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bookswithlydscl 's review for:
The Labyrinth House Murders
by Yukito Ayatsuji
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75*
Overall this was a satisfying read. I loved the setting of Labyrinth House and the notion that this was a book within a book. Maybe it made it a little contrived on occasion but those were two key factors that drew me in to the story. I also love a locked room mystery and when you set it within an actual labyrinth you have literal twists and turns throughout. The one thing that knocked it down was the reason for 'the blood' (when you read it you'll know what situation I mean) as it felt, frankly, ridiculous - I can't say too much more without giving spoilers to major plot points.
The characters weren't particularly memorable but I often find in Japanese mysteries like this that it is often the case and for me didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed reading a slightly more modern murder mystery (it's set/was originally written in the late 1980s), however, as always, with a classic locked room mystery it doesn't matter what era it's set in - it's the layers of the story and the plot twists that keep you hooked which it did here for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo for a digital review copy of "The Labyrinth House Murders" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Overall this was a satisfying read. I loved the setting of Labyrinth House and the notion that this was a book within a book. Maybe it made it a little contrived on occasion but those were two key factors that drew me in to the story. I also love a locked room mystery and when you set it within an actual labyrinth you have literal twists and turns throughout. The one thing that knocked it down was the reason for 'the blood' (when you read it you'll know what situation I mean) as it felt, frankly, ridiculous - I can't say too much more without giving spoilers to major plot points.
The characters weren't particularly memorable but I often find in Japanese mysteries like this that it is often the case and for me didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed reading a slightly more modern murder mystery (it's set/was originally written in the late 1980s), however, as always, with a classic locked room mystery it doesn't matter what era it's set in - it's the layers of the story and the plot twists that keep you hooked which it did here for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo for a digital review copy of "The Labyrinth House Murders" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.