Scan barcode
betharoni's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
An impossible murder, a creepy house full off suspects and an odd detective - of course I’m going to love it.So smart to translate the title to be “Crooked House”, catching the eye of murder mystery fans.
To be clear though it was no Christie knock off. Just shares in the excellent mystery creation! The use of maps and diagrams was really enjoyable!!
Obviously I didn’t solve the whole thing but managed to gather that it had to be a resident of the house who did the murder, with Hammato being my first choice, and I got that it was an ice weapon (when he dropped the vase, I realised he was covering up water- thanks riddles). Finally I guessed the motive would be due to an occurrence during the war. I’d give myself a 1/2 for that!
Book purchased from Charity Shop.
To be clear though it was no Christie knock off. Just shares in the excellent mystery creation! The use of maps and diagrams was really enjoyable!!
Book purchased from Charity Shop.
mara19's review
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
heavenlyrealms's review against another edition
4.0
This book is too bizzare to be reviewed because the murderer is too genius and too intent to do it. I won’t put any spoiler on this book but if you’re thrilling enough to guess the murderer (even it seems impossible or maybe I’m just that dumb) then it’s totally recommended. The pictures really help you to understand the situation, the map, and everything. It’s very entertaining because we don’t have to imagine it alone! The author has provided it.
Some parts totally got me *speechless* because it was beyond my thoughts. Especially the motive, the reason to built the mansion, and many more. As I expected from Soji Shimada though!
Some parts totally got me *speechless* because it was beyond my thoughts. Especially the motive, the reason to built the mansion, and many more. As I expected from Soji Shimada though!
saff_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Did not manage to work out the mechanism of murder/culprit at the point the author noted that the attentive reader would be able to.
ana988's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
ashtronomic'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
A fun Murder Mystery set close to home. Soji Shimada’s writing is very approachable, it’s simple and includes handy little diagrams to help readers visualise the setting. With the exception of the detectives (who were confusingly all equally useless), the characters are easy to distinguish.
The setting was unique which really enhanced the book's mystery. Although, I do wish the brutality of Hokkaido’s winters were better utilised; when you are using such a distinctive area for your novel, why not capitalise on it?
I adore that this novel includes an intermission at the point in the novel when readers have all the necessary information to solve the mystery. Its inclusion made me go back and reanalyse everything I had learned so far. The actual solution is interesting and clever, however I am a little disappointed that the deduction seems unsolvable to readers unless you are making some lucky guesswork.
The setting was unique which really enhanced the book's mystery. Although, I do wish the brutality of Hokkaido’s winters were better utilised; when you are using such a distinctive area for your novel, why not capitalise on it?
I adore that this novel includes an intermission at the point in the novel when readers have all the necessary information to solve the mystery. Its inclusion made me go back and reanalyse everything I had learned so far. The actual solution is interesting and clever, however I am a little disappointed that the deduction seems unsolvable to readers unless you are making some lucky guesswork.
matx's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
marialeon_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
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? N/A
3.0
shizuyea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0