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anna_hepworth 's review for:
The Decagon House Murders
by Yukito Ayatsuji
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There are a lot of fascinating details in this book, and many, many tiny references to works of crime fiction that the author (and the characters) are familiar with. I love that there are many tiny details that are slowly revealed, giving different perspectives on the characters, the setting, and the historical and current tragedies.
As a story, it didn't really work for me. I found the characters indistinguishable, and as such had little sympathy, and no empathy for them as the horrors of the story unfold. I feel that the reason that it qualifies as a murder mystery, rather than slasher horror, is the wider field of view (characters both in and away from the context), and the somewhat dispassionate viewpoint from which it is told. I think there is a single scene from the perspective of one of the victims, and even that the character comes across as dissociated. Where it deviates from the traditional Western murder mystery (rather than thriller) is that no-one is dead early on, but the murders happen prior to any detective involvement (other than the decidedly amateur members of the Mystery Club, as their members are slowly killed).
What I did find fascinating was the world building, and the intricacies of the multi-threaded plot. Also, the almost total absence of the police.
Thus, if you interested in complex mystery plots with slow reveals, and characterisation is not a high priority, this is a strongly recommended option. If, however, you are like me and read these more for the characters than the high stakes, it is going to feel somewhat flat.
As a story, it didn't really work for me. I found the characters indistinguishable, and as such had little sympathy, and no empathy for them as the horrors of the story unfold. I feel that the reason that it qualifies as a murder mystery, rather than slasher horror, is the wider field of view (characters both in and away from the context), and the somewhat dispassionate viewpoint from which it is told. I think there is a single scene from the perspective of one of the victims, and even that the character comes across as dissociated. Where it deviates from the traditional Western murder mystery (rather than thriller) is that no-one is dead early on, but the murders happen prior to any detective involvement (other than the decidedly amateur members of the Mystery Club, as their members are slowly killed).
What I did find fascinating was the world building, and the intricacies of the multi-threaded plot. Also, the almost total absence of the police.
Thus, if you interested in complex mystery plots with slow reveals, and characterisation is not a high priority, this is a strongly recommended option. If, however, you are like me and read these more for the characters than the high stakes, it is going to feel somewhat flat.