alibi313's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I like the way this author has the detective character solve little mysteries on the road to unraveling the central murder mystery. However, the translation is quite clunky and the audiobook narration is wooden and not a particularly fun listen. I might’ve given the print version a slightly higher rating, and the book is undoubtedly better in its original language, as the construction of the plot is quite inventive.
readivine's review
4.0
While Malice is deemed to be the better installment of the series, I fairly think that Newcomer makes Detective Kaga's involvement more pronounced and hmmmm likeable? This was unexpectedly well fleshed out and pretty wholesome for crime fiction. One of the most commendable aspects here is how the setting was laid out and held significance in the storyline. It makes the reading experience more like a field trip to Japan as it details the circuits of Ningyocho or commonly known as the Doll Town.
The chapters were broken down into condensed storylines that may or may not have an effect on the murder case happening. What's more is that every chapter is laid out on the background of each specialty store found in Ningyocho. From rice cracker shops, bean pastry cafes, restaurants, clockwork stores, to antique shops, it's an amazing sight to see especially that it is brimming with the culture of the Edo Period in Japan. It's so refreshing to read as it gives us a glimpse of Japan's past and you'll definitely see how the people value their heritage in these place.
On top of that, each chapter was episodic in a sense that made it easier to read and presents you with one mystery to another that is solved by Detective Kaga. Some of the chapters don't necessarily connect with the murder case but each has its own charm and values to empart! Alongside this, this kind of structure gives a center stage for Kaga's deduction skills to be seen in action.
Like I said before, Keigo Higashino's books often has themes of filial love and Newcomer heavily draws on this as well. I really love this type of storytelling and I find this more to my taste compared to Malice, which is deemed to be the "better" installment in the Kyoichiro Kaga series.
My only qualms at all would probably be that I'm always craving for more of his books and I'm almost done with all of his English translated works XD
The chapters were broken down into condensed storylines that may or may not have an effect on the murder case happening. What's more is that every chapter is laid out on the background of each specialty store found in Ningyocho. From rice cracker shops, bean pastry cafes, restaurants, clockwork stores, to antique shops, it's an amazing sight to see especially that it is brimming with the culture of the Edo Period in Japan. It's so refreshing to read as it gives us a glimpse of Japan's past and you'll definitely see how the people value their heritage in these place.
On top of that, each chapter was episodic in a sense that made it easier to read and presents you with one mystery to another that is solved by Detective Kaga. Some of the chapters don't necessarily connect with the murder case but each has its own charm and values to empart! Alongside this, this kind of structure gives a center stage for Kaga's deduction skills to be seen in action.
Like I said before, Keigo Higashino's books often has themes of filial love and Newcomer heavily draws on this as well. I really love this type of storytelling and I find this more to my taste compared to Malice, which is deemed to be the "better" installment in the Kyoichiro Kaga series.
My only qualms at all would probably be that I'm always craving for more of his books and I'm almost done with all of his English translated works XD
esai's review
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