made this read all the more interesting.
I’ve read a lot of crime, and eventually they all start to get boring. You guess the structure, you guess who did it based on stereotypes and build ups and where they are placed in a story. This kept me guessing throughout the whole story. Every time I thought I had something, it was disproved. Keigo Higashino is one of the best crime writers ever. Not even just in Japan, but I believe internationally. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into his other novels. (I loved Suspect X)
Spoilers below!
The final twist is pure and utter genius. Having the cat, such a small detail only mentioned once, be such a huge defining factor of “Hidaka’s” personality is genius beyond belief. It truly worked on me. I was fooled because every reaction to any interaction, good or bad, from Hidaka hinged on the fact that he had killed this cat. Bad guys kill cats, but Hidaka is described as both a good and bad guy depending. How can a good guy kill an animal? Do these people know he does? I never even once suspected that he doesn’t, or wouldn’t. Higashino planted that seed of anger and disgust in me and it grew until it blocked my vision. I’m so amazed at how well it worked, even when I forgot about the cat, I was always thinking of it. Nonoguchi is a great villain, if not a pathetic one. But I suppose the great thing about crime novels is that they’re sad, no one wins. Definitely not in this one anyway. Not even Kaga.
There are lots of twists, but there is one bit- more misdirection than a twist- that totally got me. I gasped out loud and immediately ran to tell someone the genius of this book. It’s such an incredible thing, but I absolutely was fooled, and that made this read all the more interesting.
I’ve read a lot of crime, and eventually they all start to get boring. You guess the structure, you guess who did it based on stereotypes and build ups and where they are placed in a story. This kept me guessing throughout the whole story. Every time I thought I had something, it was disproved. Keigo Higashino is one of the best crime writers ever. Not even just in Japan, but I believe internationally. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into his other novels. (I loved Suspect X)
Spoilers below!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Animal death, Cancer, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
kaelcozoro's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wow! This was so good. I couldn’t put it down. Not quite as clever as Newcomer, but perhaps more engaging. Would recommend to any mystery fan.
Love Detective Kaga, I hope more of the series are translated into English!
Love Detective Kaga, I hope more of the series are translated into English!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
cada's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Bullying