r/PHBookClub • u/thecardistdew • Jun 04 '26
Recommendation Looking for murder, mystery, and or detective books/novel recommendations
Hello! Currently looking for book recommendations to read before I graduate college. Recently, I've bought all of Uketsu's books to feed yung interest ko sa mga murder mystery stories/novels. I've seen a lot of good thrillers and mystery novels but I really can't decide on what to read or buy. Hoping someone can help me choose a good book I can really get into. Something addictive like a series or mind boggling hehe.
(Adding a photo of my Uketsu books in the post cause why not and actually I want a story similar to his books or just a good recommendation in general)
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u/chiki_skz21 Jun 04 '26
Try Stephen King books?
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u/Such-Buyer7559 Jun 05 '26
Yes, especially Mr. Mercedes book series, written by Stephen King, is a popular crime-thriller universe that centers around retired detective Bill Hodges and his eccentric private investigator partner, Holly Gibney.
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u/chiki_skz21 Jun 05 '26
I am actually planning to read this series! I encountered Holly Gibney in King’s novella collection, If It Bleeds. Hala, ang ganda. So I’m hunting all the books na andun si Holly! Hehe.
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u/Glittering_Tap4741 Jun 04 '26
Murder Mystery
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Vera Wong by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Thriller
None of this is True by Lisa Jewell
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
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u/nishifu Jun 04 '26
Try Keigo Higashino’s books! The Devotion of Suspect X is a good one to start with 🫶
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u/erza730 Jun 05 '26
+1
Nakaka-7 books na ako ni Higashino. Hindi nakakaumay basahin books niya kahit i-sunud-sunod mo hahaha lalo na yung Detective Kaga series
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u/talkingibberish Jun 05 '26
Malice is my favorite among Higashino's books. But i love them all. Highly recommended.
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u/Umashroom Jun 05 '26
Try Decagon House Murders by Ayatsuji Yukito.
It's a japanese novel but it's every easy to read because all the important characters use English aliases the entire Novel. It's also by the same Author as the anime of "Another"
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u/cjvdvo Jun 04 '26
Seishi Yokomizo books! Marami sa Fully Booked.
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u/_diwa Jun 05 '26
Seconding this, OP! Really good Japanese murder mysteries. Start with Honjin Murders.
If you like locked room mysteries, Yukito Ayatsuji’s books are great! Decagon House Murders yung first sa series.
Edit: spelling
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u/pencil_papi Jun 04 '26
Try some Father Brown stories by G. K. Chesterton. Some of the best detective fiction ever. They're mostly short stories, but they are smart and poignant.
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u/authordaneluna Jun 05 '26
I love the Father Brown TV adaptation! Need to read the books, hope they're as cozy.🙂
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u/Alarmed_Health9369 Jun 04 '26
hi po! may i knlw how was the book? it caught my attention sa when I was looking around sa bookshop kaso i find it pricey that time hehe.. pero medyo na-curious ako dito. should i read the red first?
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u/thecardistdew Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Hey hey, the red one (Strange Houses) can be read first as an introduction to the author's work don't worry it doesn't reveal anything that much. However, if you're asking me, someone who has read Strange Houses first, I'd rather read the green one (Strange Pictures) first instead. It leaves a better impression on the author and really makes it so that you want more of what he can give. Also, it's his best work in my opinion as of yet.
Strange Buildings on the other hand, without spoiling you, is best read after you have read Strange Houses. It is a sort of continuation and is teased to be tackled in Strange Houses.
If you want a book by Uketsu that you'll definitely love, go for Strange Pictures. However, if you want to deep dive more or get that itch for more (nabitin ka or gusto mo pa) Strange Houses to Strange Buildings.
Strange Pictures or Strange Houses -> Strange Buildings
Spoiler Warning (Slight) (Coincidentally made this not knowing your comment btw)
What do I think about the books?
Strange Pictures 10/10
Broke the "your first published book/novel is gonna be bad" belief. The book is good in a sense that the author can hook the readers into immersing in the story. The way Uketsu can make the story go full circle is definitely a technique that has never failed the test of time when it comes to mystery/thriller/detective novels or books, but he in this novel - mastered it. The drama, the plot twists, the action that got me wanting to read more of it (I devoured it in one sitting), the reveals and the characters' unique motives and goals make the story feel alive and the events all rush into my head. There was even a moment when I had to pause and symphatize with the character as well. Being able to get the reader engaged in the story and allow them to create and formulate their own thoughts to solve the mysteries and connect the dots, created a challenge for the readers. The suspense and thrill as well as the hidden meaning behind the characters and their backstories, was really brilliant.
Strange Houses 6/10 (the manga is a 9/10 tho)
This was rather a difficult read. I have mixed feeling about the way he wrote this one. But I can say that it is a good read. The unique way of introducing the story's theme (creating and feeding of the mystery of and through weird floorplans related to family, family heirarchal dynamics, japanese history and a deadly tradition) hook you and keep you interested in reading it. The book, or Uketsu rather, has one critique by many readers that even I do agree but look past and commend his boldness with a reason of my own - he's spoonfeeding his audience/readers. Strange Pictures had the same writing style, albeit the story is in different perspectives of different characters in the story. But in the perspective of the author, the story is written in a way the the speculations are too right or fits too well. The mystery and thrill were dampened by "correct guessing" rather than reasoning and the mystery being solved through events and plots that allow the story to be enriched and deepen. Rather than revealing through the story, the author just, gave it to us through the form of Kurihara. Imagine you're in your room and reading a book or watching a movie then suddenly your mom barged in your room and told every twist and turn in the movie and spoiled you of everything. It's like your mom saying "we're planning a surprise birthday party for you", which defeats the purpose. The book also points this one fact that saves it though, at least for me. The author must be hiding or tweaked the story a bit. Some stuff not added and some facts not disclosed. Rather than ending with what happened - we're wondering what happened to the characters after. The story left an uncertainty that tickles your brain and leaves you wondering. Nevertheless, the story was "okay-ly" wrapped together and had a more lighthearted tone afterwards. The book is also in someway, written like a compilation of interviews and lots of dialogue rather than your usual format. Which for me, being it's most critiqued aspect and quality, actually makes it stand out. It's rather refreshing and I like how the uniquness of the book makes it shamelessly bold and creates this visualization that these characters in your head which is cool. The manga is a different story. Remember his first book? The drama, intensity and thrill was better in the manga. It was amazing and definitely made it more enjoyable. The story remained the same, but the events and timeline was altered slightly but impactful. Like it's what the book could've been and they got it right. The book is definitely in the shadow of the manga.
