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catsandcoffeeandbooks's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
amfuglest's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
thirduser's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
To be honest I haven't read in awhile, I did try to read this book last year I was enjoying it as I got half way through but I had to return it to the library. I recently picked it up again and I was able to read it in a couple of days! I found it quite thrilling, although some may say this book has some logic flaws, I couldn't careless as I found it such an interesting read.
I particularly like the "establishment of chapters" Kaga mentioned, as how I was also duped when Nonoguchi we rote in his account how Hidaka was a cruel and malicious person, I think that was quite smart, through the story I thought "how cruel could you be" but that was just the farce I was told. I also liked the ending theme of prejudices playing a part of why Nonoguchi did that. I mean if your parents think something about a certain class, ethic group etc then the child will probably pick up similar notions.
This was my first time reading one of Keigo Higashino's Books (I actually didn't know it was apart of a series đ) I will definitely be reading more of his books that are available to me!
This was my first time reading one of Keigo Higashino's Books (I actually didn't know it was apart of a series đ) I will definitely be reading more of his books that are available to me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape
I did tag this with CW, I would like to say that these are mentioned in the story.flyingfox02's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A very quick and intense mystery novel that's unlike anything I've read before. It's not a whodunnit story but rather a whydunnit. A murder happens and the perpetrator is discovered a few chapters in, and it was pretty obvious who. The rest of the novel is spent on working out the motive for the murder. There's a lot of twists and turns, no dillydallying. But it was this fast pace that makes me confused on how the detective came to his final conclusion. Maybe I just missed it and should go back to it but whatever. So yeah the ending was a bit meh. Other than that I enjoyed it a lot. Definitely will be reading more from the author.
Jeff Woodmann narrates the audiobook. Not a fan of the voice he uses for Nonoguchi, but otherwise he didn't do a bad job.
Jeff Woodmann narrates the audiobook. Not a fan of the voice he uses for Nonoguchi, but otherwise he didn't do a bad job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
ikaryst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Itâs been a decade+ since my last mystery book and this was such a welcomed read to my collection. Prior to this, I was unfamiliar with Keigo Higashinoâs works but now, I will be anticipating future stories from this author.
From the start to the end, Malice had me at the edge of my seat because I was so eager to uncover the secrets behind the murder of acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka. The written accounts of the characters were extremely immersive as though I could see inside their minds.
What made this super entertaining was how the author revealed hints gradually for us readers to also figure out the mystery. The narrative is void of any information dumping and unfolds in a remarkably clever and uncomplicated manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this literary journey.
From the start to the end, Malice had me at the edge of my seat because I was so eager to uncover the secrets behind the murder of acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka. The written accounts of the characters were extremely immersive as though I could see inside their minds.
What made this super entertaining was how the author revealed hints gradually for us readers to also figure out the mystery. The narrative is void of any information dumping and unfolds in a remarkably clever and uncomplicated manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this literary journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Suicide, and Rape
mirrorofneptune's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Like Higashino's Detective Galileo books, this is very reminiscent of a character study. We spend a lot of time with the cast and arguably less on the mechanisms of the murder, but it's still a fun locked room mystery. The title is very apt, as malice, envy, and resentment are all recurring themes.
Kaga wasn't as interesting to me as Yukawa or Kusanagi, likely because he didn't feel quite as fleshed-out; he does have a provided backstory but in my mind it didn't quite translate into characterization. That being said, I did like what we got from him, and I trust Higashino to not neglect developing his detective as the series progresses.
Kaga wasn't as interesting to me as Yukawa or Kusanagi, likely because he didn't feel quite as fleshed-out; he does have a provided backstory but in my mind it didn't quite translate into characterization. That being said, I did like what we got from him, and I trust Higashino to not neglect developing his detective as the series progresses.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape and Bullying
rarasreads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When attempting to write this review, I had to remind myself of the different elements that make up Japanese detective fiction vs Western crime fiction. It is through this lens I found this story to be relatively engaging and unique in that it focuses on the motive for the murder rather than on the killer (whose identity is immediately known) or the method.
In listening to the audiobook, I appreciated the distinct styles with which Detective Kaga and Osamu are portrayed and narrate their POVs. The Detective is clever and thorough with his investigation, although I did find it a bit convenient that he relied on his hunches that always ended up being correct. However, I still enjoyed the process by which Kaga conducted his interviews and procedures to connect the dots between the past and present. Osamu was all the over place, crafting stories to throw the Detective and readers off.
I liked how the Detective pieced the motive together at the end with a bit of a twist. Nevertheless, the ending still left me wanting a bit more clarity. I certainly want to try more Japanese crime fiction but I donât think I will be continuing this particular series.
In listening to the audiobook, I appreciated the distinct styles with which Detective Kaga and Osamu are portrayed and narrate their POVs. The Detective is clever and thorough with his investigation, although I did find it a bit convenient that he relied on his hunches that always ended up being correct. However, I still enjoyed the process by which Kaga conducted his interviews and procedures to connect the dots between the past and present. Osamu was all the over place, crafting stories to throw the Detective and readers off.
I liked how the Detective pieced the motive together at the end with a bit of a twist. Nevertheless, the ending still left me wanting a bit more clarity. I certainly want to try more Japanese crime fiction but I donât think I will be continuing this particular series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
claireshields's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
hoppyread's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Bullying
hikajelny's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
From the beginning til the end, everything that I guessed or predicted were all wrong. You would have thought that you got the answer but no, it wasnât as easy as this. Malice is a brilliantly written piece of literature that challenged your standpoint through the presentation of unreliableness of the materials presented, thus causing you to scrutinize everything. The author made it work without overcomplicating the plot through easy narration and direct explanation/discovery of a situation, motive, anything that might raise a question.
I was quite surprised to find out how fast the story progressed - when it came to thriller or detective theme story, the plot tended to be drawled out in a way that it felt the detective was âstrugglingâ with the challenge through long description and abundance of hints to be parsed through but it was different for this book. It didnât mean that the challenge didnât exist, it was present strongly but written in a way that lulled you into a false sense of security. You were as confused as the characters â it was at the very least, basic in the manner of description to fit the image of, âThis is it, this is what we know and thereâs no need to talk poetry about it.â Hence, the fast pacing of the story (at the very least to me).
The characters portrayed are also very on-ground. It evoked strong emotions from you, whether itâs sense of justice, dread, pity, with the careful way the author wrote and developed them. It was truly brilliant with the way the author would call back and maintained the identity of the characters, then presenting it in a way that might lead you to believe otherwise.
Itâs definitely a worth read â my guts were basically free falling and my brain worked overtime trying to piece everything out.
I was quite surprised to find out how fast the story progressed - when it came to thriller or detective theme story, the plot tended to be drawled out in a way that it felt the detective was âstrugglingâ with the challenge through long description and abundance of hints to be parsed through but it was different for this book. It didnât mean that the challenge didnât exist, it was present strongly but written in a way that lulled you into a false sense of security. You were as confused as the characters â it was at the very least, basic in the manner of description to fit the image of, âThis is it, this is what we know and thereâs no need to talk poetry about it.â Hence, the fast pacing of the story (at the very least to me).
The characters portrayed are also very on-ground. It evoked strong emotions from you, whether itâs sense of justice, dread, pity, with the careful way the author wrote and developed them. It was truly brilliant with the way the author would call back and maintained the identity of the characters, then presenting it in a way that might lead you to believe otherwise.
Itâs definitely a worth read â my guts were basically free falling and my brain worked overtime trying to piece everything out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Rape