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podanotherjessi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is very good. It's a mystery where you know fairly early on who did it, and the book is pulling back layers to figure out the why. It did a really good job leading me to revelations right before reveals only to pull the rug out from under me, until I was coming up with the wildest theories just to try to stay ahead of the book.
There were occasional comments that gave me pause, and the book has a very matter-of-fact way of talking about tragedy that was at times off-putting. But overall very good and a mystery I would definitely recommend.
There were occasional comments that gave me pause, and the book has a very matter-of-fact way of talking about tragedy that was at times off-putting. But overall very good and a mystery I would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Rape
crystalisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol
nem_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
The concept of this book was immediately appealing to me, with the way the first chapter is pure unreliable narration. This isn't much of a spoiler since it's revealed in the second chapter, and the blurb about this book implies it as well. However, even after Osamu is taken into custody, the mystery of why he did it is still unsolved. The way this novel had me question everything was exciting. I really only had an inkling about Osamu's true motive when I reached the chapter containing all of Kaga's interviews, and only when I reached the final chapter did everything fall into place in a way that really made sense. Anyway, huge fan. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
catsandcoffeeandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
amfuglest's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
thirduser's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape
I did tag this with CW, I would like to say that these are mentioned in the story.flyingfox02's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A very quick and intense mystery novel that's unlike anything I've read before. It's not a whodunnit story but rather a whydunnit. A murder happens and the perpetrator is discovered a few chapters in, and it was pretty obvious who. The rest of the novel is spent on working out the motive for the murder. There's a lot of twists and turns, no dillydallying. But it was this fast pace that makes me confused on how the detective came to his final conclusion. Maybe I just missed it and should go back to it but whatever. So yeah the ending was a bit meh. Other than that I enjoyed it a lot. Definitely will be reading more from the author.
Jeff Woodmann narrates the audiobook. Not a fan of the voice he uses for Nonoguchi, but otherwise he didn't do a bad job.
Jeff Woodmann narrates the audiobook. Not a fan of the voice he uses for Nonoguchi, but otherwise he didn't do a bad job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
ikaryst's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Violence
mirrorofneptune's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Bullying and Rape
rarasreads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When attempting to write this review, I had to remind myself of the different elements that make up Japanese detective fiction vs Western crime fiction. It is through this lens I found this story to be relatively engaging and unique in that it focuses on the motive for the murder rather than on the killer (whose identity is immediately known) or the method.
In listening to the audiobook, I appreciated the distinct styles with which Detective Kaga and Osamu are portrayed and narrate their POVs. The Detective is clever and thorough with his investigation, although I did find it a bit convenient that he relied on his hunches that always ended up being correct. However, I still enjoyed the process by which Kaga conducted his interviews and procedures to connect the dots between the past and present. Osamu was all the over place, crafting stories to throw the Detective and readers off.
I liked how the Detective pieced the motive together at the end with a bit of a twist. Nevertheless, the ending still left me wanting a bit more clarity. I certainly want to try more Japanese crime fiction but I don’t think I will be continuing this particular series.
In listening to the audiobook, I appreciated the distinct styles with which Detective Kaga and Osamu are portrayed and narrate their POVs. The Detective is clever and thorough with his investigation, although I did find it a bit convenient that he relied on his hunches that always ended up being correct. However, I still enjoyed the process by which Kaga conducted his interviews and procedures to connect the dots between the past and present. Osamu was all the over place, crafting stories to throw the Detective and readers off.
I liked how the Detective pieced the motive together at the end with a bit of a twist. Nevertheless, the ending still left me wanting a bit more clarity. I certainly want to try more Japanese crime fiction but I don’t think I will be continuing this particular series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault