The Honjin Murders
Ratings35
Average rating3.8
Interesting introduction to japanese5 murder mysteries from the turn of the century.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this, but the whodunnit was clever and I didn't figure it out, so four stars.
Eta: there is a particular plot point that's... gross... I'm a bit more forgiving since this is originally from the 40s and from a culture I'm not familiar with, so maybe it's a bit more forgivable...
An enjoyable, quick read. The conceit isn't particularly interesting, but the story is engaging nevertheless. In that regard, reading this felt rather like watching an episode of Poirot or something.
For starters, I am a HUGE fan of classic detective series. My best-of list would include the master, Sherlock Holmes; the feisty Belgian, Poriot; the holy brother, Cadfael; the godfather, Auguste Dupin; and last but certainly not least, my first love, Nancy Drew.
The reason I bring that up is because in “The Honjin Murders,” the quirky detective uses his knowledge of old classic detective novels to solve the crime. That's right! And believe me, I was all eyes—you know, the all-ears equivalent. Just run with me here.
So, we have a 1930s setting, a locked-room murder, many suspects (including a masked person with three fingers), and a fun detective on the case. What could go wrong?
Well, I'll tell you, but before I do, I might bring up a few analogies that might give a very slight inclination toward the killer's mindset. So, if you want to go in completely blind, skip the rest.
Okay, I lied. If you are still reading the review, you must post some of your favorite detectives at the bottom so I can look them up and discover some other fun series.
Really now, let's continue.
Where were we? Oh, that's right. What could go wrong? Well, as much as it pains me to say it, the reveal was just so implausible. I really, really wanted to like this story, but I think Leonardo da Vinci would have a hard time developing and executing this ruse, especially over the course of two days. I was thinking, maybe there will be a reveal within the reveal or a twist that would make me gasp or perhaps the victim was actually someone else. Nope, it just kind of fizzles out.
Now if you've read this book and are thinking, no way, Chris, it was innovative how this connected to that and this was pulled here, and that taut line held the so and so in place, etc., and to that, I would say, “Sorry, I'm just not buying it. It's too elaborate to pull off, the theatrics are too grand, the variables are too great, it would have been too easy to just follow the blood.” Just sayin'