My Rating 4.5*

This was such a twisty, turny story and I loved how complex and well woven it was. Though I have not yet read the others in this series, I do feel this one is able to stand alone without the need to read the others. I do believe we would better understand our sleuth Shimada Kiyoshi by reading the others in this series, but he really comes across as Hercule Poirot, both of which are ingenious in their detective skills and have incredible observation and problem solving abilities.

Within the Labyrinth House, a group of individuals are brought together for the birthday of a famous writer. He has invited four young crime writers as well as a few other personal guests, however, when everyone arrives, the personal assistant to the mystery writer tells the guests that the host has passed and there is a challenge for the writers. Whoever is able to write the best story over the next few days will be the inheritor of the estate.

Though it starts a bit slow, the murder and mystery really gets rolling about a third of the way through. I thought I had things figured out and was skeptical about a few things, but the ending blew my mind. The atmosphere is fantastically creepy with the twists of the house and the Greek references. This feels like a great nod to “And Then There Were None” and you never know who is going to make it out alive.

*The Labyrinth House Murders* is a deliciously twisted treat for fans of classic whodunits with a surreal architectural spin. Imagine a sprawling mansion inspired by the Minotaur’s labyrinth—rooms named after mythological figures, corridors designed to confuse, and a birthday gathering that quickly spirals into something far more sinister. When reclusive mystery writer Miyagaki invites a select group of authors, critics, and his trusted editor for what should’ve been a celebration, they’re instead greeted with a recording announcing his suicide—and an eerie challenge. No one may leave for five days, and the guests must each write a detective story, with a generous inheritance as the prize. But fiction turns chillingly real as bodies start dropping, and suddenly the labyrinth isn't just an architectural gimmick—it’s a trap.

What makes this novel so irresistible is the way it blends the cerebral satisfaction of a locked-room mystery with the unsettling atmosphere of a gothic thriller. The labyrinth itself becomes a character—claustrophobic, deceptive, and darkly enchanting. I was especially taken by the little 1980s details: the clacking of word processors, the nostalgia of floppy disks, and the ever-fragile landlines. The mystery deepens with a story-within-a-story structure, sly misdirection, and a cascade of reveals. No, I didn’t solve it—Ayatsuji guards one clue a little too closely—but I was hooked from start to finish. I’m already counting down the days until *The Clock House Murders* arrives, and if you love puzzles layered in myth and menace, this one’s a must.

Thanks to Pushkin Vertigo for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.

A twisty, atmospheric locked-room mystery set in a bizarre, myth-inspired mansion. The Labyrinth House was more engaging than The Decagon House Murders, with a creative premise: after their host’s sudden suicide, guests at the house must write mystery stories—while real murders begin to unfold. The maze-like setting, inspired by the Minotaur myth, is eerie and immersive, and the included map enhances the experience (though I wished I had a physical copy for it!). While the plot is a bit far-fetched, it’s gripping and full of surprises. My only complaint is that a key clue relies on a rather male-centric assumption. Still, I loved the book’s clever structure, retro 1980s details, and tense, unraveling mystery.

Miyagaki Yotaro, a renowned mystery author, invites eight people to his home for his sixieth birthday on April Fool's Day. Four mystery authors themselves, who he considers his proteges, an editor, his wife, a critic, and a mystery fan. When they arrive, they expect to have drinks and celebrate this great man's life, but to their surprise, he never shows up. After waiting for hours, Yotaro's secretary appears with dire news; Yotaro suffering from lung cancer has killed himself. However, the great author has arranged one last surprise the four authors, if they are willing are to participate in a writing contest, they must produce a mystery fifty pages long set in The Labyrinth House, the home the currently find themselves in with themselves as the victim. The other three will judge these short stories with the winner winning half of Yotaro's estate valued at billions of yen. Everyone reluctantly agrees, which is unfortunate for them because thats when the killing starts.

What a ride! The killer, when revealed, blew me away! Even though at one point I was like, "Huh, seems to me that maybe...", but then the case was wrapped up so quickly, and neatly I set my suspicions aside! The original conclusion certainly made sense, far more sense than my own. It seemed way out there, which in hindsight is pointed out numerous times as a classic in mysteries. Should have paid more attention.

The fact that they all just kind of blew off the idea of motive being important as well didn't help. I let the characters lead me for sure on this one, which, to be honest, I'm not even made about because the big reveal at the end was just a ton of fun.

If you're into lock roomed mysteries or enjoyed Christie's And Then There Were None, this is definitely going to be right up your alley!

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the eArc!

A twisted game that will keep readers on their toes as they try to solve a shocking murder that has taken place. A great read that will leave you guessing.

