I was contemplating whether to give this 3 stars as I was reading, until I finished reading it and chose to give 4 instead. I don't think it's too genI was contemplating whether to give this 3 stars as I was reading, until I finished reading it and chose to give 4 instead. I don't think it's too generous of me, since I indeed liked the story. Though I have to admit that I considered to stop reading at 80% something while screaming internally, "Why did you have to make these characters be this illogical?!". Well, I'm glad I didn't because the mystery was already half uncovered.
I deducted 1 star from it for the technic of Clarissa's writing style. People will easily notice that this is the first work of the author from the lack of the soul of the words, especially if they're already familiar with Japanese style of delivering words. Awkward, or rather stiff, if I may say. It's not like I'd rather it to be flowery, it was indeed boring with the explanation of something we already know of. One mundane activity after another. He did A. And then B. After that, C. Lastly, he did D. After all of that, he did that. He did this.
I liked some parts though. Like when there were flashbacks right in the current moment, as if we were watching the character's mind wandered off to the past, we know he dazed to the memories on the back of his head. I really liked it.
At first I thought there were so many insignificant events, people, actions. In the end, they were still not as significant, but still contributed to the clue. Each of them has their own way of involving to the case. They were connected to each other, in one way or another. Let me tell you that I LOVE THIS KIND OF REVELATION. It's as if playing puzzle, and that, is the reason why I added 1 star back.
In the end, a while after finished reading it, I was left longing, thinking. Something that I only do when I read something related to Japan. With this, I proclaim it myself--and I also don't need anyone to approve it--that Clarissa is best suited for Japanese style of writing. She only needs more experience, more time of writing to find her best writing style.
And I don't mind waiting for her. I hope I can give her straight 5 stars without any further consideration for her next book. I will never get enough of Japanese murder mystery, and her books will be certainly on my top priority list....more
The second book of Soji Shimada's that I read. Am I satisfied? Holy yes! I'm always craving for a detective story.
The difference from Tokyo Zodiac MurThe second book of Soji Shimada's that I read. Am I satisfied? Holy yes! I'm always craving for a detective story.
The difference from Tokyo Zodiac Murder is the case is narrated into the plot. The appearance of the detectives (I'm sorry I forgot the names) shows up when it's nearly ending. Well, they're there to solve the mystery and the trick that every police in the world unable to think about (really why all the police forces that I read/watch from detective stories seem to be so incompetent?)
The premise is quite complex, as expected from Japanese authors, but this time, I could figure out who the culprit is. Well, I still couldn't figure out how the trick is done due to the lack of imagination, but even for me who never guessed it right, this means the mystery is still too easy to predict.
BUT!!! It still doesn't fail to amaze me on how human's intelligence works when committing crime. My love for mystery just grows even more and I hope to read other Shimada's works in English if not in Indonesian....more
Lmao the way the author plays with the reader. He acts as if he's the puppeteer of muppets stage. And we, the reader, being mocked with how good his hLmao the way the author plays with the reader. He acts as if he's the puppeteer of muppets stage. And we, the reader, being mocked with how good his hands are at moving the muppets.
This one has the most complex murder mysteries I've probably ever read, and, brave. I don't know if it's based on real story or not, but whatever it is, the culprit is really smart and brave.
And this is also the first time I've read murder mystery with a concept of long explanation at the very start and continues with the detectives' journeys on solving the case. As a reader of Detective Conan that always solves the case right at the murder scene, I just can't imagine how hard it is to find clues of the murder that happened more or less 30 years ago. But they did it! And all that thanks to *beep* hahaha I just can't say it here as to not spoil you anything.
My advice is, if you really want to comprehend the trick, bear with the super long detail and explanation. I can assure you will not regret it. It all pays off in the end, and such a loss that I can't get to see your surprised expression....more
![无双 [Peerless]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628064066l/58698122._SX50_.jpg)
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