Set in a remote mill house, this story unfolds in two timelines separated by a year. Kiichi, the son of a renowned artist, grapples with guilt over a tragic accident that disfigured him and claimed a life. With his child bride hidden from the world, Kiichi hosts annual gatherings for guests to view his father's paintings. However, last year's event was marred by a series of sinister events, including murder, theft, and disappearance. As suspicions linger, a friend seeks to uncover the truth and clear his name. While the novel offers entertainment, the writing may feel somewhat lacking, possibly due to translation issues. Nevertheless, fans of Japanese homages to classic mysteries will find intrigue in this atmospheric tale, eagerly awaiting future translations of the author's works.

Another locked room mystery from Yukito Ayatsuji and it's just as wonderful as his other work, Decagon House Murders. It helps that I'm a giant fan for this kind of story and mystery. There's something diabolical about the amount of planning that goes into a locked room mystery and figuring out the murder. Needless to say, I had a lot of fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Since the first book was such a good surprise for me, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, I didnt enjoy it as much. Its still a very solid mystery book, and the experience was enjoyable but that was it. I guess a factor for not enjoying this one as much was the dual timeline. I also predicted a twist in the book thought I still reconize as a good one.
Hopefully I will enjoy the next one better, since I will definitely want to keep reading!

I initially wasn't aware that The Mill House Murders was a part of a series, but I enjoyed it anyway. It was gripping and suspensful, and I have since purchased the other books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them.

"The Mill House Murders" delivers a gripping tale of mystery and suspense, weaving together intricate plotlines and compelling characters to create an unputdownable read. Set against the backdrop of a quaint English village, this novel immerses readers in a world where secrets lurk behind every corner and danger looms in the shadows.

One of the most captivating aspects of the book is its cast of characters, each one shrouded in layers of complexity and ambiguity. From the enigmatic detective to the eccentric villagers, every character plays a pivotal role in unraveling the mystery at the heart of the story. The author's skillful characterization brings each individual to life, making them feel like real people with their own motivations and desires.

Moreover, "The Mill House Murders" boasts a meticulously crafted plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With its clever twists and turns, the story unfolds like a carefully constructed puzzle, challenging readers to piece together the clues and solve the mystery alongside the characters. From red herrings to unexpected revelations, the narrative is full of surprises that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Additionally, the atmospheric setting adds another layer of intrigue to the story. The quaint English village, with its cobblestone streets and picturesque countryside, serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama. The author's vivid descriptions evoke a sense of place that is both charming and ominous, heightening the tension and drawing readers deeper into the narrative.

However, while "The Mill House Murders" is undeniably gripping, it may not be suitable for readers who are sensitive to graphic violence or dark themes. The novel explores some gritty subject matter, including murder and betrayal, which may not be to everyone's taste.

In conclusion, "The Mill House Murders" is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre, offering a thrilling ride from beginning to end. With its engaging characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, it is sure to keep readers guessing until the final page. Whether you're a seasoned detective fiction enthusiast or simply looking for a compelling read, this novel is not to be missed.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Yukito Ayatsuji

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. A Japanese locked-room mystery? Sign me up! The perfect mystery to get you through the weekend.

I am a big fan of the Japanese Crime Fiction genre now. Another locked room mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie.

I really enjoyed this book. While similar to book 1, The Decagon House, only in it being a locked room mystery; The Mill House Murders had a more macabre and atmospheric setting to it. An ancient home, a violent storm, and a murder. The eeriness of the fact that these same events occurred exactly one year previously heightens the anxiety. Kiyoshi Shimada, from book 1 is back to solve both cases, which turns into a twisty ride.

I was intrigued, and pleasantly surprised by the twist. I thought this was a fantastic sequel and can't wait to see what Shimada solves next.

I received an ARC os this book from Neutrally and Pushkin Vertigo

I want to preface this review by saying I guessed the reveal at the very beginning. This meant I was chasing the scenes with the hopes that I would be proved right as soon as possible. This is not something I consciously do, but more of a by-product of spending a lot of time with books like this.
The narrative is a dual timeline, with two events that have a direct bearing on each other being told to us simultaneously. We have a remote mill house, one that has a famous architect and several secrets. A reclusive man with a very young bride hides behind a mask since a terrible accident left him crippled. He invites people once a year into his home, and the last visit ended in tragedy. Now, a friend of the man who has been cast as the villain of the events that occurred earlier is on the spot to figure things out.
We hear everyone's side, both when people are together and sometimes when they are alone. It has a good flow, the information is released in bits and pieces, and the atmosphere is set for the dreary adventure that this is.
The mystery may not be unique, but for people who want to read something set in a different country and culture, this might be more interesting than it was for me.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This was very interesting and engaging. The writing was easy to follow and beautiful. The ambience for the story was thrilling, however I felt the characters lacked depth, hence I was not able to connect with them.

