nerd teacher [books] reviewed The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo
Quite Enjoyable
4 stars
The thing I have to focus on is that I very much liked the character of Kindaichi Kosuke, and it's particularly because he reminded me of Columbo (so it's also quite adorable to me that both characters have existing statues in the world). I know that Columbo came after him, but they both have the kind of unique charm of an incredibly observant person who appears a little haphazardly bumbling at times. I don't know why, but this kind of detective is far more engaging to me. Perhaps because it makes the detective feel more relatable and like it's just that they happen to see the world through a different lens which helps them make connections that others can't.
I really enjoy the mystery and the structure. While there are a couple red herrings, the primary thing that seems to be utilised are a lot of well-placed Chekhov's guns... Except …
The thing I have to focus on is that I very much liked the character of Kindaichi Kosuke, and it's particularly because he reminded me of Columbo (so it's also quite adorable to me that both characters have existing statues in the world). I know that Columbo came after him, but they both have the kind of unique charm of an incredibly observant person who appears a little haphazardly bumbling at times. I don't know why, but this kind of detective is far more engaging to me. Perhaps because it makes the detective feel more relatable and like it's just that they happen to see the world through a different lens which helps them make connections that others can't.
I really enjoy the mystery and the structure. While there are a couple red herrings, the primary thing that seems to be utilised are a lot of well-placed Chekhov's guns... Except it feels more like a mix between the two (Chekhov's herrings?) where the piece of evidence was designed to mislead but that its importance could later be reinterpreted in a way to understand it in the proper context. (Now that I'm writing about this, it feels very much like the Ace Attorney series... so maybe it's a turnabout!)
Anyway, I enjoyed it. The pacing was great, Kindaichi is a good character, and it was just hard to put down.