Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

24 reviews

alaskachan's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Took me a while to really get into it, to understand what's going on at all. But I did enjoy the story, it's a quick and fun read. Always love to learn about Japanese culture too, so I'm definitely reading the other books in this series. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tragedies's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Reading The Honjin Murders felt like reliving my childhood. It took me back to the days when I would borrow as much Nancy Drew books as my library card would allow, read them secretly in class, and come back to the library the next week hoping they had more books from the series (much to our librarian’s chagrin). I don’t know if it’s the nostalgia, but there’s just something about a good old classic mystery that draws you in. The Honjin Murders was exactly that. It was gripping and propulsive, and while the plot twist at the end was rather predictable, it was still fun witnessing the mystery unravel. Kindaichi is also a really fascinating protagonist. He feels like he came straight from an anime series like Detective Conan. He also gives off the same vibes as Ranpo from Bungo Stray Dogs and Ron from Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions, both strange genius detectives who I find loveable and endearing. I've not picked up a mystery novel in ages, so this was such a pleasant surprise and reminds me of why I loved this genre as a kid.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

epeolatri's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad fast-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

3.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

litspinster's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

nziam's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

aseel_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This had potential, but it turned out to be quite boring and the motives behind it were low-key problematic... Sad times, was excited about having a new mystery author to read but I think I'll pass
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

a1exander's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

laelolou's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shay_talksbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readingwithcoffee's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A little convoluted but an obvious love letter to other mystery books in overt references. It contains spoilers to the murder mysteries The Mystery of Yellow Room and The Problem of the Thor Bridge (this one I know is a Sherlock Homes one). 

There is some violent misogyny in the book but I would not say it was ever condoned by the book. I said the book was diverse bc while the cast is entirely Japanese and largely one family there are two disabled characters. One with an intellectual disability and another with a stammer. 

At times the writing was pretty convoluted and while I was able to guess and follow a long for the most part and tell what was meant to be a red herring I can see why some reviewers find that frustrating.  I do think the book does a lot of telling vs showing unfortunately that I hope decreases in his other works. 

That said there is a meta quality to the book that I found Sometimes interrupted the flow of the book but I think someone might find endearing of the author or very annoying even if I was more in the middle and it some what reminded me of “The woman in the Library” by Gentil even if that wasn’t outright the author interrupting the book and more smooth and interesting to me personally.  I would consider giving the book a shot if you like murder mysteries! 



Expand filter menu Content Warnings