I can’t speak for anyone else, but I loved this book. It reminds me so much of Confessions by Kanae Minato in the way the story is told. The different perspectives, existing in both past and present, layer the narrative in a way that deepens its complexity and intrigue. Just like the first set of pictures we encounter in the story, the layers need to be perfectly arranged to truly understand the bigger picture.

As someone who loves thrillers and mysteries, I find there is something particularly special about Japanese horror and thrillers. Creating something so intricate and captivating takes a remarkable level of skill, and Uketsu achieves this masterfully. It’s not just about how he unravels the mystery but also the stories woven in between. The use of imagery and diagrams adds an extra joyfully puzzling and intricate feature to what is essentially a dark and strange story of secrets, lies, trauma, and crime.

This book has also been recommended for fans of Junji Ito’s work (which I enjoy immensely!), and I can absolutely see why. Similar to Ito, Uketsu creates darkly human characters. In Strange Pictures, these characters—whether the doting mother, the mama’s boy, or the relentless reporter—are crafted from common archetypes but pushed to exaggerated extremes that remain purposeful and intentional. The result is a story that feels devastating, hopeful, and impossible to put down.

I read this book with the audiobook alongside the physical copy, and the tone of the narration was spot-on. From Naomi’s wispy, eerie voice to Kurihara’s passionate energy, the audiobook captured the direct prose and the hauntingly self-aware characters beautifully. The meta exploration of society’s relationship to true crime—mirroring how we, as readers, become engrossed in the case alongside Kurihara and Sasaki—was another standout feature. I found myself eagerly trying to solve the mysteries in the pictures, feeling as if I were part of the investigation.

From solving an art teacher’s murder, confronting a stalker, uncovering secrets of the dead, and exploring deeply traumatic pasts, this book packs an emotional and intellectual punch within its 240 pages. It’s a tale of trauma, justice, motherhood, selfishness, desire, and, of course, mystery. Japanese thrillers once again come out on top.

Thank you Netgalley & Pushkin Vertigo for the egalley for my honest review.