Books Like...

In 'The Devotion of Suspect X', a math genius named Ishagami helps a woman, Yasuko, hide the murder of her ex-husband out of infatuation for her. The lead detective, Kusanagi, seeks help from his friend, physicist Yukawa, leading to an intellectual battle between two geniuses trying to construct the perfect crime and solve it using logic. The plot involves a murder, cover-ups, and unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged. The characters are well-developed, and the story provides an interesting glimpse into Japanese culture.

The book presents a murder mystery where the perpetrator is known from the beginning, focusing on how the police and their consultant unravel the crime. The plot is engaging, with intellectual skirmishes between the characters adding depth to the story. The writing style is described as quick-paced and readable, making it a fun and stimulating read for those interested in mysteries and cover-ups.

'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' by Keigo Higashino is a complex and intricate Japanese crime novel that spans two decades, from 1973 to 1992. The story follows the lives of two central characters, Ryo and Yukiho, as they grow up and approach middle age, with connections and coincidences hinting at something more beneath the surface. The novel is precise, focused, and fast-paced, with well-developed characters, unexpected twists, and a fascinating plot that brings everything together like a fine clockwork mechanism at the end.

Higashino's writing style in 'Journey Under the Midnight Sun' is described as different from his Detective Galileo series, offering a unique take on the crime genre. The book initially feels disjointed due to its serialization in a magazine, but as the story progresses, threads start to pull together, suspicions arise, and a building sense of menace keeps the reader engaged. With a labyrinthine plot, numerous twists and turns, and a dark turn towards the end, the novel keeps readers gripped and eager to unravel the mystery.

In 'Salvation of a Saint' by Keigo Higashino, the story revolves around the murder of a wealthy businessman, Yoshitaka Mashiba, who is poisoned with arsenic. The prime suspect, Yoshitaka's wife Ayane, has an ironclad alibi, leaving the detectives puzzled. With the help of the brilliant physics professor Yukawa, the investigators delve into the intricate details of the crime, focusing on how it could have been committed rather than who did it. The narrative unfolds with twists and turns, revealing the clever methods used in the murder and keeping the readers engaged in solving the mystery alongside the detectives.

The book is praised for its minimalist suspense thriller style, with a clear suspect and subtle clues that keep the readers guessing about the how of the crime rather than the who. The characters, particularly the female police officer and the dynamics between the detectives, add depth to the story. Higashino's storytelling captures the essence of Japanese lifestyles and cultural nuances, providing readers with an immersive experience in solving the seemingly perfect crime.

'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders' by Soji Shimada is a classic Japanese honkaku subgenre murder mystery novel set in Tokyo, Japan. The plot revolves around the unsolved mystery of the Tokyo Zodiac Murders which occurred in 1936, where an artist plans to create a Frankenstein-like figure named Azoth using body parts from his female family members. The story follows amateur detective Kiyoshi Mitarai and his partner Kazumi Ishioka as they investigate the case forty years later, delving into astrological symbolism, alchemy, and intricate clues to solve the locked room mystery. The book is known for its fair play approach, where the author provides all the clues for readers to solve the mystery before the solution is revealed at the end of the book.

The writing style of 'The Tokyo Zodiac Murders' is described as detailed, analytical, and engaging, focusing on intricate plotting and clues. The narrative unfolds through dialogues between characters, challenging readers to solve the mystery alongside the detectives. The book offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese setting, complex characters, and a clever premise that keeps readers hooked with its diabolical plot and unexpected twists, making it a compelling read for fans of the crime and mystery genre.

'The Honjin Murders' is a classic Japanese locked room mystery set in 1937 and first published in 1946. The story revolves around the powerful Ichiyanagi family celebrating the wedding of the heir when a murder occurs in a locked room. Detective Kosuke Kindaichi is called in to solve the case with his open-minded approach and analytical skills. The narrative pays homage to classic fiction, with a focus on creating a complex and seemingly impossible puzzle for the readers to unravel. The book offers a glimpse into prewar Japanese society, customs, and traditions, while also delving into the mechanics of locked room mysteries.

The writing style of 'The Honjin Murders' is described as a mix of classic Golden Age crime novel elements with a Japanese twist. The story is intricate, short, and beautifully told, providing an entertaining mystery with a cleverly crafted plot. Despite the lack of compelling characters, the book is praised for its strangeness, clever locked room mystery, and the author's affection for the locked room mystery genre. The solution to the mystery is highlighted as particularly clever and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

In "The Fourth Monkey" by J.D. Barker, Detective Sam Porter is on the trail of the Four Monkey Killer, a sadistic serial killer who targets the loved ones of wrongdoers. When the killer meets an unexpected end, the race is on to find his latest victim before it's too late. The story unfolds through a mix of diary entries and real-time chapters, providing a tense and complex narrative that keeps readers engaged until the end.

Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino is a gripping mystery novel featuring Professor Yukawa, a sort of Japanese Sherlock Poirot, who assists the Tokyo Police Department in solving a bizarre crime involving a widely hated suspected killer. The book is described as a detailed and convoluted story with numerous twists and turns, capturing the reader's attention with a plot full of unexpected developments and moral outrage. Higashino's writing style is praised for combining situations that evoke both affections and chills, presenting new and unimagined plot twists in every chapter.

'Magpie Murders' by Anthony Horowitz is a cleverly crafted mystery novel that presents a story within a story. It follows Susan Ryeland, an editor, as she delves into the mysteries surrounding a manuscript by a popular author, Alan Conway, which goes missing after his suspicious death. The narrative seamlessly weaves between the traditional British whodunit style of Conway's manuscript and the real-life mystery Susan finds herself entangled in, creating a metafictional delight for mystery fans. expertly pays homage to classic detective novels while offering a fresh and inventive take on the genre.

The writing style of 'Magpie Murders' is described as intelligent, classic, and reminiscent of Agatha Christie's works, with intricate plots, well-developed characters, and clever narrative devices. The book's structure, with two interconnected mysteries and a metafictional approach, keeps readers engaged and guessing until the satisfying conclusion. Horowitz's ability to blend different writing styles, explore themes of crime fiction, and deliver unexpected twists and turns throughout the narrative showcases his talent as a mystery writer.

'Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect' by Benjamin Stevenson is a mystery novel that seems to be part of a series involving clever and engaging murder mysteries. The book follows a satirical and humorous tone, reminiscent of Agatha Christie, with a tongue-in-cheek approach to the mystery genre. The story revolves around amateur sleuths and crime writers attending a crime writers retreat on a train, creating an engaging and entertaining plot filled with clever characters and allusions to classic mysteries.

'My Sweet Girl' by Amanda Jayatissa is a psychological suspense novel that follows the story of Paloma, a young woman adopted from Sri Lanka by a couple in the USA. The narrative unfolds in dual timelines, alternating between the present mystery surrounding Paloma and her time at the orphanage in Sri Lanka. As Paloma navigates her past and present, she grapples with haunting memories from the orphanage, a ghostly presence, and a mysterious secret that threatens to unravel her life. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and surprises, culminating in a jaw-dropping ending that ties together the complexities of Paloma's character and her journey to find her identity.