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lavins's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This was a new experience as Japan culture is so very different than the western one. So the way the investigation was lead and the dialogs, it was all very interesting.
I did enjoy the book and the final reveal was quite the ending, a really good, although sad one.
Nice one!
This was a new experience as Japan culture is so very different than the western one. So the way the investigation was lead and the dialogs, it was all very interesting.
I did enjoy the book and the final reveal was quite the ending, a really good, although sad one.
Nice one!
wintermute9's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
dreamingofspaceships's review against another edition
3.0
Not what I thought this was going to be. There's no clever reveal at the end, no intricate plot, not a fair play mystery where you have even a small chance of figuring things out. Same problem as Silent Parade to be honest. That said, Higashino's writing is still gripping and it doesn't really drag. I always enjoy the glimpses of Japanese society that I get from his books and so will continue to read them, but maybe not with as much enthusiasm as I've been feeling till now.
littletaiko's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
aritrigupta's review against another edition
4.0
I’m relieved and happy that I’m over the curse of consecutive 2 star reads. [a:Keigo Higashino|117366|Keigo Higashino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1289592746p2/117366.jpg] is one of my favourite mystery writers, as his plots are well rounded, and he addresses the human components of flaws, hubris, yearning and misery, in each of his stories.
I will say, the translation seemed weaker in this book than in his previous works, but one has to keep in mind that translated works almost always have a sliver of awkwardness in its narration. I shaved off a star because there were a few points of convenience in the overall solve of the crime, but the story in itself was powerful and engaging. There are parts in the book that would seem slow, but it did not bother me as much as I thought it would. I have always loved how Higashino sketches his characters, and I’m glad that it was the same for this book. He also captures the slow and deliberate pace of resolving the crime well, without it being ostentatious.
The book delivers a great message in a manner that isn’t corny or over the top.
I will recommend this book to mystery lovers just because Higashino wrote it.
I will say, the translation seemed weaker in this book than in his previous works, but one has to keep in mind that translated works almost always have a sliver of awkwardness in its narration. I shaved off a star because there were a few points of convenience in the overall solve of the crime, but the story in itself was powerful and engaging. There are parts in the book that would seem slow, but it did not bother me as much as I thought it would. I have always loved how Higashino sketches his characters, and I’m glad that it was the same for this book. He also captures the slow and deliberate pace of resolving the crime well, without it being ostentatious.
The book delivers a great message in a manner that isn’t corny or over the top.
I will recommend this book to mystery lovers just because Higashino wrote it.
shubhankar05's review against another edition
3.0
I finished it yesterday, however, I waited to allow some time for my sporadic thoughts to coalesce.
At first glance, it's a generic murder mystery like the last one I read. I guessed the direction it was taking in the last act and was able to guess how it all went down. But like last time, I didn't feel cocky at doing so. Maybe it's the years behind me but I guess I have started to look at such stories with a different perspective.
Death in Tokyo and Midsummer Equation felt lackluster in comparison to Malice, Devotion and Salvation. While the latter were comparatively black & white and had a clear sense of vindication for the readers, the former tended to blur the lines. I didn't feel that exhilaration at having guessed the murderer but something that was much more akin to emptiness.
In Midsummer Equation, we didn't get a specific bad person at the end. We just found an old man who did a bad thing to protect his family.
Death in Tokyo dealt with a bunch of high schoolers who didn't know any better and in wake of their naivete, left behind 3 families utterly destroyed.
There's an unborn child would grow up without a father.
2 widows who'd never see their significant other. A traumatized daughter who attempted suicide. 3 guys who will never recover psychologically. And a family with their only son in a coma.
Murder is not mysterious. It's traumatic. Repercussions metastasize. It's a contagion without discrimination and without a cure and it will stay that way till the end of time because the lesson of history is that no one ever learns.
Higashino's writing has not stagnated. It's just become a lot more personal than it used to be in my opinion. While it may not stractch that usual itch in some, it'll certainly give you a different viewpoint.
P.S : Original title of the book is Kirin No Tsubasa which literally translates to : The Wings of the Kirin.
Who thought that something as banal as Death In Tokyo was more appropriate? Like where's the poetry in that?
At first glance, it's a generic murder mystery like the last one I read. I guessed the direction it was taking in the last act and was able to guess how it all went down. But like last time, I didn't feel cocky at doing so. Maybe it's the years behind me but I guess I have started to look at such stories with a different perspective.
Death in Tokyo and Midsummer Equation felt lackluster in comparison to Malice, Devotion and Salvation. While the latter were comparatively black & white and had a clear sense of vindication for the readers, the former tended to blur the lines. I didn't feel that exhilaration at having guessed the murderer but something that was much more akin to emptiness.
In Midsummer Equation, we didn't get a specific bad person at the end. We just found an old man who did a bad thing to protect his family.
Death in Tokyo dealt with a bunch of high schoolers who didn't know any better and in wake of their naivete, left behind 3 families utterly destroyed.
There's an unborn child would grow up without a father.
2 widows who'd never see their significant other. A traumatized daughter who attempted suicide. 3 guys who will never recover psychologically. And a family with their only son in a coma.
Murder is not mysterious. It's traumatic. Repercussions metastasize. It's a contagion without discrimination and without a cure and it will stay that way till the end of time because the lesson of history is that no one ever learns.
Higashino's writing has not stagnated. It's just become a lot more personal than it used to be in my opinion. While it may not stractch that usual itch in some, it'll certainly give you a different viewpoint.
P.S : Original title of the book is Kirin No Tsubasa which literally translates to : The Wings of the Kirin.
Who thought that something as banal as Death In Tokyo was more appropriate? Like where's the poetry in that?
bibliocamera's review against another edition
4.0
I love the way this writer weaves such complicated mysteries together. And the way Detective Kaga pulls at all the treads to solve them. He is such a fascinating & intuitive detective.
davechua's review against another edition
4.0
A well-paced mystery that is just the right length. Kept looking up some of the locations mentioned in the novel. Entertaining and not overly convoluted.