This book was fun! It is a real old timey detective story which is not usually my scene. It is very atmospheric. I liked being transported to a spooky art collector’s spooky house in rural Japan. I read that this author is interested in reviving traditional Japanese mysteries, and it is a great success. It is set in the 1980s and feels traditional but not moody. Logic puzzles pop up throughout. You’ll like this if you are an Agatha Christie fan.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Pushkin Vertigo and NetGalley for this ARC.

I don't normally reach for this genre and I don't think I will for a while after this. The premise sounded interesting but ultimately this wasn't for me. It was dry, slow and just didn't make me care for what was going on or appreciate the plot unfolding. Some interpersonal relationship development could've saved it but it was surface level and repetitive. I'm sure there are people out there who would appreciate this storytelling but sadly not me.

"The Mill House Murders" is a great "locked room mystery" and even with the constraints of a limited number of suspects there is still a great twist ending. I love that these books open with a map of the house and a character list, it really helps when jumping into the story to know who is who before page one. I also really appreciate the well explained ending, all aspects are thought through and taken into account. But my favorite part is the slight tie in to "The Decagon House" with the shared architect! This is a great mystery if you love to solve the puzzle while reading, which I do!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Vertigo for the opportunity to read this book in advance of the reprint.

I hate that I don't like this novel by Yukito Ayatsuji when I absolutely love everything else I have read from him. It still has the feeling of a mystery by him but it doesn't grip me as much as everything else I have read by him.