Reviews

The Silent Dead by Tetsuya Honda

saltycorpse's review

2.0

I'm not sure if it was the translation or the original writing, but there was a lot to be desired in this novel. The concepts were great, but the execution was lacking - severely at certain points. I'm also not sold on the female detective whom every single male is apparently in love with, or her backstory as a rape survivor by a stranger sex assault. It just seems very contrived in order to prop up a character that is otherwise fairly one-dimensional and frankly annoying, which is extra disappointing because she could have been a much more robust and fascinating character given that she achieved her rank young, is an exceptional detective: all this despite the rampant sexism and harassment in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. But I'm just not buying it. I also think that, specifically, some of the insults didn't translate well from Japanese to English, making what were likely supposed to be scathing and horrifying exchanges kind of toothless and funny. For example, I don't think someone would call another person "dumbo" and actually expect an emotional response other than confusion or laughter, so the translator could probably have taken liberties here to make it more impactful and on par with what, undoubtedly, the original text was trying to achieve.

It's unfortunate though because the actual case was unique and interesting despite following a familiar formula, and could have been far better. I assume in the original Japanese the book was far more compelling seeing as it's been adapted for television and is a bestseller.

Still, I'll read the second book as I'm curious to see if anything improves.

angelikareadsavariciously's review against another edition

3.0

It was an easy read, but uninspiring. The ends seemed too loosely connected.

ruyanda's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

franny2111's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

muyelinh's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

In ihrem ersten Fall wird Kommissarin Reiko Himekawa bereits mit einem blutrünstigen Gegner konfrontiert. Mehrere Opfer einer Mordserie weisen unzählige Schnittwunden, ansonsten aber keine Gemeinsamkeiten auf. Mit unvergleichlicher Intuition beginnt sie, das Rätsel zu lösen - während anstrengende Kollegen und ihre eigene Vergangenheit ganz neue Schlachtfelder eröffnen.

Tetsuya Honda erfindet an dieser Stelle das Rad des Kriminalromans gewiss nicht neu - vielleicht liegt diese Einschätzung aber auch daran, dass ich nun schon einige Krimis mit ostasiatischem Setting gelesen habe. Reiko selbst vereint jedenfalls einige Klischees in sich: jung, dynamisch, sexy, und als unverheiratete in solcher Position von allen Seiten sehr kritisch beäugt. Das scheint eine Berufskrankheit von Ermittlerinnen im Generellen zu sein. Dabei ist sie durchaus nicht unsympathisch und ihr Hintergrund sogar ziemlich interessant. Jedoch mag sich der Autor bis zu dieser Stelle noch nicht so wirklich entscheiden, ob sie tatsächlich der große Fokus der Reihe sein darf, es gibt nämlich noch drei andere Perspektiven. Die Charakterentwicklung bleibt daher recht oberflächlich, was sich im Verlauf einer mehrbändigen Serie aber hoffentlich und sicherlich noch ändern wird.

Ihr Co-Ermittler Katsumata ist absolut unerträglich, ein komplettes Arschloch mit einem offen zur Schau getragenen Gehabe, welches nur als skandalös zu bezeichnen ist. Ich hoffe sehr, dass dieser Scheißkerl nicht geläutert wird, das wäre total unpassend und würde eine völlig falsche Botschaft senden.

Der Fall an sich braucht ein bisschen, um in die Gänge zu kommen. Lange spielt sich das Ermitteln nur als Befragung ab, die eine gewisse Trägheit implizieren. Auch ohne umhauenden Twist gibt es eine gelungen spannende und logische Auflösung. Wenngleich ich kein Fan von mental gestörten Tätern bin und rationale Motive bevorzuge. 

Besonders ist die recht explizite Beschreibung von sexueller sowie physischer Gewalt, insbesondere durch Messerangriffe sowie ein sehr vulgärer Sprachstil. Das muss man mögen, ich fand es in dem gegebenen Setting authentisch, obwohl gerade Letzteres in diesem Buch auf einem Level ausgereizt wurde, das ein bisschen zu viel des Guten war. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Cursing, and Blood

Moderate: Mental illness and Rape

mutsis's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

niin vitun kyllästyny heikkoihin naishahmoihin, joiden koko persoona perustuu menneisyyden traumoihin, myös liikaa raakaa kuvausta ja mässäilyä, muuten ihan viihdyttävä kai 

florapants84's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

toloveisdestroy's review against another edition

5.0

If you enjoy Criminal Minds, you will love this novel. It begins by showcasing a murderer, and the incident that started their escalation. Honestly, the work reminds me so heavily of Criminal Minds from the conversations, to the plot points. It's thrilling and enjoyable in every possible way, and I hope I get to read more in the future. ~Also the Strawberry Night murderer (we really need to stop naming serial killers guys).

kiramke's review against another edition

1.0

Oh, for the love of reason, this is the most overblown sexism I have encountered in ages.  You can't go a page without a gross violation not just of basic respect or morality, but also law.  Like I don't believe for a minute everyone gets away with this on a daily basis.  I can see I'm not the only one whose reading was spoiled by this.  For those wondering if it's a cultural thing... no.  It's that all the characters are poorly written.  They have over-the-top reactions to show you who is Good and who is Bad and what is Dramatic, because there's no other development or indication of these things. All in all it makes for an irritating read and wholly overshadows the story itself.

lindsaymay92's review

dark sad 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? It's complicated

2.5