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podanotherjessi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is very good. It's a mystery where you know fairly early on who did it, and the book is pulling back layers to figure out the why. It did a really good job leading me to revelations right before reveals only to pull the rug out from under me, until I was coming up with the wildest theories just to try to stay ahead of the book.
There were occasional comments that gave me pause, and the book has a very matter-of-fact way of talking about tragedy that was at times off-putting. But overall very good and a mystery I would definitely recommend.
There were occasional comments that gave me pause, and the book has a very matter-of-fact way of talking about tragedy that was at times off-putting. But overall very good and a mystery I would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity and Rape
crystalisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol
catsandcoffeeandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Murder
felinecie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!!!
that was my reaction when i finished this book :)
it’s like you’re fooling yourself lmaooo this is CRAZY!
that was my reaction when i finished this book :)
it’s like you’re fooling yourself lmaooo this is CRAZY!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship
arkwen452's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Readers might start this book with expectations in mind, I know I did. Just be prepared for those expectations and theories to be challenged, altered and challenged again.
Malice handles narrative manipulation and deception fairly well overall. The core of the book deals with character development, motivations, creation and interpretation. This may not be that interesting to readers who are not writers, but (as a writer as well) I enjoyed it.
The lead detective wonders through the present, the past and present while investigating the case and for an American used to the detectives who hardly do the bare minimum, I found it impressive.
And at first, I wondered why the topic of sexual assault was being thrown around rather carelessly even if it did happen in the past and there was a current murder investigation underway.
As the book progresses, readers will begin to realize the turn of direction the author has laid down and I imagine being to question their own interpretation of the narrative.
I was going to give this book a lower rating than 4 stars because I was anticipating not liking the direction of the book. But I am glad I didn't give up on the story at the 75% mark. First hand accounts are always askew and bias whether intentional or not.
And the motive behind ever action in this book proves to be more compelling than any might think.
Malice handles narrative manipulation and deception fairly well overall. The core of the book deals with character development, motivations, creation and interpretation. This may not be that interesting to readers who are not writers, but (as a writer as well) I enjoyed it.
The lead detective wonders through the present, the past and present while investigating the case and for an American used to the detectives who hardly do the bare minimum, I found it impressive.
And at first, I wondered why the topic of sexual assault was being thrown around rather carelessly even if it did happen in the past and there was a current murder investigation underway.
As the book progresses, readers will begin to realize the turn of direction the author has laid down and I imagine being to question their own interpretation of the narrative.
I was going to give this book a lower rating than 4 stars because I was anticipating not liking the direction of the book. But I am glad I didn't give up on the story at the 75% mark. First hand accounts are always askew and bias whether intentional or not.
And the motive behind ever action in this book proves to be more compelling than any might think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal death and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
ikaryst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
It’s been a decade+ since my last mystery book and this was such a welcomed read to my collection. Prior to this, I was unfamiliar with Keigo Higashino’s works but now, I will be anticipating future stories from this author.
From the start to the end, Malice had me at the edge of my seat because I was so eager to uncover the secrets behind the murder of acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka. The written accounts of the characters were extremely immersive as though I could see inside their minds.
What made this super entertaining was how the author revealed hints gradually for us readers to also figure out the mystery. The narrative is void of any information dumping and unfolds in a remarkably clever and uncomplicated manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this literary journey.
From the start to the end, Malice had me at the edge of my seat because I was so eager to uncover the secrets behind the murder of acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka. The written accounts of the characters were extremely immersive as though I could see inside their minds.
What made this super entertaining was how the author revealed hints gradually for us readers to also figure out the mystery. The narrative is void of any information dumping and unfolds in a remarkably clever and uncomplicated manner, enhancing the overall enjoyment of this literary journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Violence
burky's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Violence, and Murder
mirrorofneptune's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Like Higashino's Detective Galileo books, this is very reminiscent of a character study. We spend a lot of time with the cast and arguably less on the mechanisms of the murder, but it's still a fun locked room mystery. The title is very apt, as malice, envy, and resentment are all recurring themes.
Kaga wasn't as interesting to me as Yukawa or Kusanagi, likely because he didn't feel quite as fleshed-out; he does have a provided backstory but in my mind it didn't quite translate into characterization. That being said, I did like what we got from him, and I trust Higashino to not neglect developing his detective as the series progresses.
Kaga wasn't as interesting to me as Yukawa or Kusanagi, likely because he didn't feel quite as fleshed-out; he does have a provided backstory but in my mind it didn't quite translate into characterization. That being said, I did like what we got from him, and I trust Higashino to not neglect developing his detective as the series progresses.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Bullying and Rape
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Osamu Nonoguchi visits his friend, bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka, the day before Hidaka is due to emigrate to Canada with his new wife. Later that evening, Nonoguchi receives a telephone call from Hidaka asking him to return to his home as he needs to see him again urgently. When Nonoguchi reaches the house, all the lights are off & Hidaka doesn't answer the door. Nonoguchi raises the alarm & Police Detective Kyochiro Kaga is given the case. The police find Hidaka dead on the floor of his office, with both the door to the office & the front door to the house locked from the inside. Both Nonoguchi & Hidaka's wife have alibis for the time of death. Who killed the author & why?
The reader is kept at arms length from the investigation & the characters really as the murder & circumstances are told from written confessions, notes, or interview transcriptions. It is a writing style that takes a little getting used to. The story starts off slowly but as the twists & turns of the case started to reveal themselves, I found myself needing to know what happened next. There's no gore & most of the trigger warnings below are not dealt with in a graphic way. I think I would read the next one in the series just to see how the character of Kaga develops.
The reader is kept at arms length from the investigation & the characters really as the murder & circumstances are told from written confessions, notes, or interview transcriptions. It is a writing style that takes a little getting used to. The story starts off slowly but as the twists & turns of the case started to reveal themselves, I found myself needing to know what happened next. There's no gore & most of the trigger warnings below are not dealt with in a graphic way. I think I would read the next one in the series just to see how the character of Kaga develops.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Murder
a1exander's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Rape, Terminal illness, Car accident, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity and Suicide