The Labyrinth House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is an intriguing and witty murder mystery, masterfully crafted and thoroughly enjoyable. While I understand that the novel and its many translations have received mixed reviews, with some dismissing it as "old-fashioned," I find it timeless and potentially even a classic. It comes down to personal taste. If you didn’t enjoy the novel because of its locked-room themes, it might simply be that you weren’t the "intended" or "active" reader this book was written for. As someone who loves cozy, classic detective mysteries and is a fan of Agatha Christie, I found this story to be an exceptional piece of entertainment and a wonderfully immersive adventure.

One of the best aspects of murder mystery novels for me is the puzzle, the gradual unraveling of clues by a sharp detective who pieces together fragment after fragment until arriving at the big reveal. This book delivers fully on that front. There is immense satisfaction in solving puzzles alongside the detective, and the more complex, the better. The story challenges the reader to think critically, to analyze and question every character’s motives, keeping you fully engaged. The closed setting of the labyrinth house was a brilliant touch, adding an extra layer of tension and intrigue. Locked-room mysteries are among my favorite subgenres, and this one hits all the right notes.

I also appreciated the meta aspects of the story. It is a narrative about writers, editors, and critics, and I’ve always enjoyed books that explore the art of writing and literature. This one offered a clever, witty commentary on that world. One thing I found especially impressive was how the characters were introduced. At first, I was nervous about the long list of names and roles presented at the beginning of the book. It seemed overwhelming, and I worried I’d confuse the characters, especially since many of them shared similar job titles and were of comparable ages. However, the author skillfully introduced each character sequentially, giving them unique and memorable entrances.

For example, when Kiyomura is introduced, he is playing a prank on one of characters. This playful and joking demeanor immediately set him apart and gave readers a sense of his personality, making him feel vivid and real. This kind of attention to detail made the characters feel fully fleshed out and realistic. In many mysteries with large casts, it is easy for the characters to blur together, especially if they are all introduced in one chaotic scene. Here, the early chapters were carefully divided into smaller sections, each focusing on a new character, offering just enough insight into their nature and personality to make them stand out.

Another aspect I loved was the balance between plot and character development. The story is plot-driven, filled with puzzles and mysteries, but the characters’ contributions feel meaningful and human. They are not reduced to mere tools for the plot; instead, they are dynamic and engaging, with just enough depth to make them feel alive. As a highly imaginative person, I often visualize everything I read. However, I sometimes struggle to picture characters when they are described too flatly. In this novel, though, the author provided just enough detail to make each character vivid without bogging the narrative down in unnecessary description.

Lastly, the book is incredibly readable. I was hooked from the start and flew through 50 percent of it in a single sitting, a rare feat for me as a naturally slow reader. In fact, I devoured the entire novel in just two days. It was that gripping.

this was one of the best mysteries i've read this year. the writing was exceptional, and the twist at the end was both surprising and compelling. that said, some of the reasoning behind how the twist unfolded felt off—almost as if the author didn’t fully grasp the subject. a few portrayals of women came across as misogynistic, though i'm keeping in mind that the book was originally published in the 1980s. Despite those flaws, i enjoyed the story overall.

can’t wait to dive into the first two books in the series i already bought them!

Without spoiling, I found this book presented quite a unique idea (in a good way) to read about the thoughts of this character who is reading a book about a real case he was a part of, while at the same time, we are reading this same book. This type of flashback is seen in movies but isn't that common in books, and originality is always refreshing nowadays. It leaves you internally wondering, theorising and trying to contrast the story with the Greek myths that are referenced for possible parallels as you read. Some comments do seem a bit old-fashioned, but the story does take place in the 80s, I guess it reflects that time. In the end, the ending was surprising, it was catchy, well-put-together and very unique in many, many different aspects.

This is one of the better mysteries I've read this year. It was wonderfully written and the twist at the end was interesting (although part of the reasoning of how the twist came about was really off & it didn't seem like the author knew what he was talking about there). Some of the things about the women seemed a bit misogynistic, but it was published in the 1980s originally, so I'm trying to look past it. I super enjoyed the rest of this book though and I'll definitely be picking up the first two novels in this series.

Thank you to Yukito Ayatsuji, Ho-Ling Wong, Pushkin Press, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a quick and thrilling read! After the rest of the series, I loved this book and I will read any others

I didn't finish reading this.

Probably just a "lost in translation" thing but I wasn't enjoying any part of it. The writing was strange, and there was some slightly misogynistic things going on - probably because the original version was published in the 1980s.

The Labyrinth House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is a brilliantly crafted and atmospheric whodunit that keeps you guessing until the final page. Set in a remote, architecturally stunning mansion with a dark history, the story follows a group of characters lured to the house under mysterious circumstances—only to become entangled in a series of chilling murders.

Ayatsuji excels at creating an unsettling atmosphere, with the Labyrinth House itself feeling like a character, full of secrets and eerie tension. The intricate plot is masterfully constructed, with every twist and clue falling into place in a way that feels both surprising and satisfying. The influence of classic Golden Age mysteries is clear, but Ayatsuji brings a fresh, modern sensibility to the genre.

The only minor drawback is that some of the characters feel more like pieces in the puzzle than fully fleshed-out individuals, which might distance some readers. However, the book’s meticulous attention to detail and its clever, mind-bending conclusion more than make up for this.

The Labyrinth House Murders is a must-read for fans of locked-room mysteries and anyone who loves a smart, intricately plotted crime novel. A solid 4 stars—this one will stay with me for a long time!

The Labyrinth House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is a standalone thrilling murder mystery. It is Clue meets Japanese crime classics.

What could go wrong when famous mystery novelist Miyagaki Yōtarō hosts a birthday gathering with his proteges in his labyrinthine home? Murder, of course. With the guests being trapped, there is a race to find the killer before it is too late.

This entire book is labyrinthine itself. Stories within stories. It's a giant puzzle. Whenever you are close to figuring it out, you discover another pathway or lead.

This well-written and entertaining book can be read in one sitting and keeps you guessing. Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the ARC.
4.5 Stars