Reviews

The Tattoo Murder Case by Akimitsu Takagi

ohhellosandee's review against another edition

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"The Tattoo Murder Case" has intriguing characters and historical insights into Japanese tattoo culture, but the plot feels bogged down by an overly lengthy introduction, scattered focus, and frustratingly misogynistic elements from one of the characters.

jessica_lam's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

3.75

I’m pretty sure that this is the first murder mystery I’ve read where the detective isn’t introduced until 60% into the novel. 

Kenzo, who just happens to be the younger brother of police chief Daiyu, is sucked into a murder case in the mysterious world of tattoos in post-war Japan. There’s interesting commentary on how the war affected everyday Japanese (though maybe acknowledge that uh… they’re the aggressors?) and the taboo that is tattooing. 

With a limited number of suspects and a few bright red herrings, the subterfuge wasn’t too tough to figure out though the details were filtered through Kenzo’s POV so some things in the reveal were a bjt annoying (though I guess if both tattoo experts react…). The mysteries themselves are fairly straightforward and as far as protagonists in these types of stories go, he’s fairly emotional and inept, but not unlikeable. 

sartorible's review against another edition

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4.0

A fun and twisty mystery. My only gripe is that there needs to be a new translation to improve the pacing. Japanese food and culture are much more commonplace now than they were 40 years ago, so some of it feels like overexplaining. It's that too much contextual exposition that kills the flow at times.

alpha_build's review against another edition

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challenging dark lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

stripycardigans's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No

5.0

thatdecembergirl's review against another edition

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4.0

Many information about old tattoos. The pacing is rather slow. The narrative is easy to follow, but the one thing that doesn't sit right with me is the appearance of deus ex machina. I mean, putting a new character just to solve everything in a blink???? What???? To be honest, I'd give it 3.5 if I can give a half star.

_anthony_'s review against another edition

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4.0

An entertaining read in post war Japan. Learnt a bit about tattoos too!

waxbiplane's review against another edition

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4.0

Totally enjoyable pulp fiction. Not trailblazing by any accord, but a nice Japanese version of the deus ex machina as brilliant, random, late-coming character. Also notable simply for (as an american reader) the subtle insights and notes upon the Japanese social exchanges that, in most other renderings (on screen mostly), are glossed over, presumably because they are difficult to westernize. Who knew it was customary to apologize for the shabbiness and clutter in your home to your guest, no matter how spotless and lovely your home was? Not me, but now i do. Thanks book!

defarge66's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

robingrey_34's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0