Reviews

Tokyo hoàng đạo án by Sōji Shimada

Only show reviews with written explanations

janey_bones's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I've only just started reading the honkaku genre and I love it so much! I'm seriously dense and definitely not a detective but it's still such a fun and intense read.

The writing was great and the mystery was excellent. I did have trouble keeping up with all of the characters and names.

Content Warnings

abovethecloud's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5/5

Benar2 gila dan membuat otakku ngebul huhuu udah ceritanya rumit banget ditambah tokoh2nya yg super banyak tapi, perlahan-lahan bisa mengerti kok dan ini superrrr seruuuuuuu karena kita juga diajak memikirkan berbagai premis yg memungkinkan pembunuhan tersebut dan menurutku ini sangat kreatif karena bagaimana bisa membuat cerita sekeren ini dengan menggabungkan unsur2 astronomi/astrologi dan unsur2 kimia, benar2 sangat wowwww dan tentu saja plot twistnya membuat tercenganggg, dan jujur saja aku tidak bisa menebak pelakunya dan merasa terombang ambing seperti Kazumi, jujur saja kiyoshi benar2 kerenn bisa memecahkan kasus ini hanya karena melihat hal yg cukup sepelee, benar2 worth to read

pluviosity's review against another edition

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2.0

..why 2 stars only?

Maybe because I lil' bit felt it's nothing more than another Sherlock Holmes/Meitantei Conan.
Maybe because towards the end of the story there's this strong need to scream out loud:
"what bloody Zodiac Murders is this?!.."

Maybe because I was expecting 'more than' mad mutilating murderer story..
Maybe because the translation still pissed me off..

I mean, seriously?? bunga ceri for sakura? kue dadar for okonomiyaki? and kue bola berisi daging gurita for takoyaki??

You can clearly see that it did used the English translation instead of the original Japanese version.

I don't know why I really try to like it.
But I can't. I couldn't.

It's boring, unimpressive, ....boring.

jdhwnn's review against another edition

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3.0

3.8 / 5

Sebenarnya, kalau aku baca buku ini dengan "teratur", nggak banyak nunda-nundanya akan lebih seru, tapi karena banyak sekali waktu yang aku tunda untuk membaca buku ini, jadi hampir nggak mengikuti tracknya. Agak bingung dengan tokoh dan penjelasan mengenai kasusnya, karena bener-bener detail, dan apalagi tentang surat "wasiat" yang dijadiin petunjuk oleh si pembunuh, berisi tentang koordinat-koordinat yang mengiblat pada zodiak.

Menarik sih, aku tertarik buat baca buku ini karena banyak yang bilang kalau kasus pembunuhan zodiak ini nyata, dan (nggak ada hubungannya juga sih) aku kira ceritanya sama kayak film Zodiak Murders, asal USA.

mmcintyre123's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

duskx's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Sōji Shimada’s honkaku masterpiece, “The Tokyo Zodiac Murders,” is a mesmerizing blend of cerebral intrigue and macabre fascination.

Set in 1936 during the Shōwa period in pre-World War II Japan, Heikichi Umezawa, the eccentric artist, stands at the center of this twisted tale. His confession drips with madness: he plans to kill his six daughters and nieces to assemble their bodies into the perfect woman, Azoth. Astrological alignments guide his blade, and alchemical metals mark their resting places. But before Umezawa can carry out his macabre plan, he is found murdered in his locked private studio, skull shattered—a classic locked-room mystery. And then, Kazue Kanemoto, the daughter he meant to spare, meets a similar fate—violated, her head crushed.

As the days unfold, Umezawa’s horrifying vision materializes. His six daughters and nieces, dismembered, their lives stolen to create Azoth. The question echoes: Who committed these atrocities, and why?

"My greatest fear is that I might already have told you too much about the case! But I dared to do that both for the sake of fairness of the game, and, of course, to provide you with a little help.

Let me throw down the gauntlet: I challenge you to solve the mystery before the final chapters!"

—Excerpt from The Tokyo Zodiac Murders, Sōji Shimada

Shimada challenges readers to think critically, question assumptions, and appreciate the beauty of deduction. His prose, like a blade poised above our hearts, reveals clues with surgical precision. Every clue necessary for unraveling the web of intrigue is meticulously included in the text, along with dramatis personae, maps, charts, and illustrations—no unfair advantages, no hidden tricks. As you turn each page, you're both observer and participant, piecing together the puzzle with a sense of urgency.

What makes “The Tokyo Zodiac Murders” stand out is not just its intricate plot but also its masterstroke of misdirection. The story's originality lies in its ability to weave an elaborate tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Just when certainty blooms, doubt creeps in. Shadows shift, and we question our assumptions. Even though I happened to solve the mystery early on—largely due to having encountered “inspired” plots in other thrillers (Kindaichi Case Files vol 2 - The Ijinkan Village Murder Case and 少年包青天 / Young Justice Bao)—the novel's relentless pacing and palpable tension ensured that I remained captivated throughout the 252 pages.

For those who relish intellectual challenges and the satisfaction of piecing together a complex puzzle, "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" is an unmissable triumph—a literary gauntlet flung down, daring us to solve the case before the final revelation, and it is a dare well worth accepting.

Content Warnings