My students are all obsessed over any style of murder mystery right now,with an emerging popularity of translated fiction. After reading this, I feel this could be a new smash hit for them.

The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is a classic whodunit novel with a slow-burn plot and old-school vibes; however, I struggled to stay engaged, possibly due to the translation, as the writing felt stilted at times and the pacing seemed slow in certain parts though it may just be that I didn't have a great connection with any of the characters. The novel jumps back and forth from the present day to the past, adding complexity but also requiring careful attention to keep track of the timeline. Overall, The Mill House Murders is a decent whodunit with a nostalgic feel, but some readers may find it challenging to fully immerse themselves in the story.

I want to take a moment to thank Netgalley, Pushkin Press and Yukito Ayatsuji for the free copy I received in return for an honest review.

This took me much longer to read than I anticipated. I kept confusing the characters because they were not very developed and if you don't know Japanese, this makes remembering who is who extra difficult. The mystery in itself is clever but not overly so. About halfway through an experienced crime reader can guess where this will be going. It's interesting enough, but not the best Japanese mystery novel I have read.

The Mill House Murders is a locked room murder mystery with almost fairy tale like elements. I loved the setting, the mix of characters and the brilliant Kiyoshi Shimada. This was quite simply a 5 star read that I would recommend to all mystery crime lovers; especially those who like the locked room trope.

I only found out after reading that this is book 2. I think that maybe why I had no real introduction nor any real involvement with the characters. This is a complex book, it’s clever and the whole plot is complicated but I didn’t get the characters so I wasn’t gripped.

I would think this is a wonderful second book and I will find the time to get 1.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC of 'The Mill House Murders' by Yukito Ayatsuji.

'The Mill House Murders' is a murder mystery that divides itself between two separate time lines. Which is intriguing and well formatted but the execution feels off about this entire mystery. The story didn't grip me and there is of course the argument of: is that due to the writer or is that due to the translation? Would it be more enjoyable if I had read it in its mother tongue?
I don't know and I'll probably never find out.

DNF at 30%- I was really looking forward to reading this as I love a good murder mystery but unfortunately I found this story wasn’t very interesting and was a bit confusing at times when constantly changing narrative and from past to present.

I struggled to want to continue with this book so had to dnf.

I was excited at first with the list of characters and the map. A good old fashioned mystery. However any mystery needs to be a good story well told. I feel that the author thought up the perfect clever mystery but then wasn't interested in padding it out with interesting characters and descriptions. The translation is also strange. Surely when Kiichi gets up in the morning and puts on his shirt and trousers and then his dressing gown, the translator means kimono? I don't think this book is for the general reader.

"The Mill House Murders" by Yukito Ayatsuji is a brilliant mystery novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This book follows the story of a group of friends who reunite every year; this year, however, their visit is disrupted by an impossible disappearance, the theft of a painting and a series of baffling murders that leave them in a precarious situation.

What I loved most about this book was the intricate plot and the way the author weaves together clues and suspense to keep readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and their unique personalities and motivations add an extra layer of complexity to the story.

Ayatsuji's writing style is also noteworthy. The descriptions of the setting are vivid and the dialogue is engaging, making it easy to become fully immersed in the story. I particularly enjoyed the way the author plays with different perspectives, giving readers a glimpse into the thoughts and actions of each character.

Overall, "The Mill House Murders" is a captivating and masterfully crafted mystery novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre. It's a testament to Ayatsuji's talent as a writer and I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.

This was so good. I started it after dinner and had to get up early so I could finish it before breakfast. It's a Japanese country house, locked room mystery in the spirit of Agatha Christie but with a more sinister undertone. And I absolutely, positively had to know whodunnit and HOW they dunnit.

Fujinuma Kiichi is the son of a famous artist. After suffering a disfiguring accident, he retires to a secluded country house with his ward/wife (you read that right!) Once a year, he welcomes a select few guests for a private showing of his late father's artwork. One year, there is a murder. The next year, the murderer revealed.

This hit every single trope I love in Golden Age mysteries. I'm so pleased to have discovered this author and look forward to reading their other works in translation.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for a review.