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The Honjin Murders - Seishi Yokomizo

5/5 ⭐

I love Japanese mystery novels. I can't quite put my finger on it but they offer something that just appeals to me. That being said, of course, I had to read the first Kindaichi mystery!

I have read the manga adaptation about his grandson called 'Kindaichi Case Files' (there are actually a few different series and even an anime) and that sort of spurred my interest in them but when I saw that it was being republished I had to read it.

Because I am used to Kindaichi being referred to as a grandfather, I was pleasantly shocked to see him presented as a younger man with unkempt hair and semi disheveled clothes. I was amused at his habits of scratching at his head and his hair becoming even more unruly. His stutter that would become more prominent the more excited he got. It was fun. That's the best word for it.

As for the story itself, I was hooked. I have always appreciated Japanese culture and history so the little details and explanations for what everything was very satisfying.

For the murder, I wasn't sure who it was and there was no way I would have ever guessed as to why it happened. There were moments when it did feel obvious as to who committed the crime. But there was no way I would have ever figured out why it happened. That was the most surprising aspect of this story as a whole.

A solid locked room murder for fans of a classic mystery.

12/4/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

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