Kristin's Bookshelf

The Clock House Murders
By Yukito Ayatsuji
Book 4 in the Bizarre House Mysteries series
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalleyand the author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

There were so many things I genuinely loved about this book: the narrator, the eerie story concept, the way time itself became such an important element, and how all of the characters ultimately connected together.

That said, at around 400 pages, this one was just a little too dense for me personally. There were sections where it felt like the same information or ideas were being repeated, and the final unraveling of the mystery went on for so long. I listened at 1.25 speed and still felt like the explanation section lasted well over an hour.

Even though this one wasn’t entirely for me, I can absolutely see why fans of classic Japanese locked-room mysteries would love it. The level of detail and intricacy is impressive, and I already recommended the series to my partner because it feels like exactly the kind of mystery puzzle readers in that niche really appreciate.

And honestly? I think this would make an incredible movie adaptation. The way the story plays with the concept of time without becoming gimmicky made the conclusion really memorable for me.