This book attracted me with its beautiful cover, and I haven't read any mysteries in a while. I have to say, I wasn't familiar with the author prior to reading this book.
The book had my attention the whole time and the crime/mystery storyline really was complex and unpredictable. I didn't see the plot twist coming. But I have to say, I didn't like any of the characters. They were all emotionless, felt distant, static I guess is the word I'm looking for. They weren't secretive in a way that they would become suspects in my crime-solving mind but instead were just pawns. Their restraint didn't create the proper eerie atmosphere one would expect of a mystery like this one, but instead made them all passive enough that none of them were suspicious to me. I feel like that affected my reading.
This is a quick read, and I had fun, but couldn't bring myself to care about the characters, and therefore I didn't invest myself in the story much. I thought I would like the book more, but it ended up not being my cup of tea.

This book was only okay for me. It's hard to know with a translated book whether the issues are with the original work or the translator.

My first problem was the characters. I didn't think any of them felt fully fleshed out, even the one we get a first-person perspective from. I didn't know how any of them felt, or why they acted the way they did, or what they were really like as a person. Everything felt very surface level. I wanted to know their backgrounds, like why were these men chosen to come to the Mill House every year. I also thought the relationship between the characters, specifically Kiichi and Yurie was incredibly strange. I don't know when or why they married, though maybe I just missed this in the narrative, but it seems like she's a child-bride prisoner. A situation that no one seems concerned with. This makes me wonder how much nuance I'm missing from the translation.

I thought the plot was just adequate. I had guessed probably 80% of the twists by the halfway point of the book, so it wasn't a shocking ending. I don't have to be surprised by a mystery's ending to enjoy a book, but if I don't have a driving need to see how it all ends then I have to really connect with the characters and want to spend more time with them. I already covered how that wasn't really the case here.

The ending was disappointing for me, as well. It cuts off very abruptly and it was unsatisfying not knowing what happens to all the characters.

I did appreciate how the dual timelines are handled where each chapter matches up with the same time period as the year before. This was an interesting way of approaching the story.

I think this book would be a better choice for a reader who isn't well read in the mystery genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Mill House has a good premise, a locked room mystery with a detective set to uncover the murderer. Unfortunately, the characters never felt distinct enough for me to connect. Perhaps it was in part the e-galley format, but I found the pacing a bit slow and at times hard to believe the character motivations. I imagine readers who enjoy puzzle mysteries will find something to like but it did not work for this reader.

This is right up there with Agatha Christie! There were twists and turns, and while I was able to figure a couple things out, I was still left stunned at the end! I've had a hit and miss relationship with translated Japanese books, but this one was a mega hit! It was just such a quick and fun read that i couldn't wait to finish! I can't wait to dip my toes in more of this author's books, because I think his writing style and the translation really work for me!

This is one mystery novel that scores very high just for its unique setting. It is a combination of a locked room murder mystery and good old detective skills at play. Set in Japan, the human behaviour plays a central role in both the instigation and solving of the crime. I haven’t read the first book in this series but intrigued to pick it up soon. I like how the author connects the first book to this one also simultaneously keeping the thread to possible future books open. With an engaging plot, this is a nuanced atmospheric mystery novel that is a must read.

This was a very interesting read. I sure didn’t see the end coming. I did have a difficult time trying to kieep track of the when and who, but still interesting.

I was a big fan of the Decagon and enjoyed this story almost as much. I didn't find it as dynamic as the previous title however it was thoroughly enjoyable and keeps you guessing right to the end!

Unlike anything I have ever read before, this book really kept me guessing. It was creepy with incredible scene setting and I really felt I was taking part in a twisted murder mystery as it was happening as it was so atmospheric.

I did have to keep checking the character list at the front as I did find it a little confusing, but think if I had a physical copy this would be much easier as I did read an ebook! I didn’t race through this one due to having to go back and re-read quite a lot but it’s interesting and worth it as you really try to untangle the mystery as you read. I thought the characters were entertaining without being too deep as they all served their purpose in the story. My first classic Japanese locked room mystery but it won’t be my last!

If you’re looking for a book to challenge your brain, make you think and also possibly keep you up at night, give this one a go!

Thanks to Pushkin Press Pushking Vertigo for the ARC

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Yukito Ayatsuji for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mill House Murders coming out May 2, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Every year, a small group of people pay a visit to the remote, castle-like Water Mill House. It’s the home to the solitary Fujinuma Kiichi, son of a famous artist, who hides behind a rubber mask ever since a disfiguring car accident.

However, things are different this year. The visit is interrupted by an odd disappearance, a stolen painting and a series of strange murders.

