This was for a test so I am trying to fill the 100 characters in this review like this and I still have to say something to get to 100.

That was a very quick read, but after the hype around Strange Pictures (which I haven't read), I expected more. It's an original but far-fetched plot, with illustrations of floor maps almost every page, which felt quite repetitive. I got a bit lost around the families' genealogy at the end and I didn't find the characters interesting enough. It was fun but forgettable.

This was such an intriguing and eerie read!

I flew through it in a day, but wow — I had to take so many notes to keep up because it got really complicated.

Twisted family secrets, hidden rooms, creepy floorplans, and an unsettling ritual that spans generations — this book had me hooked, even when I had to stop and figure out who was who.

Despite how tangled the plot got, I actually really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was dark and chilling in all the right ways.

I’m definitely curious to see where Uketsu takes things next in Strange Buildings!

🏠 If you like gothic mysteries with a touch of horror, strange architecture, and deep family curses, you might want to give this a go — just be prepared to keep notes!

Strange Houses by Uketsu builds on the same eerie suspense that made Strange Pictures so gripping. This time, the mystery centres on a series of unsettling houses with strange and disturbing features in their layouts. The tension is immediate, and Uketsu’s fast-paced writing style pulls you in quickly, making it hard to stop once you’ve started.

There’s something deeply unsettling about the these houses and their purpose and the feeling of dread builds steadily as the story unfolds. While the core mystery is just as compelling as in the first book, this one feels a bit more distant - I didn’t feel as involved in piecing together the clues as I did in Strange Pictures. Still, the atmosphere is eery and the pace makes it an easy book to fall into. Uketsu knows how to hold a reader’s attention, and Strange Houses is another chilling, addictive read.

My first introduction to contemporary Japanese horror, and is it okay to say I don’t know how to feel? When a journalist begins investigating oddly structured homes tied to violent events, he uncovers more than just architectural anomalies; he unearths a lot more than he bargained for.
What set this novel apart for me was its eerie realism. Told in a quiet, documentary-like style, it’s nothing like the Western horror I’m used to. The usual jump scares are absent, and what we’re left with is a slow-burning dread. I found the writing to be clinical yet immersive, and I appreciated how the mystery unfolded like a riddle only the reader can solve. Think House of Leaves meets The Only Good Indians but rooted in Japanese spirituality and familial obligation.
While some characters remain at a distance, the novel’s strength lies in its atmosphere, pacing, and thematic weight.
So, what’s the verdict? Will I be coming back to Uketsu? Maybe. It is a haunting and intelligent read, something for fans of psychological horror and layered mysteries. One thing’s certain, you won’t look at floorplans the same way ever again.

I really don't know what to make of this. The leaps of logic the characters make near the start, they look at a very strange floor plan and then decide to focus on the most insane theory possible. And it somehow turns out to be right? Like there is making guesses and then there is swan diving off a roof in the pitch black assuming there will be safety below.

The English translation at least suffers a little from rather stilted dialogue and I'm sure it would be far more enjoyable in its native language and its maybe lost a bit in the translation. There are no character's so to speak, no development or character arcs and I couldn't tell you a single name of anyone.

I really enjoyed the interactive nature of it however, the floorplans throughout the book, the way it was almost presented as a logic puzzle, and each time we peeled back a little of what was going on, we got an amended map and a new piece to tease apart. The end lacked a little something for me, too many unanswered questions. I have my theories however and I enjoy the idea that there are a couple of ways it could have gone down.

It was easy to read, I did it in a couple of hours, a strange experience but so long as you don't think so hard on the why, an entertaining enough one. Worth an explore, just to read something different.

Uketsu is a new author for me but after reading 'Strange Houses' I'll definitely be picking up a copy of 'Strange Pictures' and I'm eagerly awaiting the publication of 'Strange Buildings'. This book has such a unique concept- juxtaposing the (apparent) certainty of architecture with the uncertainty of a family mystery is genius- and I honestly couldn't put it down. The story is perfectly paced and the premise is so outlandish but is so cleverly constructed that it ends up being totally believable.

I haven't read a book like this before and I'm so grateful to Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I noticed this book, publishing on 3rd July, and thought the concept sounded interesting so I was delighted to receive a copy via Pushkin Press and NetGalley. I haven’t heard of the author before and haven’t seen their YouTube so wasn’t sure what to expect from the book.

This book is translated from Japanese and I didn’t notice any issues with the translation. I found the book quite readable and initially liked the visual element of studying the floor plans and trying to work out what was going on.

