The Decagon House Murders
By Yulito Ayatsuji
Another classic whodunit murder mystery, but this time we have gone to Japan.
A few things to keep in mind when reading this book: one, it is in the mid-eighties, and two, it is translated from Japanese. Things do not always translate perfectly from one language to another. There are also cultural differences. So keep those things in mind as you read. It is important to understand context when reading older material. When I encounter one-dimensional female characters or other tropes, it bothers me, sure, but it reminds me how far we have come as a society, while also showing we still have a ways to go. Context matters. Always remember that.
Okay, so that aside now, let’s get into it. A mystery club from the University decides to spend their spring break on an isolated island where six months prior, a grizzly homicide took place, where 4 were confirmed killed, and one person was never found. What could possibly go wrong???
It is not long before things on the island start to get weird, with the arrival of plates announcing murder victims, a murder, and a detective. Then, the first murder happens. Are these amateur sleuths who worship the great writers of the past (Christie, Doyle, Van Dine, and so on) as good at solving a real mystery as they are at decoding fictional ones? (I am seeing the irony here, but also kind of makes me think of all those internet sleuths a bit…). One by one, they are picked off, and the paranoia of which one of them is the culprit, all while they are trying to understand the murder that had taken place on this deserted island.
Another side note: the detective of the story is constantly referred to as “swarthy,” and I love it. You don’t get a lot of swarthy these days.
Why is this book worth your time? Well, it is an interesting dive into vengeance. While I have seen the female characters described as one-dimensional and they are depicted as rather devious and treacherous, I would like to note the way the men of the story are not very great at regulating their own emotions. I think there is a lot more to say about the men of this book if you’re willing to widen the net and change the lens and perspective with each read. One of the fun things about reading. But at the end of the day, it really is just a classic whodunnit and a love note to Agatha Christie. It was enjoyable enough that I will be picking up The Millhouse Murder. Cheers!
