Reviews - Death on Gokumon Island

545 reviews for:

Death on Gokumon Island

Seishi Yokomizo

3.75 AVERAGE

librarycowboy's review against another edition

2.75

dark mysterious tense 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

This novel read in an episodic way that would lend itself well to a tv adaptation. Unfortunately, I found it needlessly dramatic.

athirah_idrus's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The gauche detective with unkempt hair is back! In this fourth installment, Detective Kindaichi makes his way to Gokumon Island to deliver an unfortunate news after the war. While not as sensational as The Honjin Murders and The Inugami Curse, I still read this with relish. One thing you can always expect from Yokomizo is his attention to details, the ‘How’ and ‘Why’ are carefully measured and elaborated in the final chapters.

Yokomizo was also fond of embellishing the setting of the story and in this particular book, where the geographical area matters. Even the topography and landscape of Gokumon Island were meticulously explained so readers could imagine as if they were walking along on the island as Kindaichi navigated his ways round the island. Compared to his book The Village of Eight Graves where a lot was said about cave structures, I definitely prefer the island scene in this one.

What I consider most interesting was also perhaps the bane of the book. I loved that Yokomizo incorporated haiku and theatrical plays in the case, to me this was reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s use of nursery rhymes to her murder mysteries – it added drama to what would perhaps otherwise be a dull series of murder. However, as the crime seemed deliberately staged, it did make it feel highly fictionalised. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it just doesn’t seem probable in real life.

I only wished Kindaichi would be quicker in solving the mysteries to prevent further deaths, but alas, he’s no superman. This book didn’t have the eerie vibe like The Inugami Curse but an amazing read nonetheless!

chbeyer's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first book, not only was it a great mystery but a great story. I was able to partly guess the ending but not the whole twist, and what a twist. The whole time it barely felt like there was a mystery, that’s how good the writing and story was but when the mystery loomed, it was very present. The ending, the twist of it but also just the ending itself, was fantastic and I while I feel like there could’ve been a little more time with some of the characters and forming attachments with them, it was still a really great book overall.

allispin's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious sad fast-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

kalehouse's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

fatima_bakhaeva's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

This is the third book I've read from Seishi Yokomizo. Eventough I don't find the plot spectacular, I'm still captivated by the storytelling. It is easy to see the scenarios in my head, which I find more difficult with other books.
In contrast to the Honjin Murders and The Village of Eight Graves, this one was told mostly from the detective's perspective, which I enjoyed more.

Content Warnings

candiemarsh's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This did not disappoint! A very fast-paced read, constantly piquing the curiosity; I couldn't put it down! Character development was interesting and the conclusion was heartwrenchingly mindblowing.

kina_tan's review against another edition

4.5

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I love our detective Kosuke Kindaichi & I've been devoured all three other translated books in this series. I love them all & this one is no exception.

Now onto the plot; the first 1/4 before the first crime occurs is a bit slow & boring. But once the plot is gaining traction it's a fast ride. Full of confusing clues & red herrings. Although I figured out the culprit along the way, nothing had prepare me for the twist at the end. Overall, a good read and I am satisfied reader =)