Reviews

Die rätselhaften Honjin-Morde by Seishi Yokomizo

irxren's review against another edition

2.0

I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I appreciated learning about Honkaku mysteries and their ties to Golden Age mysteries, but as a story, it fell short for me. The writing, possibly impacted by translation, felt repetitive and lacking in creativity. The constant repetition of phrases became tiresome and affected the overall enjoyment.

The conversational style, where the author directly addresses the reader and discusses his writing process, was distracting and unnecessary. It didn't add value to the story and actually detracted from the experience. The lack of clear visual descriptions also hampered my experience, especially during crucial moments like the final revelations. I struggled to picture how everything was set up and executed, which impacted my engagement with the story.

corikane's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

nadilia_'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

courtscru19'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? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

elise17's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

luanamailen's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

d_95's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

epeolatri's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: War, Addiction, and Animal death

8797999's review against another edition

4.0

A very enjoyable mystery and a solution I would never have guessed in a million years.

It always amazes me how the authors create such a solution and how they set up the crime. I'd have never put it all together.

Very enjoyable and some good characters. I look forward to the next book due out in Feb 2020.

pinetree_reads's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Murder