The Labyrinth House Murders was such a blast to read! It totally gave Knives Out and Clue energy, with a fun, nostalgic vibe that made it impossible to put down. I loved the wild, over-the-top design of the house — every room felt like it held another secret, and following the trail of clues through the labyrinth was half the thrill. Ayatsuji balances the classic whodunit feel with a playful, almost game-like structure that made it so much fun to guess along with the characters. The twists kept me on my toes, and watching Shimada piece everything together was incredibly satisfying. This was a high-stakes mystery that felt both retro and refreshing,

This book is a page turner but there is a section where the pace drops a little and you just want to get to the end. Despite this flaw, I enjoyed the story for its elements like references to Greek mythology characters, the maze-like labyrinth house and the twists. The way characters react to being locked in a house is a bit weird, why is no one freaking out? Because I would be so freaked out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Goodreads.

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I honestly could not finish this book. I think when I read the description, I was expecting one thing, but once reading, it turned out to be another.

The beginning was rough for me because I was confused as to what was happening. It took me until part 2 to finally understand it all.

All this to say, I just don't think this book is for me. My rating is more about how much I enjoyed it. I think the premise is interesting, and I love how we are bringing more international titles to English. This is definitely a title I know people will like.

I really enjoyed this book. Having a book within a book was a really clever idea and I think it worked really well.
It kept me guessing all the way through and even when I thought I had cracked it, it threw in another curveball.
The descriptions were so good and I really felt like I was there.
I like how it was all wrapped up in the end with no loose threads. I would definitely read the other books in the series.

A renowned mystery writer’s birthday party turns deadly when a series of murders traps a group of crime novelists in his secluded mansion. This novel is basically a puzzle with no emotion, no character development, no humanity.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Labyrinth House Murders is a superb locked room puzzle that playfully interrogates the idea of a fair-play mystery.

Unlike other meta mysteries, this one doesn't lean too far into irony or directly address the reader; Labyrinth House is simply a love letter to mystery and Bizarre House series fans alike. Ayatsuji knowingly indulges in his titular labyrinth, crafting an eccentric setting of horrific masks, confounding architecture, and Greek myths. The characters may race frantically through the labyrinth's halls, but, for any mystery reader, it's a decadent treat to get lost in.

Short and snappy, Labyrinth House gets to the bloodshed quickly and doesn't concern itself with much else. The characters are familiar standards who never overstay their welcome, always willing to sacrifice themselves for the plot. Literary mystery fans will likely not find this one to their tastes; I would recommend this primarily to those who enjoy Christies and other classics.

Overall, The Labyrinth House Murders is a comfortable one-day thrill that asks you to read between the lines, but will likely still surprise you.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Labyrinth House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is a third person-POV Japanese locked room mystery. When mystery editor Utayama and his wife Keiko are called by one of Utayama’s authors, Miyagaki, to his elaborate home, they aren’t expecting the strange game he’s set up between his four protegees or the the series of bodies that will be left behind by the end of the week.

The structure of this mystery is an anthology within a book within a book. The four protegees are ordered by Miyagaki to write a short mystery where they are murdered as a competition to see which one will inherit his fortune. We get the parts of the stories they wrote that feature how they were murdered and then we get the broader book which is being read by another character. It’s very interesting and the prologue and epilogue are the only real moments that we get with the character who is reading everything else, so we don’t get a lot of who they are as a character. As I have not read the other books in the series, if this character showed up in the other books, I’m sure it would provide a bit of texture that I am missing.

When I read a mystery, I tend to go for the ones that are more character-driven and don’t feature detective characters. I was drawn to this one because I love Japanese lit, want to expand the amount of mysteries I read, and locked room mysteries fascinate me as a concept. What I really liked about this one really was the structure because it is fairly different and the idea of the writers all writing their own deaths. I found myself looking forward to how these writers dealt with the mounting bodies and how they would depict themselves in this very morbid situation.

I would recommend this to fans of locked room mysteries and readers of Japanese lit looking for a twist on the classic mystery

I decided to DNF this book after starting it and then having spent weeks with other books, I wasn’t entirely encapsulated.

The premises is unique but I found myself not enjoying all the twists and turns / not knowing who the murderer was. I ended up going to the end to know what happened.

Anyone who enjoy murder mysteries though- will enjoy this!

Sadly I couldn't read this because the formatting was messed up but I like this series and will seek the finished copy out.

The strong suit of this book for me was the authors ability to leave logical hints while not giving the plot away completely. It made for a fun time! There was a few ‘Oh that’s what that was about!’ moments. I guessed some twists, but I didn’t have everything figured out.
The weak point? Well, *that* one plot point. Of course. I’d normally be harsher but I think in the mystery genre I can respect being a little more ridiculous in the name of delivering a unique story. I wanna read the others!

A fun whodunnit with a side of Greek mythology. Thought I suspected the right person but there were twists and turns much like the labyrinth itself.

this was a bit underwhelming? maybe because i haven’t read anything by this author before but i couldn’t get into story like i thought i would. unfortunately i struggled with this one and it took me a long time to finish

I love Japan after living there, and pick up Translated Japanese mysteries when I can. Would not have picked this one (I think an email invite?). Not enamored with the competition story per se but well written.

This is my third book by this author in this series and I am completely hooked. I do love a good locked room, murder mystery, and this did not disappoint. This was a short but quick read and I felt like it was the perfect length I did not feel like I was missing anything or wanting more at the end