I am loving this recent boost in translating Japanese murder mysteries, and The Mill House Murders is no exception. I read and loved The Decagon House Murders last year, and this book had a similar setup but with a completely different mystery and feel, which I really appreciated.
The Mill House Murders is the story of a strange group of people who gather every year in the same house to view a collection of prestigious paintings. One year though, a horrible string of events results in two people dead. The following year, people gather as usual but are joined by a detective who wants to solve the mystery of what really happened a year ago.
This book is told across two time points, the past and the present. The main character linking these together is Fujinuma Kiichi, a man who hides his face behind a rubber mask due to an accident which left him disfigured long ago. This style of narration/structure works quite well. I found I didn't often get confused about what time period it was, something which the distinct characters also helped a lot with. It was interesting seeing the mystery unfold in 'real time' whilst also getting the investigation of the present day.
In terms of tone, this book excellently captures that kind of Christie-esque vibe. I was surprised (perhaps naively so) how culturally accessible it was from that standpoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the creepiness of the mystery, the intrigue of the characters and the overall premise and solution.
Overall, I strongly recommend this book if you enjoy traditional murder mysteries. The plot is captivating, the characters intriguing and the writing/translation is very entertaining. An enjoyable read all round!
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