THE VILLAGE OF EIGHT GRAVES

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞
𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐨
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐨
𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝟑𝟒𝟗
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟗
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲/ 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒


The tale of "The Village of Eight Graves" unfolds with a chilling legend that sets the stage for the fictional village's eerie reputation. A gruesome betrayal is depicted in this legend: eight samurai seeking refuge within the village's boundaries were brutally murdered by the very villagers they trusted. The motive? The rumoured treasure they carried. This heinous act cast a dark shadow over the village, cursing it for generations.

Fast forward nearly three decades and the village is once again thrust into terror. A series of brutal murders, attributed to the lingering curse, shocks the community to its core. Against this backdrop, we meet our narrator, Tatsuya, a 28-year-old man whose past ties him to the village's dark history. Raised by his mother and stepfather, Tatsuya uncovers a startling truth: his own father was responsible for the tragic events of twenty-seven years prior. As fate would have it, Tatsuya's long-lost paternal family reaches out to him. He discovers he is the rightful heir to their estate, with his ailing half-brother's life hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, his maternal grandfather, searching for Tatsuya, arrives in Kobe, only to meet a sudden and suspicious demise by poisoning.
Amidst threats and warnings urging him to stay away from the cursed village, Tatsuya embarks on a journey back to Eight Graves. Accompanied by Miyako Mori, a young widow rooted in the village's history, Tatsuya finds an unexpected source of strength. However, on his return, he is met with hostility from villagers gripped by fear, convinced that his presence will unleash fresh horrors.
Their fears are not unfounded, as a string of inexplicable murders begins to unfold, each pointing accusingly at Tatsuya. Despite the ongoing investigation by the police, led by Detective Kosuke Kindaichi, suspicion looms heavily over Tatsuya. Throughout the ordeal, we are immersed in Tatsuya's inner turmoil as he navigates the complexities of his newfound family, grapples with the chilling events surrounding him, and fights to clear his name amidst mounting evidence against him.

This captivating novel belongs firmly within the realm of crime thrillers, and as such, I shall refrain from divulging too many plot details to preserve the suspense. Instead, let us explore the other facets of this literary gem. Notably, the language flows smoothly, making the transition from Japanese to English seamless. The narration, as consistently brilliant as ever, effortlessly draws readers into a tale brimming with intrigue and suspense. While the pace maintains a brisk momentum throughout, some may find a slight deceleration towards the conclusion, owing to occasional repetitions. Nevertheless, the characters are well-developed, the plot thoroughly engaging, and the accessible language renders it a truly captivating read.
Despite the book's impeccable writing, finely developed characters, and enthralling narration, my rating falls just shy of perfection. This slight deduction stems from the fact that while the antagonist's motive seems logical, their final explanation may leave readers longing for more. This nuanced aspect is what holds the rating at a respectable 4.5 stars.
In summary, for aficionados of the thriller and crime genres, this book is highly recommended. Its impeccable craftsmanship and enthralling narrative make it a standout addition to any bookshelf. 

My Rating:

4.5/5

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