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a1exander's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Rape, Murder, Car accident, Death, Terminal illness, and Animal death
Minor: Suicide and Infidelity
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Malice is the first of a different series. It focuses more on plot than character. The man arrested for murder is such an unreliable narrator that it’s hard to see what he’s truly like. We learn more about Detective Kaga, and his guilt and remorse at failing a student who was being bullied back in his teacher days, but we don’t know anything else about him. We know nothing about his private life, his friends and family, his likes and dislikes - his character isn’t developed at all.
The plot, which is explained early on, changes repeatedly. The readers aren’t sure what’s true, and I found it confusing to have to keep rearranging my idea of what had happened. In the end I felt it was more of an overly complicated annoyance than a plot twist. That said, I’m about to start reading the second in the series to see what happens next.
Overall the book was complex and convoluted and, as such, was quite a feat. But I didn’t find it completely satisfying.
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Cancer, Murder, Rape, and Gaslighting
x_tora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Rape and Bullying
seaoftranquility's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Rape and Bullying
nico_asteri's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: Rape
fraise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Animal death, and Cancer
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Terminal illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Car accident, and Death
christinaanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Rape and Animal cruelty
Minor: Bullying
ajediprincess's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
anka_not_anchor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Rape, Car accident, and Suicide
shanks1130's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Rape