A review by nebulous07
The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Mill House Murders is Yukito Ayatsji is an immersive, atmospheric read with a twisted ending. It gave me a nostalgic one-detective show vibe (Hercule Poirot sprang to mind). It's a murder mystery that oscillates between past and present moments and is non-linear. I gobbled this book up in one day and appreciated the references made to Japanese culture. Each character stood out to me with their distinct mannerism and motives, and as the plot progressed, it became increasingly challenging to decipher the ending. The balance between narration (from the simplistic references to weather to the details provided of the mysterious and ominous house) and the dialogue is well crafted. The ending was shocking, one I could have never predicted, and it lingered in my mind even after two days. Reading this book reinforced why murder mysteries are a significant and celebrated genre.
I look forward to reading more of this author's work. 

Thank you NetGalley & Pushkin Press, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.