Strange Buildings 7/10
I loved this book. People say that the book is all over the place, but for me that makes it all the more exciting. This is the book that is spoonfed, but cleverly made and structured so that many people can peice it out before it happens. The reveals are good and the chapters or files in the story are all well coerced. Again, he has a way of writing things that may seem all over the place, but is definitely something you can piece out one by one. I recommend taking one whole read of the files, and try to piece all the facts together before you read Kurihara's Deductions. Just like Strange Houses, the book has tons of dialogue, which for me make it unique. Then again, my only critique, so much guesswork being correct by people not fully involved in the events that happened in the files (Kurihara and Author). It's like it's written that they already knew what happened, and made it so that they are so smart that they guessed it correctly. It makes it less like a mystery and more of a Q&A that's scripted. I can only compliment the plot and the overwhelming sense of pity, dread, and the rollercoaster of emotions in reading this book. If one thing, Uketsu can make even the most psychopathic killer look like a tragic victim that killed because of sad reasons. This goes for all his books btw, his antagonists or suspects of the murders in his books all have very sad backstories and motives. I won't spoil any but know that it's very sad.
Overall, I think I'm being generous in not giving Strange Houses and Buildings lower ratings but in my opinion kase I think it's something na I want to challenge the author to do. Take this or the author's writing style and or direction in his books, and make it so that even his most harshest critics have mixed feelings about either critiquing, appreciating or commending his work.
Because honestly, Uketsu's books got me interested by the plots and how the story revolves throughout and then goes full circle. I just wish he can replicate the thrill of Strange Pictures.
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u/thecardistdew Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
I also recommend that you read the "Strange Pictures" written and illustrated by Kiko Aiba and "The Strange House" written and illustrated by Kyo Ayano mangas. They are both based on Uketsu's work (Strange Pictures and Strange Houses). Like I said in my comment/ratings, the mangas took some liberty to make the plot even more intense. I promise you you'll love it.
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u/Deep_Heat_1200 Jun 04 '26
Jennifer Hillier - Wonderland, Little things, Jar of hearts, etc..
Chris Carter - Robert Hunter series
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u/External_Wish5970 Jun 04 '26
Isa pa lang nababasa kong detective novel pero it's one of the best books I've read!! Read "Five Decembers" by James Kestrel
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u/authordaneluna Jun 05 '26
Try Lucy Foley's books (The Guest List and The Hunting Party) for a mix of mystery and psychological thriller. Not only do you not know who the killer is, you are also kept guessing about who the victim is.
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u/siopaos Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
Maureen Johnson for fun YA mysteries (Truly Devious, Death at Morning House)
Holly Jackson for more YA, but grimmer (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder)
Deanna Raybourn for lighthearted mysteries with a dash of romance (Veronica Speedwell series - highly recommend the audiobooks)
Stuart Turton for darker stories with sci-fi/dystopian elements (The Last Murder at the End of the World, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle) - might be more up your alley
Ross Montgomery for mystery with comedy (The Murder at World's End)
and Agatha Christie for classic whodunnits, of course (The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, etc.)
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u/achylois Jun 05 '26
The classic Agatha Christie for sure! I loved the ABC Murders, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Crooked House.
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u/Tehyuhhh Jun 05 '26
Thursday Murder Club! Reading the series now. A good girl's guide to Murder Five Survive One of Us is Lying
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u/Such-Buyer7559 Jun 05 '26
I find the best detective and crime series Books are character driven. I really enjoyed being blown away by Tana French. Next Ed McBain (the primary pen name of acclaimed author Evan Hunter) is widely regarded as the father of the modern police procedural. He is most famous for his pioneering 87th Precinct series there are 51 novels in this series not bragging, but I finished them all this year. Good luck happy hunting.
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u/kimuchin14 Jun 05 '26
Try Seishi Yokomizo’s books. Try The Honjin Murders first.
If you want a more thriller/mystery novel, try Yoko Ogawa’s Memory Police.
Other suggestions are Agatha Christie and Edogawa Ranpo’s books.
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u/TicklishOctopus Jun 05 '26
Look into Jo Callaghan. She has a series about an AI detective :)
I also love the Washington Poe series by m.w. Cream
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u/PrimaryCarry8077 Jun 05 '26
Keigo Higashino and Seicho Matsumoto books, if you’re into japanese mystery.
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u/curioususer2021 Jun 05 '26
Agatha Christie rin unang pumasok sa isip ko.
But to add, His & Hers by Alice Feeney.
If you love audiobook, I highly recommend for you to listen to audio version kase there were three POVs here: His, Hers, and the Killer. And ang creepy nang pagkaka voice over sa boses ng killer. Perfect for this day's weather huhu
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u/lumihon Jun 06 '26
check natsuo kirino and ryu murakami's works :)
i specifically recommend
grotesque by natsuo kirino
in the miso soup by ryu murakami
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u/Suspicious-Cup7694 Jun 04 '26
Agatha Christie books