esai's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
luciedelomez's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
2.0
A bit surprised honestly because the writing was SO stilted compared to his other books. I enjoyed the story but the transitions were horrible and read like a script at times. It felt so sloppy and like a rough draft.
audreysy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
5.0
really love keigo higashino’s works. he doesn’t just write to craft a mystery, he writes to explore the human condition. but he does so without making the story depressing which i love because i can’t deal with that stress rn lmao.
this was written in an interesting way, basically detective kaga, who is new to the town after being demoted from the tokyo metropolitan police for being “too emotionally involved” in his cases, investigates the murder of a woman who was strangled to death in her apartment. he goes store to store to piece together what happened around the time of the murder but also what exactly the lives of the woman and everyone surrounding her was like.
the first half or more of the book had the same format of him visiting a different traditional/old-style japanese store and while these visits develop his knowledge of the murder, he also leaves having helped these (usually family-owned) stores appreciate the people involved in it more. the latter portion zeroes in more on the perpetrator as well as a fellow detective on the case, both of which find a similarity that helps to unravel the motive by the end of the book.
what was amazing was how despite the number of characters and the intricacies of the plot, he was able to introduce us to everything with little to no confusion while also endearing us to the people and leaving behind heartwarming messages about human relationships. i read detective fiction with the expectation of having something thrilling and fast-paced occupy my time, but this went beyond the traditional detective story by making you care about the characters.
though the mystery was nothing to write home about, i found myself thoroughly enjoying reading about these people’s lives and going through the motions of good old-fashioned detective work.
this was written in an interesting way, basically detective kaga, who is new to the town after being demoted from the tokyo metropolitan police for being “too emotionally involved” in his cases, investigates the murder of a woman who was strangled to death in her apartment. he goes store to store to piece together what happened around the time of the murder but also what exactly the lives of the woman and everyone surrounding her was like.
the first half or more of the book had the same format of him visiting a different traditional/old-style japanese store and while these visits develop his knowledge of the murder, he also leaves having helped these (usually family-owned) stores appreciate the people involved in it more. the latter portion zeroes in more on the perpetrator as well as a fellow detective on the case, both of which find a similarity that helps to unravel the motive by the end of the book.
what was amazing was how despite the number of characters and the intricacies of the plot, he was able to introduce us to everything with little to no confusion while also endearing us to the people and leaving behind heartwarming messages about human relationships. i read detective fiction with the expectation of having something thrilling and fast-paced occupy my time, but this went beyond the traditional detective story by making you care about the characters.
though the mystery was nothing to write home about, i found myself thoroughly enjoying reading about these people’s lives and going through the motions of good old-fashioned detective work.
myrdyr's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I think something was lost in translation as I felt very detached while reading this book. I was not emotionally invested in the characters; yet, I was engaged in the storylines and wanted to see where all of the different threads would lead and how they would come together. Thankfully, Higashino did not disappoint. While this book can definitely be read as a standalone, I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
fidoe's review against another edition
4.0
Week 33 Book 35
Newcomer by Keigo Higashino
Rating: 4/5
Ever since I read my first Higashino, I knew I will be a fan for life. It is a pity more of his work is not available or translated. Newcomer is the second appearance of Detective Kaga, who is quite different from Detective Galileo. Both are brilliant in their own way.
This book starts with a long list of characters, which may be confusing initially but you will get into the groove soon after. In the beginning, you may feel the chapters are not related to the murder situation ((the book starts with announcing a murder, no details given), and end inconsequentially.
But this is the beauty of Higashino's writing - everything ties up in the end so beautifully and unexpectedly. The way Kaga approaches the case and the people is awe-inspiring! This book is written differently, but is a must-read!
Newcomer by Keigo Higashino
Rating: 4/5
Ever since I read my first Higashino, I knew I will be a fan for life. It is a pity more of his work is not available or translated. Newcomer is the second appearance of Detective Kaga, who is quite different from Detective Galileo. Both are brilliant in their own way.
This book starts with a long list of characters, which may be confusing initially but you will get into the groove soon after. In the beginning, you may feel the chapters are not related to the murder situation ((the book starts with announcing a murder, no details given), and end inconsequentially.
But this is the beauty of Higashino's writing - everything ties up in the end so beautifully and unexpectedly. The way Kaga approaches the case and the people is awe-inspiring! This book is written differently, but is a must-read!
graugold's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
anahhs's review against another edition
3.0
don't be fooled by the low-ish rating! i had a great time reading this one (highly addicting and fast paced!) but it falls short when compared to the other titles i have read from him.
enesable's review against another edition
5.0
Detefktif kaga??? Keren banget please!
Jujur yaaa, buku keigo yang ini unik banget, kita ga cuma diajak untuk nebak2 siapa pelakunya, tapi juga dibuat tercengo2 akan keahlian detefktif kaga yang secara tidak langsung menyelesaikan masalah orang2 di sekitar korban, meskipun hal itu ga mengarah kepada penyelidikan secara khusus.
Detefktif kaga tu yaa kenapa si keren banget?? Selain suka blusukan, beliau ini bikin buku ini heartwarming bgt please? Banyak bgt masalah ttg keluarga yang diceritain disini, yang juga diselesaikan sama detefktif kaga.
Aku pas baca ini justru sama sekali ga mikir siapa pelakunya, karena hint nya masih rancu. Dann justru aku berfokus pada permasalahan setiap keluarga yang didatangi detefktif kaga, sumpah yaaa plot twist antara keluarga korban itu bikin hati kayak nyess tapi ademm gt
Jujur yaaa, buku keigo yang ini unik banget, kita ga cuma diajak untuk nebak2 siapa pelakunya, tapi juga dibuat tercengo2 akan keahlian detefktif kaga yang secara tidak langsung menyelesaikan masalah orang2 di sekitar korban, meskipun hal itu ga mengarah kepada penyelidikan secara khusus.
Detefktif kaga tu yaa kenapa si keren banget?? Selain suka blusukan, beliau ini bikin buku ini heartwarming bgt please? Banyak bgt masalah ttg keluarga yang diceritain disini, yang juga diselesaikan sama detefktif kaga.
Aku pas baca ini justru sama sekali ga mikir siapa pelakunya, karena hint nya masih rancu. Dann justru aku berfokus pada permasalahan setiap keluarga yang didatangi detefktif kaga, sumpah yaaa plot twist antara keluarga korban itu bikin hati kayak nyess tapi ademm gt