Strange Houses offers a compelling blend of mystery and atmosphere that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story weaves through eerie, sometimes unsettling settings that feel vividly real, thanks to Uketsu’s descriptive prowess. While the plot delivers enough twists to keep you guessing, it maintains a steady pace without rushing. The characters are well developed, each with their own quirks and secrets, making the overall experience quite engaging. I’d say the only reason it didn’t hit five stars for me was that a few parts felt a tad slow and could have been tighter. Nonetheless, it’s a captivating read for anyone into atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the uncanny. Would definitely recommend!

I enjoyed this book, finished it in under 4 hours. The story is tragic and emotional, with a lot of mysterious elements. Plot was clear and concise; very exciting read, I could not put it down! The story development was at a good phase and not confusing; I was able to follow it all till the end. Conclusion was satisfying with some leeway for the reader to make their own deductions. I would say I enjoyed "Strange Pictures" more than this book, but still a great read.

this was interesting! thought it was going to go down a different route so i was presently surprised with the twists and turns. would read others bythe author

This started off feeling so creepy and ominous but then just ended up going a bit wild?! I did really enjoy the mystery and I loved seeing things you didn't pick up on in the sketches until the narrators pointed them out. I found that so clever. It kept me entertained and was a super quick read! I personally preferred Strange Pictures (the first book by Ukestu) but this was still worth a read!

After reading Strange Pictures earlier this year, which I absolutely flew through and finished in one sitting, I couldn’t wait to dive into Strange Houses because I was eagerly waiting for it to release. And honestly, it lived up to all my expectations and I was not disappointed. I practically devoured the book in one sitting.
From the very first page, I was totally hooked.
The idea of a mysterious house with a “dead space” hidden in its floor plan? It literally felt like I was part of the story and now I have to solve this mystery no matter what.
The highlight of this book are the floor plan drawings because that was such a cool detail and I kept flipping back to them, studying them, guessing what the hidden parts meant thinking I’ll be able to crack the code (of course I didn’t ).

What I really love about Uketsu’s writing is how he can instantly create this quiet kind of horror that is not loud or jumpy, but something that is deeply unsettling and will make you guessing all the time.
There’s something about the way he builds tension that makes you feel uneasy in the best way.
I was really proud of myself for catching a few clues early (which never happens!) but the story still surprised me in the end. So if you are someone who like creepy mysteries that slowly pull you in and make you think, then look no further and pick up Strange Houses because it is definitely worth reading.
Now I’m just sitting here waiting for his next book!
Happy Reading you all !!

Another bestselling novel from deliberately-enigmatic Japanese author and YouTube celebrity known only as Uketsu. Uketsu’s novel plays with genre conventions blending elements of popular Japanese locked-room mysteries with tropes associated with haunted house narratives. The style’s direct, matter-of-fact even, but the plot itself is quite convoluted demanding the reader’s full attention. The story’s based on a script for a short video* streamed on Uketsu’s online channel in which he appeared in his trademark all-encompassing black outfit and white mask. The video is presented as a live action background check on a bizarre house a friend’s interested in purchasing. The novel builds on this scenario but expands its scope.

A freelance writer who makes his living chronicling instances of the macabre conducts a similar investigation. His friend Yanoaka is having second thoughts about buying a particular house. At first it seemed the ideal family home but he’s baffled by its odd layout. He’s particularly unsettled by a seemingly inaccessible void shown in the house’s floorplan. The freelancer approaches architect Kurihara who has an outlandish theory about the rationale for the house’s design. When a body is found nearby, Kurihara’s theory starts to sound disturbingly plausible. Then another house, with similar features, comes to the freelancer’s attention.

Uketsu’s narrative delves into family secrets, folklore and ritualistic killings that wouldn't be out of place in a Poe stort and, like many of Poe’s pieces, the denouement is equally preposterous. Far less sophisticated than Strange Pictures - there’s little to no character development - but still surprisingly gripping and fairly entertaining. Translated by Jim Rion.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Pushkin Vertigo for an ARC

*A STRANGE HOUSE～Mysterious Story of Real Estate - Uketsu YouTube channel, Japanese with Eng Sub

I’ve read Strange Pictures and I love it. Strange Pictures also made me out from reading slump.
Its plot make the reader puzzled all the way by following every clue in the picture to solve the mystery. It is totally an unputdownable read and the theme that been pull out from the book is heartbreaking.

Hence, Strange Houses definitely a book that I look forward to read . Thank you to Netgalley and pushkin press for the eARC .

This time in Strange Houses , it bring the reader follows every clue of different houses floor plan which intertwined towards suspicious hidden room. At first , I thought it is just an usual kind of murder thriller kind of story. Unexpectedly, it lead to a weird family past secret too.