The intelligent Kiyoshi Shimada arrives to investigate. But will he get to the truth, and will you too be able to solve the mystery of the Mill House Murders?

I read the first book The Decagon House Murders and loved it. I love Japanese novels and I was excited this one was translated into English. I loved this book! Setting it in the 1980s was perfect. I love the time period. I love the whole detective procedural process of this book. The writing is very straightforward. It reminded me of a few Japanese detective dramas I’ve seen. The ending seemed a little open. Perhaps there will be more books.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Japanese murder mysteries!

I enjoyed this mystery with its gothic setting, but I found the formal writing and slow pace difficult to be engaged with. I didn’t realise until after I’d requested this that it was the second in a series but I don’t feel that I missed anything because of that.

This book is great for fans of mystery. It definitely read as an Agatha Christie novel, so fans of her would love this one. The story was very interesting.

Thank you Yukito Ayatsuji and NetGalley for this ARC!

I found myself struggling to really get immersed and involved in this book, but i think if your a fan of mystery then you should give it a go!

Every year, a small group of acquaintances visits the remote, castle-like Mill House. They arrive to view the paintings of a famous artist whose reclusive son lives behind a rubber mask due to a disfiguring car accident a dozen years earlier. However, the visit last year was disrupted by an impossible disappearance, the theft of a painting and a series of baffling murders. This year, the visitors again face confusing challenges, including a mystery guest. They're left wondering about the truth of last year's crimes. In the end, they are each at risk.
I like all the red herrings in this book. And even though it's the second in a series, I didn't feel like I was "catching up." Also, I could envision the house and definitely want to visit!
But the conclusion was a letdown and not the "ah ha" moment I had hoped. I also noticed that unlike the male characters, the female characters are portrayed negatively rather than valued for their contributions to society.

I really enjoyed this creepy, atmospheric mystery. It has many gothic story elements: an isolated house, a beautiful and innocent young girl, a brooding and wounded lord of the manor and a raging storm outside. The author jumps into the mystery at the very beginning of the book and then slowly winds the tension as he explores the background to the murder. If you like creeping dread and the final reveal in the last 2 or 3 pages then this is for you.

Great read that fans of Ayatsuji's Decagon House Murders will enjoy. I agree with the reviewer who didn't enjoy the Mill House Murders quite as much -- I could not put the Decagon House Murders down, whereas this one definitely had a slower pace. It's definitely complex and has the potential to be confusing, but the list of characters and map helps, as does the clever, Poirot-like reveal at the end. Definitely worth a read!

"A cold death mask worn by a living man."
Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for my eARC of The Mill House Murders for review!
Four acquaintances meet for their annual gathering at the Water Mill House (aka "Mask Manor"), a mansion hidden in the mountains. The home is owned by reclusive Fujinuma Kiichi, who wears a rubber mask following burn injuries in a car accident.
A year prior, the charred remains of a body were discovered. Inspector Kiyoshi Shimada joins the group to unlock the mysteries at the house.
The Mill House Murders was first released in 1988 and is being released in English translation for the first time on May 2.
I found it an atmospheric read with tinges of Agatha Christie! The action starts right out of the gate but definitely slows toward the middle.
An interesting concept read for something different.

The character cast is definitely eccentric to say the least and have a wide range of titles. This reads like a Japanese crime novel, so there is some mystery and puzzlement. It gives off very strong Agatha Christie vibes although it can be hard to connect to some of the characters.

Super creepy and atmospheric told in two timelines which are a year apart. I found this past/present narrative interesting and not confusing, like I usually do. I found the location intriguing...Ayatsuji does a fairly good job of making you feel that you are right there. This is a very slow burn, almost too slow at times. I struggled to connect with any of the characters which was a bit frustrating. I also found the writing to be a bit disjointed at times.

I loved the maps and list of character names in this book - it was very appreciated and needed! Although I did guess the plot line quite early on this was still enjoyable crime fiction. I did struggle at the beginning to get into it because I found it so hard to keep track of all the characters, I was so grateful that there was that list at the front of the book! I really liked the setting of the book and that was fun to read about. It's written in a mix of first and third person POV past tense, and there are two timelines - 1 year apart. The characters were a little bit over-mysterious for my taste, they kept trailing off .... before they told.... important information...

3.5 stars

This is the second book from the author and it didn’t disappoint, I really like his writing style and the characters in his stories. Although I guessed the twist very early on, I still enjoyed the dialogues and the way the author explains the ending. This is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and who done it type of books. I wish it had more descriptions of the scenery and the Japan landscape.

Thanks to the publisher for my copy.