This is the book! Oct 04, Bernie rated it really liked it. What a fun read! Each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, almost like the serialization of stories in Dickens' day. The family dynamics are dynamite, almost like a King Lear scenario with everyone selfishly looking out for themselves or their progeny. Although the murders and coincidences are a bit contrived, there is a charm to this novel that reminds me of an Agatha Christie mystery - something old-fashioned and charming.
And as in her novels, everyone is assembled in a room at the end, where the d What a fun read! And as in her novels, everyone is assembled in a room at the end, where the detective explains how the murder s occurred. You will probably guess at some of the situations along the way, but you will still be surprised at the twists. If you are interested in Japanese culture, family revenge stories, or old-fashioned detective stories, you should give this a try!
My story with this books was the fact that it was Xmas already and my mom wanted to give me a gift, so I saw this book and told her I really wanted that book before… So yeah, I knew nothing about it. Well, I dived into this book being totally clueless, expecting nothing at all. I have to say this book so damn good. It had so many plot twists it was really hard for me to guess who was the killer until they said it.
At the end I got a pleasant surprise. Everybody was kinda guilty untik the end and Kindaichi is seriously a interesting detective. When I review an enjoyable book reviews come out in a weird way. So, yes, this book is something I could recommend. Feb 05, Steve Carroll rated it liked it.
This is the only Kindachi Kousuke detective novel that has been translated into English as far as I know. The puzzle is interesting but like many Japanese mystery stories I've read the characterization really takes a back seat to the puzzle. I'm not sure any real person has ever acted the way the characters do in this book. Bastante entretenido e intrigante! Sep 24, Margarete rated it liked it. What a cute detective, think Japanese Columbo!
Feb 12, Kimiko-K rated it really liked it. It is important for would-be readers to be aware that this story was originally published over time in monthly magazine KINGU , catering to a general audience.
The Inugami Clan
The premise is simple and nothing groundbreaking - a deceased wealthy man who had left behind a wealth of a It is important for would-be readers to be aware that this story was originally published over time in monthly magazine KINGU , catering to a general audience. The premise is simple and nothing groundbreaking - a deceased wealthy man who had left behind a wealth of assets that invariably resulted in a "desperate contest for his fortune" among his disagreeable descendants.
What is unique is the symbolism of the crime and Yokomizo's ability to keep his reader guessing the real culpirit. Thankfully, he did not abuse his advantage as the World Creator with misleading and selective information - even circumstances and clues that outrightly pointed to a certain suspect were factual and hence did not feel insistent as a distraction from the real murderer. Personally, I was left uncertain to whether the murders were an insider or outsider's job as the alibis were too well-constructed. Every detail introduced were fully utilised rather than just for shock factor or to make the story different , where its significance would only be revealed later in the story or weaved into a defining aspect of the crime e.
I am especially fond of Detective Kindaichi, the eventual star of the story.
As opposed to Holmes, who was from the onset depicted as a genius with godly deductive powers, Kindaichi was constantly "shocked" and taken aback by the turn of events, and did not display any particular outstanding detective prowess till the later half of the book. He was relatively 'real' and grounded, although his defining habits compulsive scratching of his head and awkward insertion of stutters contradicted with my description of his realness.
Regardless, the selling point - the crime and its ability to sustain my attention - holds itself well. The fact that it was not only published in one of the most popular magazines of its time, but subsequently adapted into multiple TV drama series, theatre works, manga Japanese comics , and even a Nintendo DS game, says for itself. With its read-worthiness established, I'll move on to some minor annoyances, which are mainly technical. Yokomizo would frequently end chapters on an ominous note, as in, "It was as if blood were oozing from the pages of the will," and "The curtain had risen on the first act of this blood-soaked tragedy," which frankly sounded quite cheesy and slightly ostentatious, partly because such vivid descriptors were overused.
It did not help that Yokomizo had to constantly his readers that the Inugami "family" members are positively brimming with hatred for one another, and none boasts a remotely redeeming quality to their hateful personalities. It felt overemphasised with the casts being reduced to one-dimensional characterisations. I understand it was to build anticipation and assurance of an imminent crime, which did not occur as frequently as suggested by the synopsis.
However, it came off as a killjoy to be told in advance that a murder is due in the next chapter. The writer tended to overexert the function of 3rd person narrative, from a limited perspective storyteller to that of a fortune-teller, such as offering hindsight in the middle of the story before the event actually happened e. The author was also inclined to cross-media reference - a fancy way of saying he made use of his pages to advertise his other works, possibly per advice by his publisher - as in p. However, these are merely trivial annoyances, like a pebble that skidded the lake's surface and disrupted the story's flow for a second.
Nevertheless, I feel that Yokomizo succeeded in fulfilling the magazine's aim in catering to its wide audience demographic, keeping the mystery addicts guessing and even introducing a sub-romance plot to capture the interest of more females like me. I also need to mention that since this was written after WWII, I appreciated Yokomizo's mention of repatriated soldiers, firmly setting this story in a fixed time capsule of Japan's history. Rather than glorifying the war and the bravery of the loyal soldiers, he showed the ugly and often untold side of the soldier's life - interrupted lives and scarring experience literally.
I am glad at least the subsequent audience were given a more holistic picture of the war in print. On to the next book!
I knew from the first several pages this story would be gripping. And I was delighted. This book was so riveting I don't know whether to give it a 4 or a 5. Some books are really satiating, aren't they, like a delicious, solid meal or snack. I took this analogy from my baby brother, who once compared the entertainment level of movies to satisfaction from food.
- Jewish Prayer Book.
- The Legend of the Dragon King (The Dragon King Rises Book 1)!
