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sydney_k's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.5
tigervilli's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
First of all, thanks to my best friend, who I let choose what to read next. I enjoyed it more than I expected, although the narrative and writing was a bit odd for me (probably due to the fact that the book was first published in 1946). There were many references to other famous mystery writers, some of which I even recognized. The mystery itself kept me puzzling along and the actual crime plot was one I didn't expect AND I really liked Kosuke!
mt0698's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.0
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this. For fans of Agatha Christie, Gaston Leroux, Dorothy L Sayers etc.
You have to understand that this is a book of its time, so there's no huge focus on world building or detailed backgrounds for every character. It's a straight forward murder mystery, locked room, who-dun-it!
I loved the way the author spoke to the audience directly in the guise of a fictional true crime writer. I also appreciated the way they explained the history and social structure of Japan at the time as this contextualised their character's behaviour. Their use of language was clever and considered and I really felt like I was having an intimate conversation with an investigative journalist.
You can see the influences from European crime author's and to me the PI was clearly based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes but that added to the charm.
I can't believe it took 50 years to be translated into English! I am excited for the rest of the series to be made accessible to the rest of the world.
You have to understand that this is a book of its time, so there's no huge focus on world building or detailed backgrounds for every character. It's a straight forward murder mystery, locked room, who-dun-it!
I loved the way the author spoke to the audience directly in the guise of a fictional true crime writer. I also appreciated the way they explained the history and social structure of Japan at the time as this contextualised their character's behaviour. Their use of language was clever and considered and I really felt like I was having an intimate conversation with an investigative journalist.
You can see the influences from European crime author's and to me the PI was clearly based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes but that added to the charm.
I can't believe it took 50 years to be translated into English! I am excited for the rest of the series to be made accessible to the rest of the world.
sjw126's review against another edition
Want to finish but in other books at the moment.
isaacazmee's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
There is a subset of mystery that includes ridiculously complicated murders. Agatha Christie often went there, and most locked-room murders do. This takes it to another level, perhaps as a tribute or just an enjoyable challenge.
It even ends with a bit of "look, I *told* you, I gave you the clues on a plate!"
Indeed he did, but we all have a plausibility filter that gets in the way, and Yokomizo exploits it.
The detective is interesting, but I fear future books will tend toward the "ya-a-s, I built a up a tolerance for that poison, AND I placed in your tea a substance that renders the antidote ineffective, knowing that you always carry a variety of antidotes inside your necktie."
Worth reading anyway, and a bonus is realizing that a murder mystery seems to work in many cultures.
And of course now I have to find A. A. Milne's The Red House Mystery.
It even ends with a bit of "look, I *told* you, I gave you the clues on a plate!"
Indeed he did, but we all have a plausibility filter that gets in the way, and Yokomizo exploits it.
The detective is interesting, but I fear future books will tend toward the "ya-a-s, I built a up a tolerance for that poison, AND I placed in your tea a substance that renders the antidote ineffective, knowing that you always carry a variety of antidotes inside your necktie."
Worth reading anyway, and a bonus is realizing that a murder mystery seems to work in many cultures.
And of course now I have to find A. A. Milne's The Red House Mystery.
pipode1234's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kaceyp14's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
arwen17's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75