moonchildshine 's review for:

Rumus Kebenaran Musim Panas - A Midsummer's Equation (Manatsu no Hoteishiki) by Keigo Higashino

4.0

emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-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

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Yo, I’m on fire! This is the third book I’ve finished today, and it’s probably going to be the last one I read in 2024—what a way to end the year! So, here we are with another Keigo Higashino-sensei masterpiece. I’ve been a fan of his work for a while now, and since one of his books is literally one of my best reads ever, my expectations are always through the roof whenever I pick up anything he’s written. And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint.

What I love most about Higashino-sensei is how he flips the typical mystery formula. It’s not just about “whodunnit”—it’s the “whydunnit” that takes center stage. The way he builds such intricate backstories for his characters and layers their motives so deeply? Genius. This book really captures the style that made me fall in love with his writing in the first place. My last read of his didn’t really highlight this, so I was a little let down, but A Midsummer’s Equation brought that signature touch back. The depth, the layers, the emotional weight—it’s all there. So, cheers! 

I’m so pumped to dive into more of his works and cross my fingers that they’re just as satisfying as this one.

PS. Can we talk about the dynamic between Yukawa-sensei and Kyouhei? It was such a perfect addition to the story!