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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I must say Seishi Yokomizu’s plots are really twisted and macabre, especially when compared to American or English murder mysteries (this is as far from a cozy murder mystery as one can get).
funny
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:
No
This book was quick and entertaining. I think it was kind of predictable if you follow the details of the case, but made for an enjoyable escape from studying engineering.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ingenious but the ending is rather sudden and unsatisfying. Overall the relationships and the characters’ psychologies feel underdeveloped.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Kindaichi Kosuke my beloved!! Of all the Kindaichi novels I feel the mystery and solution for this one was the most unique and "fun to reveal" one!
It's after WWII, and Kosuke Kindaichi arrives on Golumon Island with tragic news for the Kito family: their eldest son died. Unbeknownst to anyone else, the man's dying words alerted the detective to possible, impending crimes that could occur when someone heart that the heir was dead.
Kindaichi meets the main Kito family, and finds them on odd bunch, with the teen daughters somewhat flirting and cruel, the father locked in a room because of his mental illness, and everyone still living with the now dead patriarch's harsh assessments of them all. He also meets the island's priest and the branch Kito family, whose eldest son has yet to be repatriated post-war.
Very soon after his arrival, the first murder occurs followed swiftly by more. Most are elaborately staged, making references to specific haiku, and causing much grief and consternation amongst the island residents. Kindaichi investigates, getting a better handle on the workings of the main and branch families, and the history between them.
The story moves at a slow pace, as the author describes the culture and attitudes on the island, as well as its history as a haven for pirates in the past. The current island people are insular and isolated, and Kindaichi struggles to determine who the culprit is, and even coming under suspicion himself.
The mystery slowly evolves, and I had a suspicion who the murderer was, though not necessarily the motive, which, when revealed, was awful. (I also saw a similarity to an Agatha Christie and a Patricia Highsmith novel, which I won't name as they would hint at part of the plot.) The story is complex, and takes its time getting to its resolution. If you're willing to amble to the resolution, this is a satisfying story,
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Kindaichi meets the main Kito family, and finds them on odd bunch, with the teen daughters somewhat flirting and cruel, the father locked in a room because of his mental illness, and everyone still living with the now dead patriarch's harsh assessments of them all. He also meets the island's priest and the branch Kito family, whose eldest son has yet to be repatriated post-war.
Very soon after his arrival, the first murder occurs followed swiftly by more. Most are elaborately staged, making references to specific haiku, and causing much grief and consternation amongst the island residents. Kindaichi investigates, getting a better handle on the workings of the main and branch families, and the history between them.
The story moves at a slow pace, as the author describes the culture and attitudes on the island, as well as its history as a haven for pirates in the past. The current island people are insular and isolated, and Kindaichi struggles to determine who the culprit is, and even coming under suspicion himself.
The mystery slowly evolves, and I had a suspicion who the murderer was, though not necessarily the motive, which, when revealed, was awful. (I also saw a similarity to an Agatha Christie and a Patricia Highsmith novel, which I won't name as they would hint at part of the plot.) The story is complex, and takes its time getting to its resolution. If you're willing to amble to the resolution, this is a satisfying story,
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.