- Ben the Luggage Boy (Illustrated) (Classic Fiction for Young Adults Book 16);
There were mini-mysteries surrounding the main mystery of whodunnit that kept me engrossed in the story. Who had killed all the victims? Were there multiple culprits? What happened to the 'illegitimate' son and his mother who was tormented by his older half-sisters? Was Kiyo really Kiyo, and what happened to him in the war? Was Monkey more than who he seemed to be? What happened between the priest and Sahei? What was the deal with the current priest? What did all the other relatives die from Tamayo's mother, for instance?
Get A Copy
Why was Sahei so cold towards his daughters? The family tree was interesting and complex, so that I had to pause on more than one occasion to repeatedly map it out in my head whilst reading. Alas, this was what Sahei, who I couldn't really respect, brought upon the family as a womanizer. I felt as though there was a reasonable number and variety of characters suspects and victims to keep my mind stimulated. The author seems to have done a good job of eliciting both sympathy and disdain for a number of the characters.
There were a few that could not trigger much from me as they played such minor roles -- Toranosuke and Kokichi, for examples. I found the chase into the snowy mountains quite disorienting. Most of the story takes place in Nasu: There were only references to Hakata and Tokyo, although the reader doesn't get taken to those places.
Somehow, the whole setting and scene with the skiing and such didn't feel quite right. Perhaps the showdown could have happened on the lake? I also found tiresome the author's incessant reminder to the reader that Tamayo was so beautiful and elegant. I think a couple of times would have been enough to contrast with her behavior at the end.
In fact, there were a couple of times when the author or Kindaichi repeatedly points out certain events that took place. Yokomizo also frequently reminds the reader who certain people are by using expressions such as 'Furute the lawyer', which I found unnecessary. Perhaps he could have added a list of characters glossary at the beginning of the book instead. I found it unsettling that even in the 40s familial romantic relationships could take place without qualms. Sayoko and Tomo's mothers were half-sisters sharing the same father Sahei , which would make the former pair half?
And Kiyo and Tamayo's mothers were also half-sisters, daughters to Sahei. Although Shizuma had scruples as to potentially marrying his niece Shizuma and Noriko, Tamayo's mother, were also half-siblings , it didn't seem to assuage my discomfort about half-cousins copulating. I didn't like how the book suddenly ended though, I wouldn't have minded a bit more before wrapping things up. I thought there was a minor loose end: Did I miss the part when the three half-sisters understood who Miyakawa was? Was she really that hard to recognize after all those years?
The Inugami Clan by Seishi Yokomizo
It seemed it wasn't ever officially revealed, but there wasn't surprise, just sneering, at the last gathering. Also, I would have liked to know what happened with Sayoko who 'went insane'. Overall, this story exceeded my expectations. I started out with an expectation of 3-stars, but ended up wanting to give it 4. I hope his other detective books get translated to English soon! I had watched the movie based on this book, "Inugami-ke no ichizoku", back when it was released, but I didn't remember much, apart from the fact that there was someone with a mask, and that I found it too slow.
So I could jump into this translation sigh that right now I can't get my hands on the Japanese original without being much afraid of remembering who was the killer or what happened in the story. So, what can I say about "The Inugami Clan" without spoiling the plot too much? Well, th I had watched the movie based on this book, "Inugami-ke no ichizoku", back when it was released, but I didn't remember much, apart from the fact that there was someone with a mask, and that I found it too slow.
Well, the book is fun, it is easily read it took me like one day to read it and the characters are all so over the top and hilariously full of hate, bitterness and envy that they are quite enjoyable to be with even though you wouldn't want them as your family members. The story is simple even though Yokomizu has a blast over-complicating it. Our detective Kindaichi gets a call from a man that works for a lawyers firm.
- Ive Got a Tiger by the Tail.
- JUST FOR YOU.
- La Châtelaine d’Ascot (French Edition)!
- Get Productive in a Multi-task World: A Parents Guide to Project Management!
- Caught in the Act: the Billionaires Bondage Game (BDSM Dominant Male);
It seems to be related to the inheritance of famous and rich man Sahei Inugami, dead some months before. Sahei Inugami had three daughters from three different women, even though he hadn't married any of them. So all three of them and their respective families are expectant to see who gets the money and the firms. However, pretty soon things start to get complicated. Wakabayashi, the man who had contacted Kindaichi, is killed.
And when the will is read, it is a surprisingly complicated one, and the one who gets more is Tamayo, the granddaughter of the head monk of the Nasu temple, with whom there were some strange rumors Sahei Inugami had had a sexual relationship. Does it sound the Inugami family is an over-complicated one?
And Yokomizu plays perfectly with it, taking advantage of fears, desires and bad blood between the Inugami members to pill, well It is all fun while it lasts. However, the resolution is quite simple, and it is pretty easy to see where the plot is going and who is who in this play. Cuentos Sin Espacio Tiempo: Volumen I Spanish Edition. El Unicornio Spanish Edition. Un secreto que puede cambiar la historia humana Spanish Edition.
Caballo de Troya Volume 4.
- Brothers In Arms.
- .
- Le malheur des dames, Roman (French Edition)?
- Every Single Womans Battle: Guarding Your Heart and Mind Against Sexual and Emotional Compromise (The Every Man Series).
- Genetics of Colorectal Cancer: 1 (Cancer Genetics).
- See a Problem?.
El nino judio Latrama. La amante de Bolzano Narrativa Spanish Edition. Rey de Amarillo, El Spanish Edition. Mary Terror Spanish Edition. Vencer Al Dragon Spanish Edition. El viaje de doble-p. Mecanoscrito del Segundo Origen Spanish Edition. Get to Know Us. English Choose a language for shopping. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers. Amazon Drive Cloud storage from Amazon. Alexa Actionable Analytics for the Web. AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally. Amazon Inspire Digital Educational Resources.