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A review by readivine
Newcomer by Keigo Higashino
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