The story didn’t quite work for me, I found it very far fetched and it didn’t hold my interest as much as I’d hoped. I also got muddled with all the names and characters and it didn’t help that a lot of the names begin with K. I didn’t connect with any of the characters at all and they felt a bit flat.

I didn’t dislike the book, but it didn’t grab me as much as I expected it to. I see this author has another book out and I would be interested to read that and see how they compare.

I guess it wasn't for me. I didn't like it. It didn't make sense in a way that it was kind of the easy way out ? Like the end is pretty ridiculous in a silly type of way but it's also taken seriously? Not for me. Didn't dig it.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for this eCopy to review

From the moment I stepped into the eerie world of Strange Houses, I was hooked. Uketsu crafts a chilling, horror novel that blends architectural mystery with psychological tension, making for an unsettling yet fascinating read.

A freelance writer, known for his fascination with the macabre, is approached by an acquaintance looking to purchase a second-hand house in Tokyo. At first glance, the home seems perfect bright, spacious, and well-maintained. But upon closer inspection, the floor plan reveals a mysterious “dead space” hidden between the walls.

Intrigued, the writer shares the floor plan with his architect friend, Kurihara, only to uncover more strange, inexplicable spaces scattered throughout the house. As they dig deeper, they begin to question whether these anomalies are deliberate design choices or something far more sinister. Their investigation soon leads them to the home’s former resident, who mysteriously disappeared, and a terrifying truth lurking beneath the structure’s warped layout.

Uketsu’s storytelling is atmospheric and deeply unsettling, drawing readers into a mystery that feels both tangible and supernatural. The novel’s architectural horror is brilliantly executed turning something as mundane as a floor plan into a source of dread.

The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing tension to build as the characters unravel the mystery. The novel’s unique premise, immersive writing, and creeping unease make it a standout in modern horror fiction.

If you love intelligent, slow-burning horror with a mystery at its core, Strange Houses is a must-read. Uketsu delivers a thought-provoking, spine-chilling novel that lingers long after the final page.

I read Strange Pictures a few weeks ago—because really, who doesn't love a good Japanese mystery? A quick search about the author, Uketsu, only deepened my curiosity. No one appears knows what he looks like, and even at public events, he fully masked. Strange Pictures was a fantastic read, and I instantly knew I'd read anything else of his that gets translated.
So, when I saw Pushkin Press announce that his upcoming book, Strange Houses, was available on NetGalley, I wasted no time requesting it. By the time I woke up from my afternoon siesta (just Bengali things), I was approved. I downloaded it immediately—and read it in one sitting, in about 3.5 hours. It's a short read at around 208 pages, including illustrations, so probably closer to 190 pages of text.
Unlike Strange Pictures, this one requires a bit more concentration, especially when it comes to the house layouts. You'll likely find yourself flipping back to the floor plans [which is also repeated for convenience, I assume]—unlike a picture, a blueprint takes a bit more effort to visualize. That said, I really enjoyed it. It's quite a dark tale (no judgment). The story is about a mysterious family and the various houses they live in, each hiding disturbing secrets and often becoming the setting for sinister events. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but the hidden passageways will remind you of classic locked-room setups, especially those by Yukito Ayatsuji.
Overall, it's a gripping, fast-paced read.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJw2fSutkXI/?hl=es

This was such a fun read and I loved investigating the floor plans and trying to work out what could have happened. I thought it was a clever concept and I look forward to reading Strange Pictures. I did find the reasonings to why things happen a bit bizarre and outlandish but overall a fun read and will definitely read more from this author.

I was super excited to read Strange Houses as I had read Strange Pictures by Uketsu and it was amazing, an instant 5 stars for me. So I went into Strange Houses with similar expectations, however, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. It was still well written but I wasn't hooked with the story as much as I was with Strange Pictures, some things didn't make sense to me and I guess I just didn't grasp it as well as Uketsu's first book. It was a good read overall but not one of my favourites. However, I would still recommend it to everyone as I do love Uketsu's books. Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for allowing me to read an early copy of this book, I'm very grateful.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for allowing me to read this masterpiece written by Uketsu early in exchange for an honest review.

I've read this in one sitting because there was absolutely no way I could put it down.

Strange Houses is another brilliantly unsettling mystery from Uketsu, and I think it’s official: they’re now officially an auto-buy author for me. Like Strange Pictures, it starts with something seemingly ordinary (in this case a floor plan that just feels a little off) and slowly reveals more and more disturbing details the more you look into it.

That’s something I LOVE about both of Uketsu’s books: they’re all about the act of seeing. You notice something strange, and as you start analysing it, the real horror quietly unfolds. It’s such a unique kind of storytelling!

