Strange Houses by Uketsu
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
A Tokyo writer obsessed with the macabre is drawn into investigating a seemingly perfect house—until its floor plans reveal a disturbing “dead space” hidden in the walls. With the help of his architect friend Kurihara, he uncovers eerie secrets tied to missing owners, unsettling designs, and a second house shrouded in mystery. Told through chilling floor plans, Strange Houses by YouTube horror creator Uketsu (translated by Jim Rion) invites readers to play detective and uncover the terrifying truth lurking within.
Bookish Thoughts
I came across this book while scrolling through Amazon for fall reading recommendations. The premise immediately caught my attention—it promised a different kind of mystery, one rooted in eerie architecture and the unsettling idea of hidden spaces within a home. I was intrigued to dive into a novel that blends traditional mystery with architectural horror, where the floor plans themselves become clues to a deeper, chilling truth. When you’re in the mood for a short, interactive mystery set in Japan—one that unravels the secrets of a house filled with hidden rooms.
Book Review
I thought the concept of this book was excellent. Set in Japan and translated into English by Jim Rion, it follows a writer investigating the strange floor plans of an unusual Tokyo house and discovering they are part of a design created for murder. I found it fascinating to see architecture play such a central role in a mystery novel. The story revolves around these “murder houses” and how one family used them to conceal their crimes, which gave the book a unique and chilling angle.
One of the things I really enjoyed was how the writer didn’t work alone. He brought in a friend who was an architect, and later, a local woman—who believed she might have personal ties to the murder houses after reading his article—joined their investigation. I thought the trio worked really well together, and their different perspectives kept the mystery engaging as they pieced things together.
I also really liked the format. The conversations were written in such an engaging way, and the inclusion of actual floor plan drawings made the experience interactive, helping me visualize what the author described. The solved mystery itself was intriguing, and I loved how the author tied it back to the concept of the murder houses.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. At times, the discussions about architectural theory were a bit confusing—I found myself rereading certain passages—but overall, the flow of the novel was strong. The ending leaves a few questions open for readers to reflect on, but I didn’t feel it was unsatisfying. Instead, it added to the lingering sense of mystery.
Author: “So many books, as always.”
Kurihara: “That does seem to be where most of my money goes.”
Uketsu
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is a matcha latte. This earthy, comforting drink mirrors the moments when the characters gather at cafés to exchange ideas and unravel the mystery. In a story built on interviews, conversations, and the slow piecing together of architectural puzzles, the café becomes a natural meeting point—a neutral, almost ordinary space where unsettling details begin to surface. Drinking a matcha latte while reading draws you into both the comfort of the café setting and the underlying unease of the story, making it a fitting companion to Uketsu’s haunting narrative.
Matcha Latte
A smooth, creamy drink made by whisking finely ground Japanese green tea powder with steamed milk.
Book Club Bite
Mini sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and pastries make the perfect snacks for a book club discussion of this novel. Since the story centers around houses, these bite-sized, housewarming-style treats create the ideal atmosphere—welcoming, cozy, and just a touch elegant—for diving into the book’s mysterious and unsettling themes.
“On the first floor, there was a mysterious dead space beween the kitchen and living room.”
Uketsu