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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
~I received this book free from Netgalley in return for an honest review~
The premise of this book sounded so interesting and it did not disappoint!
Reading this book felt strangely nostalgic. I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie (though admittedly I have mainly watched the tv adaptations of her work) and it's not hard to see Ayatsuji's love for her too. This book really does pay homage to some of the greatest detective/mystery stories but is also very creative in its own right.
I must admit that I am able to guess murders relatively easy in thrillers nowadays but this one got me! I really was left guessing right up until the reveal.
While there are many characters in this book, Ayatsuji made it very easy to distinguish between them. They were all so full of character that when the murders started, I really wanted them all to be saved!
This book would have been a five star but I had to bump it down a little because of the ending. I loved the reveal but I think that it just felt a bit rushed and I came away wishing that things had been explained in the same detail that had been used earlier in the book.
But despite this, I would recommend this book to anyone that loves classic mystery novels! I have a feeling that there will be a few people getting this book for their birthday this year!
The premise of this book sounded so interesting and it did not disappoint!
Reading this book felt strangely nostalgic. I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie (though admittedly I have mainly watched the tv adaptations of her work) and it's not hard to see Ayatsuji's love for her too. This book really does pay homage to some of the greatest detective/mystery stories but is also very creative in its own right.
I must admit that I am able to guess murders relatively easy in thrillers nowadays but this one got me! I really was left guessing right up until the reveal.
While there are many characters in this book, Ayatsuji made it very easy to distinguish between them. They were all so full of character that when the murders started, I really wanted them all to be saved!
This book would have been a five star but I had to bump it down a little because of the ending. I loved the reveal but I think that it just felt a bit rushed and I came away wishing that things had been explained in the same detail that had been used earlier in the book.
But despite this, I would recommend this book to anyone that loves classic mystery novels! I have a feeling that there will be a few people getting this book for their birthday this year!
I defo should have connecting the dots earlier but I wish the twist was more so a sad boi avenging his girl. But the way Van pulled it off was prettyyy impressive
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
fast-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:
Complicated
This is my first Honkaku mystery novel that I've read. Overall I enjoyed the book. I pretty much was able to guess the murderer early on (though I wavered at different points in the book), but it was still an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Personally, I felt that, when I guessed the murderer, the other clues sort of revealed how the murderer actually carried out the murders. I guess the only thing that flew past me was the motive. I didn't expect the motive (and felt stupid for not realising it earlier).
Overall, it was a good read. There wasn't any real OMG or WTF moments for me but enjoyable nonetheless.
Personally, I felt that, when I guessed the murderer, the other clues sort of revealed how the murderer actually carried out the murders. I guess the only thing that flew past me was the motive. I didn't expect the motive (and felt stupid for not realising it earlier).
Overall, it was a good read. There wasn't any real OMG or WTF moments for me but enjoyable nonetheless.
slow-paced
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Decagon House Murders is considered a classic Japanese murder mystery. Originally published in 1987, the plot recalls Christie’s And Then There We’re None and is well constructed; but the execution is lacking, even amateurish. I have not read much Japanese literature, so perhaps what I perceive as amateurish or “flat” is a difference in cultural expectations; perhaps it is because this is the author’s debut mystery novel; or perhaps it is in the translation. But it does reinforce my tendency to avoid mysteries that are titled “The [place name/building] Murder(s)”. Thus, contrary to some other reviewers, I don’t consider this one of the 20 best mysteries of all time … not by a long shot!
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Violence, Murder
I’m simply too much of a lit-fic girly. Couldn’t get into this, maybe try again in the fall!