Told in a semi-documentary, interview-style format with floor plans and other evidence woven into the narrative, the story feels interactive just as much as Strange Pictures did. It's like you're helping the characters puzzle it out in real time. The tension builds quietly but relentlessly. It’s eerie rather than outright scary, but it lingers. (I would call it quiet unsettling horror!)

The central mystery is more linear than in Strange Pictures, but nonetheless gripping.
It’s clever, disturbing, and SO readable. The ambiguity at the end left me with questions (the good kind), and now I’m counting down the days until we get more from Uketsy.

If you like minimalist horror, architectural mysteries, or stories that mess with your head in the best way, then I urge you to read this!

After reading ‘Strange Pictures’ in a night, I was very excited to see we were getting a second book.

Following an authors journey, we explore the evil and mystery of humanity, with a side helping of floor plans to paw over to try and get to the bottom of things.

I think the book tells a little too much, with some explanations being things that seem to come from left field, but that being said, it’s a very enjoyable story full of mystery and intrigue!

Thank you so much for the ARC, and a fuller review will be on my website for release day!

This wasn't what I usually like, and to be frank I don't think I enjoyed it, but I really like how well-thought out and carefully crafted the narrative was. Having stumbled on an interview by the author, they mentioned that their intention to write more is to make people around the world happy through horror stories. A strange way to do it, but so far it's going well according to the statistics of book sales so while this is not my kind of book, I'm glad that this was written with such a sweet intention and tenderness underneath it all. I just don't think I enjoy mystery novels and stories very much, but I can imagine it'd appeal to a different reader. Regardless of all of my thoughts on the book, I'm quite curious to read the author's other books anyway. Maybe there's one in their body of work for me and I just haven't read it yet.

"At first glance, it probably looks totally normal, like a house anyone might live in. But if you look very closely, you might notice things here and there that seem somehow... off. Those 'off' details pile up and link together to lead to one inescapable truth. A truth so terrifying, you won't want to believe it."

Uketsu's novel is about a writer who is fascinated by the macabre and is approached by an acquaintance who is considering purchasing a second-hand house in Tokyo. The home seems perfect. But looking closer, the building’s floor plan reveals a mysterious "dead space” hidden between the walls. Seeking a second opinion, the writer shares the floor plan with an architect friend only to discover more “strange spaces” dotted across the house. He asks his architect friend to help him solve the mystery behind the strange spaces which will lead them to a truth they could not have imagined.

I remember reading "Strange Pictures" and enjoying the mystery solving aspect of the story. The reader is included in trying to connect the dots between what is going on. In the same vein, this novel does exactly that through floor pans for a home that was built for something sinister.

As the puzzles and clues come together you can't help but become engrossed and determined to reach that truth much like the characters. There are plot twists after plot twists and the ending is one I could not have called. Even though we reach a conclusion there are questions that can be fairly raised as to the weight behind the secrets that are discovered.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this and it was easy to do in one go.

Thank you to Uketsu, Pushkin Press | Pushkin Vertigo, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A very interesting concept executed fairly well. The graphics were especially engaging. I’m unsure if the translation is at fault, but the sentence structure doesn’t read well and the speech feels unrealistic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Puschkin Press for the ARC!

Personal rating: 5/5 stars.

'Strange Houses' is about a character named (or labeled, I could say?) 'author' and the story begun with the 'author' recieves a strange floor plan from his friend that want to moved to the house with the said floor plan. The friend expressed concern about the floor plan, saying it made him feel discomfort and something about the floor plan was strange to him. The 'auhor' character later brought this topic up to his architect friend named Kurihara (a guy) to discuss the floor plan with him. So, the story and the mysteries involving the house is revealed one by one since then.

This book was everything! I really enjoyed this. Not gonna lie, the first 3o percent of this book was eerie and daunting :) The build-up for the plot was so good in that part. Also, this book is using a very-telling (not showing) writing style in more like film scenario-format rather than a novel. But otherwise, that doesn't negate the thing I say earlier.

I must say, this book ending is really up to the reader to interpret. Typical mystery book, in my opinion. For me whose English is a third language, the translation is perfect. Can't wait to read other translation by Jim Rion!

A clever page-turning murder mystery, with a unique format which makes it all the more immersive, Strange Houses is a real treat. A complex but well-explained oplot fleshed out with witty dialogue, Uketsu manages to build a real rapport between the reader and the characters, and you really feel like you're solving the puzzle alongside them. I'd have liked perhaps a little more detail, it could have been a little longer to give us more time to get our heads around the convoluted family tree and unusual relationships laid bare in the latter section of the novel. However it was still and engrossing read and I enjoyed the novelty.