The Labyrinth House Murders

The Bizarre House Mysteries, Book 3

By: Yukito Ayatsuji, Ho-Ling Wong - translator

Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab

A twisty and ingenious standalone classic Japanese murder mystery from the author of The Decagon House Murders

Can the brilliant Kiyoshi Shimada solve the mystery of this bizarre house before all those trapped in its labyrinth are dead? Can you guess the solution before he does?

Miyagaki Yōtarō is one of Japan's most famed mystery writers, but several years ago he put down his pen and left the Tokyo literary world for a life of seclusion in the remote Labyrinth House, built by the notorious architect Nakamura Seiji. When four of the country's most exciting up-and-coming crime writers are invited to the house for Yōtarō's birthday party, they are honored to accept. But no sooner have they arrived than they are confronted with a shocking death, then lured into a bizarre, deadly competition with each other . . .

As the competition proceeds, and murder follows murder, the brilliant Kiyoshi Shimada investigates. Can he solve the mystery of the house before all those trapped in its labyrinth are dead? And can you guess the solution before he does?

©2009 Yukito Ayatsuji; English translation copyright 2024 by Ho-Ling Wong (P)2025 Tantor Media

Brilliantly Unique

The book requires readers and listeners to pay very close attention till the last sentence. Highly ingenious & believable characters.

Not my favorite in this series

This one was too contrived for me. Interesting idea, though. I found the character names confusing, but I made a list and that helped.

Weeks later, I’m struggling to find something to follow this up

I knew I enjoyed the story when it was finished, but it took a few weeks to realize how moving it really was. I find myself looking for something that feels similar and I just haven’t been able to follow it up in a satisfying way. I listen to a lot of books and this is one of the few that has really stuck with me.

Hard to keep track of characters

Although the book is in English, all the names are still Japanese. As an audiobook, this makes it hard to keep track of who's who. I was able to figure out who did it by 3/4 through and probably sooner had I been able to remember which character was which. The writer was highly recommended, but I'll pass.