2.5 stars - This was a strange one. I am not generally a crime novel reader, and that is very much the space this book is playing in, as well as psychological horror. Its use of actual serial killers and multiple murderers in its philosophising felt deeply uncomfortable, but I do recognise that this is likely a convention of the genre, and it did teach me about some interesting elements of Japanese law and mental health treatment.

The narrative voice fels quite disconnected, likely an effect of its translation as well as the dream-like atmosphere the book creates. More than anything, however, the story, despite being quite simple when all laid out, becomes a bit of a convoluted pile-up. Again, this appears to be an intended effect, but it never felt satisfying to me. I'm glad I read it, but it didn't leave me wanting more.