Honestly, the twisted plot truly mind blowing & brilliant for me. Totally another unputdownable read. It can make you read in one sitting as well because of your curiosity . ( Nah , I’m not managed to finish it in one sitting 🙈😂 ).

Nevertheless, the ending , somehow I need to know more because there’s one character that is suspicious from the beginning . I felt there’s some hidden story more.

After all, I really enjoyed reading this book as well as Strange Pictures . Can’t wait to read Strange Buildings next.

P/s : Definitely, I need to get a physical copy for this one soon.😁

TW : murder , incest , self-harm , suicide , abuse , ritual , cult

This was for a test so I am trying to fill the 100 characters in this review like this and I still have to say something to get to 100.

That was a very quick read, but after the hype around Strange Pictures (which I haven't read), I expected more. It's an original but far-fetched plot, with illustrations of floor maps almost every page, which felt quite repetitive. I got a bit lost around the families' genealogy at the end and I didn't find the characters interesting enough. It was fun but forgettable.

This was such an intriguing and eerie read!

I flew through it in a day, but wow — I had to take so many notes to keep up because it got really complicated.

Twisted family secrets, hidden rooms, creepy floorplans, and an unsettling ritual that spans generations — this book had me hooked, even when I had to stop and figure out who was who.

Despite how tangled the plot got, I actually really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was dark and chilling in all the right ways.

I’m definitely curious to see where Uketsu takes things next in Strange Buildings!

🏠 If you like gothic mysteries with a touch of horror, strange architecture, and deep family curses, you might want to give this a go — just be prepared to keep notes!

Strange Houses by Uketsu builds on the same eerie suspense that made Strange Pictures so gripping. This time, the mystery centres on a series of unsettling houses with strange and disturbing features in their layouts. The tension is immediate, and Uketsu’s fast-paced writing style pulls you in quickly, making it hard to stop once you’ve started.

There’s something deeply unsettling about the these houses and their purpose and the feeling of dread builds steadily as the story unfolds. While the core mystery is just as compelling as in the first book, this one feels a bit more distant - I didn’t feel as involved in piecing together the clues as I did in Strange Pictures. Still, the atmosphere is eery and the pace makes it an easy book to fall into. Uketsu knows how to hold a reader’s attention, and Strange Houses is another chilling, addictive read.

My first introduction to contemporary Japanese horror, and is it okay to say I don’t know how to feel? When a journalist begins investigating oddly structured homes tied to violent events, he uncovers more than just architectural anomalies; he unearths a lot more than he bargained for.
What set this novel apart for me was its eerie realism. Told in a quiet, documentary-like style, it’s nothing like the Western horror I’m used to. The usual jump scares are absent, and what we’re left with is a slow-burning dread. I found the writing to be clinical yet immersive, and I appreciated how the mystery unfolded like a riddle only the reader can solve. Think House of Leaves meets The Only Good Indians but rooted in Japanese spirituality and familial obligation.
While some characters remain at a distance, the novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere, pacing, and thematic weight.
So, what’s the verdict? Will I be coming back to Uketsu? Maybe. It is a haunting and intelligent read, something for fans of psychological horror and layered mysteries. One thing’s certain, you won’t look at floorplans the same way ever again.

I really don't know what to make of this. The leaps of logic the characters make near the start, they look at a very strange floor plan and then decide to focus on the most insane theory possible. And it somehow turns out to be right? Like there is making guesses and then there is swan diving off a roof in the pitch black assuming there will be safety below.

The English translation at least suffers a little from rather stilted dialogue and I'm sure it would be far more enjoyable in its native language and its maybe lost a bit in the translation. There are no character's so to speak, no development or character arcs and I couldn't tell you a single name of anyone.

I really enjoyed the interactive nature of it however, the floorplans throughout the book, the way it was almost presented as a logic puzzle, and each time we peeled back a little of what was going on, we got an amended map and a new piece to tease apart. The end lacked a little something for me, too many unanswered questions. I have my theories however and I enjoy the idea that there are a couple of ways it could have gone down.

It was easy to read, I did it in a couple of hours, a strange experience but so long as you don't think so hard on the why, an entertaining enough one. Worth an explore, just to read something different.

Uketsu is a new author for me but after reading 'Strange Houses' I'll definitely be picking up a copy of 'Strange Pictures' and I'm eagerly awaiting the publication of 'Strange Buildings'. This book has such a unique concept- juxtaposing the (apparent) certainty of architecture with the uncertainty of a family mystery is genius- and I honestly couldn't put it down. The story is perfectly paced and the premise is so outlandish but is so cleverly constructed that it ends up being totally believable.