The book takes a while for the pace to pick up, but the plot twisted enough to keep it going. It's overall a good example of a locked-room mysteries, but the stakes felt quite low the entire time.

As they do every year, a small group of acquaintances pay a visit to the remote, castle-like Water Mill House, home to the reclusive Fujinuma Kiichi, son of a famous artist, who has lived his life behind a rubber mask ever since a disfiguring car accident. This year, however, the visit is disrupted by an impossible disappearance, the theft of a painting and a series of baffling murders. This is a classic locked room mystery with some interesting twists and turns. I was hooked from the start and literally could not put it down until the end. If you are a fn of locked room murders then you don't want to miss this one.

it took me over a month to read this, which is a very long time for me. part of that is to do with school, but i also just didn't want to pick it up. i found myself trudging through much of it, especially the first hundred pages. however, i think i did prefer the ending of this one to the ending of the decagon house murders, which is the only reason it's getting three stars.

Another Japanese title in translation from Pushkin Vertigo. Twisty and suspenseful, this one is a classic locked-room mystery and is a bit more straight ahead than the atmospheric Devil's Flute Murders.

There’s just something about the translation that didn’t really click with me. I think that the language felt a bit dry and monotonous.

It is a classic old school murder mystery which felt a bit predictable. I don’t think there’s really any question on who has done it. I think it’s more about the motivations of the character but unfortunately I didn’t feel like we have built up the characters personalities enough to be able to guess what could have lead them to the murder. I liked the detective and I liked the setting. I just wished the characters where a bit more distinctive and had more of a voice as it felt like only the detective and murderer really stood out making the whole story too obvious.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed parts of it and it is quite clever but without being engaged with the characters and getting to know them more individually and seeing them interact much, it is hard to play detective or to care about the mystery. I would recommend it only if you are a true fan of classic murder mysteries.

Took me a while to finish this. There's a long list of characters at the start of the book so I perhaps had a preconceived notion that the book is going to be confusing with all the names and people. Halfway through the book I'm still confused with who's who. But this is no first book by this author so perhaps I'll try again with another book in future. I recommend this book be read on a physical copy because the maps don't show well on my kindle. Kiyoshi shimada has been compared by Poirot but I think Agatha Christie fans might find that off putting. Poirot has certainly left an inedible impression on AC lovers. I'm not at sure Shimada has the same kind of appeal. Thanks to net galley for this ARC

While I actually preferred the Decagon House Murders, this was still an enjoyable read. Perfect for anyone who likes classic mysteries but wants to branch out a bit.

The plot:

Every year, a disparate group of unlikely acquaintances are invited to the remote abode of Water Mill House. Here, the disfigured son of a renowned artist guards both his father's painting and his beautiful young wife, hiding his face behind a rubber mask. As hidden animosities simmer, the theft of a well-guarded painting is just the start of a string of impossible occurrences – culminating in a perplexing series of murders.

My thoughts:

»The Mill House Murders« is the second novel in the »Mansion/House Murder Series«, but can be read without prior knowledge, as the plot is independent of other novels by Ayatsuji. However, I highly recommend »The Decagon House Murders«, the first of the series! Both novels are a joy to read for any fan of classic crime fiction, and I really hope that the other seven novels of the series will also get an English translation.

Like its predecessor, »The Mill House Murders« blends a rich atmosphere with a masterfully crafted locked-room mystery that tickles the brain. A bit of dry, understated humor, seasoned with a pinch of the macabre, goes hand-in-hand with an eerie tension, and the story propels itself forward with increasing urgency.

The mayor players are a select group of deeply flawed, not inherently likeable characters. The perspective of an uninvited guest, who just happens to be an amateur sleuth, makes it easy for the reader to insert themselves into the narrative. Fans of Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple or Lord Peter Wimsey are likely to enjoy this setup!

This is a 'honkaku' (i.e., authentic, orthodox) mystery, designed to be solvable by readers who keep track of the clues. And indeed, it is not too hard to figure out who the murderer is – it's the how and why that proves more tricky! All in all, it's a very intriguing mystery and well worth reading.

This book started slow, but quickly built up the pace. The plot and the plot twists were fantastic. This was missing something for me, so it wasn't quite a favorite, but it is one that I would recommend to mystery fans.

This was definitely darker than the first book (The Decagon House), but it was fascinating still. I found this book easier to read than the other, and I liked the shifting perspectives and timelines from past to present.