Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Malice

Penting dan kegunaan dokumentasi menjadi hal yang di-highlight dalam buku ini. Menurutku alur yang disampaikan sangat menarik dan bikin ngejlimet alias akan dibuat hah hoh hah hoh.

Di bagian pertengahan, kita dibuat tau siapa pelaku dan bagaimana dia mengeksekusi korbannya. Namun, motif dan latar belakang kedua pihak – pelaku dan korban, menjadi hal yang diulik sampai akhir oleh Detektif Kaga.

Buku ini disampaikan lewat dua perspektif, Nonoguchi dan sang detektif. Mengulas juga bagaimana latar belakang mereka, bahkan menguak beragam hal yang membuatku takjub, tetapi geram.

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arkwen452's review

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Readers might start this book with expectations in mind, I know I did. Just be prepared for those expectations and theories to be challenged, altered and challenged again.

Malice handles narrative manipulation and deception fairly well overall. The core of the book deals with character development, motivations, creation and interpretation. This may not be that interesting to readers who are not writers, but (as a writer as well) I enjoyed it.

The lead detective wonders through the present, the past and present while investigating the case and for an American used to the detectives who hardly do the bare minimum, I found it impressive.

And at first, I wondered why the topic of sexual assault was being thrown around rather carelessly even if it did happen in the past and there was a current murder investigation underway.

As the book progresses, readers will begin to realize the turn of direction the author has laid down and I imagine being to question their own interpretation of the narrative.

I was going to give this book a lower rating than 4 stars because I was anticipating not liking the direction of the book. But I am glad I didn't give up on the story at the 75% mark. First hand accounts are always askew and bias whether intentional or not.

And the motive behind ever action in this book proves to be more compelling than any might think.

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thirduser's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

To be honest I haven't read in awhile, I did try to read this book last year I was enjoying it as I got half way through but I had to return it to the library. I recently picked it up again and I was able to read it in a couple of days! I found it quite thrilling, although some may say this book has some logic flaws, I couldn't careless as I found it such an interesting read.

I particularly like the "establishment of chapters" Kaga mentioned, as how I was also duped when Nonoguchi we rote in his account how Hidaka was a cruel and malicious person, I think that was quite smart, through the story I thought "how cruel could you be" but that was just the farce I was told. I also liked the ending theme of prejudices playing a part of why Nonoguchi did that. I mean if your parents think something about a certain class, ethic group etc then the child will probably pick up similar notions.

This was my first time reading one of Keigo Higashino's Books (I actually didn't know it was apart of a series 😭) I will definitely be reading more of his books that are available to me!

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ikaryst's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s been a decade+ since my last mystery book and this was such a welcomed read to my collection. Prior to this, I was unfamiliar with Keigo Higashino’s works but now, I will be anticipating future stories from this author.

From the start to the end, Malice had me at the edge of my seat because I was so eager to uncover the secrets behind the murder of acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka. The written accounts of the characters were extremely immersive as though I could see inside their minds.

What made this super entertaining was how the author revealed hints gradually for us readers to also figure out the mystery. The narrative is void of any information dumping and unfolds in a remarkably clever and uncomplicated manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this literary journey.

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burky's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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mirrorofneptune's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Like Higashino's Detective Galileo books, this is very reminiscent of a character study. We spend a lot of time with the cast and arguably less on the mechanisms of the murder, but it's still a fun locked room mystery. The title is very apt, as malice, envy, and resentment are all recurring themes.

Kaga wasn't as interesting to me as Yukawa or Kusanagi, likely because he didn't feel quite as fleshed-out; he does have a provided backstory but in my mind it didn't quite translate into characterization. That being said, I did like what we got from him, and I trust Higashino to not neglect developing his detective as the series progresses.

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chardaniel's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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kimew2023's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

I enjoyed this. Liked the Japanese ness. Just found the ending a bit too twisty.

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