Unapologetic Reviews

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is my fourth encounter with this author, and once again, it confirms why his books linger long after the final chapter. I came to this one in a slightly roundabout way. I listened to it as an audiobook, largely because it is one of the few Higashino novels translated into Hungarian. Unfortunately, it is now out of print, which makes it impossible to gift or easily recommend locally. That is a shame, because this is one of his most distinctive and unsettling novels. The story centres on Ishigami , a quiet, deeply introverted mathematics professor, and his neighbour Yasuko , a single mother living a restrained, anxious life with her daughter. When a murder occurs early on, the book does something unexpected: it shows you far more than a traditional mystery would. This is not a question of who did it, at least not in the usual sense. Instead, the tension comes from how and why, and whether intelligence, devotion, and guilt can ever truly outm...

A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino is the third Detective Kaga novel to be translated into English, though the series connection is loose enough that it can be read as a standalone. I read it quite a while ago, and what has stayed with me is not a tidy sequence of events, but a mood, a structure, and a very specific emotional aftertaste. First and foremost, this is a Tokyo novel. Not in a glossy, tourist sense, but in the way it moves through neighbourhoods, streets, stations, and everyday locations with quiet confidence. The city is not a backdrop; it is a constant presence. I remember repeatedly opening Google Maps while reading, tracing routes, pinning locations, mentally filing places away for a future trip. That sense of physical reality is one of the book’s strongest qualities. You feel oriented. You know where you are. The city breathes around the story. Detective Kaga himself, however, barely lingers in memory. He functions less as a vivid character and more as a conduit....

In Newcomer by Keigo Higashino , I found myself immersed in a captivating blend of mystery and family dynamics . This isn't your typical detective story—it's a masterfully crafted collection of interconnected tales intricately woven into a larger narrative. The brilliance lies in how Higashino seamlessly integrates small mysteries within the broader context, creating a rich tapestry of characters and relationships. What sets Newcomer apart is the emphasis on family. The characters grapple with familial complexities, and Detective Kaga 's keen observations shed light on the profound search for family connections. There are no great scandals in this story, just very real relationships between people and family members. The novel is not just a whodunit but a reflective exploration of human bonds. The main mystery gradually unfolds and gains focus in the narrative, with the final solution slowly coming into focus. The last chapter gives a satisfying conclusion to not just the...

Malice by Keigo Higashino takes readers on a captivating journey through the intricate web of a murder mystery, offering a fresh perspective for those diving into Japanese mysteries for the first time. The author's simplistic writing style, devoid of unnecessary embellishments, becomes a strength, catering to readers with a preference for concise narratives, making it an ideal fit for my ADHD mind . The brisk pace of the narrative ensures that there is never a dull moment. From the outset, we are introduced to the mind of Nonoguchi , skillfully setting the stage for the unfolding drama. Detective Kaga 's perspective adds to Nonoguchi's account and provides a different perspective on events. Eventually, Kaga's narrative dominates the story, however, to expand on that would contain spoilers. What sets Malice apart is its ability to defy expectations. Approximately a quarter into the story, I encountered a twist that blindsided me. As someone who typically predicts plot...