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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
3.5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!
This book was definitely a slow burn. I was extremely interested at first, then it slogged for a while, and then it picked up again, and really delivered in the last 100 or so pages.
This book is largely about a present day detective/astrologer solving a 40 year old murder case. It’s written in “shin honkaku,” or “new orthodox” style. It’s a classic-style impossible crime, and is written with very obvious love for the Golden Age of detective fiction and classic crime in general. If you are an aficionado of that part of the genre, you will catch many subtle nods to the work of authors of that time period. There are some mentions of other authors and their cases, and the homage is really awesome to see.
I really enjoyed those parts, down to the “Cast of Characters” listing and the Ellery Queen-style challenge to the reader.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part. The mystery itself was interesting if a bit too heavy on the astrology side (more on that in a sec), and it kept me guessing. Without spoiling it, I like the way that the murderer was finally truly unveiled and the explanation for the motive.
Where it fell apart for me was the execution. Golden Age impossible crimes depend largely on highly detailed deceptions and cunning feats of brilliance. While I am ready to allow for the sheer insanity of the deductions, I wasn’t able to believe that the crime could have been done in the way it was by the guilty party. I couldn’t give any credibility to the method, though I loved the explanation and motive. Also, it was TOO detail heavy at times, and on things that end up having little to do with the plot. I’m not into astrology and there was a ton of stuff that I didn’t understand because I don’t know anything about it.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery more than I enjoyed the execution. I will be exploring further into his work and that of other Japanese authors, as there are several who write in this style. Definitely give it a read if you like John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, or Holmes/Watson but I wouldn’t recommend it as a good starting point to the Impossible Crimes section of mysteries. This one is for veterans only, much like “The Five Red Herrings” by Dorothy L. Sayers.
This book was definitely a slow burn. I was extremely interested at first, then it slogged for a while, and then it picked up again, and really delivered in the last 100 or so pages.
This book is largely about a present day detective/astrologer solving a 40 year old murder case. It’s written in “shin honkaku,” or “new orthodox” style. It’s a classic-style impossible crime, and is written with very obvious love for the Golden Age of detective fiction and classic crime in general. If you are an aficionado of that part of the genre, you will catch many subtle nods to the work of authors of that time period. There are some mentions of other authors and their cases, and the homage is really awesome to see.
I really enjoyed those parts, down to the “Cast of Characters” listing and the Ellery Queen-style challenge to the reader.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part. The mystery itself was interesting if a bit too heavy on the astrology side (more on that in a sec), and it kept me guessing. Without spoiling it, I like the way that the murderer was finally truly unveiled and the explanation for the motive.
Where it fell apart for me was the execution. Golden Age impossible crimes depend largely on highly detailed deceptions and cunning feats of brilliance. While I am ready to allow for the sheer insanity of the deductions, I wasn’t able to believe that the crime could have been done in the way it was by the guilty party. I couldn’t give any credibility to the method, though I loved the explanation and motive. Also, it was TOO detail heavy at times, and on things that end up having little to do with the plot. I’m not into astrology and there was a ton of stuff that I didn’t understand because I don’t know anything about it.
Overall, I enjoyed the mystery more than I enjoyed the execution. I will be exploring further into his work and that of other Japanese authors, as there are several who write in this style. Definitely give it a read if you like John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, or Holmes/Watson but I wouldn’t recommend it as a good starting point to the Impossible Crimes section of mysteries. This one is for veterans only, much like “The Five Red Herrings” by Dorothy L. Sayers.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
wow what a ride. i like this book more than the crooked house one. it's crazier, crazier motive, and crazier murders.
should know that it's about revenge from how the bodies were mutilated
should know that it's about revenge from how the bodies were mutilated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.25* the first half of this book was boring tbh. The second half is better and the solution is very smart and original. Not a bad read, just not for me I guess
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes
Karya Shimada sensei yang pertama kali aku baca, dan aku beneran langsung jatuh cinta dengan plot yang beliau buat.
Cerita detektif yang memecahkan kasus 40 tahun silam, yang bahkan detektif dari pihak kepolisian pun tidak dapat memecahkan kasus pembunuhan yang terjadi pada saat itu. Setiap cerita dan tulisan yang tersaji, mengajak semua pembaca untuk ikut menebak alur yang dirangkai si Pembunuh untuk menangkapnya.
Aku amaze dengan cara penulis merangkai secara detail bagaimana setiap proses yang dilakukan si Pembunuh, agar identitasnya tidak diketahui oleh orang-orang bahkan detektif kepolisian sekalipun. Dimulai dari secarik surat yang ditulis oleh seseorang, dan sudah dipastikan orang itu menjadi tersangka utama pada kasus kali ini.
Jujur, pertama kali baca ini beneran bingung dan susah nebak siapa pelaku sesungguhnya. Karena pasti ada saja hal yang buat kita curiga, pada satu orang tersebut. Sampai akhirnya, ketemu plot twist yang sangat-sangat tidak pernah terpikirkan dari awal. Karena memang seapik dan sekompleks itu kasus Pembunuhan ini.
Cerita detektif yang memecahkan kasus 40 tahun silam, yang bahkan detektif dari pihak kepolisian pun tidak dapat memecahkan kasus pembunuhan yang terjadi pada saat itu. Setiap cerita dan tulisan yang tersaji, mengajak semua pembaca untuk ikut menebak alur yang dirangkai si Pembunuh untuk menangkapnya.
Aku amaze dengan cara penulis merangkai secara detail bagaimana setiap proses yang dilakukan si Pembunuh, agar identitasnya tidak diketahui oleh orang-orang bahkan detektif kepolisian sekalipun. Dimulai dari secarik surat yang ditulis oleh seseorang, dan sudah dipastikan orang itu menjadi tersangka utama pada kasus kali ini.
Jujur, pertama kali baca ini beneran bingung dan susah nebak siapa pelaku sesungguhnya. Karena pasti ada saja hal yang buat kita curiga, pada satu orang tersebut. Sampai akhirnya, ketemu plot twist yang sangat-sangat tidak pernah terpikirkan dari awal. Karena memang seapik dan sekompleks itu kasus Pembunuhan ini.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've only just started reading the honkaku genre and I love it so much! I'm seriously dense and definitely not a detective but it's still such a fun and intense read.
The writing was great and the mystery was excellent. I did have trouble keeping up with all of the characters and names.
The writing was great and the mystery was excellent. I did have trouble keeping up with all of the characters and names.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting