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podanotherjessi's review
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
norameid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Writing was honestly terrible. If this is the best that Higashino can do then he’s just not for me.
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
nuts246's review
4.0
This was not a whodunnit as much as it was a whydunnit. An arrest is made very early in the book, and though the murderer attempts to plead his innocence, it is established fairly early. The major part of the story is in how the detective reconstructs the crime to establish the motive. Of how he systematically excavates through one level of lies to get to the real reason for the crime which the murderer wants to keep hidden.
The book also took on a very important issue head on. An issue that exists in some form or the other across societies. To say more is to give away a bit of the plot.
I have read many crime novels in my life, but this would easily take its place among the best of them because if just didn’t let you relax, and your sympathy kept going where you didn’t want it to. This was my first Japanese crime novel, and I am ready for more, even though Poorni from whom I borrowed the book tells me this is one that other books can’t really match up to.
The book also took on a very important issue head on. An issue that exists in some form or the other across societies. To say more is to give away a bit of the plot.
I have read many crime novels in my life, but this would easily take its place among the best of them because if just didn’t let you relax, and your sympathy kept going where you didn’t want it to. This was my first Japanese crime novel, and I am ready for more, even though Poorni from whom I borrowed the book tells me this is one that other books can’t really match up to.
telerit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
What a delightfully twisted story.
glenncolerussell's review
I'm not a big fan of whodunnits. The idea of being fed clue after clue so I can attempt to crack the case along with the detective/inspector in the story holds zero appeal for me.
But here's the thing with Keigo Higashino's Malice: the first sentence of the publisher's blurb reads: “Acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka is found brutally murdered in his home on the night before he was to leave Japan and relocate to Vancouver.” Ah, thinks I, a bestselling novelist is the victim of a brutal murder, this mystery surely incorporates much about novels, authorship, publishing, reading and writing – for me, topics holding special appeal.
After both reading the book and listening to the audio book, I'm here to report I wasn't disappointed; if anything, my expectations were exceeded – this mystery novel features the many facets of what it can mean to be a bestselling author.
And once I started reading, I was completely and totally hooked. Keigo Higashino does a masterful job of handling all the elements critical for a good whodunnit – atmosphere, setting, crime, sleuth, villain, narrative momentum, foreshadowing, red herrings, satisfying ending.
Additionally, a special call-out for the way Mr. Higashino develops his characters and varies the novel's rhythm by rotating first-person narrators, the inclusion of backstory and, most especially, the author's impeccable timing.
For added spice, bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka isn't the only writer gracing the pages of Malice. There's also Hidaka's best friend, Osamu Nonoguchi, published author of children's books and an aspiring novelist himself, a man who just so happened to be a teacher some years back at the same school where Kyoichiro Kaga, the detective assigned the murder case, was also a teacher.
No more from me since the layers of mystery begin right in the first chapter. Every reader deserves to be introduced to the details of the case, fresh, free from anything remotely suggesting a spoiler. However, before calling it quits, one more tidbit: we find out on the first pages someone poisoned a next door neighbor's cat, a beautiful cat like the one pictured above. How dreadful!
If you're after a good mystery where authorship and bestselling novels play a central role, Malice is your book.
Japanese novelist Keigo Higashino, born 1958
hhartz000's review against another edition
5.0
One word: clever
I think I need to dive further into this author’s other books, because I loved this one. The characters were interesting, the story had very smart and unexpected twists, and I love a book that has multiple points of view. If you’re into murder mysteries, I highly recommend it.
I think I need to dive further into this author’s other books, because I loved this one. The characters were interesting, the story had very smart and unexpected twists, and I love a book that has multiple points of view. If you’re into murder mysteries, I highly recommend it.
yanamool's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
migynous's review against another edition
4.0
Novel ini menceritakan seorang penulis bernama Hidaka Kunihiko yang tewas di kediamannya yang diduga karena dibunuh. Penulis ini, memiliki seorang teman yang merupakan seorang penulis novel anak-anak yaitu Nonoguchi Osamu. Dia jugalah yang menjadi orang pertama dalam menemukan mayat Hidaka di ruang kerjanya.
Kematiannya yang tidak wajar membawa pertemua Nonoguchi dengan detektif Kaga, rekan kerjanya dulu ketika dia masih menjadi seorang guru di sebuah sekolah.
Novel ini dibawakan oleh 2 sudut pandang. Sudut pandang pertana dibawakan oleh Nonoguchi, sedangkan sudut pandang kedua dibawakan oleh detektif Kaga. Mereka berdualah yang akan membawa pembaca dalam melahirkan praduga terkait siapa pembunuh di dalam novel ini.
Ini pertana kalinya akau membaca karya Keigo Higashino, setelah sebelumnya karya-karyanya ini berseliweran di beranda media sosialku. Mulai dari lima puluh halaman pertama novel ini membuatku penasaran tentang pembunuh Hidaka.
Bahasanya yang ringan dan alur cerita yang membuat penasaran mnurutku menjadi kelebihan dari novel ini. Novel ini cocok sekali bagi kalian yang ingin membaca novel-novel ringan namun bagus untuk dibaca
Kematiannya yang tidak wajar membawa pertemua Nonoguchi dengan detektif Kaga, rekan kerjanya dulu ketika dia masih menjadi seorang guru di sebuah sekolah.
Novel ini dibawakan oleh 2 sudut pandang. Sudut pandang pertana dibawakan oleh Nonoguchi, sedangkan sudut pandang kedua dibawakan oleh detektif Kaga. Mereka berdualah yang akan membawa pembaca dalam melahirkan praduga terkait siapa pembunuh di dalam novel ini.
Ini pertana kalinya akau membaca karya Keigo Higashino, setelah sebelumnya karya-karyanya ini berseliweran di beranda media sosialku. Mulai dari lima puluh halaman pertama novel ini membuatku penasaran tentang pembunuh Hidaka.
Bahasanya yang ringan dan alur cerita yang membuat penasaran mnurutku menjadi kelebihan dari novel ini. Novel ini cocok sekali bagi kalian yang ingin membaca novel-novel ringan namun bagus untuk dibaca