The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
a1exander's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Rape, Murder, Car accident, Death, Terminal illness, and Animal death
Minor: Suicide and Infidelity
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Malice is the first of a different series. It focuses more on plot than character. The man arrested for murder is such an unreliable narrator that itâs hard to see what heâs truly like. We learn more about Detective Kaga, and his guilt and remorse at failing a student who was being bullied back in his teacher days, but we donât know anything else about him. We know nothing about his private life, his friends and family, his likes and dislikes - his character isnât developed at all.Â
The plot, which is explained early on, changes repeatedly. The readers arenât sure whatâs true, and I found it confusing to have to keep rearranging my idea of what had happened. In the end I felt it was more of an overly complicated annoyance than a plot twist. That said, Iâm about to start reading the second in the series to see what happens next.Â
Overall the book was complex and convoluted and, as such, was quite a feat. But I didnât find it completely satisfying.Â
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Cancer, Murder, Rape, and Gaslighting
mtnest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Suicide, Animal death, Bullying, and Murder
fraise's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Bullying, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Animal death, and Cancer
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking, Terminal illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Car accident, and Death
ajediprincess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the story of how an author is murdered. The killer is caught and arrested fairly early on into the story, which immediately threw me for a loop. But while the "who dunnit" is quickly solved, it's the motive that remains unclear. The truth of everything is something I'm still reeling from. On a more personal note, I loved the way the author wove in details pertaining to writing as a craft. I was amazed, while reading this book, how precisely accurate the descriptions and depictions of writers who love their craft were, and how much I agreed and could relate to the passion described with regard to telling stories and crafting a narrative. There was something almost transcendent about the way Higashino shared some of the most intimate aspects of writing and storytelling within the context of this story which was obviously so lovingly crafted.
I will remember this book for many years to come, and heartily recommend it with the likes of Sayers and Christie. This book was an intricately crafted, complex and oddly satisfying puzzle, filled with twists and surprises along the way. I can't wait to check out Higashino's other work. This book set my hopes high.Â
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
serendipity421's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence and Toxic friendship
Minor: Car accident
corar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Cancer, Terminal illness, Murder, Rape, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol and Animal death
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are lots of twists, but there is one bit- more misdirection than a twist- that totally got me. I gasped out loud and immediately ran to tell someone the genius of this book. Itâs such an incredible thing, but I absolutely was fooled, and that made this read all the more interesting.Â
Iâve read a lot of crime, and eventually they all start to get boring. You guess the structure, you guess who did it based on stereotypes and build ups and where they are placed in a story. This kept me guessing throughout the whole story. Every time I thought I had something, it was disproved. Keigo Higashino is one of the best crime writers ever. Not even just in Japan, but I believe internationally. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into his other novels. (I loved Suspect X)
Spoilers below!
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Animal death, Cancer, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
kaelcozoro's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Love Detective Kaga, I hope more of the series are translated into English!Â
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
bethsiekierawalker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, and Bullying