The Village of Eight Graves by Seishi Yokomizo, a thrilling Japanese Murder Mystery
The third title in Japan’s most popular murder mystery series — after The Honjin Murders and The Inugami Curse — fiendish classics featuring investigator Kosuke Kindaichi.
The Village of Eight Graves
My rating
4 / 5
Thank NetGalley and the publishers for the e-ARC.
Author
Seishi Yokomizo
Publisher
Pushkin Vertigo
Genre
Crime/Mystery
Number of Pages
320
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Summary
The Village of Eight Graves is the story of a small village in Japan living an ancient myth. Many, many years ago, eight soldiers who hid gold in the village, were protected by the villagers. But when war waged, the villagers betrayed these soldiers and their samurai and killed them. While dying, the samurai cursed the village. Fearing misfortune in the village, the villagers created a shrine for the eight soldiers. But evil gripped the village, nevertheless. When the leader of the house of the west, Yoko, went berserk and killed 36 people in one night and fled to the jungles. Yoko's mistress ran away with their child to the city.
Jump ahead to twenty-six years in the future, and now this son has to return to the village. But he is warned if he returns, the evil will return, and a bloodbath will continue. What does he do?
My Review
The title of the book was enough to give me the creeps and pick it right away. I was aware of the success of The Honjin Murders and The Inugami Curse by the same author, and that is why I decided to pick this book immediately when I saw it on NetGalley.
I was not disappointed. Terrible myths, curses, murders, madmen, fugitives, the prodigal son, a picturesque village, and a hidden treasure. Combined with brilliant story-telling and ingenious plot twists. And I was unable to put this book down. It was an absolutely thrilling and nerve-tingling ride. I enjoyed the mystery immensely and could never have imagined by whom and why the multiple murders were committed.
I like that the author explored the perspective that misusing myths killers explore n the superstitious nature of villagers to commit horrific deeds. The characters were so varied and immensely entertaining, and the mystery of the hidden caves and their ambiance and maze-like structure, where all the action happened, was truly bone-chilling.
Also, the Japanese culture, traditions, and myths that I learned in the process were very entertaining and enlightening as well.
Final Verdict
A great mystery and a very thrilling and suspenseful plot. I wish there were less editing mistakes in the copy I received for a better overall reading experience.
Who Should Read This
If you enjoy mythical stories and cultural mysteries that thrill, this one is a must-read for you. But warning for sensitive readers - some gory details on the murders.
Seishi Yokomizo
Seishi Yokomizo (横溝 正史) was a novelist in Shōwa period Japan.
Yokomizo was attracted to the literary genre of historical fiction, especially that of the historical detective novel. In July 1934, while resting in the mountains of Nagano to recuperate from tuberculosis, he completed his first novel "Onibi" (『鬼火』), which was published in 1935, although parts were immediately censored by the authorities. Undeterred, Yokomizo followed on his early success with a second novel Ningyo Sashichi torimonocho (1938–1939).
He published many works via Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine in serialized form, concentrating only on popular mystery novels, based on the orthodox western detective story format, starting with "Honjin Satsujin Jiken" (『本陣殺人事件』) and "Chōchō Satsujin Jinken" (『蝶々殺人事件』) (both in 1946). His works became the model for postwar Japanese mystery writing. He was also often called the "Japanese John Dickson Carr" after the writer whom he admired.
Yokomizo is most well known for creating the private detective character Kosuke Kindaichi (金田一 耕助). Many of his works have been made into movies.
Yokomizo died of colon cancer in 1981.
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