I haven't read a book like this before and I'm so grateful to Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I noticed this book, publishing on 3rd July, and thought the concept sounded interesting so I was delighted to receive a copy via Pushkin Press and NetGalley. I haven’t heard of the author before and haven’t seen their YouTube so wasn’t sure what to expect from the book.

This book is translated from Japanese and I didn’t notice any issues with the translation. I found the book quite readable and initially liked the visual element of studying the floor plans and trying to work out what was going on.

The story didn’t quite work for me, I found it very far fetched and it didn’t hold my interest as much as I’d hoped. I also got muddled with all the names and characters and it didn’t help that a lot of the names begin with K. I didn’t connect with any of the characters at all and they felt a bit flat.

I didn’t dislike the book, but it didn’t grab me as much as I expected it to. I see this author has another book out and I would be interested to read that and see how they compare.

I guess it wasn't for me. I didn't like it. It didn't make sense in a way that it was kind of the easy way out ? Like the end is pretty ridiculous in a silly type of way but it's also taken seriously? Not for me. Didn't dig it.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for this eCopy to review

From the moment I stepped into the eerie world of Strange Houses, I was hooked. Uketsu crafts a chilling, horror novel that blends architectural mystery with psychological tension, making for an unsettling yet fascinating read.

A freelance writer, known for his fascination with the macabre, is approached by an acquaintance looking to purchase a second-hand house in Tokyo. At first glance, the home seems perfect bright, spacious, and well-maintained. But upon closer inspection, the floor plan reveals a mysterious “dead space” hidden between the walls.

Intrigued, the writer shares the floor plan with his architect friend, Kurihara, only to uncover more strange, inexplicable spaces scattered throughout the house. As they dig deeper, they begin to question whether these anomalies are deliberate design choices or something far more sinister. Their investigation soon leads them to the home’s former resident, who mysteriously disappeared, and a terrifying truth lurking beneath the structure’s warped layout.

Uketsu’s storytelling is atmospheric and deeply unsettling, drawing readers into a mystery that feels both tangible and supernatural. The novel’s architectural horror is brilliantly executed turning something as mundane as a floor plan into a source of dread.

The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing tension to build as the characters unravel the mystery. The novel’s unique premise, immersive writing, and creeping unease make it a standout in modern horror fiction.

If you love intelligent, slow-burning horror with a mystery at its core, Strange Houses is a must-read. Uketsu delivers a thought-provoking, spine-chilling novel that lingers long after the final page.

I read Strange Pictures a few weeks ago—because really, who doesn't love a good Japanese mystery? A quick search about the author, Uketsu, only deepened my curiosity. No one appears knows what he looks like, and even at public events, he fully masked. Strange Pictures was a fantastic read, and I instantly knew I'd read anything else of his that gets translated.
So, when I saw Pushkin Press announce that his upcoming book, Strange Houses, was available on NetGalley, I wasted no time requesting it. By the time I woke up from my afternoon siesta (just Bengali things), I was approved. I downloaded it immediately—and read it in one sitting, in about 3.5 hours. It's a short read at around 208 pages, including illustrations, so probably closer to 190 pages of text.
Unlike Strange Pictures, this one requires a bit more concentration, especially when it comes to the house layouts. You'll likely find yourself flipping back to the floor plans [which is also repeated for convenience, I assume]—unlike a picture, a blueprint takes a bit more effort to visualize. That said, I really enjoyed it. It's quite a dark tale (no judgment). The story is about a mysterious family and the various houses they live in, each hiding disturbing secrets and often becoming the setting for sinister events. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but the hidden passageways will remind you of classic locked-room setups, especially those by Yukito Ayatsuji.
Overall, it's a gripping, fast-paced read.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJw2fSutkXI/?hl=es

This was such a fun read and I loved investigating the floor plans and trying to work out what could have happened. I thought it was a clever concept and I look forward to reading Strange Pictures. I did find the reasonings to why things happen a bit bizarre and outlandish but overall a fun read and will definitely read more from this author.

I was super excited to read Strange Houses as I had read Strange Pictures by Uketsu and it was amazing, an instant 5 stars for me. So I went into Strange Houses with similar expectations, however, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. It was still well written but I wasn't hooked with the story as much as I was with Strange Pictures, some things didn't make sense to me and I guess I just didn't grasp it as well as Uketsu's first book. It was a good read overall but not one of my favourites. However, I would still recommend it to everyone as I do love Uketsu's books. Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for allowing me to read an early copy of this book, I'm very grateful.